[Pugnax]

I am in the market for a new house. I plan to buy my first front projector after I move in. I have not decided on the projector yet. I plan to set up my SD direct view TV in the den of the new house, and my 5.1 audio system in another room with the new projector.



How small of a room can comfortably be used for a small theater/media room?

 

[thebland]

Bigger is better for decor, acoustics and seating a few couples. I would start at 17 x 25 as a minimum. This would give two rows, ample width (for four seats) and have the room large enough so as to best deal with acoustics.


Minimally, I would go with a 9 ft wide screen but with HD DVD and such on the way, the increased resolution will allow you to go wider and not sacrifice PQ. 10 ft would be a minimum screen width for me. Very cinematic in a room sized like above. 11 or 12 ft would be better.

 

[AnthonyP]

it does not need to be big, I have seen some two seater rooms. That being said, the bigger the better, for the simple reason that bigger= more seating= more people enjoying it. Onthe other hand you can make an FP image any size and it could be made the same size as a TV and be used in the same size room.

 

[Art Sonneborn]

I agree with Jeff , if I were starting over those are good starting numbers and you really do want a room large enough to give it a grand feel and to be able to entertain.That said I've seen front projection used in rooms as small as this one at about 8' wide.

 

[John Robert]

I have 6 seats total (in 2 rows with a riser) in my 12X20 room. I'm not sure you need to go bigger (I have 102" screen), but I would not go smaller. The screen needs to fill at least 30% of your field of view for the best movie experience...


John

 

[Workindood]

Quote:

Originally posted by Art Sonneborn I agree with Jeff , if I were starting over those are good starting numbers and you really do want a room large enough to give it a grand feel and to be able to entertain.That said I've seen front projection used in rooms as small as this one at about 8' wide.

Nice little room. Kind of a Bomb Shelter feel to it.

 

[Art Sonneborn]

And another..

 

[Art Sonneborn]

Here is one about 12' x 18' which looks more like the stereotypic home theater.

 

[pixie]

My theater is about 14x22. I have 2 rows of 4 Berklines. Ceiling height is 8 ft and change.


I think you should be sure your ceiling height is suitable for your taste.


When I added my theater I insisted the builder allow for a 9 ft ceiling and wound up settling for my current ceiling height.


Recommend you insist on having a 12ft ceiling.

 

[4DHD]

The rule of thumb is the front row of seats needs to be back about 2 1/2 times the height of the screen.

For example a 92" diag., 16:9 screen that measures 48" H, the front seats should be back at least 10 feet. Then for additional rows of seating add at least 4 feet for each row.

Also remember that you don't want to have the back, or the only row of seating, against the back wall. I would suggest 4 feet minimum to the back wall.

So for a 48"H screen and two rows of seating the room needs to be at least 18 feet deep. But 20 feet would be better.


So you can use that for a base and adjust for the size of screen and number of rows of seating.

Also, stay away from square rooms, bad for acoustics.

 

[ArtT]

As you see by the responses, there is no "too small" or "too big." You've got to work with what you have in spare square footage in your home. If you're building from scratch and you have no cost or property size constraints, then go with the larger dimensions that you have from Art & Jeff above. But, if you only hav limited space, that is fine too. As long-can fit a nice little theater in it. Anything larger is icing on the cake. You do want to consider what type of crowds you have. I'm in Philadelphia area, and my 13 x17 theater w/ 105" hd picture was a hot ticket for the Eagles this season (short of the stadium itself). We tightly but comfortably fit 9 with some extra seating on the floor in video game type beanbag seats. Would I have loved to have 16 or 18...sure! But my house came with a 13x17' living room, so that is what my theater size is. Maybe some day I'll convert the basement, but for other than the rare times I need large amounts of seating, my ht size is perfect for me, Mrs., and my kids. If someone offered to pay for and build me a 17x25 (or larger) addition to house a larger theater, I'll be happy to take them up on it. But I'm not waiting till that happens to enjoy the theater I have now.

Art T

 

[John Robert]

Quote:

Originally posted by ArtT As you see by the responses, there is no "too small" or "too big." You've got to work with what you have in spare square footage in your home. If you're building from scratch and you have no cost or property size constraints, then go with the larger dimensions that you have from Art & Jeff above. But, if you only hav limited space, that is fine too. As long-can fit a nice little theater in it. Anything larger is icing on the cake. You do want to consider what type of crowds you have. I'm in Philadelphia area, and my 13 x17 theater w/ 105" hd picture was a hot ticket for the Eagles this season (short of the stadium itself). We tightly but comfortably fit 9 with some extra seating on the floor in video game type beanbag seats. Would I have loved to have 16 or 18...sure! But my house came with a 13x17' living room, so that is what my theater size is. Maybe some day I'll convert the basement, but for other than the rare times I need large amounts of seating, my ht size is perfect for me, Mrs., and my kids. If someone offered to pay for and build me a 17x25 (or larger) addition to house a larger theater, I'll be happy to take them up on it. But I'm not waiting till that happens to enjoy the theater I have now. Art T

Well said. Unless you're building from scratch, the best size for your HT is...


... the size of the room you have. Lots of things you can do to make it work in most any reasonably sized space. Have fun...


John

 

[hometheaterguy]

Acoustically having the room dimensions different multiple's of each other is best (having a rectangular room shape not a square room). I like tall ceilings, 12' is great. It makes you feel you are in a commercial theater. Follow Jeff and Art on their room dimensions for proper projection angles of view.