silverautumn
BrentonDigital Movie Theaters: Why I'm Skeptical
August 14th 2009 07:29
I went to work tonight to package up a couple of old movies going out and to make room for a couple of new ones (The Ugly Truth and District 9). I was surprised to find my manager listening to a sales-man going on and on about digital projectors.
I’ve heard of digital projectors before, but I never fathomed that our little theatre would ever indulge. Our little theatre is locally owned with three screens. Sure, our projectors are beasts that need to be tamed often. But the beasts were wildly expensive beasts. I couldn’t imagine the owner of the theatre replacing these expensive monsters when even more expensive equipment.
But I guess I can be wrong. “The world is going digital,” the sales person confidently informed me. Apparently, our projectors were going the way of VHS and Cassette tapes. Well – according to sale man Joe.
Digital projectors also show 3D movies beautifully. After a summer of multiple 3D movies, I saw the appeal. More and more computer-animated movies are being done in 3D. Even the new Toy Story movie will be in 3D.
So – here’s why I’m skeptical. Piracy. If the digital copy of a movie comes in the form of a disk or a computerized file it would be no problem to pirate. I’m sure the movie companies will find ways to try and block pirates but I know the mind of the average computer geek – and they thrive on challenges.
Another reason why I’m skeptical is the cost. As I said before our projectors were very price-y. I don’t see the gain in getting more expensive equipment if what we have works.
Also, I can’t help but feel that if we digitalize movie going the movie theatre experience will lose some of its silver screen nostalgia. What would be the difference between watching a DVD film and seeing one at the local theatre? I’m sure the quality is different, but it is hard not to compare the two.
My manager told me that the owner was considering getting a digital projector or two. With the possibility of digital projectors in my future I thought I should do some light research. Armed with the internet (Google and Bing), I found some interesting facts.
Despite what I originally thought, the number of digital theatres is considerable. From the few articles I found, the numbers seemed to double almost every year. So despite my feelings about the costs - the movie business is appears to be going digital.
But I’m not the only one worried about piracy. This is a main concern.
So, we will see. If theatres go completely digital it will mean progress - which I’m always a fan of. But unfortunately it also means I will be out of a job.
I’ve heard of digital projectors before, but I never fathomed that our little theatre would ever indulge. Our little theatre is locally owned with three screens. Sure, our projectors are beasts that need to be tamed often. But the beasts were wildly expensive beasts. I couldn’t imagine the owner of the theatre replacing these expensive monsters when even more expensive equipment.
But I guess I can be wrong. “The world is going digital,” the sales person confidently informed me. Apparently, our projectors were going the way of VHS and Cassette tapes. Well – according to sale man Joe.
Digital projectors also show 3D movies beautifully. After a summer of multiple 3D movies, I saw the appeal. More and more computer-animated movies are being done in 3D. Even the new Toy Story movie will be in 3D.
So – here’s why I’m skeptical. Piracy. If the digital copy of a movie comes in the form of a disk or a computerized file it would be no problem to pirate. I’m sure the movie companies will find ways to try and block pirates but I know the mind of the average computer geek – and they thrive on challenges.
Another reason why I’m skeptical is the cost. As I said before our projectors were very price-y. I don’t see the gain in getting more expensive equipment if what we have works.
Also, I can’t help but feel that if we digitalize movie going the movie theatre experience will lose some of its silver screen nostalgia. What would be the difference between watching a DVD film and seeing one at the local theatre? I’m sure the quality is different, but it is hard not to compare the two.
My manager told me that the owner was considering getting a digital projector or two. With the possibility of digital projectors in my future I thought I should do some light research. Armed with the internet (Google and Bing), I found some interesting facts.
Despite what I originally thought, the number of digital theatres is considerable. From the few articles I found, the numbers seemed to double almost every year. So despite my feelings about the costs - the movie business is appears to be going digital.
But I’m not the only one worried about piracy. This is a main concern.
So, we will see. If theatres go completely digital it will mean progress - which I’m always a fan of. But unfortunately it also means I will be out of a job.
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Comment by curtisblackwell
also, i think building films is an important part of the movie experience, though behind the scenes; it takes time and is therapeutic, not to mention job necessitating (forgive my made-up words, i'm not exactly sober), which is important in an economy that at least has fears of recession.
your average (especiallty in greenville) audience won't notice the difference between film and digital video.
the dmer in me wants to see the digital video, but the hipster in me wants to make sure that film lives on.
i predict that film will be the vinyl of video.
Comment by silverautumn
Cinema Three
Projecting Projectionist - Film Reviews from a Small Town Theatre Employee