I have two options for placement of my 16x9 Screen.

With option 1, I have about 15'6" from screen to back wall.
With option 2, I have about 35'

Option 1 has a much larger wall that I can project on, so it is really my ideal placement, but I'm wondering how big I can go sitting only 14' back.

I would like to have a 125" screen, but will this be too big for option 1? The problem with a 125" on option 2, is that I'll also need a door on that wall so I think it will be pretty tight.

browerjs,

I have a 110" diagonal 16x9 screen in my theater and my front row viewing distance is just under 11'. It's all personal preference but I like what I have. I think a 125" diagonal 16x9 screen at a viewing distance of 14' would work well.

The best thing you can do is find a setup with a 125" screen and sit at various distances to see if you like it. That's what I did before I purchased my screen. Also, most posts I've read relative to screen size say they wish they used a bigger screen. I was on the fence about buying a 106" or a 110" screen until I read all of the posts - then it was easy, bigger is better! Again, it's all personal perference.

Good luck.

Dave

I have two options for placement of my 16x9 Screen.

With option 1, I have about 15'6" from screen to back wall.
With option 2, I have about 35'

Option 1 has a much larger wall that I can project on, so it is really my ideal placement, but I'm wondering how big I can go sitting only 14' back.

I would like to have a 125" screen, but will this be too big for option 1? The problem with a 125" on option 2, is that I'll also need a door on that wall so I think it will be pretty tight.

Are your screen dimensions width or diagonal?

With good HD content, many people find a seating-to-screenwidth ratio of 1.0 to 2.0 preferable. My seating is 12.5' from a 120" wide screen, for 1.25x ratio.

I'd recommend going to a movie theater, finding seats you like, and then counting ceiling tiles to determine the screen width and your distance from it. That will give you a ballpark for what you might be comfortable with at home.

125" diagonal, which is about 9' wide.

125" diagonal, which is about 9' wide.

I'd have no problem watching that form 14' away. As a matter of fact I'd problably scoot up to 10' away.

I just moved my seats forward a few feet in anticipation of my second row arriving soon. I've watched a few movies now from about 12-13 feet eye-to-screen and it's actually kind of nice, I think I might like it better than the 15 feet I used to sit at. This is on a 159" diag 16x9 hp screen. The second row will be about 16-17 feet.

I sit 13.5' from our 126" screen (16:9) and think it's perfect.

Ok, so bottom line, is I'll be good with option 1 :)

Chances are this location will only be a temporary spot for the screen, until i get around to finishing more of the basement, including that spot that sets up perfectly for a dedicated theater.