Quote:
Originally Posted by
DigsMovies 
Interesting, but other sources will yield much different recommendations. THX and SMPTE numbers are quite different. Some are resolution based, others are field of view based. Here is an oft posted link:
viewing distance calculator
Very interesting and useful chart. Thanks.
I should have qualified my original comments and pointed out that this is the visual acuity recommended distance for 1080 viewing. Yes, you can sit closer and get a more expansive experience but.......there is a price to be paid for it - E.g. a softer picture.
Conversely, you can certainly sit further back as well but you will not see all the detail that is in the picture. This all assumes, of course, that you have normal 20-20 vision.
An absurd example would be to sit at the THX recommended distance watching a 480P DVD presentation. It would be so blurry as to be unwatchable as well as eye strain and headache inducing.
I love the big screen experience at home (Duh!) and have a 1080UB Epson projector as well. I watch a 92" screen from about 11.5 feet away and find that very satisfying. I've tried other distances but find the rapidly softening picture too big a sacrifice to move any closer.