[cuban leaf]

I sold big screen TV’s in the early 80’s. I remember people paying at least $2,500 1981 dollars for a 50”, curved and blurry big screen experience. We did have good stuff on laserdisk, but even it could not compete with an upscaled dvd, nor could those TV’s come close.

However, a good 50+ inch flat screen today and a good surround system cost a fraction (in 2015 dollars) of what that old system did, and it SURPASSES the theater experience. And there is no parking and traffic hassle.

We wanted to see Pixels. It cost $1.50 on blueray at Redbox, right next to one of the best take-out pizza places around here. And I already had the beer. Why would we go to a theater?

[corkoman]

Good points and I do recall those early projection wide screans. But one thing we are all going to miss is the experience of being in a movie theater reacting to the film. When something is very funny the collective laughter in the theater adds to the moment. Screams gasps and other shock noises from others also seems to add to the experience.

The Exorcist benefited from many people in the theater moaning or gasping in terror as bad stuff happened in the film. A complete stranger sitting next to me grabbed and held onto my arm for over 5 minutes - she apologized and then thanked me for not yanking it away.

Nowadays with kids glued to their glowing phones and talking during the movie that collective benefit is gone.

[Gay State Conservative]

However, a good 50+ inch flat screen today and a good surround system cost a fraction (in 2015 dollars) of what that old system did, and it SURPASSES the theater experience.

I was in Dubai a year ago and made a trip to the Mall of Dubai,an *amazing* place where one sees nothing but Ferraris,Bugatis,Bentleys and Rolls Royces in the valet parking area...many of which sport Saudi plates.In one of the electronics stores in the mall there was a Samsung 105 inch UHD set priced at 500,000 dirhams...which is about $150,000 (US).

Mind you,it was a *very* nice set and came with a free tablet, ;-)

[COBOL2Java]

We wanted to see Pixels. It cost $1.50 on blueray at Redbox, right next to one of the best take-out pizza places around here. And I already had the beer. Why would we go to a theater?

What, and miss out on sitting in front of parents who couldn't bother to shell out for a baby sitter so they bring the screaming little brat into the theater with them? Or the teenagers who sit in front of you texting all during the movie, shining their little screens distracting you from the big one?

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

It’s funny when you look back at the cost and quality of things when they first came out like CD Players and DVD Players. Not a lot of people could easily afford them. Now the big flat screens and DVD systems are relatively cheaper than the “big luxury” color tvs of the 70s.

[Reddy]

I get what you are saying but for big, especially outdoor adventure movies you can’t beat the theater screen.

The trick is to go during matinee times and when the movie is near the end of it’s run. Otherwise, you have to put up with the talking, wrapper rattling idiots.