How insane am I?

[jared555]

Just got back from the movies. I did an approximation of the screen size vs distance from screen ratio.... How many people like screen sizes that truly fill your field of vision?

Going from... http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/what-size-screen-display

I came up with an estimated 0.5x-0.75x ratio.... I could barely see the pixels from the projector but if I didn't actually look for it I couldn't tell... (other faults in the theater bugged me ten times worse than that).... From that if I wanted the 'theater experience' I would need a 144" screen if I was sitting 6' away LOL

 

[jared555]

Also note: if I had full vision with both eyes (I am legally blind in my right eye) I would probably end up sitting front row with a ratio in the area of 0.25-0.5 ..... dunno why but it makes it easier to not get distracted by other things around....

for example, if I am at home on a smaller screen and I look away even for a second or so sometimes it takes me a while to 'get back in to the movie'

Edit: I keep thinking of things to add.... on a screen of that size wouldn't a VERY slight blur added in by the lens be enough to counter the ability to see individual pixels? (in theory, I don't even have a continuous wall long enough, let alone high enough )

 

[hifisyd01]

...to answer your question... I'd say you're fairly insane!

 

[jostenmeat]

... I keep thinking of things to add.... on a screen of that size wouldn't a VERY slight blur added in by the lens be enough to counter the ability to see individual pixels? (in theory, I don't even have a continuous wall long enough, let alone high enough )

jared, viewing angle, like many things in life, is personal taste (coupled with some real world factors). The slight blur you speak of to counter the visible pixels is actually one of the main things I have issue with. Its the blur that is tougher to get over with too much viewing angle. Yea, the movie theaters can make you suffer it too.

other factors for me personally: I have two rows for my HT. I typically prefer the front for 2.35:1 aspect, and the back row for 16:9. Though sometimes I enjoy the front row for an extremely well mastered 16:9 movie. I'm not entirely sure yet of my preliminary impression, but I think vertical movement of the eyes is a little more bothersome than horiz mvmt. For instance, even say perhaps on a 2.35:1 movie, if the subtitles for a foreign movie are written in the lower black bar, I sometimes prefer the back row. (Ive watched foreign movies from both distances, but more often than not do I from the back row).

I use roughly a 42 viewing angle. Some people sit considerably closer with the narrower/smaller aspect ratios. But, I've never heard .25, .50, .75 types of seating. That is extreeeeemely close. But, seeing that you are legally blind in one eye... I dunno, .75x may not be that insane after all? A lot of videophiles watch at 1.0x for 2.35:1 ratios or smaller.

Viewing Distance Calculator

 

[tandylacker]

I have a 118" diagonal 16:9 screen that I view from about 12 feet away... Anything closer/bigger than that would be tiring...

 

[jostenmeat]

I have a 118" diagonal 16:9 screen that I view from about 12 feet away... Anything closer/bigger than that would be tiring...

= 39.3 degree viewing angle. When Im fully reclined, Im probably right about the same... then again, this is all preference!

 

[jared555]

an update on this.... I watched the dark knight twice in the past two days (don't worry, a large part of that was for technical reasons rather than being that obsessed with spending that much to watch a movie twice...)

I was in 2 different rooms, (first time I ended up ticked off cause I have OCD when it comes to problems with screen/audio when I pay $20 to see a movie, I am sure many of you are the same).... the first time was one of their smaller screens too (even though I was sitting 3rd row, in line with the first of the surround speakers)

the second time I actually called and asked which showtime was in the room with the best setup. I was sitting 3rd row... This time when the guy bounces off the window (hopefully those who have seen the movie know the point I am talking about), it actually made me jump. Also, the acoustics are better in that room too....

So even with extremely large screens I have noticed that the vision filling factor does apply a lot (this is just one example).

 

[jared555]

By the way, it is carmike cinemas with the christie projector systems (DLP). Still drives me nuts seeing screen issues that close (I can actually see the texture in some of the screens, not to mention in some instances pixels if I pay attention)....

 

[jostenmeat]

jared555,

I thought you'd be interested in both this quote and thread. While the main topic is plasma vs projector, I think its the discussion of pure size versus mathematical viewing angle that is interesting. Enjoy. Courtesy of "coldmachine":

The viewing angle may be the same, but you always know that you are just simply sitting close to a small TV.

Its the same when you compare an 8ft screen with a 14ft screen, both at a distance of 1sw. Same viewing angle, very different feel. Your brain has already taken in all the visual ques for scale from the room, or even before you get in the room.

The human brain, along with that of other animals, is very adept at estimating the size of an object based on its range and subtended angle. This works the other way too, if we know the size we can work out the range by its subtended angle.

This helps us assess predatory threats and prey opportunities. Your brain ALWAYS knows that an object 10 degrees wide from a distance of 3 feet is smaller than at 15 feet. This is subconscious and cant be short circuited.

Do any projectors beat plasma picture quality

 

[jared555]

jared555,

I thought you'd be interested in both this quote and thread. While the main topic is plasma vs projector, I think its the discussion of pure size versus mathematical viewing angle that is interesting. Enjoy. Courtesy of "coldmachine":



Do any projectors beat plasma picture quality

thanks, I know that is true to some extent, but watching my 20" computer monitor from 2-4 ft seems a lot nicer than watching a 32" tv from like 10-15 feet.

 

[poutanen]

Yes, I think you're nuts.

I use an InFocus IN72 on a 76" screen, viewed from about 12" away, and it feels just about right. I will likely upgrade to an Infocus X10 and a 92" screen, but I certainly won't move any closer to the screen...

 

[jostenmeat]

You will move from a 26 degree viewing angle to 31. Which is just slightly more than SMPTE rec. THX = 36. Me = 42.

If I was going 76", Id probably try to get a soon-to-be-extinct, if not extinct already, Sony 70" SXRD XBR-2 RPTV instead. Granted, a lot more money.