Ok, I am trying to understand what is the minimal depth for a riser (back row) for real theater seats. I read somewhere it is measure from 'Standard" to 'Standard", but I am not sure if that is relevant on a riser.

Thanks.

Do you plan to have any space behind the seats? I have real theater seats which are rocker style and need nine inches behind the back of the seat but I also have speakers behind and so I have 24" from seat back to wall, that said my riser is 58" Deep which places the chairs with the 24 behind the backs and leaves room for someone to cross in front of people sitting with out anyone having to get up. Works perfectly.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/Arwenmark/100_1723.jpg
Here is the riser under construction you can see the size

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/Arwenmark/augustscreenshots022.jpg
This one shows how the spacing looks with the seats in.

ok, I do not plan on having any space between the back wall and the seats, just enough for the rocker to rock back. Would this mean 58-24+9 = 43" is all I need and people can still pass freely in-front of someone in a sitting position?

Thanks McCall.

You need to figure out how deep the seat is, then how far the rocking mechanism rocks back (and therefore how much room you need behind the seat), add them together then add 16"-18" to that for an aisle so people can walk though. Feel free to PM or call me for more info...

Seat is 31.5" with 5" for rock back = 36.5 + 18 = 54.5". Ok, so about 10" more than I calculated above.

Yes, that sounds correct. You'll be happier with the 18" in between if you can afford the space. That 18" will include peoples' legs so it's not as much as it sounds. Good luck.

I agree you will be happier with the 18" clearance. So I take it you are doing 5.1 sound?

I agree you will be happier with the 18" clearance. So I take it you are doing 5.1 sound?

Although not ideal for the back row, I am doing a 7.1 since the first row can benefit.

From what I understand, not many tracks are in the 7.1. Hopefully this will work.

Although not ideal for the back row, I am doing a 7.1 since the first row can benefit.

From what I understand, not many tracks are in the 7.1. Hopefully this will work.

Very true, so then it comes down to your processing. I often use Lexicon's Logic 7 which creates the missing channels. plus I have a panasonic Blu ray player that will pass up to 7.1 Lossless audio True HD audio.

someone was kind enough to bring me a test DVD from CEDIA which has TRUE HD audio tracks and even a couple of real 7.1 tracks

it was awsome.

Very true, so then it comes down to your processing. I often use Lexicon's Logic 7 which creates the missing channels. plus I have a panasonic Blu ray player that will pass up to 7.1 Lossless audio True HD audio.

someone was kind enough to bring me a test DVD from CEDIA which has TRUE HD audio tracks and even a couple of real 7.1 tracks

it was awsome.

wow. I would love to get the full 7.1. I wish I could have built this room just a few feet longer. One of the major regrets I have. Did so much research on everything else for the house and didn't focus on the HT room, especially the length. oh well, one of these days I will have to move an exterior wall I guess.

Not sure how deep your room is off the top of my head. Mine is 19' before anything. then my ten foot wide 2.35:1 SMX AT screen is out 24" so that brings it to 17' then the projector takes up 1 foot so I have 16' lens to screen surface. I have my seating at 9.5' and 12.5' from the screen.

My room lengthwise is 16.5'

Since I am going 106" 16:9, I am trying to stick with first row at 10.5' and back row at 15.5'. It is interesting that you only have 3' between first and second row.

I wish I'd done a 6 foot deep riser (or maybe 5 1/2 feet) instead of just the 5 feet.

5 feet works barely. A bit more space would've been nice.
So my advice is - go a bit deeper than you think you'll need.

My room lengthwise is 16.5'

Since I am going 106" 16:9, I am trying to stick with first row at 10.5' and back row at 15.5'. It is interesting that you only have 3' between first and second row.

Well it is 9.5 eyes to screen and 12.5 eyes to screen so 3 feet between [person position] in row one and row two. Hope that makes sense. It means that you have basically the depth of your lap then about 18 inches of space to the back of the next row seats.

I wish I'd done a 6 foot deep riser (or maybe 5 1/2 feet) instead of just the 5 feet.

5 feet works barely. A bit more space would've been nice.
So my advice is - go a bit deeper than you think you'll need.

Is this for real theater seats (rockers, not recliners)?