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Screen size vs seating distance

3621 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by doublewing11, Nov 20, 2010

SD Vidiot

Discussion Starter · Nov 8, 2010

I've seen all kinds of "rules of thumb" for seating distance vs screen length, ranging from 1.3 to 2.0:1 ratio, for optimal viewing. I'm going to be sitting 8.5 feet (102 inches) from an SMX cineweave 16:9 screen and wanted to go big --100 to 120 inches in length. This would give me a 50-60 degree viewing angle. Is my head going to explode by sitting so close? or is this just a matter of taste? Do any of you use a 1:1 ratio or less?

Thanks for your thoughts!

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

mmiles

· #2 · Nov 8, 2010

1.25 - 1.5 to 1 is as close as you would want to be imho.

1080p displays make it a bit easier to get close.

airscapes

· #3 · Nov 9, 2010

Looking umr screen fabric report, most AT screens did not look good at 9' I didn't see your screen in there but the texture may be a problem that close..
http://accucalhd.com/documents/accuc...een_report.pdf

cavu

· #4 · Nov 9, 2010

Check this calculator: Screen Viewing Distance Calculator and review the chart below.

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umr

· #5 · Nov 9, 2010

That is too close for SMX. I can easily see the weave at that distance with that material.

At that distance I would not use any AT material. With that screen size AT is also of less value. It is the very large screens where they obstruct speaker placement and you can sit far enough back that AT is best used.

SD Vidiot

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 9, 2010

D'oh!

umr

· #7 · Nov 9, 2010

If you really must go AT the only thing I have seen that I would choose is the Enlightor 4K material.

mmiles

· #8 · Nov 9, 2010

Did not know OP was using an AT screen since SMX makes "solid" screens too or at least I think they do.

In the case of AT they yep 1.5 might even be close so not to see them tiny holes.

Glenn Baumann

· #9 · Nov 9, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by umr /forum/post/19458703

That is too close for SMX. I can easily see the weave at that distance with that material.

At that distance I would not use any AT material. With that screen size AT is also of less value. It is the very large screens where they obstruct speaker placement and you can sit far enough back that AT is best used.

Jeff,

Can you provide some insight regarding how the SMX Cineweave HD fabric compares to the the Seymour AV Centerstage XD in reference to weave visibility?

...Glenn

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2

umr

· #10 · Nov 9, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenn Baumann /forum/post/0

Jeff,

Can you provide some insight regarding how the SMX Cineweave HD fabric compares to the the Seymour AV Centerstage XD in reference to weave visibility?

...Glenn

I would not buy SMX Cineweave HD over Seymour Centerstage XD for the screen material. This is too close for Seymour as well.

Glenn Baumann

· #11 · Nov 9, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by umr /forum/post/19461191

I would not buy SMX Cineweave HD over Seymour Centerstage XD for the screen material. This is too close for Seymour as well.

Jeff,

Are you saying that you feel that the the Seymour XD has a less perceptible weave in general than the SMX HD material?

And how would these materials be at 11.5 to 12 feet viewing distance?

Thanks, I appreciate your input!

...Glenn

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2

umr

· #12 · Nov 10, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenn Baumann /forum/post/19462143

Jeff,

Are you saying that you feel that the the Seymour XD has a less perceptible weave in general than the SMX HD material?

And how would these materials be at 11.5 to 12 feet viewing distance?

Thanks, I appreciate your input!

...Glenn

The Seymour weave can work at 11.5 to 12 ft. It also has an irregular weave that tends to avoid moire better than other weaves. It is also the brightest of all the weaves I have tested.

ClearPix3 is also a very good product at 12 ft, but it has more audio loss from the tighter weave.

I have not found SMX material to have an advantage over Seymour.

My report linked to below contains more details on these products.

In all cases get samples and see for yourself.

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SmX

· #13 · Nov 10, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by umr /forum/post/19464644

I have not found SMX material to have an advantage over Seymour.

Hello UMR,

You have not tested our latest generation screens so you are not comparing apples to apples here, I kindly ask you to refrain from posting misleading information until you test the proper screen surfaces from us or at least identify that you our comparing it to our first generation screen.

Here is a recent post from BIGmouthinDC comparing the our CineWeave HD to Seymour. SMX COMPARISON THREAD

Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGmouthinDC /forum/post/18787457

At normal viewing distances I don't think there is much difference in the projected images. However the SMX fabric is flatter at close examination and doesn't have the distinctive diagonal ridge inherent with the Seymour.

We have a Cineweave 4K screen as well that received glowing reviews by many professionals at Cedia this year as well a won an Innovation Award from AVS. With the CineWeave 4K, you do not see screen texture with projected content at arms length.

Best,

Ruben

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umr

· #14 · Nov 10, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by SmX /forum/post/0

Hello UMR,

You have not tested our latest generation screens so you are not comparing apples to apples here, I kindly ask you to refrain from posting misleading information until you test the proper screen surfaces from us or at least identify that you our comparing it to our first generation screen.

Here is a recent post from BIGmouthinDC comparing the our CineWeave HD to Seymour. SMX COMPARISON THREAD

We have a Cineweave 4K screen as well that received glowing reviews by many professionals at Cedia this year.

Best,

Ruben

Please send me a sample.

Glenn Baumann

· #15 · Nov 10, 2010

Ruben,

Please do send Jeff a sample for testing ASAP as I and probably others would like to see the Cineweave HD compared and I am about ready to make a screen purchase!

...Glenn

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doublewing11

· #16 · Nov 11, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmX

Hello UMR,

You have not tested our latest generation screens so you are not comparing apples to apples here, I kindly ask you to refrain from posting misleading information until you test the proper screen surfaces from us or at least identify that you our comparing it to our first generation screen.

Here is a recent post from BIGmouthinDC comparing the our CineWeave HD to Seymour. SMX COMPARISON THREAD

We have a Cineweave 4K screen as well that received glowing reviews by many professionals at Cedia this year as well a won an Innovation Award from AVS. With the CineWeave 4K, you do not see screen texture with projected content at arms length.

Best,

Ruben

umr has clearly stated his OPINION regarding preference for the Seymour Centerstage XD over the SMX Cineweave HD............no confusion there........ie. comparing apples to apples IMHO. I too would be interested in getting a hold of the 4K SMX material................like that's going to happen.

From my past experience, I had a nightmare trying to get a hold of SMX material.........not so with Seymour. Was not pleased with the way I was given the run-around by SMX............might be a West Coast issue as no one in the Pacific Northwest even heard of the company.

Just calling it as it is.............sorry

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doublewing11

· #17 · Nov 20, 2010

Still no SMX response nor material.............

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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