Cost vs use.

First_Timer_Ray · Nov 17, 2007 9:08 am

We didn't have the space, so a "home theatre" wasn't an option for us, but had we had the space, I don't know that we would have had a single-purpose theatre room.
It costs into the 10's of thousands to set one up (+DVD's/bluray's) and how much is it used?

Do people with a home theatre still go to the movies, or do you wait for the release and watch it at home?

We rarely go to the movies - maybe twice a year? And we might hire a total of 10 DVD's a year. We have a large collection of Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks DVD's that get played quite often (2.5yo) but other than that we aren't really movie people - we don't have foxtel either and considering we both work full time we wouldn't watch it enough to justify the cost.

Do people find that they use it much?

Ray.

Casa2 · Nov 17, 2007 12:42 pm

I'm planning a 6 x 4 m combined theatre room/second lounge area. It is adjacent to the main living area (open plan kitchen, lounge and dining areas). There will be two large sliding doors leadign to the theatre so that there can be a two metre opening between the two. This way, I have three things from the one room:

1) Theatre
2) Extra lounge area
3) When we have large gatherings, open the two sliding doors and it becomes an extension to the main living area.

We are planning to use our home theatre not just to watch movies, but to watch everyday TV, particualry at night. During the day a second TV in the main living area may be used, but once we've had dinner, the idea to fall back into the theate room.

Adjacent to the theatre room, on the other side from the main living area is a study. The idea is that at night we only have to climate control two medium sized rooms.

This is the plan, we'll see what gets build and how we use it in the future.

Yak_Chat · Nov 17, 2007 12:54 pm

Casa - I noticed this when i saw your plans awhile ago - I assume you don't see that the study beside and being accessed through the HT room as an issue.

Most people when studying are quiet and desire a quiet space.

So a study near the main bedrooms is generally more appropriate.
ie not near the kids as they may be playing in their rooms making noise etc.
Just a thought.
Steve.

and Ray - in answer toy our question - same thoughts.
20 DVD's year max - and I go to the theatre when I see the shorts of something that really interests me.

But I probably will mount a LCD TV on a swivel wall bracket so it can be tilted toward the kitchen living area or the lounge room as desired.
When I get old and crotchety and want to watch that many movies. :shock:

Casa2 · Nov 17, 2007 1:14 pm

Yak_Chat,

No, I like the study next to the home theatre. I like lot's of action when I'm at my study and generally have the TV on for background action. Not the norm I know, but this is the beauty of my desing, it suits us perfectly.

You'll notice that the study is well away from the five bedrooms so any bedroom noise will not be a problem.

Also the access to the study through the home theatre is part of my low energy heating and cooling strategy. At night, these two somewha connected rooms is where the family will retreat to and there is little eara to climate control.

It's a very detailed design that has a lot more to it than first meets the eye.

Cheers,
Casa

penjay · Nov 17, 2007 1:19 pm

Very similar to you Ray - we don't watch enough movies to warrant a dedicated room (or Foxtail, as my daughter thinks it's called!). On our plan, the room is called a media room but in reality it is a rumpus room full of the kids toys and a second television. They got a playstation last Christmas so it's nice not to have it hooked up to the main TV. One day we'll put a projector in - would be lots of fun for the kids when they have their friends over but at this stage it's not on the priority list. I am just enjoying having most of the junk in a separate room and not underfoot!!!

Casa2 · Nov 17, 2007 1:40 pm

penjay

Very similar to you Ray - we don't watch enough movies to warrant a dedicated room (or Foxtail, as my daughter thinks it's called!). On our plan, the room is called a media room but in reality it is a rumpus room full of the kids toys and a second television. They got a playstation last Christmas so it's nice not to have it hooked up to the main TV. One day we'll put a projector in - would be lots of fun for the kids when they have their friends over but at this stage it's not on the priority list. I am just enjoying having most of the junk in a separate room and not underfoot!!!

Classic case of a dual purpsoe room. Kids playroom today, home theatre tomorrow.

royalblue · Nov 17, 2007 2:01 pm

First_Timer_Ray

We didn't have the space, so a "home theatre" wasn't an option for us, but had we had the space, I don't know that we would have had a single-purpose theatre room.
It costs into the 10's of thousands to set one up (+DVD's/bluray's) and how much is it used?

Do people with a home theatre still go to the movies, or do you wait for the release and watch it at home?

We rarely go to the movies - maybe twice a year? And we might hire a total of 10 DVD's a year. We have a large collection of Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks DVD's that get played quite often (2.5yo) but other than that we aren't really movie people - we don't have foxtel either and considering we both work full time we wouldn't watch it enough to justify the cost.

Do people find that they use it much?

Ray.

Great post Ray!

I reckon folk are FAR TOO caught up in this monster of consumerism! Home theatres are an extravagant luxury, and where parents have 2 or more jobs to keep up with these trends, perhaps we should all have a reality check!

If we DO have these theatres at home and use them regularly (and so get some value out of their investment) is this a good lifestyle? Are we feathering our nests so much that we forget to get and and live?

Ash.

Yak_Chat · Nov 17, 2007 3:25 pm

Quote:

It's a very detailed design that has a lot more to it than first meets the eye.

I know your putting lots into it casa, and yep - liking lots of noise is certainly different if you like when studying, and good to see the heat in one area is being planned.

We all need our houses to be just what we collectively those living in it like.

Such as:
I use my laptop on the kitchen bench - and while I'm cooking or doing the washing (as per today) or I'm skimming a TV show like quantum or similar, I can just walk past the laptop - check in here or today I'm scanning the surf cams waiting for the sets due in this afternoon - which started hitting the wave buoy 90 miles west of here at the 4 to 6 metre mark at 2am travelling at around 14 to 20 nm/hr, makes them getting to the reefs around mid afternoon onwards.

So in about half an hour I'm heading to the beach for a surf

Then going to the movie theatre with my surf buddy to watch a big wave surf festival movie tonight, and tomorrow I'm taking a group out paddling with the dolphins, and then I'm going sailing

Do I have a HT room.
Nope

I haven't got the interest or the time to use it

Steve

Yep you 100% right Ash -
Part of our society is developing into that scenario of watchers and not doers.

brittany · Nov 17, 2007 3:37 pm

We've always had a home theatre except for now (because we are renting waiting to build). We miss it desperately. It is a good escape for hubby when I have company. We love watching movies and generally find once the kids are asleep that is where we watch our favourite tv shows. The kids love organised movie nights with popcorn. We did compromise on our house plans - it has big doors opening into our living area so it can be used for large gatherings. It also has a sliding door (double glazed) onto the decking opening up the whole back half of the house. As part of the home theatre we have included a bar and a wine cellar off that.

DuckyQuackQuack · Nov 17, 2007 4:33 pm

I have 3 or 4 friends who have one.

Hardly ever use it. I watched a movie for 10 minutes once but hey id rather sit out side and talk.

One of them is rebuilding and guess what - do i need to say more!

I go to the movies around 6-8 times a year - half with the kids and the rest with the boss!

Any spare time i have is spent with the kids usually spent outdoors (as too many people live in front of some form of box as it is) playing cricket or basketball or riding or anything. I dont want to encourage the kids to spend anymore time staring at a screen than i have too.

When I die i can spend all the time in a box i like!

I think they are the yo yo craze of the 21st century. Automatic this automatic that - never have to move! No wonder as a nation we continue to get fatter!

I'd actually get more use out of a poker room but thats another story.

Only my two bobs worths

The sporty DQQ

Go Dragons (especially the Dragonittes)

First_Timer_Ray · Nov 17, 2007 4:58 pm

Interesting comments. I've just started reading "Fast Food and No Play make Jack a Fat Boy" - which although being aimed at a 'teen' age group, is a tongue-in-cheek look at the way we live (well, some live).

Please note: I wasn't having a go at those who have these rooms - hey, if money was no object... It just seems so common, that just about every house has one, and I was wondering if they get used!

DQQ - we both have to work (for the time being anyway) to just afford the house, let alone all the bells and whistles which makes me think that there are:
a) A lot of people in a LOT of debt.
b) A lot of people with a LOT better jobs than us ($$$$$$).
c) A lot of people that would rather a theatre (or whatever other expensive hobby) than a family (putting it off til later).
d) All of the above.

We are looking at getting a large (not OTT - maybe 40"/46") LCD TV for the new house (we currently have a 51cm TV), and DH may (MAY) get a PS3, more so because it is also a bluray player (well, that's why I'm agreeable :twisted:

). Even spending a few thousand is extravagant to us - let alone a whole set up and dedicated room.

Ray.

Jo K · Nov 17, 2007 5:48 pm

The house we are building has an open living area (don't they all now!!) & will have our main TV in this area, (by the way Casa we also have our study off this area because I like to be part of the action - it can be shut off with bifolds if we need to).

Our "lounge room" is 6x4.5 and is also off the open living area. Like Penjay it could be used as a theatre room down the track, but with 3 young boys at the moment it will be a "kids room" with their own TV, toys, playstation etc.

When doing the plans for our house we were very mindfull of having something that suits us now with young children, but realising that they aren't little forever & we'll be in this house well after they have left home!!

Jo

Rodda · Nov 17, 2007 8:10 pm

I'm not actually going to re-post comments here re this same debate (that some people seem to always want to turn it into). If you read some of the earlier postings under this topic your gunna find them (the comments, I mean, from me and others).

The answer is simple - if you want one, get one. If you don't want one, don't get one. I don't sit here trying to suggest people who spend thousands and thousands of dollars to make the garden in their backyard look good are wasting their money. Frankly, I'm a little over the suggestions that people spending money on electronic entertainment equipment should be rethinking their lifestyles....

PhoenixStar · Nov 17, 2007 8:49 pm

I have to agree with Rod. If you want one and can afford one - get it, have it, enjoy it! It does not have to be worth 10's of thousands of dollars worth or more. :shock:

For us we are going to deck our Home Theatre out as best we can afford - for now. I've had a TV or HT surround sound system for over 13 years and love it.... I miss my movies.

We would watch once the kids are in bed.
If we can't get everything that we want for the new place now, we'll get some now and some down the track, when we can afford the rest.

We have 2 kids, only one of us is in paid work, but if that is what we want and can afford, no one should say that we should be outside excercising or doing more with our kids. I think it gives us another outlet for family fun. HT's are not just for the adults. I'm sure that our kids will want to watch their movies and play PS2 :evil:

in there instead of their dedicated play room.

We also still go to the movies with and without the kids. Our HT is not a replacement for the big cinema, it is a recreational and relaxational outlet for our family.

This comment is not directed at anyone personally and is not written to offend, it is just that i believe you need to enjoy life and if a HT is going to make your family happy then DO IT. If it is not your thing, then dont.
Simple as that!

DuckyQuackQuack · Nov 17, 2007 8:54 pm

Rod

Dont get so sensitive mate.

We all agree each to their own

And are saying some of us think its a waste of money and explaining why

Of course you have the choice to spend you money as you like and defend your business as you like :wink:

Go back to watching Rambo and I'm going for a swim

DQQ

PS - I am only joking mate - both you and Matt give great advise and support to the site :lol:

First_Timer_Ray · Nov 17, 2007 9:19 pm

As I said - I wasn't having a go. It was legitimate questions as to how much they get used. I don't know - I've never had one!
I will look through the older posts though.
My intention was not for a debate or to cause conflict.

Ray.

penjay · Nov 17, 2007 9:30 pm

I'm probably not in a position to tell people not to take things personally because I am just a liable to as anyone else. However.....most people are just really talking about how a home theatre fits into their lifestyle. I'm not that fussed although my husband is more keen. I try to limit the amount of time my kids spend on electronic media but I also understand that they live in the 21st century and I would be wrong to deny them all access to these things. I'm sure that people who have home theatres don't let their kids watch until their eyeballs fall out! We all need to achieve a balance that suits our family. My preference is for a swimming pool rather than a whizzbang media room but since we can't afford either at the moment, the point is academic.
And you're right Ray - a lot of people DO earn a heap more than us. Hope they are listening at the Vodaphone Arena on Wednesday!!!!

First_Timer_Ray · Nov 17, 2007 9:41 pm

I agree Penjay! Bring on a payrise!
Sadly, I will be in the classroom though - we're saving for a new TV :roll:

Ray.

penjay · Nov 17, 2007 9:46 pm

Defintely going out but not sure about the meeting - will probably have my own kids to look after!
Which school are you at? PM me if you don't want to say.

royalblue · Nov 17, 2007 9:49 pm

Hehehe, what, have we opened a can of worms?

Really though, I think Rod was not being sensitive at all, and gave a very mature and considered response. Actually I agree with him.

My earlier comments were not intended to make anyone feel wrong for enjoying their HT, Rather, to bring attention to the consumerism that can overtake our lives if we don't keep it all in check, especially if we are struggling to build a home for our families. Think about it... many of us were happily enjoying our CRT tvs that had heaps of life left in them. Then the panel tvs came along, and we have to have one too! :roll:

And yes, a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy-simple as that. But of course, having a HT, or PC or anything else doesn't force us to be so, and we are all individually responsible for our choices. It's just that (I believe) investing heavily in HT does tend to encourage us to spend more time in it, and that may not be a good trend. At least, the choice to do so should be made after considering these issues, and not just an automatic (must have) thing because everyone else is. But then, we have to keep the Harvey Normans' of our town fat, don't we?:wink:

Ash.