I had a very pleasant experience last night, watching an above average new release at my local Regal Cinema, and it got me thinking about somethings which for me sum up my misgivings about conventional HT think and I like to approach some of the home viewing goals from a different perspective and set of tools.
The movie in question is the new Robert Redford flick, which is well crafted, even if the plot is more than a trifle implausible. I viewed it in the IMAX theater of our local Regal Cinema. Yup, no THX, no standard THX boom box certified playback system, but instead an IMAX certified sound system (top of the line JBL horn and direct radiator systems) with good amplification, genuinely EQ'd for flat at the listener position. Of course, the screen is the IMAX monster, with only a portion utilized to playback this 2:35 widescreen image- but obviously over a reasonably well maintained 35 mm projector, unlike the sorry systems they use in the rest of the cineplex audiotoriums at this Regal Cinema.
This is what you *should* get when you pay your money to see a movie, but with the way the econominics of movie theateres work, they'd go broke trying to do this. It's why they can't afford to do digital cinemas, either, because it's just a way for the studios to increase their profits- (by reducing print costs) and with the movie theaters only making income from the refreshments, profits aren't something they have much of.
The sound in the IMAX theater isn't state of the art, in terms of competing with well setup high end home audio system, but it is so much better than the normal theater paradigm or HT paradigm I hear (sold in the mass market chains like Good Guys, Sound Track, Ultimate Audio, etc) that it's just extrodinarily sad people should have to put up with less. Now, the IMAX presentation for the movie costs more than the standard ticket- but believe me, it's worth it, and it's hard not to believe that a lot of people wouldn't be willing to pay a bit more for their ticket, to get comparable sound and an appropriately sized (full IMAX isn't needed, but comparable width and screen quality should be used).
Anyway, I guess the main point of my rant, is that "THX Certified" is a rather questionable "stamp of quality" for either the movie theater itself, or the home HT Market. Thinking back on some of the many "THX Certified" LD and DVD releases of average to poor quality (inlcuding TPM), I just don't see any evidence that THX has any real relevance for raising standards of playback quality in the theater or the home for the 21st Century.
Futhermore, there current innovations appear focused on gimmicks, not raising the standard of quality. Adding more channels of effects in the rear does not make a higher quality experience, when the fundamentals are so overlooked.
Well, who knows, possibly I deserve to be flamed for this little rant, but I'd suggest that members take a gander at a commerical movie in an IMAX theater themselves- see for yourself if you think I'm out of my mind. You might be surprised at your conclusions.
Best regards,
Jon
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
The movie in question is the new Robert Redford flick, which is well crafted, even if the plot is more than a trifle implausible. I viewed it in the IMAX theater of our local Regal Cinema. Yup, no THX, no standard THX boom box certified playback system, but instead an IMAX certified sound system (top of the line JBL horn and direct radiator systems) with good amplification, genuinely EQ'd for flat at the listener position. Of course, the screen is the IMAX monster, with only a portion utilized to playback this 2:35 widescreen image- but obviously over a reasonably well maintained 35 mm projector, unlike the sorry systems they use in the rest of the cineplex audiotoriums at this Regal Cinema.
This is what you *should* get when you pay your money to see a movie, but with the way the econominics of movie theateres work, they'd go broke trying to do this. It's why they can't afford to do digital cinemas, either, because it's just a way for the studios to increase their profits- (by reducing print costs) and with the movie theaters only making income from the refreshments, profits aren't something they have much of.
The sound in the IMAX theater isn't state of the art, in terms of competing with well setup high end home audio system, but it is so much better than the normal theater paradigm or HT paradigm I hear (sold in the mass market chains like Good Guys, Sound Track, Ultimate Audio, etc) that it's just extrodinarily sad people should have to put up with less. Now, the IMAX presentation for the movie costs more than the standard ticket- but believe me, it's worth it, and it's hard not to believe that a lot of people wouldn't be willing to pay a bit more for their ticket, to get comparable sound and an appropriately sized (full IMAX isn't needed, but comparable width and screen quality should be used).
Anyway, I guess the main point of my rant, is that "THX Certified" is a rather questionable "stamp of quality" for either the movie theater itself, or the home HT Market. Thinking back on some of the many "THX Certified" LD and DVD releases of average to poor quality (inlcuding TPM), I just don't see any evidence that THX has any real relevance for raising standards of playback quality in the theater or the home for the 21st Century.
Futhermore, there current innovations appear focused on gimmicks, not raising the standard of quality. Adding more channels of effects in the rear does not make a higher quality experience, when the fundamentals are so overlooked.
Well, who knows, possibly I deserve to be flamed for this little rant, but I'd suggest that members take a gander at a commerical movie in an IMAX theater themselves- see for yourself if you think I'm out of my mind. You might be surprised at your conclusions.
Best regards,
Jon
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
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