Topic: Could virtual reality spell the end for cinemas?
Catherine !TGirlYJKXM started this discussion 10 years ago#51,350
Upon a visit to one of my local Best Buy stores they had the new virtual reality goggles, that come a part of a bundle deal with the Samsung Galaxy 7 smartphone, on display. I decided to check it out to see what the fuss was about. I first viewed their photo viewer thinking that VR was merely just another fad gimmick that would cease in the coming years much like the Nintendo Virtual Boy. It was pretty nifty seeing ocean pictures, but it wasn't until I checked out the cinema mode that I was struck with an epiphany.
It really did feel as if I were at a theatre and a part of me actually wanted to watch movies that way. This is when I realized that if this technology continued to innovate and evolve it could literally be the thing that puts cinemas out of business. Why go out for a large screen when you can more or less get it at home? Screen not big enough? Just download a new cinema model with a larger screen and it'll be like IMAX.
Do you think this could destroy the cinema business?
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 15 minutes later[^][v]#665,483
> Why go out for a large screen when you can more or less get it at home?
Hmm. Can you think of any other home devices that have failed to put cinemas out of business?
Catherine !TGirlYJKXM (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 22 minutes later, 37 minutes after the original post[^][v]#665,492
HelterSkelter !ncKvmqq0Bs joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 1 hour later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#665,515
I think the cinematic experience is about more than just the film and there's still a strong social facet to it. So, no, I don't think VR is the end of cinemas. Although it could influence how cinemas evolve down the road. We'll see.
Catherine !TGirlYJKXM (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 21 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^][v]#665,523
@previous (HelterSkelter !ncKvmqq0Bs)
What if virtual reality makes it possible to watch movies in virtual cinemas with other people though?
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 24 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^][v]#665,532
@previous (Catherine !TGirlYJKXM)
Even expensive home theater speaker systems cannot give you a great low end response. Takes a very large room to make that work. Speakers may be rated the same but place it in a living room and the room acts as a low pass filter and all the bottom end just washes out.
Nothing like a huuuuuuuge screen - Also terrific for dates.