What is a hometheater?

[Hyfi]

I found the same definition over and over.

You and all your money have one definition, the rest of us have another. We deal with what we can put together. We all don't have 3 houses and a warehouse full of gear like some do.

A home theater is a place to watch movies the way you enjoy them and not have to go to a B&M theater. Period!

Not sure what you are fishing for besides acknowledgement that you are a little better off then the rest of us.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

I found the same definition over and over.

You and all your money have one definition, the rest of us have another. We deal with what we can put together. We all don't have 3 houses and a warehouse full of gear like some do.

A home theater is a place to watch movies the way you enjoy them and not have to go to a B&M theater. Period!

Not sure what you are fishing for besides acknowledgement that you are a little better off then the rest of us.

It would take your stupid ass to come up with this bull$hit. This is not about me idiot, it is about what constitutes a hometheater. I have stated what I think a hometheater is, and it is not what marketing people, or people re-inventing what it is.

A hometheater is just what the names states - a theater in your home. Your living room is not a theater, and neither is your bedroom. The word hometheater came from people who could afford to create a theater in their home(projector, screen, and seats), and now it is used to describe just about anything.

If you want to participate in this discussion fine. If you want to wreck this thread with your bull$hit, take it and that chip on your should somewhere else and screw yourself. I am looking for peoples personal opinions, not some definition taken from a online PC mag.

If you don't have a dedicated room, then call your system what it is. It is a 5.1 speaker system with a television set in your living room. What is the shame with that?

[RoyY51]

Can you guys hold on for a few minutes? I have to run to the store for popcorn and beer...

[Hyfi]

Can you guys hold on for a few minutes? I have to run to the store for popcorn and beer...

You may want to get Season Tickets

[Hyfi]

It would take your stupid ass to come up with this bull$hit. This is not about me idiot, it is about what constitutes a hometheater. I have stated what I think a hometheater is, and it is not what marketing people, or people re-inventing what it is.

A hometheater is just what the names states - a theater in your home. Your living room is not a theater, and neither is your bedroom. The word hometheater came from people who could afford to create a theater in their home(projector, screen, and seats), and now it is used to describe just about anything.

If you want to participate in this discussion fine. If you want to wreck this thread with your bull$hit, take it and that chip on your should somewhere else and screw yourself. I am looking for peoples personal opinions, not some definition taken from a online PC mag.

If you don't have a dedicated room, then call your system what it is. It is a 5.1 speaker system with a television set in your living room. What is the shame with that?

Keep showing us who you really are, a Cyber Bully who can't go 3 posts without name calling and trying to look oh so superior.

Since you already know what the definition is why ask such a question if when answered, you resort to name calling?

So, what is a hometheater to you?

Be careful how the rest of you answer this one. There is only one correct answer and Mr T already has it. Answer wrong and be treated poorly as usual.

Cry to the Mods again or choose to ignore me but I will post wherever I please and too bad if you can't deal with it.

[Mr Peabody]

"Home Theater" probably has become a marketing term to sell consumer electronics, however, most people do not have an extra room just for a theater so the HT has to be within an already designated room such as living or family room. I do agree a HT should have a large screen, I mean that's one of the main attractions, or criteria, of any theater. Personally most of my HT set ups have had better surround effects than what I've experienced at the theater. I do think there's a difference between watching movies and a theater experience but I suppose it's all relative since no set in stone definition exists.

[TheHills44060]

If someone invites me over to watch a movie on her/his "home theater" the only absolute requirement I have come to expect is some sort of external speaker system attached to a viewing screen be it a tv or projection screen. For me the term home theater is very nebulous because I've heard people with a couple externally powered speakers connected to a tv as well as people with a full blown dedicated movie screen and a jillion speakers all refer to their system as a home theater.

Doesn't bother me either way. Only thing that would bug me is if someone only had a tv and a bag of popcorn then referred to that as a home theater.

[bfalls]

I only have a 52" Sony XBR, but consider my setup a Home Theater. It's in a dedicated 12.5'x 25' (it's one room but half is 10'x 13 the other 12.5'x12') which is better sonically since the long axis isn't twice the short axis). I have two different systems setup, a Legacy Focus/Emotiva system and a Sony STR-D5300ES/Klipsch Kg4 system). Each has it's own sonic advantages. In the room I also have several smaller 5.1 systems stored which I listen to occasionally. I have an Emotiva ERM-1/ERD-1 system, a B&W LM1/VM1 system, a Scandyna Minipod system, PSB Intro (Alpha) system and a Klipsch B2/KV3 system. Each with their specific sound. Except for having two closets in the room it's purely dedicated to Home Theater and Music. Since I sit only about 10' from the screen a larger screen wasn't necessary. I haven't gone to the trouble of having the room sonically treated. I have two 5'x6' shelves to store my CDs, DVDs and BDs which pretty much treats the back of the room. With couches and carpet to treat the front it balances the room from reflections. It's dedicated for Home Theater and Music, but still liveable.

[Smokey]

I do think there's a difference between watching movies and a theater experience but I suppose it's all relative since no set in stone definition exists.

IMO the definition of HT as a classic term is evolving. With computers (or media server to keep E-Stat happy ) and Smart TVs being integrated into HT, it had become more of media center than HT as there are too many distraction.

One minute you could be watching a movie on bluray, and next minute you're surfing the net, and next minute streaming a TV show, answer an email meanwhile, and back to watch the rest of movie.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

"Home Theater" probably has become a marketing term to sell consumer electronics, however, most people do not have an extra room just for a theater so the HT has to be within an already designated room such as living or family room.

Unfortunately, a living room or multipurpose room can not be considered a hometheater. A hometheater is not just equipment, it is equipment, room, and environment.

I do agree a HT should have a large screen, I mean that's one of the main attractions, or criteria, of any theater. Personally most of my HT set ups have had better surround effects than what I've experienced at the theater. I do think there's a difference between watching movies and a theater experience but I suppose it's all relative since no set in stone definition exists.

There was a definition, and then it was changed for marketing purposes.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

There is a very good reason why I have come to my conclusion about Hometheaters. It has nothing to do with the cost of the A/V equipment, but has everything to do with the genesis of hometheaters.

Hometheater is derived from old school screening rooms. Screening rooms had just one purpose, and one purpose only. To screen films that Heads of studio financed, and Directors shot. Screening rooms date back to the 1930's when most Hollywood studio heads had them in their homes for screening daily's. Since the 1930's all the way to the late eighties, screening room were only in the homes of Studio heads, Directors, producers, and very rich actors with access to 35mm film.

Screening rooms consisted of a 35mm film projector, and into the 70's a Dolby decoder, simplex film projector, a screen, and some form of adapted JBL sound system. It was a small size professional movie theater in a home environment. It was not used to entertain guests, have coffee, or to sit around and read in. It was for screening movies, and only that. It was a combination of equipment, dedicated space, and viewing environment. It usually followed some film standard it terms of viewing angle, and sound reproduction.

THX brought the next generation of screening rooms into focus for the wealthy and general public that wanted high standards during their movie viewing experience. With decent quality video sources(laserdisc), a screening room no longer had to have a film projector, but could have a video projector instead. THX set standards for viewing angle and distance, for acoustics, and for the necessary gear to have a high quality video experience. This could only be accomplished in a DEDICATED room, as living rooms, and bedrooms are not optimal spaces for a high quality viewing experience.

In the early 90's, electronic and speaker manufacturers decided they could sell more speakers and equipment if they relabeled hometheater as a equipment only experience. No longer was home THEATER tied to a dedicated space, but any space you could set up their equipment in. Now Hometheater was about the equipment only, and the optimal viewing space was ditched so they could sell equipment to the masses in the name of providing the same experience as a dedicated screening room - but you could put the equipment anywhere. The marketing people made that change, not the film people who actually produce the content.

A hometheater is really what the wording states - a theater in your home. A honest to God hometheater would have the visual aesthetics of a real professional movie theater, and follow SMPTE or THX standards for visual and audio quality. These standards cannot be followed in somebody's living room or bedroom. It must be a dedicated space where nothing other than movie watching is done.

You cannot call a dog a cat just because both can scratch. You cannot call a sturgeon a whale just because both swim in water. You cannot call a female a male just because both eat, breathe, and walk on two feet. And you cannot call a flat panel and a 5.1 system in a living or bedroom a hometheater just because both can play a Bluray disc. There are distinctions which separate these things - and when you decide to blur those distinction, you fundamentally change what that thing really is.

[Smokey]

THX brought the next generation of screening rooms into focus for the wealthy and general public that wanted high standards during their movie viewing experience. With decent quality video sources(laserdisc), a screening room no longer had to have a film projector, but could have a video projector instead. THX set standards for viewing angle and distance, for acoustics, and for the necessary gear to have a high quality video experience. This could only be accomplished in a DEDICATED room, as living rooms, and bedrooms are not optimal spaces for a high quality viewing experience.

I agree that it will be hard to achieve sound quality of dedicated room in general home enviroment, but wouldn't sitting right distance from [calibrated] TV and have control lighting in any space of home at least satisfy the THX video standards.

Aot of TVs nowdays have self calibartion tool (such as LG's "picture wizard”) that meet the ISF standards for PQ and right color temperature.

[jjp735i]

I have to agree with both sides, but to me HT is with a movie screen and projector and of course surround. I got into backyard theater 2 years ago and love it so I decided to bring the big screen inside for the winter. I installed a hanging pull down 120" screen, it pulls down right in front of the TV. There is no comparison to watching a movie on my 50" plasma to the 120" screen. The projector and screen gives you that at the movies experience. The best part about Projector and screen and you can have a pretty good set up for under $750.oo bucks. Mine is not HD, but I think the picture is just as good if not better then my HD tv's.

[maeaguilar]

Home theater or home cinema, consists of ff:

Wide screen TV, speakers, amplifier, DVD player and the best home theater receiver!

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Keep showing us who you really are, a Cyber Bully who can't go 3 posts without name calling and trying to look oh so superior.

Hyfi, you need a diaper change. All this crying and boohooing is boring as heck since I have already done my share of diaper changing. You seem to have a victims mentality. Really, a cyberbully? Are you a kid or an adult?

Get a baby sitter.

Since you already know what the definition is why ask such a question if when answered, you resort to name calling?

Be careful how the rest of you answer this one. There is only one correct answer and Mr T already has it. Answer wrong and be treated poorly as usual.

I guess the victim mentality suits you well. When it comes to Hometheater, there is only one answer that is correct.

Cry to the Mods again or choose to ignore me but I will post wherever I please and too bad if you can't deal with it.

Why would I cry to the mods? It is not worth it to me - you are just an fool anyway.
Besides, I don't mind pointing out an idiot when I see one.(finger points at you)

[Hyfi]

We are all so glad that you took the week to come up with something fresh and new and different

You seem to have a victims mentality.

The only thing I have been a victim of around here lately are the individuals like yourself that preach one thing on Sunday, but act the complete opposite the rest of the week

Really, a cyberbully? Are you a kid or an adult?

Yes, I am the kid who has to resort to name calling in every thread

When it comes to Hometheater, there is only one answer that is correct.

In your mind, I guess so and to the point of my first reply. You already have your answer and only posted this so you could argue with anyone that disagreed. Like we can't see right through that?

you are just an fool anyway.
Besides, I don't mind pointing out an idiot when I see one.(finger points at you)

I'm sure my employer and all my global customers would have a different opinion. But I am also sure the rest of the leaders and members of your church would be so proud to know that you actually learned and practice the lessons taught in the book you believe in. Maybe you should spend a week at Vacation Bible School where they teach it so even a child can understand it. You are the kind of people that give religion a bad name because you think as long as you show up and drop some coin on Sundays, and ask the dead guy for forgiveness, that you can treat people anyway you want and all is fine.

Losing your respect is right up there with losing an old worn out sock, it's meaningless. Not too sure why you would even think people cared about your respect in the first place but it sure leads to much amusement.

Now take another week off and see if you can find some better names to call me.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

We are all so glad that you took the week to come up with something fresh and new and different.

Which is something you have not done in quite a while.

The only thing I have been a victim of around here lately are the individuals like yourself that preach one thing on Sunday, but act the complete opposite the rest of the week

Sorry, I don't preach. I don't even talk about what happens on Sunday. That is my business, and not your. If you tended to your business, you would not have time to stick your nose, or even judge mine. Victim...that choice of a word shows what a weak minded individual you are.

Yes, I am the kid who has to resort to name calling in every thread

And you are too stupid to realize that you would not get called names if you didn't make personal judgments on people on a website that talks about AUDIO.

In your mind, I guess so and to the point of my first reply. You already have your answer and only posted this so you could argue with anyone that disagreed. Like we can't see right through that?

And the purpose of my answer was to distinguish the difference between the two - because there is one. Some people here have posted some great questions, and all you have brought to the table is the off topic issue of your opinion of me - of which I don't give a flying !@#$ about. The other thing you brought was some lame a$$ explanation of a hometheater(that is outdated at best) coming from a online computer website. Do you often go to McDonalds for Chinese food?

I'm sure my employer and all my global customers would have a different opinion. But I am also sure the rest of the leaders and members of your church would be so proud to know that you actually learned and practice the lessons taught in the book you believe in. Maybe you should spend a week at Vacation Bible School where they teach it so even a child can understand it. You are the kind of people that give religion a bad name because you think as long as you show up and drop some coin on Sundays, and ask the dead guy for forgiveness, that you can treat people anyway you want and all is fine.

More personal judgement. This is why your stupid a$$ get's called names. Didn't any teach you about cause and effect? If you don't want to get called names idiot, then refrain from this kind of comment. Otherwise your stupid a$$ leaves your stupid self open for this.

You don't know a damn thing about my life, so go screw yourself

Losing your respect is right up there with losing an old worn out sock, it's meaningless. Not too sure why you would even think people cared about your respect in the first place but it sure leads to much amusement.

Then why do you keep coming back here(off topic) replying over and over again? Either you don't know how to connect the dots(no personal judgement = no name calling), or you are an idiot that is a glutton for punishment..... or both. I'll take the latter for $200 Alex......

Now take another week off and see if you can find some better names to call me.

I am not sure there is anything better than a stupid idiot than I can call you. I don't need a week to figure that out.

[Happy Camper]

Home theater means BIG screen. The room acoustics impact has to be tolerable to non ideal conditions/gear. A well implemented dsp program can minimize a lot.

I'd really like to do a projector but I have too much light for one. But the view has to encompass you and make you react to the illusion. If your total field of view means not even moving the eye, you aren't involved. We do have to kind a buy into the fakeness of anything less. And nothing I've seen less than 120" gives that illusion unless you sit too close to the screen. You want to have to move your head or at least move your eyes to take in the action. Today's digital remakes of the film classics are stunning. The illusion of depth is sensed from that old film technology. Today's panels are nice but are not the same. I've lived with 65" screens since 92. The quality is stunning. But it isn't smelling popcorn, looking up to see the top of the screen or moving your head to follow the action.