Theater Calculator v4.0
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Home Theater Plasma / LCD / Projector-&-Screen Room Design Calculator copyright 2000-2008 Carlton Bale Input Units Screen Aspect Ratio 1.78 :1 Screen Size 110 inches diagonal Screen Gain (projectors only) 1.1 gain Projector Brightness (projectors only) 550 ANSI lumens Horizontal Resolution 1920 pixels Vertical Resolution 1080 pixels Actual Seating Distance (first row) 12.0 feet Actual Seating Distance (back row) 17.0 feet Anamorphic (horizontal expansion) front projecto No Screen Dimensions Screen Diagonal 110.0 inches 9.2 feet 279.4 centimeters 2.79 meters Screen Width 95.9 inches 8.0 feet 243.5 centimeters 2.44 meters Screen Height 53.9 inches 4.5 feet 137.0 centimeters 1.37 meters Pixel Width on screen (dot pitch) 0.050 inches 0.13 centimeters 1.268 millimeters Pixel Height on screen (dot pitch) 0.050 inches 0.13 centimeters 1.268 millimeters Pixel density Horizontal (important for PC monit 20.0 pixel/inch 7.9 pixel/cm Pixel density Vertical (important for PC monitor 20.0 pixel/inch 7.9 pixel/cm Total Number of Pixels 2,073,600 pixels 2.07 million pixels Viewing Distances and Brightness Notes about First Row Seating Distances based on the parameter entered. 207.6 inches 17.3 feet 527.4 centimeters 5.27 meters First row is close enough to the screen to meet this specification. 178.9 inches 14.9 feet 454.4 centimeters 4.54 meters First row is close enough to the screen to meet this specification. 147.5 inches 12.3 feet 374.7 centimeters 3.75 meters First row is close enough to the screen to meet this specification. 68.5 inches 5.7 feet 173.9 centimeters 1.74 meters First row is far enough away from the screen to meet this specification. 171.7 inches 14.3 feet 436.0 centimeters 4.36 meters 20 / 20 1.0 Field of View Width (first row center) 36.8 degrees Field of View Width back row center) 26.4 degrees 16.9 foot-Lamberts 57.7 Screen brightness (16-30 foot-Lamberts) is acceptable for completely dark rooms 16.9 foot-Lamberts Required Projector Brightness 550 lumens For a 110 inch wide screen (not necessarily the size screen you will be using) the min throw distance is 14.3 feet and the max throw distance is 19.5 feet Minimum screen width throw ratio 1.56 times screen width Maximum screen width throw ratio 2.13 times screen width Min throw distance (for screen size entered in c 149.6 inches 12.5 feet 379.9 centimeters 3.80 meters Max throw distance (for screen size entered in c 203.9 inches 17.0 feet 518.0 centimeters 5.18 meters Max height ratio above screen 0.50 times screen height 27.0 inches 2.2 feet 68.5 0.68 meters http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html http://www.cinemaequipmentsales.com/athx2.html http://www.abledata.com/abledata_docs/Peripheral_Vision.htm Room Size and Seating Locations Room width 153.00 inches 12.8 feet 388.6 centimeters 3.89 meters Room depth 208.00 inches 17.3 feet 528.3 centimeters 5.28 meters Width of Screen Boarder 1.75 inches 0.15 feet 4.45 centimeters 0.04 meters Min projector distance from back wall 4.1 inches 0.3 feet 10.3 centimeters 0.10 meters Max projector distance from back wall 58.4 inches 4.9 feet 148.4 centimeters 1.48 meters Space beside screen (each side) 26.8 inches 2.2 feet 68.1 centimeters 0.68 meters Theater Seating Locations Number of Seating Rows 1 rows Chair Width 29 inches 2.4 feet 73.7 centimeters 0.74 meters Reclined Chair Length 65 inches 5.4 feet 165.1 centimeters 1.65 meters Max First Row Distance from Screen (based on fit 208.00 inches 17.3 feet 528.3 centimeters 5.28 meters max # of chairs/row (based on fit) 5 Distance: Floor to Bottom of Screen 16 inches 1.3 feet 40.6 centimeters 0.41 meters Front Row Seated Top-of-Head Height 46 inches 3.8 feet 116.8 centimeters 1.17 meters Front Row Distance from Screen 144 inches 12.0 feet 365.8 centimeters 3.66 meters Back Row Seated Eye Height (top of platform to e 46 inches 3.8 feet 116.8 centimeters 1.17 meters Back Row Distance from Screen 204 inches 17.0 feet 518.2 centimeters 5.18 meters Back Row Platform Minimum Height 12.5 inches 1.0 feet 31.8 centimeters 0.32 meters 142.8 inches 11.9 feet 362.8 centimeters 3.63 meters developed by Carlton Bale http://www.carltonbale.com/home-theater/home-theater-calculator/ Note: The blue boxes are for user inputs; all other cell values are automatically calculated. THX Longest Allowable viewing distance 2 SMPTE Longest Recommended viewing distance 3 THX Longest Recommended viewing distance 2 Shortest recommended viewing distance 5 Visual Acuity "ideal" viewing distance 4 First row is close enough to the screen that the benefits of a higher resolution display might be noticable. Visual Acuity Eyesight Compensation (Eyesight of Note: sitting closer to the screen gives a wider field of view. Screen Brightness 1 (projectors only) cd/m 2 Reverse Screen Brightness to Projector Lumen Calculator (projectors only) Desired Screen Brightness 1 Universal projector throw distance calculator: enter any single screen size and the min/max throw distance published by the manufacturer Projector Locations (projectors only) Max distance above screen (for screen size entered in cell C8) centimeter s 1. Screen Brightness: 12 foot-Lamberts is considered the minimum screen brightness in a completely light-controlled room. The SMPTE and THX standard is 16 foot-Lamberts. For reference, cinemas usually produce between 12 and 22 foot-Lamberts and a direct view TV produces 35 foot-Lamberts or more. 2. THX Longest Recommended and Longest Allowable viewing distances: THX publishes standards to which movie theaters must adhere to receive THX certification. THX recommends that the back row of seats in a theater have a 36 degree or greater viewing angle and requires a minimum of a 26 degree or greater viewing angle to receive certification. (Note: sitting closer to the screen results in a wider field-of-view.) 3. SMPTE Longest Recommended viewing distance: SMPTE standard EG-18-1994 recommends a minimum viewing angle of 30 degrees for movie theaters. This seems to be becoming a de facto standard for front projection home theaters also. Viewing from this distance or closer will result in a more immersive experience, and also lessen eye strain caused by watching a smaller image in a dark room. 4. Viewing Distances based on Visual Acuity: This distance is calculated based on the resolving power of the human eye (reference), or visual acuity. The human eye with 20/20 vision can detect or resolve details as small as 1/60th of a degree of arc. This distance represents the point beyond which some of the detail in the picture is no longer able to be resolved so pixels begin to blend together. 5. Shortest Recommended Viewing Distance based on Field-of-View being too wide: This distance is based on the peripheral vision field-of-view of the human eye. The average field-of-view width for the human eye is 140 degrees. The rule is that if the viewer sits any closer than this distance to the screen and looks at one side of the screen, they will not be able to see the other side of the screen with their peripheral vision. This equates to a 70-degree field-of-view when the person is looking at the center of the screen. metric system), a person with normal (20/20) vision can read the standard row of "letters" on the chart. The result is expressed in a quasi-fractional manner. 20/20 means that a subject can read the line that defines average vision from the prescribed twenty feet distance. 20/10 means that a subject can read, from a distance of twenty feet, the line that a subject with "normal" 20/20 vision could only read from ten feet. 20/10 vision is therefore twice as perceptive to detail as 20/20. Similarly, 20/40 is half as perceptive, with the subject being able to read at twenty feet what someone with normal vision could read at forty. http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/1080p-and-the-acuity-of-human-vision Back Row Not Blocked by Front Row: Platform Height / Screen Height from Floor Calculation SMPTE Max Height: Floor to Top of Screen 5 5. SMPTE Max Screen Height: The vertical viewing angle is measured at seated eye height from the front row center seat to the top of the tallest projected image. SMPTE notes that for most viewers physical discomfort begins when this angle exceeds 35 degrees. This is not typically a problem for home theater applications.
description
Theater Calculator v4.0
Transcript of Theater Calculator v4.0
Home Theater Plasma / LCD / Projector-&-Screen Room Design Calculator copyright 2000-2008 Carlton Bale
Input Units
Screen Aspect Ratio 1.78 :1
Screen Size 110 inches diagonal
Screen Gain (projectors only) 1.1 gain
Projector Brightness (projectors only) 550 ANSI lumens
Horizontal Resolution 1920 pixels
Vertical Resolution 1080 pixels
Actual Seating Distance (first row) 12.0 feet
Actual Seating Distance (back row) 17.0 feet
Anamorphic (horizontal expansion) front projector lens? No
Screen Dimensions
Screen Diagonal 110.0 inches 9.2 feet 279.4 centimeters 2.79 meters
Screen Width 95.9 inches 8.0 feet 243.5 centimeters 2.44 meters
Screen Height 53.9 inches 4.5 feet 137.0 centimeters 1.37 meters
Pixel Width on screen (dot pitch) 0.050 inches 0.13 centimeters 1.268 millimeters
Pixel Height on screen (dot pitch) 0.050 inches 0.13 centimeters 1.268 millimeters
Pixel density Horizontal (important for PC monitors) 20.0 pixel/inch 7.9 pixel/cm
Pixel density Vertical (important for PC monitors) 20.0 pixel/inch 7.9 pixel/cm
Total Number of Pixels 2,073,600 pixels 2.07 million pixels
Viewing Distances and Brightness Notes about First Row Seating Distances based on the parameter entered.
207.6 inches 17.3 feet 527.4 centimeters 5.27 meters First row is close enough to the screen to meet this specification.
178.9 inches 14.9 feet 454.4 centimeters 4.54 meters First row is close enough to the screen to meet this specification.
147.5 inches 12.3 feet 374.7 centimeters 3.75 meters First row is close enough to the screen to meet this specification.
68.5 inches 5.7 feet 173.9 centimeters 1.74 meters First row is far enough away from the screen to meet this specification.
171.7 inches 14.3 feet 436.0 centimeters 4.36 meters First row is close enough to the screen that the benefits of a higher resolution display might be noticable.
20 / 20 1.0
Field of View Width (first row center) 36.8 degrees
Field of View Width back row center) 26.4 degrees
16.9 foot-Lamberts 57.7 Screen brightness (16-30 foot-Lamberts) is acceptable for completely dark rooms
16.9 foot-Lamberts
Required Projector Brightness 550 lumens
For a 110 inch wide screen (not necessarily the size screen you will be using)
the min throw distance is 14.3 feet
and the max throw distance is 19.5 feet
Minimum screen width throw ratio 1.56 times screen width
Maximum screen width throw ratio 2.13 times screen width
Min throw distance (for screen size entered in cell C8) 149.6 inches 12.5 feet 379.9 centimeters 3.80 meters
Max throw distance (for screen size entered in cell C8) 203.9 inches 17.0 feet 518.0 centimeters 5.18 meters
Max height ratio above screen 0.50 times screen height
27.0 inches 2.2 feet 68.5 centimeters 0.68 meters
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html
http://www.cinemaequipmentsales.com/athx2.html
http://www.abledata.com/abledata_docs/Peripheral_Vision.htm
Room Size and Seating Locations
Room width 153.00 inches 12.8 feet 388.6 centimeters 3.89 meters
Room depth 208.00 inches 17.3 feet 528.3 centimeters 5.28 meters
Width of Screen Boarder 1.75 inches 0.15 feet 4.45 centimeters 0.04 meters
Min projector distance from back wall 4.1 inches 0.3 feet 10.3 centimeters 0.10 meters
Max projector distance from back wall 58.4 inches 4.9 feet 148.4 centimeters 1.48 meters
Space beside screen (each side) 26.8 inches 2.2 feet 68.1 centimeters 0.68 meters
Theater Seating Locations
Number of Seating Rows 1 rows
Chair Width 29 inches 2.4 feet 73.7 centimeters 0.74 meters
Reclined Chair Length 65 inches 5.4 feet 165.1 centimeters 1.65 meters
Max First Row Distance from Screen (based on fit) 208.00 inches 17.3 feet 528.3 centimeters 5.28 meters
max # of chairs/row (based on fit) 5
Distance: Floor to Bottom of Screen 16 inches 1.3 feet 40.6 centimeters 0.41 meters
Front Row Seated Top-of-Head Height 46 inches 3.8 feet 116.8 centimeters 1.17 meters
Front Row Distance from Screen 144 inches 12.0 feet 365.8 centimeters 3.66 meters
Back Row Seated Eye Height (top of platform to eye) 46 inches 3.8 feet 116.8 centimeters 1.17 meters
Back Row Distance from Screen 204 inches 17.0 feet 518.2 centimeters 5.18 meters
Back Row Platform Minimum Height 12.5 inches 1.0 feet 31.8 centimeters 0.32 meters
142.8 inches 11.9 feet 362.8 centimeters 3.63 meters
developed by Carlton Bale http://www.carltonbale.com/home-theater/home-theater-calculator/Note: The blue boxes are for user inputs; all other cell values are automatically calculated.
THX Longest Allowable viewing distance2
SMPTE Longest Recommended viewing distance3
THX Longest Recommended viewing distance2
Shortest recommended viewing distance5
Visual Acuity "ideal" viewing distance4
Visual Acuity Eyesight Compensation (Eyesight of viewer)6
Note: sitting closer to the screen gives a wider field of view.
Screen Brightness1 (projectors only) cd/m2
Reverse Screen Brightness to Projector Lumen Calculator (projectors only)
Desired Screen Brightness1
Universal projector throw distance calculator: enter any single screen size and the min/max throw distance published by the manufacturer
Projector Locations (projectors only)
Max distance above screen (for screen size entered in cell C8)
1. Screen Brightness: 12 foot-Lamberts is considered the minimum screen brightness in a completely light-controlled room. The SMPTE and THX standard is 16 foot-Lamberts. For reference, cinemas usually produce between 12 and 22 foot-Lamberts and a direct view TV produces 35 foot-Lamberts or more.
2. THX Longest Recommended and Longest Allowable viewing distances: THX publishes standards to which movie theaters must adhere to receive THX certification. THX recommends that the back row of seats in a theater have a 36 degree or greater viewing angle and requires a minimum of a 26 degree or greater viewing angle to receive certification. (Note: sitting closer to the screen results in a wider field-of-view.)
3. SMPTE Longest Recommended viewing distance: SMPTE standard EG-18-1994 recommends a minimum viewing angle of 30 degrees for movie theaters. This seems to be becoming a de facto standard for front projection home theaters also. Viewing from this distance or closer will result in a more immersive experience, and also lessen eye strain caused by watching a smaller image in a dark room.
4. Viewing Distances based on Visual Acuity: This distance is calculated based on the resolving power of the human eye (reference), or visual acuity. The human eye with 20/20 vision can detect or resolve details as small as 1/60th of a degree of arc. This distance represents the point beyond which some of the detail in the picture is no longer able to be resolved so pixels begin to blend together.
5. Shortest Recommended Viewing Distance based on Field-of-View being too wide: This distance is based on the peripheral vision field-of-view of the human eye. The average field-of-view width for the human eye is 140 degrees. The rule is that if the viewer sits any closer than this distance to the screen and looks at one side of the screen, they will not be able to see the other side of the screen with their peripheral vision. This equates to a 70-degree field-of-view when the person is looking at the center of the screen.
6. Vision is measured using the Snellen chart. From a standardized distance of twenty feet (six meters in countries that use the metric system), a person with normal (20/20) vision can read the standard row of "letters" on the chart. The result is expressed in a quasi-fractional manner. 20/20 means that a subject can read the line that defines average vision from the prescribed twenty feet distance. 20/10 means that a subject can read, from a distance of twenty feet, the line that a subject with "normal" 20/20 vision could only read from ten feet. 20/10 vision is therefore twice as perceptive to detail as 20/20. Similarly, 20/40 is half as perceptive, with the subject being able to read at twenty feet what someone with normal vision could read at forty. http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/1080p-and-the-acuity-of-human-vision
Back Row Not Blocked by Front Row: Platform Height / Screen Height from Floor Calculation
SMPTE Max Height: Floor to Top of Screen5
5. SMPTE Max Screen Height: The vertical viewing angle is measured at seated eye height from the front row center seat to the top of the tallest projected image. SMPTE notes that for most viewers physical discomfort begins when this angle exceeds 35 degrees. This is not typically a problem for home theater applications.
B31
Carlton Bale: To receive THX certification, it is required that the audience sit at least this close to the screen. (It is recommended that the audience sit even closer than this.)
C31
Carlton Bale: To receive THX certification, it is required that the audience sit at least this close to the screen. (It is recommended that the audience sit even closer than this.)
E31
Carlton Bale: To receive THX certification, it is required that the audience sit at least this close to the screen. (It is recommended that the audience sit even closer than this.)
G31
Carlton Bale: To receive THX certification, it is required that the audience sit at least this close to the screen. (It is recommended that the audience sit even closer than this.)
I31
Carlton Bale: To receive THX certification, it is required that the audience sit at least this close to the screen. (It is recommended that the audience sit even closer than this.)
B32
Carlton Bale: SMPTE recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen.
C32
Carlton Bale: SMPTE recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen.
E32
Carlton Bale: SMPTE recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen.
G32
Carlton Bale: SMPTE recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen.
I32
Carlton Bale: SMPTE recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen.
B33
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
C33
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
E33
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
G33
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
I33
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
C34
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
E34
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
G34
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
I34
Carlton Bale: THX recommends that the audience sit at least this close to the screen (although longer viewing distances are allowed in the THX specification.)
B35
Carlton Bale: Sitting closer to the screen than this distance may result in the need for a higher resolution display device. However, the room should still follow THX/SMPTE guidelines for seating distance.
C35
Carlton Bale: Sitting closer to the screen than this distance may result in the need for a higher resolution display device. However, the room should still follow THX/SMPTE guidelines for seating distance.
E35
Carlton Bale: Sitting closer to the screen than this distance may result in the need for a higher resolution display device. However, the room should still follow THX/SMPTE guidelines for seating distance.
G35
Carlton Bale: Sitting closer to the screen than this distance may result in the need for a higher resolution display device. However, the room should still follow THX/SMPTE guidelines for seating distance.
I35
Carlton Bale: Sitting closer to the screen than this distance may result in the need for a higher resolution display device. However, the room should still follow THX/SMPTE guidelines for seating distance.
B36
Carlton Bale: A person with better vision (20/10) would be able to notice resolution deficiencies at distances farther from the screen than would someone with normal (20/20) vision.
D36
Carlton Bale: Enter the eyesight of the viewer. For example: -If eyesight is 20/20, enter 20 in this box. -If eyesight is 20/10, enter 10 in this box. -If eyesight is 20/40, enter 40 in this box.
B39
Carlton Bale: Screen brightness should be at least 12 foot-Lamberts in a completely dark room, 16 foot-lamberts or more is recommended. In a very bright room, even more brightness would be required (depending on conditions).
C39
Carlton Bale: Screen brightness should be at least 12 foot-Lamberts in a completely dark room, 16 foot-lamberts or more is recommended. In a very bright room, even more brightness would be required (depending on conditions).
G39
Carlton Bale: Screen brightness should be at least 41.1 cd/m2 in a completely dark room, 54.8 cd/m2 or more is recommended. In a very bright room, even more brightness would be required (depending on conditions).
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Max Viewing Distance where viewer getsfull benefit of the Screen Resolution
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Screen Size - Diagonal (inches)
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Recommended Maximum Viewing/Seating Distancesbased on various Standards
THX Max Allowed (26 degree arc)
SMPTE Max (30 degree arc)
THX Max Recom-mended (36 degree arc)
Screen Size - Diagonal (inches)
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Viewing Distance at which Benefits of Higher Resolutions become Noticeable
Screen Diagonal Inches 480p 720p 1080p
23" 6.7 <-distances between-> 4.5 <-distances between-> 3.0
27" 7.9 <-distances between-> 5.3 <-distances between-> 3.5
32" 9.4 <-distances between-> 6.2 <-distances between-> 4.2
37" 10.8 <-distances between-> 7.2 <-distances between-> 4.8
42" 12.3 <-distances between-> 8.2 <-distances between-> 5.5
46" 13.5 <-distances between-> 9.0 <-distances between-> 6.0
50" 14.6 <-distances between-> 9.8 <-distances between-> 6.5
60" 17.6 <-distances between-> 11.7 <-distances between-> 7.8
96" 28.1 <-distances between-> 18.7 <-distances between-> 12.5
110" 32.2 <-distances between-> 21.5 <-distances between-> 14.3
123" 36.0 <-distances between-> 24.0 <-distances between-> 16.0
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Viewing Distances based on Visual Acuity: This distance is calculated based on the resolving power of the human eye (reference), or visual acuity. The human eye with 20/20 vision can detect or resolve details as small as 1/60th of a degree of arc. This distance represents the point beyond which some of the detail in the picture is no longer able to be resolved so pixels begin to blend together.
Viewing Distance at which Benefits of Higher Resolutions become Noticeable
<-Screen Resolution
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Viewing Distances based on Visual Acuity: This distance is calculated based on the resolving power of the human eye (reference), or visual acuity. The human eye with 20/20 vision can detect or resolve details as small as 1/60th of a degree of arc. This distance represents the point beyond which some of the detail in the picture is no longer able to be resolved so pixels begin to blend together.
