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macrumors 603
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May 31, 2015
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I know it may not be about size of screen but I am trying to figure out how to adjust to the smaller screen when watching epic movies, tv shows, etc or is it more about being able to watch them mobile ?
 
I watch some things on my Air 2 iPad and my 13" laptop while at home but it's dependent on content. Video with lots of dark scenes can be very difficult to discern detail in on small screens, sometimes to the point of total darkness. But video with mostly brighter lighting look good on both devices. Epic movies, though, deserve to be seen on larger screens.
 
Typically I would say its something that depends on the type of viewing. If its something you are going to sit there and watch completely focused, or if its something that is on in the background or watch intermediately while socializing. But either way, I prefer it on my iPad.

I dont pay for cable, or even own a TV anymore, so thats the main reason. But something I ended up realizing going through various different TV screen sizes from a 15", to 32", to 46", to 55", is that once I am immersed in the content, the size is irrelevant. My focus becomes so much into it that I just dont even notice the size of the device it is on until something pulls me away. Once my focus is pulled away, I realize that the TV is small, or large. But at that point it doesnt even matter as my focus is elsewhere anyway. When I go back to focusing on the show, the rest of the world, including the TV size, seems to fade into irrelevance.

Even though that is the case, I can understand under some instances someone preferring a large 4k viewing experience for those movies with fantastic details. And while I admit it is gorgeous! Im perfectly happy watching 1080 or even 480 resolution content. And I should make note that all of this is based on the presumption that you mean watching something alone. If you have 7 people trying to watch something off of an iPad, it would be a bit outlandish. :p
 
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I usually use chromecast to watch Netflix and BBC iPlayer on the TV. Maybe younger people are happier with a small screen, but I grew up watching everything on the telly, so I prefer it that way.
 
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Surprisingly I mostly watch Movies and TV on the iPad. With kids its hard to get to watch what i want on the big TV and its really nice to lay in bed and watch TV or a movie on the iPad.
 
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Movie room for must see movies and TV shows, got to have the huge screen and 7.1 sound
Normal living room TV for secondary shows and movies or casual watching
iPad usually for FB and YouTube clips, trailers, etc.

That said, all of my younger friends use their iPad or phone for everything now....
 
I prefer the perfect sulitude, keeping private my emotional reactions to the movies I watch. My family is into Marvel Universe, I'm watching dramas and thrillers.

Therefore I'm using mostly my iPad between my huge, soft pillows than the tv in the brightly lit living room among teens and pets.

And I really enjoy its screen quality and the lack of the periferials or any other disturbing detail. Just the screen and I. Either a iighting led or a remote anywhere.
 
I prefere my big TV. Only time I watch on my iPad is either when I am on vacation or my girlfriend wants to watch something on the TV I do not.
 
I watch a lot on my TV’s because I have surround sound but use my iPad when I just want to be lazy and watch Netflix in bed.
 
The iPad is no contestant to a Surround sound on a 4K tv, but although I prefer watching on the TV, there are differences between the content. Netflix, I have no problem watching it on my iPad or on my 13" rMBP. A tennis match between two great players, then the TV it is.
 
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I know it may not be about size of screen but I am trying to figure out how to adjust to the smaller screen when watching epic movies, tv shows, etc or is it more about being able to watch them mobile ?
Both.
I use PXC 550 headphones with the iPad. I get to hear an extra dimension that I do not get with my big screen.

So two experiences. One intimate and the other is shared.
 
I watch a lot of You Tube and Amazon videos on my iPad mini, very comfortable when lying on a couch. For rented or purchased movies from iTunes, I download to a MacBook Air 13 to watch later, usually from a chair.
 
Typically I would say its something that depends on the type of viewing. If its something you are going to sit there and watch completely focused, or if its something that is on in the background or watch intermediately while socializing. But either way, I prefer it on my iPad.

I dont pay for cable, or even own a TV anymore, so thats the main reason. But something I ended up realizing going through various different TV screen sizes from a 15", to 32", to 46", to 55", is that once I am immersed in the content, the size is irrelevant. My focus becomes so much into it that I just dont even notice the size of the device it is on until something pulls me away. Once my focus is pulled away, I realize that the TV is small, or large. But at that point it doesnt even matter as my focus is elsewhere anyway. When I go back to focusing on the show, the rest of the world, including the TV size, seems to fade into irrelevance.

Even though that is the case, I can understand under some instances someone preferring a large 4k viewing experience for those movies with fantastic details. And while I admit it is gorgeous! Im perfectly happy watching 1080 or even 480 resolution content. And I should make note that all of this is based on the presumption that you mean watching something alone. If you have 7 people trying to watch something off of an iPad, it would be a bit outlandish. :p
A good summary of the immersion factor. Watching alone, I much prefer my iPad Pro. Heck, sitting outdoors I’m happy with just my iPhone! It’s the interplay of the content and my imagination that’s paramount to me—not screen size and not resolution.
 
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For me, iPad can be a great, even preferable experience when:
  • You don’t need to move around much during the movie
  • Nobody else wants to watch what you want to watch
  • You have a great set of headphones
I have a 12.9 IPad Pro. And it is an exceptional movie experience in this situation. I have no need to use the tv most of the time. Holding the 12.9 iPad at arms length is the equivalent of a 100” screen on the other side of the room, so in these cases it is actually better than a tv or projector.
 
If watching with someone else, always TV of course.

Alone- I watch non-immersive content (the kind I don’t mind stopping and picking up again later) on my iPad mini while I’m doing something else (working, eating, chores). It’s a very convenient size for secondary watching while going about my business around the house.

When I want to be immersed, then I watch on my TV, either sitting on my comfy couch or in my comfy bed.

I have a 12.9 iPP, but I prefer a TV because I get a better sound system without having to put on headphones (but I could use headphones with my TV too if I don’t want to bother anyone), and I don’t have to worry about holding or propping up a TV, so I’m more free to move around in different positions. And I never want to be immersed anywhere other than while sitting on my couch or bed anyway. (I don’t want to watch Game of Thrones at my kitchen table.) I do use the 12.9 for viewing if a TV is not available for some reason, but mainly I got the big screen iPad for creation.

But something I ended up realizing going through various different TV screen sizes from a 15", to 32", to 46", to 55", is that once I am immersed in the content, the size is irrelevant.

A good summary of the immersion factor. Watching alone, I much prefer my iPad Pro. Heck, sitting outdoors I’m happy with just my iPhone! It’s the interplay of the content and my imagination that’s paramount to me—not screen size and not resolution.

Sometimes true for me too, that is until a character is reading a sign and I can’t read it because my screen is too small. Then I have to rewind and pause and try to make it out. That’s happened to me a few times. Frustrating.
 
never watched a movie on ipad. leave that to the big screen tv. but always watch regular tv on it, purley as it's flexible to carry about from room to room. i do a lot of cooking so it's great to watch in the kitchen in the background
 
Big screen of course.
Having said that, I do use my iPad mini to watch videos in places where I don't have access to a bigger screen (bedroom, airplane, etc).
 
I only use the iPad to watch tv shows in the kitchen and usually when cooking. Rarely watch movies on the iPad in general.
Most of the time I use the TV with the surround system to watch tv shows and movies.

Having said that, I catch my wife repeatedly in the living room, with the TV and surround system turned off, watching tv shows and movies on the iPad. She says it’s “cozy”.
 
Sometimes true for me too, that is until a character is reading a sign and I can’t read it because my screen is too small. Then I have to rewind and pause and try to make it out. That’s happened to me a few times. Frustrating.

Hahaha, I can relate to that! Usually not because I cant see it, but because Im a slow reader :(
 
For me it depends on the time of year (Weather)

Spring and summer i like to watch movies and sports outside with my projector.

During Autum/Winter i mainly watch things inside on my TV

And 365 days per year i use the iPad for casual videos and some movies/tv shows.

My favorite viewing experience is with the projector outside.

I recently upgraded from a 9.7 to a 12.9 iPad and it has made a notisable difference when using it for video. The bigger screen and the improved speakers of the pro make this iPad a much better entertainment gadget.
 
I have started to watch all my tv shows on my 10.5 iPad when I am home or even on my iPhone 7 Plus when I am on my commute. I noticed that i can no longer focus on a tv show on an actual tv lol its kind of pathetic but i lose focus and end up playing with my phone not paying attention to what is going on
 
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