For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?
Whether you think cinema died with Hitchcock or only got good once Michael Bay started blowing up helicopters, this is the place where moving pictures are discussed.
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For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?Whilst seeing films at the cinema/movie theatre is still popular, there was a time when the cinema was the only place people could see films. I'm curious as to several aspects of domestic film viewing:
When were films first shown on television? And how frequently?
When were films available to be purchased for domestic viewing?
Were video cassettes the first (commercial) way in which films could be played at home or was there something prior to VHS?
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Hope you guys can answer my questions. What do you guys prefer, watching films in the cinema or at home?
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?The first movies to been shown on TV was in the 1960's, mainly war and western films were shown.
Video stores started in the 80's, the first formats were VHS and Betamax but VHS obviously won (like blu-ray did to HD-DVD),this allowed independent film makers to start making there own movies straight to VHS.
Ever heard of the video nasties? Back in the early 80's there was no such thing as age ratings so little kids could wonder into a video store and pick up a violent horror movies, so a list was made and ban loads of horror not until later years when age ratings started being used more so eventually the 18 certificate came about so that those films were re-released.
I prefer watching movies at home because in the cinema there is always someone talking and the seats are too small for your legs, plus a blu-ray/DVD is about the same price as a cinema ticket nowadays. Also a lot of independent movies don't have the money to be shown in cinemas so the only way to see them is through DVD/Blu-ray specially for genres like horror and martial arts. -
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?good post I agree with everything except for the seats not being big enough for your legs(Original post by farrow000)
The first movies to been shown on TV was in the 1960's, mainly war and western films were shown.
Video stores started in the 80's, the first formats were VHS and Betamax but VHS obviously won (like blu-ray did to HD-DVD),this allowed independent film makers to start making there own movies straight to VHS.
Ever heard of the video nasties? Back in the early 80's there was no such thing as age ratings so little kids could wonder into a video store and pick up a violent horror movies, so a list was made and ban loads of horror not until later years when age ratings started being used more so eventually the 18 certificate came about so that those films were re-released.
I prefer watching movies at home because in the cinema there is always someone talking and the seats are too small for your legs, plus a blu-ray/DVD is about the same price as a cinema ticket nowadays. Also a lot of independent movies don't have the money to be shown in cinemas so the only way to see them is through DVD/Blu-ray specially for genres like horror and martial arts.
and a DVD player being the price of a cinima ticket I'm guessing is an exaduration?
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?He means an actual Blu-Ray disc, not a player.(Original post by boba)
good post I agree with everything except for the seats not being big enough for your legs and a DVD player being the price of a cinima ticket I'm guessing is an exaduration?
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?ah of corse woops(Original post by Maxima)
He means an actual Blu-Ray disc, not a player.
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?No, in the old days you could buy or rent a "projector" ( I think that is what it was called) and also rent a film...on reels...which had to be changed as there were a few reels per film. Of course you also needed a blank wall or home screen to project the image on to. I'm not sure when these were first available but I can't imagine it was too long after films started. Definitely much more cumbersome than popping a disc in your BluRay(Original post by Off To The Races)
Were video cassettes the first (commercial) way in which films could be played at home or was there something prior to VHS?[/B]
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?I meant actual discs not the player it self(Original post by boba)
good post I agree with everything except for the seats not being big enough for your legs and a DVD player being the price of a cinima ticket I'm guessing is an exaduration?
A cinema ticket costs £9 roughly and most DVD's are around £10 so I think the cinemas are over charging us. -
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?You clearly haven't made the mistake of purchasing a standard seat at an ODEON cinema then.(Original post by boba)
good post I agree with everything except for the seats not being big enough for your legs -
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?(Original post by farrow000)
I meant actual discs not the player it self
A cinema ticket costs £9 roughly and most DVD's are around £10 so I think the cinemas are over charging us.
no I havn't I pay £6.10 to go to the cinima. I can't remember if this is student or normal price, I guess its probably student but I have no idea how much the normal price there is.(Original post by Elwyn)
You clearly haven't made the mistake of purchasing a standard seat at an ODEON cinema then. -
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?Ahh I was wondering about this! In The Simpsons, at the school, the teachers play films on projectors using reels. I was just wondering though how common this was? Were there actually places where you could rent film reels? So did film stores sell reels, then video, then dvd? I hope someone can answer this, I'm fascinated by the economics of film consumption.(Original post by sj27)
No, in the old days you could buy or rent a "projector" ( I think that is what it was called) and also rent a film...on reels...which had to be changed as there were a few reels per film. Of course you also needed a blank wall or home screen to project the image on to. I'm not sure when these were first available but I can't imagine it was too long after films started. Definitely much more cumbersome than popping a disc in your BluRay
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?a what?(Original post by boba)
I'm guessing is an exaduration?
edited : ohhhhh you mean exaggeration.
Not being patronising, I really genuinely didn't know what you had written. It took me a minute of thinking about it to realise what you had meant to write.Last edited by PinkMobilePhone; 11-08-2012 at 16:25. -
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Re: For how long was the cinema the only place where people could watch films?woops sorry(Original post by PinkMobilePhone)
a what?
edited : ohhhhh you mean exaggeration.
Not being patronising, I really genuinely didn't know what you had written. It took me a minute of thinking about it to realise what you had meant to write.
