Looking for my camera now to snap a pic but this is what I ended up doing.

Screen is 63.5 inches tall, frame to frame. Shot a self-leveling laser from my eye level (while seated) on the wall and measured 40 inches.

Took screen height divided by 3 to get 21.16 inches and locked that into the 40 inch height. So basically the screen's bottom 1/3 is at eye level or 19" off the ground.

Wife walks in and says "that looks really low."

:confused:

The biggest concern with the bottom of the screen at 19" will be the sight-lines (or lack of) for the 2nd row seats.

The biggest concern with the bottom of the screen at 19" will be the sight-lines (or lack of) for the 2nd row seats.

I don't have rows... I have a U shaped sectional. 99% of the time everyone will sit along the back of the sectional (holds 5 or so comfortably).

You should be fine then. Here is a friend's screen wall. It's about 20" off the ground. I think it came out looking pretty good, and looks great during movies. (forgive the construction mess...)
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh35/gregward_album/150.jpg

Ok guys... here's a pic. I put a red line where the ceiling is for clarity.

http://www.theleif.com/files/theater/screentestfitting.jpg

I think what "throws it off" is that the ceiling is so high.

Any recomendations?

Measure your average seating eye-height and subtract 20" from that number, that's roughly where the bottom of your screen should be.

Measure your average seating eye-height and subtract 20" from that number, that's roughly where the bottom of your screen should be.

If that's the case I'm pretty much dead on. Eye height is 40" to screen wall... bottom of screen is 19.5". (so I'm half an inch off)

Might have to do something later with that height... maybe a soffit on the next revision.

Does your sectional recline? If you're like me, I watch most TV/Movies reclined and if so you might test for the "toe factor" for lack of a better description. My Mits 55" upstairs is close to the 19" from floor dimension and when I recline to watch my toes get in the way of viewing the bottom of the screen. BTW, I'm no Sasquatch... just normal size 9 ish:D

I'd be more inclined to move the screen up a bit more if needed vs. having to stick with exactly the 1/3 guideline. WAF's a whole 'nother matter.

Good luck.

Stick with what you calculated. You should not have to look up at the screen which brings me to my pet peeve of mounting flatscreens above a fireplace.... but, that's for another thread.

Does your sectional recline? If you're like me, I watch most TV/Movies reclined and if so you might test for the "toe factor" for lack of a better description. My Mits 55" upstairs is close to the 19" from floor dimension and when I recline to watch my toes get in the way of viewing the bottom of the screen. BTW, I'm no Sasquatch... just normal size 9 ish:D

I'd be more inclined to move the screen up a bit more if needed vs. having to stick with exactly the 1/3 guideline. WAF's a whole 'nother matter.

Good luck.

No reclining but I do slouch and lay back like crazy when watching a movie.

Stick with what you calculated. You should not have to look up at the screen which brings me to my pet peeve of mounting flatscreens above a fireplace.... but, that's for another thread.

You and me both. The "sweet spot" is rather subjective on how you watch TV but I don't know anyone that has a sweet spot 7' off the ground above a distracting fire.

Thanks again guys!

Leif,

And for what it is worth my screen is about 22" from the floor. I am happy the ONLY drawback for me is that: for now my back row will incorporate fancy bar stools (and eventually might require a higher than normal riser).

You said you will not have a back row - so your should be just fine

"Toe Factor" while reclined - LOL - people here continue to just crack me up.

Bottom of our screen is about 20 inches off the floor. No problems - never and as in ever.
Good Luck

I'd raise it up a tad.

You should be fine then. Here is a friend's screen wall. It's about 20" off the ground. I think it came out looking pretty good, and looks great during movies. (forgive the construction mess...)
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh35/gregward_album/150.jpg

You got at lease 6" to add for the stage? So is it really 26" off the floor.

How high is Leifashley27 ceiling?

I would go along the BigmouthinDC to add a few inches.

The 1/3 up is a guideline If it looks wrong in the room it looks wrong. If you are comfortable watching it up a bit higher and it looks right in the room there will be peace in the family. I think my eyes are about 1/10 up from the bottom on my screen from front row center and I'm happy with it.

Ceiling is 10'

Top screen is 6'10"

I agree that 1/3 is a guideline however I disagree that it is more important that it "looks right" in the room. How it performs is more important to most. However that is somewhat subjective so therefore it's best to stick close to the guidelines.

19" or so seems low but that is because you only have one level of seating unlike a lot of theaters.

I suggest you try it at 24" and see what you think.... it may be a nice compromise.

You could do something creative above the screen to create a more visually pleasing look that would draw the eye away from the empty wall space.

Move it up a foot

I thought the guideline was more flexible like 1/6 to 1/3?

Anyways, the high ceiling is the culprit. Perhaps you can add an art-deco (or whatever matches your style) emblem between the two ducts to add visual interest.

Something like these:
http://www.fabulousmasterpieces.co.uk/userimages/Art_Deco_Art.jpg
or
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HhKBKHX91ec/SEh5gV_KAUI/AAAAAAAACs8/opJTr5kF0O0/s400/DSC_8771.jpg

Anyways, the high ceiling is the culprit. Perhaps you can add an art-deco (or whatever matches your style) emblem between the two ducts to add visual interest.



Add a soffit above and a stage below will help balance out the high ceiling.

The bottom of my 67" tall screen is only about 19-20 inches off the floor as well:

http://www.caesare.com/basement/slides/IMG_2123.jpg

I opted for a soffit above the screen to make the room soffiting symetrical (and to conceal my center). I also have cabinetry below, which also houses my subs, so in my case the screen looks relatively "centered" within the construction. I'm not quite at 1/3rd up from the screen bottom for eye level, but it's relatively close, especially when reclined.

In your case, I think the visual mis-cue is becasue your stage on the bottom proveds a visual reference that the screen is closer too, and there is nothing up top. I agree with others that either a soffit or other visual piece up top, or moving your screen would make it more appealing. I wouldn't worry about breaking the 1/3rd guideline too much... chances are if you go to your local cineplex the screen is positioned higher than that relative to your seating anyway.

Just make sure it's comfortable on your neck form your seating position...

-Steve