Alkyogre
Member
In my opinion the majority of movies may slow down. A bit more depth in the storyline, more.quiet moments, more humor, instead of chasings, shootings and helicopters.
Has Home Theater reached the end of the road?
- Thread starter Mr Peabody
- Start date
Yes, the good old home theaters ran their course. Nobody cares for a dark single-purpose room, full of empty empty recliner seats that is only used by its owner because nobody else wants to sit for 2 hours to watch a movie.
Phishphan
Active member
When we sold our big house up north with our dedicated room, we sold the surround/rear speakers & amp that powered them with the house. Over time as the kids got older no one used the room for HT anymore. My wife and I used it 90% of the time as for 2 channel.
In our new place we have a 3.1 set up for HT now, and it’s more than enough.
In our new place we have a 3.1 set up for HT now, and it’s more than enough.
I admit that I became infuriated as I read post after post of this thread. I suppose the same sort of position could be taken regarding eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant. After all, why go to all that bother and expense when one can find a version of the same food in the freezer section of any nationwide supermarket chain?
When I built my house, one of my primary goals in its design and construction was to have a dedicated home theater that would easily substitute for my needing to attend a local cinema. That was 15 years ago. Over the years, I have regularly upgraded various components in it to ensure that I was continuing to enjoy state-of-the-art audio and video reproduction. Clearly, the most significant of these upgrades has been the affordability of laser-based projectors. Until this past year, I was constrained to only watching movies because the xenon bulb in my projector had a 500-hour life, and it started to dim after only around 250-300 hours. Now I watch movies, streaming series, sporting events, etc. in my theater.
The screen in my home theater is 132" diagonally. Sitting 10' to 13' back, the visual effect is the same as in a movie theater. I have an 83" diagonal OLED TV in my family room. That extra 50" makes a real difference! The audio in my home theater is 7.4. With properly positioned acoustic paneling and equalization of the subwoofers, the frequency response in my theater is+4/-3 db from 20Hz to 10KHz -- with very low distortion and excellent dialogue clarity.
The result of all this preparation is that my home theater provides me with constant joy. I am just as wowed now (perhaps, even more so) as when I first started using it in 2008. When a film or a series is accompanied by music well composed and played, the overall experience is just extraordinary. (I should also mention that I use my theater's audio as my primary playback system, either in 2.4 for two-channel or full 7.4 for multichannel SACD and Blu-ray concerts.)
Frankly, I feel sorry for those who believe that a TV with a soundbar and maybe a subwoofer is good enough. Yes, it can suffice as better than nothing, but it is a far cry from delivering the experience a person could enjoy watching a show in a real home theater.
In conclusion, my answer is a resounding NO! Home theater has not reached the end of the road.
When I built my house, one of my primary goals in its design and construction was to have a dedicated home theater that would easily substitute for my needing to attend a local cinema. That was 15 years ago. Over the years, I have regularly upgraded various components in it to ensure that I was continuing to enjoy state-of-the-art audio and video reproduction. Clearly, the most significant of these upgrades has been the affordability of laser-based projectors. Until this past year, I was constrained to only watching movies because the xenon bulb in my projector had a 500-hour life, and it started to dim after only around 250-300 hours. Now I watch movies, streaming series, sporting events, etc. in my theater.
The screen in my home theater is 132" diagonally. Sitting 10' to 13' back, the visual effect is the same as in a movie theater. I have an 83" diagonal OLED TV in my family room. That extra 50" makes a real difference! The audio in my home theater is 7.4. With properly positioned acoustic paneling and equalization of the subwoofers, the frequency response in my theater is+4/-3 db from 20Hz to 10KHz -- with very low distortion and excellent dialogue clarity.
The result of all this preparation is that my home theater provides me with constant joy. I am just as wowed now (perhaps, even more so) as when I first started using it in 2008. When a film or a series is accompanied by music well composed and played, the overall experience is just extraordinary. (I should also mention that I use my theater's audio as my primary playback system, either in 2.4 for two-channel or full 7.4 for multichannel SACD and Blu-ray concerts.)
Frankly, I feel sorry for those who believe that a TV with a soundbar and maybe a subwoofer is good enough. Yes, it can suffice as better than nothing, but it is a far cry from delivering the experience a person could enjoy watching a show in a real home theater.
In conclusion, my answer is a resounding NO! Home theater has not reached the end of the road.
Last edited:
Big B
Member
delete
Big B
Member
Word for word I can second this person's view.
LOL! You are taking this hobby too seriously! For starters, nobody is trying to equate the viewing experience of a well-designed home-theater. What you are hearing from folks here (and what several pro installers in my area tell me) is that today, people moved away from building dedicated home theaters. Their clients are now putting more value on the camaraderie of being with people viewing whatever they want to watch with the lights on without having to have a dungeon (a completely dark room with the shades down if the room even has windows).
If you are enjoying what you have (it sounds like you do), then that is all that matters!!
PS. BTW, I am familiar with home theaters. In my previous home I built a multi-purpose audio/video room in 2000. I had a 5.4 system with a Stewart 116” diagonal screen. Since projector technology changes constantly, I used to replace the projector every 4 years (I am surprised that you kept a projector with low lumens and lamps that lasted only 500 hours for that long!). I used the system to watch DVDs, Blu-Rays, streaming (video and music), listening to music (both stereo and multichannel), my kids used it to play video games as well. In other words, it was a multi-purpose room with an automated screen that came down when needed and hid in the ceiling when not. But now, I am happy with my 90-inch TV and have no need to build another home theater. Been there, done that.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #28
I think HT is great, even watching regular TV was fun through the HT. I personally think streaming and lack of the film industry to produce quality content and promote it is gone. Sure there are a few good movies, I've even gone to the theater a couple times this year which is highly unusual for me, but hopefully you feel what I mean.
I mean movie watching when there were rental stores was a ritual. Browsing for what to watch, checking to see what new release is coming, sometimes even catch a trailer. Now if it wasn't for my wife checking the Redbox site we'd never know what was coming to rent. You probably gathered we aren't huge streamers. My 30 something daughter and family is, it's like benge watching a series, an occasional movie but no HT except a 75" TV. Streaming also took the TV or projector from being the last component in the chain to often reversing to the main component with its built-in streaming. I don't even know if they have a disc player.
HT is still a cool experience it's just many have lost interest. Changing habits. Not the first time these things have killed or changed a section of the industry.
I also wonder if Atmos which was probably intended to boost the industry actually caused a small rebellion, some thinking enough is enough, how many speakers can I have. Of course, you didn't have to go that route, I stayed at 5.1 myself. Who thought DVD's would still be sold at this point? I even read that 4k discs may go away. We can lament but can't stop the water once the dam breaks.
I feel another factor is a lack of B&M stores, displays with HT etc. One has to see it to be interested, then someone to explain the set up etc. and many just want it done for them. And we can't have B&M if no one supports them. There was a good article about Bath & Body going out of business, talking about what did they do different for customers that places like Amazon didn't. I don't want to go off on a tangent but a shame Best Buy is the only remaining "big box" electronics store, they did evil best and those who tried to imitate are no more.
So if HT is waning I conclude it's due to a few different factors as I tried to express.
God bless you if you read this entire rant, LOL
I mean movie watching when there were rental stores was a ritual. Browsing for what to watch, checking to see what new release is coming, sometimes even catch a trailer. Now if it wasn't for my wife checking the Redbox site we'd never know what was coming to rent. You probably gathered we aren't huge streamers. My 30 something daughter and family is, it's like benge watching a series, an occasional movie but no HT except a 75" TV. Streaming also took the TV or projector from being the last component in the chain to often reversing to the main component with its built-in streaming. I don't even know if they have a disc player.
HT is still a cool experience it's just many have lost interest. Changing habits. Not the first time these things have killed or changed a section of the industry.
I also wonder if Atmos which was probably intended to boost the industry actually caused a small rebellion, some thinking enough is enough, how many speakers can I have. Of course, you didn't have to go that route, I stayed at 5.1 myself. Who thought DVD's would still be sold at this point? I even read that 4k discs may go away. We can lament but can't stop the water once the dam breaks.
I feel another factor is a lack of B&M stores, displays with HT etc. One has to see it to be interested, then someone to explain the set up etc. and many just want it done for them. And we can't have B&M if no one supports them. There was a good article about Bath & Body going out of business, talking about what did they do different for customers that places like Amazon didn't. I don't want to go off on a tangent but a shame Best Buy is the only remaining "big box" electronics store, they did evil best and those who tried to imitate are no more.
So if HT is waning I conclude it's due to a few different factors as I tried to express.
God bless you if you read this entire rant, LOL
the professor
Well-known member
A properly setup home theater is awesome. There is really nothing like it. But I think generally speaking that people are getting away from the dedicated home theater room and all it entails. That in NO way makes the home theater experience any less impressive and fun.
I think that part of the reason is that families do not get together and watch a movie as much as before. It seems like everybody has their own streaming show/blog/movie/tik Tok/etc that they are watching. Watching TV isn't near as much of a social thing as it has been in the past.
I think that part of the reason is that families do not get together and watch a movie as much as before. It seems like everybody has their own streaming show/blog/movie/tik Tok/etc that they are watching. Watching TV isn't near as much of a social thing as it has been in the past.
Shadowfax
Well-known member
For sure not being able to see, touch, and experience it has a lot to do with it. If one never sits in a properly setup room and hears/sees a good demo they will never even be interested in replicating it. Like I said above, before they went out of business, Soundex had 10 or 11 dedicated Theater Rooms and just as many 2 channel rooms. Now I will deny I said this if cornered, but when the Bose Lifestyle systems came out, I happened into a store to check it out and it was pretty surprising. So that crowd also had a place to experience it first. As far as content, you have to search real hard to find movies that are not all death and destruction which seems to be something they want us conditioned to just brush off. On the other hand, they have been showing and telling us what they are doing thru movies and we laugh it off not realizing. Ex Machina is a good example. They already have these types of AI Robots and had them when the film was made. I digressed....carry on
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #31
Yeah, that about sums it up. Why didn't I just say that, LOL
Big B
Member
To each to their own. Enjoy and more power to ya.
Big B
Member
I hope nobody takes that as knock it wasn't the intention.
Mike Lavigne
Member
i still use my separate Home Theater, and have kept it upgraded. my now 6 year old JVC-RS4500 4K with processor and 2:35:1 screen lens still looks great. 3 years ago i upgraded my surround with the Trinnov Dolby Atmos and added some speakers to 9.3.6 with Funk Audio subwoofers.
as i have a separate sports watching spot upstairs in my barn with an 85" 8k flat screen and low budget Dolby Atmos i only do movies in my HT, so not that much. but still appreciate it.
went to an IMAX theater to watch Oppenheimer last week, my first time at an actual Theater in maybe 5 years.
but i think when we look at the Home Theater market the big deal is video games and lots of music being mastered to Dolby Atmos. these two things will keep the focus on ultimate experience enough for this segment to stay healthy. maybe a dedicated Home Theater for movies only will be less and less a factor. but the video game marketplace dwarfs 2 channel or movie only. and all the streaming content is now equipped with Atmos.
so the top of the market still has content to drive it. and that is always where the reality is; what content will drive the market forces. if gaming is better in a dedicated home theater, it will continue to be healthy.
video games had 48 billion dollars of world wide revenue in 2022, and that is just media and players. just follow the money. and some of those buyers want the best. and us movie lovers get the benefit of the gear development efforts as we ride along with games and streaming.
note--i don't do video games myself. just commenting on why or why not Home Theater is at the end of the road.
as i have a separate sports watching spot upstairs in my barn with an 85" 8k flat screen and low budget Dolby Atmos i only do movies in my HT, so not that much. but still appreciate it.
went to an IMAX theater to watch Oppenheimer last week, my first time at an actual Theater in maybe 5 years.
but i think when we look at the Home Theater market the big deal is video games and lots of music being mastered to Dolby Atmos. these two things will keep the focus on ultimate experience enough for this segment to stay healthy. maybe a dedicated Home Theater for movies only will be less and less a factor. but the video game marketplace dwarfs 2 channel or movie only. and all the streaming content is now equipped with Atmos.
so the top of the market still has content to drive it. and that is always where the reality is; what content will drive the market forces. if gaming is better in a dedicated home theater, it will continue to be healthy.
video games had 48 billion dollars of world wide revenue in 2022, and that is just media and players. just follow the money. and some of those buyers want the best. and us movie lovers get the benefit of the gear development efforts as we ride along with games and streaming.
note--i don't do video games myself. just commenting on why or why not Home Theater is at the end of the road.
Serious video gamers do not use home theaters for gaming. In fact they key item is refresh rates rather than resolution. According to the article below, gaming pros much prefer a 24 inch gaming monitor.
What Monitor Size Do Pro Gamers Use? | Why Pro Gamers Use 24 Inch Monitors
From that article: “When it comes to pro gamers, they are all about frame rates, even above resolution. The game doesn’t need to look good, it just needs to offer supreme accuracy. Luckily, 24-inch gaming monitors are known for offering extremely high frame rates, making them desirable to most professional gamers. The quicker the information is shown, after all, the faster the gamer can react to it. It may not be pretty, but it certainly gets the job done.”
the professor
Well-known member
Not being a gamer, I would have never thought of that. But it makes total sense. I can totally see that speed to get the jump on the enemy/game would be paramount.
Bones13
Active member
I’ve had several mid level 5.1 systems in 3 houses now. Usually severely constrained by WAF, and needing to “hide” most of the gear in the family den areas. In ceiling speakers as surrounds, and in cabinet bookshelf speakers for L/C/R.
We regularly do streaming an hour or 2 at night, and the 5.1 system sometimes creates interest with 3D sound. However, when I watch movies (blue ray and AppleTV streaming) up in my small listening room, I much prefer my stereo system sound. I’m sure the room treatments have a lot to do with that. (HDMI from sources to TV then TOSLink to the DAC)
I have never had the space, nor actual interest, to build a dedicated theatre room. As we are looking at another downsize, and move, for both for retirement, and proximity to children, it is not in the cards. If I could get that much space (and spousal approval) I would get more use out an expanded stereo system, with room treatments and dual subs. A superb stereo sound system beats a medium surround systems, for me.
I’m sure that I would really enjoy a well done, and provisioned, home theatre room, watching a few movies. However, in day to day life, we would not use it enough to justify having one. Perhaps if I had ever built a house.
I bet that in a smaller home with smaller spaces, that we go with the Sonos Arc treatment in the main living area. She can’t use any system that is not Sonos. (She does listen to Spotify music most of the time) I’m hoping for a room big enough for a stereo speaker, and Vinyl, but currently concentrating on digital source, and headphone, investments.
We regularly do streaming an hour or 2 at night, and the 5.1 system sometimes creates interest with 3D sound. However, when I watch movies (blue ray and AppleTV streaming) up in my small listening room, I much prefer my stereo system sound. I’m sure the room treatments have a lot to do with that. (HDMI from sources to TV then TOSLink to the DAC)
I have never had the space, nor actual interest, to build a dedicated theatre room. As we are looking at another downsize, and move, for both for retirement, and proximity to children, it is not in the cards. If I could get that much space (and spousal approval) I would get more use out an expanded stereo system, with room treatments and dual subs. A superb stereo sound system beats a medium surround systems, for me.
I’m sure that I would really enjoy a well done, and provisioned, home theatre room, watching a few movies. However, in day to day life, we would not use it enough to justify having one. Perhaps if I had ever built a house.
I bet that in a smaller home with smaller spaces, that we go with the Sonos Arc treatment in the main living area. She can’t use any system that is not Sonos. (She does listen to Spotify music most of the time) I’m hoping for a room big enough for a stereo speaker, and Vinyl, but currently concentrating on digital source, and headphone, investments.
Mike Lavigne
Member
there are millions of gamers that are not pros and value the experience of a Home Theater for gaming. if you go over to AVS and read about large state of the art home theaters many have gaming as a significant driving force. and the sheer numbers of gamers is a factor in the viability of and activity around Home Theater technology going forward.
it's all about dollars and commerce. gaming helps everyone selling sound and video with trickle down. and game production looks to make the experience more involving and attractive by harnessing home theater tech. so it's important to stuff we all like here to get continually better.
NekoAudio
New member
There are also several projectors that have a "game mode" now, to prioritize low latency over picture quality.
I have been a member of AVS since 2001 and have actually used my home theater for gaming (with my children when they lived at home; none of us are pros!). Millions of gamers using home theater? We must definitely been reading different posts. But since you don't do video gaming yourself (as you stated above) that could explain your view.