Why Every Movie Fan Should Have A Home Cinema System

by Andrew McGovern
(UK)

Watching critically acclaimed films like Citizen Kane and 12 Angry Men, in black and white and in mono sound can be done on any television right, so why do you need a home cinema system, to enjoy it? Well the simple answer is you don't. You need a home cinema system so you can enjoy it more.

Since film directors have been able to use surround sound, they have incorporated advanced audio effects into the film to enhance and improve the visuals.

These are quite basic in their application and often done for the 'wow' factor; think massive explosions that appear to be happening around us or an aircraft panning behind us and so on. This of course leaves us all feeling a little more entertained because of the enhanced experience.

They are also more cleverly used to improve the atmosphere in a film too, and whilst some of the effects may be subtle, these diagetic sounds are used to add another dimension to the mise en scène.

Think of watching a suspenseful movie where the main character is alone in a house, and appearing scared. There is a loud knock on the door which appears to be coming from behind us. We see the fear that strikes the character... and we feel it too because we also heard the off camera sound so we are instantly empathetic with the the character. A simple and subtle effect that can take us from watching a film, to being involved in it. As the saying goes:

'Tell me and I will hear. Show me and I will see. Involve me and I will understand.'

A home cinema system brings surround sound into your living room, and makes movies instantly more engaging and enjoyable. Whereas some movies fans consider them to be un-necessary, I would argue that the Director, as an artist, wants you to view and hear his entire canvas, not just one element of it. So a surround sound system is not a nice to have part of your home movie viewing experience, it is an essential part of it.

Article date: January 26, 2011

Article submitted by Andrew McGovern from Home Cinema Buyer, a website aimed at making it easy to start enjoying home cinema.

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