It’s true. Let me explain how in my experimentation I arrived at this conclusion.
My home theater has recently been treated so that the walls reflect hardly any light. It is in a word BLACK. The matte white screen is 8’ horizontal. The normal viewing distance is 12’. From this it is easy to derive that the projected picture takes up 40 degrees of my visions approximately 180 degree range.
Question: How large of an angle is necessary or desirable for home theater? I believe that at least 30 degrees is required to simulate us appropriately.
One of my most pleasurable viewing experiences has been to watch (HD) movies in this type of room. The lack of light entering the eye from the sides, and yet the great volumes entering through the front (in a controlled manner) is ideal. We might consider naming this (measurable) effect the “contrast ratio of the roomâ€.
The greater this contrast ratio is, the easier it becomes for the eye-brain system to seamlessly and effortlessly integrate the central focus area with the eyes (normally ignored and irritating) peripheral vision area. The visually stimulating effect is just wonderful for home theater. Astronomers get a similar effect when viewing the sky far away from any earthly (side) light. Or sportsmen with their side-light blocking sunglasses.
But what does this have to do with glasses? Simple: they physically break the link between the central and peripheral areas of your vision. The glass itself also reduces the contrast, further degrading the enjoyment. The effect is at its worst during dimly lit scenes as the pupil reaches its maximum aperture.
As a non-perfect analogy consider:
1) drive in a car on a darkened road
2) turn on the interior light
3) stop the car get out
Under what conditions can we observe most accurately?
Note1: For the standard TV viewer in the standard room this discussion has no bearing, as the image only takes up a few degrees of the eyes vision area.
Note2: For some the topics here are basic. I raise them because 1) they are important to home theater and 2) they are hardly ever discussed and 3) it helps explain the considerable variation of opinions.
My home theater has recently been treated so that the walls reflect hardly any light. It is in a word BLACK. The matte white screen is 8’ horizontal. The normal viewing distance is 12’. From this it is easy to derive that the projected picture takes up 40 degrees of my visions approximately 180 degree range.
Question: How large of an angle is necessary or desirable for home theater? I believe that at least 30 degrees is required to simulate us appropriately.
One of my most pleasurable viewing experiences has been to watch (HD) movies in this type of room. The lack of light entering the eye from the sides, and yet the great volumes entering through the front (in a controlled manner) is ideal. We might consider naming this (measurable) effect the “contrast ratio of the roomâ€.
The greater this contrast ratio is, the easier it becomes for the eye-brain system to seamlessly and effortlessly integrate the central focus area with the eyes (normally ignored and irritating) peripheral vision area. The visually stimulating effect is just wonderful for home theater. Astronomers get a similar effect when viewing the sky far away from any earthly (side) light. Or sportsmen with their side-light blocking sunglasses.
But what does this have to do with glasses? Simple: they physically break the link between the central and peripheral areas of your vision. The glass itself also reduces the contrast, further degrading the enjoyment. The effect is at its worst during dimly lit scenes as the pupil reaches its maximum aperture.
As a non-perfect analogy consider:
1) drive in a car on a darkened road
2) turn on the interior light
3) stop the car get out
Under what conditions can we observe most accurately?
Note1: For the standard TV viewer in the standard room this discussion has no bearing, as the image only takes up a few degrees of the eyes vision area.
Note2: For some the topics here are basic. I raise them because 1) they are important to home theater and 2) they are hardly ever discussed and 3) it helps explain the considerable variation of opinions.
