Make The Most Of The Movies

If you have a Showcase Cinema nearby, log onto their website and become an "Insider". Amongst other things membership gives you access to free tickets, (for two), to preview selected films.

I agree with themeekon, i don't go to the cinema any more either. Instead i buy DVDs in the sale, paying maximum £4 each. This means i have a large collection (and quite a few relatively new DVDs too) so i can choose what i like. Also, as it can cost £4 simply to rent DVDs, i feel like i'm getting a bargin as i can watch them over and over without repaying.

I agree with TheMeekon, sound levels in cinemas can be painful to the ears, especially to those people who have to wear hearing aids.
I trained as a cinema projectionist years ago and was taught to be aware of blasts of sound put in for so called dramatic effect and to be prepared if necessary to turn down the volume to reduce discomfort to watchers.
Fortunately if using DVD's etc at home we have the protection of the volume control on the remote and can protect our own hearing.

It is not just a problem in cinemas, TV adverts are terrible with their blaring shouting advertisers bellowing at us to buy double glazing etc, again I use the mute for adverts so don't buy much! I have noticed that a particular brand of kitchen cleaner has changed the approach of the presenters by turning down the volume from the original shouting bullying approach used to sell the product, good for them.

The concept of hiring DVD's is excellent and the bonus of sharing the films by having friends round is great, as long as they Foolishly chip in towards the cost or bring a bottle....

I have a Blockbuster membership to see the latest film I cannot live without, (I have young kids so cinema trips are out of the question.) But for films I am prepared to wait for, Cash Converter sell 2nd hand dvd's for £3, or on certain months 4 dvd's for £9. They give you a certain time to return them by if they are scratched. And if the dvd is not great, you can keep it to one side and when you have a little pile of them, you can give it back to the shop to get money off other stuff! I have built up quite a respectable selection of films for a fraction of the cost!! The only drawback, is that it is unlikely to stock the lastest releases, you may have to return an unplayable or scratched one, and you have to shop side by side with some dodgy characters. But in terms of saving money its great. So have a look in to one of the Cash Converters or other similar types of shop, or even some 2nd hand stalls on your local market run these types of exchanges, its well worth it!!

TheMeekon and others are quite right to avoid venue's where they find sound level's too high or indead painful. What is comfortable in this regard is to a degree subjective, and I have certainly experienced unpleasent sound levels in cinema's. I also agree about lod noise levels in ads - it's a pet hate, especially when the little one is in bed and the volume increases enormously during the ad break.

The figure suggested by TheMeekon - "These sometimes exceed 80 decibles the safe limit...(health & safety issue?)" - are a little misleading however. HSE themselves have a number of 'limits' (they call them action levels) on their web site. (The nearest parallel i could find to cinema's is pubs and clubs). 80dB is the lowest level, at which an employer has to provide info and training, and make hearing protection available. BUT this is for an 80dB daily or weekly average for a worker (1 day being 8 hours) so peak levels may be higher. Employees aren't actually obliged to wear the protection until the average reaches 85dB.

Sources : http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/faq.htm#q1
and http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2008/e08020.htm

The peak action level (the maximum that may be reached) is 140dB.

Source - http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/59-5.htm#actionlevels

I believe momentary exposure to levels over 140dB can cause perminant damage - no averaging required here. I can't find a reference for this at the moment though.

Members of the public aren't covered by these regulations - they are believed to have made an informed choice (which kind of assumes you expected the loud sound efects). They have much reduced exposure periods and lower risk of damage. As guidance HSE suggest "the sound level in the audience area for the duration of the performance should not exceed an average of 107 dB(A)" and "if the sound level is likely to exceed 96 dB(A) it recommends that it is good practice to warn audiences about the risk to hearing in advance publicity, for example in programme advertising, notices at entry points or on tickets." (so you could enquire if your cinema do this).

Source - http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/59-5.htm#actionlevels

Why did I bother submitting this - Just because of years of warnings from my father that loud rock concerts and listening to music on headphones would damage my hearing. Well there weren't that many concerts, the headphones weren't too loud, and as I enter middle age several tests have shown my hearing is fine.

Back on topic (at last you cry!) Orange Wednesdays are brilliant, use them if you can.

It's not hearing loss that bandit197 should be worried about: it's tinnitus. Caused by periods of loud sound, the brain responds (one theory) by producing its own constant sound in your head from a buzz/drone/burble to a whine/squeal etc. It's worse at night when everything is silent. By day you have to think above the noise. TalkTinnitus coming soon ... look us up for attenuated earplugs. I think I'll go buy an Orange SIM card... great idea.

I have to due covert screening checks at various cinemas & completely agree with the problem of sound levels being too high. Regardng watching on DVD, having sat through a poorly attended early performance, the a later one with a large audience, the reaction to jokes, etc greatly enhances the experience. A tip, if you book online with Odeon, they will upgrade your seat to a 'Premier' (formally known as Pullman, but I guess young people aren't familiar with that term)

There is the Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card (CEA) for disabled people. Costs £5.00 for 3 years entitles you to a free ticket for the person with you. Presumably they are your temporary 'carer'. Family always say I shouldn't be let out on my own anyway! :)