CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

jbmeyer13 · Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 1135

I'm getting ready to hang my 16x9 screen and wanted some input on the proper height since the ceiling is only 7' (last time I had 8' ceilings).

The viewable image of my screen is 45" x 80" (total size with border is 49 x 84). I remember the general rule of thumb being that eye level should be about 1/3 from the bottom of the screen. Sitting in the front row of the theater my eye level sits at 49" from the floor, therefore the bottom of the viewable area of the screen should be 34" from the floor. Only issue I see is that outs the top of the screen just 3" from the ceiling.

What do you guys think?

zaphod · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 2002 Location: Cloverdale

one third from bottom is a good rule of thumb, but i bet that the ceiling height has trump Smile

more seriously - can you lower your front row seating? your second row will also thank you.

jbmeyer13 · Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 1135

Unfortunately, not possible since the front seating sits on a platform that is only 1.5" high. The rear seats sit on a riser that is 5.75" higher than the front seats.

zaphod · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 2002 Location: Cloverdale

hmm, that's not much difference between risers.

i found a site (off of AVS) that had a riser calculator on it. i came up with 12" for a riser height. that works out sightlines based on screen height, screen level, distance between rows and height of first row. with all those numbers it can work out height of the second row. can't remember if it works in reverse too (ie: given all but screen height, give you that) but you could plug and play numbers until the recommended diference in row height is 6" or so.

of course the calculator didn't take offset seating into account which can lower the row difference by a few inches or more.

i'll try to find the site for you. cheers.

zaphod · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 2002 Location: Cloverdale

found the site: http://www.theater-calc.com/

Mr. Green · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:35 pm Post subject:

You can see my setup in Zaphod's "I had the talk" thread, https://www.curtpalme.com/forum_archived/viewtopic.php@t=25564.html My projector is hanging form a 12 foot ceiling, but is sitting at the same height you would in a room with 7'2" ceilings. The bottom of my projected image (96" diagonal) is 28" from the floor and I have it set up so the bottom of the image just hits the black border. I don't have 2 rows, but I find it's a really nice height, especially if you like to lean back and put your feet up.

Based on your first post, I'd say you are aiming a tad high. Personally, I'd hang some painters tape up to mimick your screen size and decide where you find it most comfortable from both rows. With the 2nd row not being much higher than the first row, you might need to have it up near the ceiling so the 2nd row can see without stretching their necks.

jbmeyer13 · Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 1135

My PJ will be floor mounted on the seating platform/riser. I hung the screen so that if I'm sitting in the front row my eye level is 1/3 up the screen. I did measurements and everything checked out; the bottom of the screen is 26" from the ground.

Tedd · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 156 Location: Ontario

Why is the front row on a platform at all?

jbmeyer13 · Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 1135

There is a 1.5" platform in the front to accomodate the theater seating that will be bolted onto it http://www.seatsandchairs.com/home-theater-seating-chairs/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=162&idcategory=4

The room is 11' wide by 18' deep. Initially, I was concerned about there being enough space to comfortably walk through the rear of the theater but in hindsight I could have built the rear platform even larger than I did. At first, I couldn't remember the throw distance from my previous set up from a few years ago and as a result the formula I used to calculate throw distance was the older one from the Marquee manual (1.54*screen width+15.3", which gave me 138.5").

Thanks to Dragan, the correct formula is (1.21*screen width+6"). I used that calculation for my initial placement this past weekend and after firing up the PJ test grid for the first time it looks like I'm using exactly the same amount of the raster as previously. The PJ will end up being roughly 9' from the screen, rather than 11.5'.

The platform is shaped like a T:

I wanted to have three seats across the rear (2+3) but was concerned about leg room and the possibility of the PJ being inadvertently kicked. I also need easy access to the rear panel of the PJ in the event I want or need to perform maintenance/modifications as time goes on. At this point I'm leaning towards a 2 + 2 seating arrangement.

Since the seats I chose are in the neighborhood of 18-20" from floor to cushion, they appear to sit lower than most of the larger recliners people tend to use. I believe this should help minimize line of sight issues due to height. I used a chair with nearly the same height from floor to seat to perform a mach set up and the front row appears to have eye level 1/3 up the screen. I did factor in that the seats rock back slightly.

Have I missed anything obvious that would cause a problem for the back row viewers?

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

Nice room. I'm not a big fan of floor mount but if your going that way I can't think of a nicer way of doing it. That's a really cool platform which integrates the PJ into the seating area. Man if you used a Dalite High power retro-reflective screen you would be blinding people. Thumbs Up

I think the screen height looks just fine.

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

dam, youy even have potty next-door. Now I'm jealous Mr. Green

Tedd · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 156 Location: Ontario

How about a vented "doghouse" cover to protect the pj. It could be finished in black.

The rear seats could be removeable. Headless lag bolts sunk into the platform.

jbmeyer13 · Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 1135

Can't do a full dog house cover since I'm going to throw a piano black vision one case on the PJ Thumbs Up

I'm thinking to build some type of thin fabric covered wall about 2" thick and 8" high that could be attached with velcro to the platform to protect the back of the PJ. In conjunction with Tedd's headbolt suggestion I would have the accessibility I need and adequate protection for the rear of the PJ. Just a matter of finding elegant solutions.

I know some don't like floor mount set up but the hassle of trying to hang the beast is something I just don't want to deal with. Since this is my first time doing the PJ calibration I figure it's best for it to be on the ground. Hopefully, I should be done with major service for a long time but the mod bug has already bitten and ease of access is also very important to me.

Regards,

Justin