Or: the four steps to true satisfaction.
I'm old. So I have had a lot of experience. First with "stereo" then with "home theater" and then with projectors. This is what I have learned:
1. If you get hooked (that means it becomes an internalized goal that you can't shake) you will never be satisfied for more than a few minutes.
2. You will spend way too much time looking for flaws, than actually enjoying the content. Your enjoyment will be history during this phase.
3. Each "upgrade" (or maybe only a change that feels different and you are willing to presume it is an improvement because that's what you are after) will be less significant/impactful than the last.
4. Ultimately, rather than being in ecstasy, you will just forget to care (which is the best outcome anyway) and watch the show.
This rant was triggered by seeing the 4K thread. And really, 9 speaker surround and twin subs? How much crap do they think we are going to fall for? You have to be able to walk through the room don't you?
Just let me say, I have spent a fortune on source material. 45's, LP albums, cassette tapes, quadraphonic albums, direct-to-disc albums, Beta tapes, VHS tapes, compact discs, Laserdiscs, DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-ray. And now you want me to buy another format? For a not so cheap thrill? And buy the same things over again? PuuuLEEEASE!
For better or worse, you get used to what you are watching. It usually starts feeling "right". Audio is the same way. I think your brain actually compensates and makes you see pretty much what you should. Like the inverted lens experiments. There are two ways to react. "Don't worry, be happy" or "I'm bored and unsatisfied, the grass surely must be greener in some other home theater."
I'm sure they will sucker a bunch of the young/well to do guys, whether knowledgeable addicts or just more money than sense types. Fine. That's capitalism. I'm all for it. Madison Avenue and all that. But this is just a little cautionary tale, for the more prudent among you.
There is a point of diminishing returns. And the more things you have going on in your life, the faster you get there. (That's a little something extra for perspective.)
So do what you want. Chase whatever Chimera you will. Have fun. But make sure you are actually having fun.
I'm old. So I have had a lot of experience. First with "stereo" then with "home theater" and then with projectors. This is what I have learned:
1. If you get hooked (that means it becomes an internalized goal that you can't shake) you will never be satisfied for more than a few minutes.
2. You will spend way too much time looking for flaws, than actually enjoying the content. Your enjoyment will be history during this phase.
3. Each "upgrade" (or maybe only a change that feels different and you are willing to presume it is an improvement because that's what you are after) will be less significant/impactful than the last.
4. Ultimately, rather than being in ecstasy, you will just forget to care (which is the best outcome anyway) and watch the show.
This rant was triggered by seeing the 4K thread. And really, 9 speaker surround and twin subs? How much crap do they think we are going to fall for? You have to be able to walk through the room don't you?
Just let me say, I have spent a fortune on source material. 45's, LP albums, cassette tapes, quadraphonic albums, direct-to-disc albums, Beta tapes, VHS tapes, compact discs, Laserdiscs, DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-ray. And now you want me to buy another format? For a not so cheap thrill? And buy the same things over again? PuuuLEEEASE!
For better or worse, you get used to what you are watching. It usually starts feeling "right". Audio is the same way. I think your brain actually compensates and makes you see pretty much what you should. Like the inverted lens experiments. There are two ways to react. "Don't worry, be happy" or "I'm bored and unsatisfied, the grass surely must be greener in some other home theater."
I'm sure they will sucker a bunch of the young/well to do guys, whether knowledgeable addicts or just more money than sense types. Fine. That's capitalism. I'm all for it. Madison Avenue and all that. But this is just a little cautionary tale, for the more prudent among you.
There is a point of diminishing returns. And the more things you have going on in your life, the faster you get there. (That's a little something extra for perspective.)
So do what you want. Chase whatever Chimera you will. Have fun. But make sure you are actually having fun.