Shows can be difficult at the best time when there’s a lot riding on the result, so the last thing you wish to be troubling about is the audio visible element. In this article I’m going to present some basic guidelines that will help you set the room layout so you can accomplish the highest quality projection from your presentation.
General Guide-Lines
Viewing
* For optimum viewing, the audience should be seated within:
* +30 degrees of a line perpendicular to the screen’s centre.
* They should be seated no closer then twice the image height.
Note: (If this is not possible perhaps consider multiple viewing options for the audience).
Type of Content
* Entertainment – The last row should be no further than eight times the image height.
* Corporate – The last row should be to six times the image height.
* Critical Applications – The last row should be four times the image height
Setting the Screen
To avoid obstruction of viewing he bottom of the screen should be roughly four feet above the floor. If the seats is staggered, or if the floor is raked you can adjust this accordingly . Try and avoid setting the screen to high. The ergonomics associated with comfortable viewing indicate no viewer should have to rotate their head more than +30 degrees from straight ahead, or lean their head only 25degrees from horizontal.
Seating
The look of the seats is important so viewers can gain full sight of the projection. Frequently the staggered seating arrangement is best suited for most eventualities. Overall they have to be in rows, with a minimal unrestricted horizontal clearance between plumb lines from the front of an unoccupied seat to the back of the seat in front. This clearance may change, but is typically sixteen inches ( 400mm ). Aisles must be provided so that there are less than seven seats between any one seat and an aisle. The entry and exit doors have to be consider when coming up with the layout of the seats. The layout needs to built to:
* Allow for easy of enter into the room
* Allow for quick exit in the event of an emergency
* The row contains no more than 100 seats;
* Each doorway serves no more than three rows.
* Aisles must terminate in a cross-aisle.
Front or Rear Projection?
There are a variety of factors that may determine whether front or rear projections are most suitable for your presentations.
Front Projection
* Front Projection can generally provide a wider viewing-angle than rear projection. It requires: Controlled lighting (ambient light must be kept off the screen to eliminate a reduction in contrast ratio).
* Requires either a projection room at the rear of the theatre, or a platform or mount for the projector(s) out in the theatre. Note that this latter is a potential noise source.
* The projection geometry must be carefully worked out to get the best compromise between image keystoning and blockage of the light path by the audience.
* Must be accessible for maintenance. A projection booth must be dust free (positive pressure preferred), and have adequate ventilation.
Rear Projection
- Rear Projection Generally has a narrower viewing-angle than front projection – better for long, narrow rooms.
- Available in flexible & rigid materials. A rigid screen is more expensive than a front projection screen, and has size restrictions.
- Requires space behind the screen. Mirrors may be used to reduce the required depth. Must be accessible for maintenance.
- Can be viewed with higher levels of room illumination, and is less immune to “wash out” by ambient lighting.
To decide whether front or rear projection will reinforce your presentation, ask yourself ‘What sort of presentation do I want to give’ and “What is the purpose of the presentation’. If for example the show is “canned” you can consider either front or rear projection. If a live talker is interacting with the display, rear projection is best so the spokesman can have interaction with the images without being in the projector’s light trail. Additionally, the higher allowable room illumination allows for note-taking, etc.
Screen Width
Identify your minimum screen height based totally on the distance to your farthest viewer and your ceiling height. This figure might be adjusted based on the application ( e.g. : an entertainment application will need abigger than minimum size screen for impact ).
ADA needs
Where required agreements will need to be made for attendees who need wheelchair accessibility, and / or who have visible or hearing impairments The accessibility and size of these spaces is outlined as :
A minimum number of aisle seats will be required to have either no aisle-side armrest or an aisle-side armrest that folds up. Certain extra signage may be needed. Your sound system will need the addition of a hearing-assisted system. Your emergency systems may need the addition of strobe signals or visual messaging systems. Your video and other visible presentation systems may need captioning.
Miscellaneous Considerations
Equipment location
Is vital to avoid any damage. This is generally, but not always, located at the projector ( s ). This gear may include projection controllers, a show controller, video equipment, and audio equipment.
Sufficient power supply
do not forget to provide adequate electrical power for this equipment and the projector ( s ). Remember to allow passage for speaker cables, control signals, for example. For boardrooms and meeting rooms you will also want to provide accessible sources ( like VCR’s and DVD players ).
Aesthetics or Theme
* Does it require the loudspeakers and other equipment be concealed?
* How is the presentation started?
* Automatically,
* Audience-demand,
* Host-demand, and live presenter (may require random-access control or other interactivity).
Whether your display is for the manager or for a large concern, taking a minute to plan how you would like to supply the info can make a major difference to your audience. So take a moment a review what you are needing to say, how you want to point out it and how is the best way for your audience to receive it. It might make the difference between wining that new job or losing it.
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Article by John Black