Ok so here is my question are there any proper (good) viewing distances of projectors. Examples

100" screen + 1024X768 Res. = 8' viewing from the screen.............

or

120" screen + 720P Res. = ???? viewing from the screen (this is the one I am curious about)

so if you have some answers do tell.

IIRC the general rule of thumb is seating distance should be about 1.5 times the screen width, so to watch a 10' screen you'd sit 15' back but that, of course, is just a rule of thumb, as everyone is different...

Okay so this is where I am getting confused If I use the focal calc. with my 18 beseler it puts my projector at 12 feet away for 120" and my couches are at 10' so this is good the projector is behind me. Seems that I might be better off having the projector in front of me with the short throw on the floor shooting up. I dont even think I know what I am talking about. Maybe I just need some sleep.

The "rule of thumb" my cousin told me is:

Hold your "thumbs up" at arms length towards the screen from your viewing seat, the screen should about match the height of your "thumbs up" (from bottom of fist to top of thumb). I've tried this and it's pretty good for quick judgement and comfortable viewing distance.

peace

Interesting!

I think I read somewhere that 15º is optimal... I mean, the width of the screen should be 15º of your field of vision. Personally I think it's more fun when you have to physically turn your head to focus the the sides! Maybe that's why I got car sick the first time I played a racing game on my projector (I had to stop and leave the room).

Maybe this is of use.



Fry.

Actually, no.

He is interested in the best viewing position for a given screen size (and resolution). This chart mearly expains possible projector positions for given screen sizes, but only pertains to the projector for which this diagram was made. A person can create a chart such as this based on LCD size, frensel position & triplet FL, for their own particular DIY project.

I like the thumbs up rule. Pretty neat.

Maybe give this a try. http://www.htmart.com/pages.php?pageid=16

cheers,
gs

Thats awesome Gadget thanks but this just keeps me wondering what I am doing. Seats are at 10' and by focal calc says projector should be at 12'.......... 120" I guess this is to close to watch a 120" at 10' away. Oh well I am sure I will get something figured out some day.

Keep in mind that link would be what a movie theater might do. Seating depends heavily on personal preference too. I watched a 128" (HDTV format) screen from 140-150" (~12 ft) and it was good, but very "consuming". I now have the PJ at ~16.5ft with seating at ~15' and a ~95" screen, this puts me in the "back" part of the range on that diagram. If I go to 106" with the same 15-14.5' seating position, then i'm right in the middle of the diagram, and i've done this and know that it is a very comfortable distance to watch. This is based on using a 10" LCD (720p mode on wuxga w/ 1:1 controller), and the LL triplet.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

Good Luck deciding !
gs


edit: I should also say that i'm contemplating going to full 1080p resolution (ie. 15" LCD using wuxga panel in 1:1 mode) and having the PJ placed in front of the seats.... unless I can find a 750mm triplet somewhere.... hmmmm.....

I break this rule, for me the best is so the screen is from as wide as you can see without entering your periperal vision (vertically for a widescreen image). Then again, maybe I just have a really small thumb.

I honestly don't think there's a rule so to speak for this kind of thing, it's merely a matter of opinion. (Set up a test rig and find out what you comftorable viewing distance is).

[edit: whopps, I noticed im a bit to late posting here]