nausea in the theater room

[kfeldh]

I am getting nauseated every time we watch something in the theater room. I think it is because the picture is too large for the room. What is the rule of thumb for screen size to room size? Any other suggestions appreciated!

 

[Sherardp]

what size screen are you watching on? How far are you from screen? What size is the room? Rule of thumb is 1.5x screen width if I remember correctly. With 1080p projector you can be even closer. My screen is 126" diagonal and my 1st row starts right at 12 feet, 2nd row is at 15 feet, with my projector mounted right at 19 feet. My room is 14x22. I'm sure others can advise but perhaps you can move your seating back, but if not take the screen size down a notch.

If you feel screen size is ok, try turning on some ambient lights(can lights, etc) and see if that helps you out. Similar thread discussed here.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46249&highlight=Nasuea&page=4

 

[kfeldh]

Room was created by previous owner so I will have to do some measuring. It is not very large in proportion to the screen size, in my estimation. I will look for the directions to make the image size smaller according to your directions. Thanks!

 

[WmAx]

You may be correct about the screen size issue. I personally can not stand a screen that is to big for a given distance (occupying too much of my field of view) or it makes me feel sick after a few minutes. I don't understand how some people can stand their screen to be so big and not eventually feel sick...

-Chris

 

[AVRat]

I think I reach my comfort limit at about 1.7 x picture/screen width.

 

[Exit]

My daughter gets sick feeling from my subwoofer and I have to turn it off when she is around. Apparently sound below maybe 30 Hz gets to her. My subwoofer goes below 20Hz. Maybe another variable to try if you are using a good subwoofer.

 

[jostenmeat]

I am getting nauseated every time we watch something in the theater room. I think it is because the picture is too large for the room. What is the rule of thumb for screen size to room size? Any other suggestions appreciated!

The only real rule of thumb is personal preference. I could tell you one thing, or another, but if you don't like it, who cares. That said, the ideal immersion will vary with aspect ratio, native resolution, camera work, etc. For instance, I could watch Ratatouille at a very wide angle. I could not watch the Bourne Trilogy at the same distance after downing a six pack.

One particular thing to consider, within the grand scheme of things, is how much benefit you get from any particular resolution, assuming 20/20 vision. Check this tweaking of cartonbale as done by ThA tRiXtA

for a bonus link, here is a viewing distance calculator
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

 

[highfigh]

I am getting nauseated every time we watch something in the theater room. I think it is because the picture is too large for the room. What is the rule of thumb for screen size to room size? Any other suggestions appreciated!

Turn the sub off and try it. As mentioned, low frequencies can cause nausea when the right combination of frequency and SPL occur. Low frequencies have been used for riot control for a long time.

 

[lsiberian]

I am getting nauseated every time we watch something in the theater room. I think it is because the picture is too large for the room. What is the rule of thumb for screen size to room size? Any other suggestions appreciated!

Also the height of the screen is big too. A PJ can make you sick if you make it to big. I believe in airing on the side of health. 90" is usually sufficent for most small to mid sized rooms.

120" is great for big rooms.

90" makes the PJ quality higher too.

If you are experiencing eye strain. Then do pencil pushups. It worked for me and cured my nausea.

 

[Audioholics]

For me the nausea comes when I play FPS games. I like a big screen, but excessive panning around in Gears of War, etc will make mee woozy after a while.

 

[lsiberian]

For me the nausea comes when I play FPS games. I like a big screen, but excessive panning around in Gears of War, etc will make mee woozy after a while.

That's interesting. I haven't had that problem. I bet your screen is too big for an FPS. That's why I tend to suggest airing with the smaller screen size.

Bigger is better to a point.

 

[mperfct]

For me the nausea comes when I play FPS games. I like a big screen, but excessive panning around in Gears of War, etc will make mee woozy after a while.

Dramamine!

My screen is ridiculously close, but my wife and I love it...

 

[mperfct]

Found the measurements:

110" wide screen, eye-to-screen distance is 100"

I'm at 45.7* viewing angle for 16x9 material, and 57.8* for anamorphic material.

Ya, I'm not right in the head, apparently. Just goes to show, the numbers are there to guide you, but they certainly aren't set-in-stone rules.

 

[lsiberian]

Found the measurements:

110" wide screen, eye-to-screen distance is 100"

I'm at 45.7* viewing angle for 16x9 material, and 57.8* for anamorphic material.

Ya, I'm not right in the head, apparently. Just goes to show, the numbers are there to guide you, but they certainly aren't set-in-stone rules.

The setting in stone can be arranged.

 

[jostenmeat]

I've asked a lot of people if my setup is "too much". Every answer, down to the one, has stated they would not change a thing. 42 degrees last I checked for the front row.

 

[allargon]

You guys obviously don't watch enough porn if shaky cameras and fast pans bother you that much!

 

[BMXTRIX]

I am getting nauseated every time we watch something in the theater room. I think it is because the picture is too large for the room. What is the rule of thumb for screen size to room size? Any other suggestions appreciated!

While you have received several good ideas, one of the things you may want to do is to ensure that the room itself doesn't have any issues that are environmental. Spend a few hours in the room playing a game or reading a book and see if the nausea kicks in then as well.

I found in my new home that we had a minor gas leak in the basement which would affect people if they were in the basement for hours at a time. Under an hour or so, no issue, but over an hour? People would feel headaches and get dizzy.

Any number of things could cause the issue.

Now, if you find no issue, you can test the screen size by zooming the projector in so it fills less of the screen. This should be very easy to do and takes only a few minutes.

Also, a cheap DLP projector of a business class, may only have a 2x color wheel and you could have some issues with this.

 

[lsiberian]

While you have received several good ideas, one of the things you may want to do is to ensure that the room itself doesn't have any issues that are environmental. Spend a few hours in the room playing a game or reading a book and see if the nausea kicks in then as well.

I found in my new home that we had a minor gas leak in the basement which would affect people if they were in the basement for hours at a time. Under an hour or so, no issue, but over an hour? People would feel headaches and get dizzy.

Any number of things could cause the issue.

Now, if you find no issue, you can test the screen size by zooming the projector in so it fills less of the screen. This should be very easy to do and takes only a few minutes.

Also, a cheap DLP projector of a business class, may only have a 2x color wheel and you could have some issues with this.

The color wheel thing goes away very quickly for most people as does the nausea. So I wouldn't be too concerned. But I certainly hope it's not a gas leak. That would really suck.