Big screen vs not as big screen

[Rick Daly]

I went to the movies recently. Something I don't often do anymore. Maybe once or
twice a year. But I HAD to see Star Wars on the big screen! :-)

Anyway, the thought occurred to me that, when I'm home watching a movie on my
65" Sony 4K TV, the movies seem brighter and sharper than in a theater. Is this
just my imagination, or is there something to it. I know I'm sitting closer at
home. I started wondering if I'm better off just waiting and watching everything
at home on a DVD. What would the resolution of a movie theater be? Just curious.
Thanks.

[Les Cargill]

Post by Rick Daly
I went to the movies recently. Something I don't often do anymore. Maybe once or
twice a year. But I HAD to see Star Wars on the big screen! :-)
Anyway, the thought occurred to me that, when I'm home watching a movie on my
65" Sony 4K TV, the movies seem brighter and sharper than in a theater. Is this
just my imagination, or is there something to it. I know I'm sitting closer at
home. I started wondering if I'm better off just waiting and watching everything
at home on a DVD. What would the resolution of a movie theater be? Just curious.
Thanks.

They're nominally 2k, we're told. "Brighter" depends on things
like color level & balance and how dark the room is.

For all you know, the setup in the theater may not have fully been in
focus.

You may be better off holding out for IMAX.

[Rick Daly]

Post by Les Cargill

Post by Rick Daly
I went to the movies recently. Something I don't often do anymore. Maybe once or
twice a year. But I HAD to see Star Wars on the big screen! :-)
Anyway, the thought occurred to me that, when I'm home watching a movie on my
65" Sony 4K TV, the movies seem brighter and sharper than in a theater. Is this
just my imagination, or is there something to it. I know I'm sitting closer at
home. I started wondering if I'm better off just waiting and watching everything
at home on a DVD. What would the resolution of a movie theater be? Just curious.
Thanks.

They're nominally 2k, we're told. "Brighter" depends on things
like color level & balance and how dark the room is.
For all you know, the setup in the theater may not have fully been in
focus.
You may be better off holding out for IMAX.

IMAX would be great. Haven't seen it advertised like that yet. The same theater
I saw it in also was showing it in 3D. I might give that a try. Hell, I get a
senior ticket anyway. If I don't like it, I can walk out!

[Wes Newell]

Post by Rick Daly
Anyway, the thought occurred to me that, when I'm home watching a movie
on my 65" Sony 4K TV, the movies seem brighter and sharper than in a
theater.
Is this just my imagination, or is there something to it. I know I'm
sitting closer at home. I started wondering if I'm better off just
waiting and watching everything at home on a DVD. What would the
resolution of a movie theater be? Just curious.

Smaller screens are always clearer than larger ones at the same
resolution. It's a simple matter of dpi. And there's alway more dpi on
smaller screens than larger ones at the same resolution. And it's dpi that
makes it clear, not just resolution. At the theater, it will also depend
on the projector used. Older projectors will not have the resolution of
newer ones if they're digital. If they're analog, projecting off real film
it will depend on the focus the projectionist sets. I can't remember the
last time I went to a movie theater, but it's been at least 40 years.
There's no pause button there.

[Rick Daly]

Post by Wes Newell

Post by Rick Daly
Anyway, the thought occurred to me that, when I'm home watching a movie
on my 65" Sony 4K TV, the movies seem brighter and sharper than in a
theater.
Is this just my imagination, or is there something to it. I know I'm
sitting closer at home. I started wondering if I'm better off just
waiting and watching everything at home on a DVD. What would the
resolution of a movie theater be? Just curious.

Smaller screens are always clearer than larger ones at the same
resolution. It's a simple matter of dpi. And there's alway more dpi on
smaller screens than larger ones at the same resolution. And it's dpi that
makes it clear, not just resolution. At the theater, it will also depend
on the projector used. Older projectors will not have the resolution of
newer ones if they're digital. If they're analog, projecting off real film
it will depend on the focus the projectionist sets. I can't remember the
last time I went to a movie theater, but it's been at least 40 years.
There's no pause button there.

Thanks Wes. That brings up something else I was wondering about. Do the movies
go to the theaters as large reels of 35mm film still or is it digital and on
disks? My Great-grandmother used to own two theaters in town and my brother and
I had free access to the whole place, including the projection booth. One of our
cousins was the head projectionist. I can remember those huge projectors with
the arc lights, and the rods that had to be replaced. And watching the movie,
the little cue that would flash up in the corner at which point both projectors
were running. Ah, the good old days!

[Jim Wilkins]

On Fri, 8 Jan 2016 17:55:25 -0000 (UTC), Wes Newell

Post by Wes Newell

Post by Rick Daly
Anyway, the thought occurred to me that, when I'm home watching a movie
on my 65" Sony 4K TV, the movies seem brighter and sharper than in a
theater.
Is this just my imagination, or is there something to it. I know I'm
sitting closer at home. I started wondering if I'm better off just
waiting and watching everything at home on a DVD. What would the
resolution of a movie theater be? Just curious.

Smaller screens are always clearer than larger ones at the same
resolution. It's a simple matter of dpi. And there's alway more dpi on
smaller screens than larger ones at the same resolution. And it's dpi that
makes it clear, not just resolution. At the theater, it will also depend
on the projector used. Older projectors will not have the resolution of
newer ones if they're digital. If they're analog, projecting off real film
it will depend on the focus the projectionist sets. I can't remember the
last time I went to a movie theater, but it's been at least 40
years.
There's no pause button there.

Thanks Wes. That brings up something else I was wondering about. Do the movies
go to the theaters as large reels of 35mm film still or is it
digital and on
disks? My Great-grandmother used to own two theaters in town and my brother and
I had free access to the whole place, including the projection
booth. One of our
cousins was the head projectionist. I can remember those huge
projectors with
the arc lights, and the rods that had to be replaced. And watching the movie,
the little cue that would flash up in the corner at which point both projectors
were running. Ah, the good old days!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_cinema