Displays can be troublesome at the best of times when there is a lot riding on the result, so the very last thing you wish to be worrying about is the audio visual component. In this article I will present some basic guidelines that will help you set the room layout so you can achieve the best quality projection from your show.
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 approximately 4 feet above the floor. If the seats is staggered, or if the floor is raked you can adjust this in an appropriate way. Try to avoid setting the screen to high. The ergonomics associated with cushty viewing indicate no viewer should have to rotate their head more than +30 degrees from straight ahead, or lean their head no more than 25degrees from horizontal.
Seating
The look of the seating is important so viewers can gain full sight of the projection. Often the staggered seating arrangement is best suited for most eventualities. Overall they have got 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 vary, but is typically sixteen inches ( 400mm ). Aisles must be provided so that there are only seven seats between any one seat and an aisle. The exit and entry doors must be consider when planning 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 spread of factors that will determine whether front or rear projections are best suited for your shows.
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.
- Can be viewed with higher levels of room illumination, and is less immune to “wash out” by ambient lighting.
- 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.
- Rear projection room must be dust free, and have adequate ventilation.
To choose whether front or rear projection will augment your display, ask yourself ‘What kind 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 that the spokesman can engage with the photographs without being in the projector’s light trail. Additionally, the higher acceptable room illumination allows for note-taking, etc .
Screen Width
Identify your minimum screen height based on the distance to your farthest spectator and your ceiling height. This figure may be changed based on the application ( e.g. : an entertainment application will require a larger than minimum size screen for impact ).
ADA Requirements
Where required arrangements will have to be made for visitors who require wheelchair accessibility, and / or who have visual or hearing impairments The accessibility and size of these spaces is defined 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 additional signage may be required. Your sound system will need the addition of a hearing-assisted system. Your emergency systems may require the addition of strobe signals or visual messaging systems. Your video and other visible display systems may need captioning.
Miscellaneous Considerations
Equipment location
Is crucial to avoid any damage. This is usually, but not necessarily, located at the projector ( s ). This gear may include projection controllers, a show controller, video hardware, and audio gear.
Adequate power supply
remember to provide satisfactory electric power for this apparatus and the projector ( s ). Don’t forget to permit passage for speaker cables, control signals, for example. For boardrooms and meeting rooms you may also need to provide accessible sources ( such as 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 show is for the boss or for a large concern, taking a second to plan how you would like to supply the information can make a significant difference to your audience. So take a minute a review what you are desiring to assert, how you would like to say it and how is the best way for your audience to receive it. It could make the difference between wining that new job or losing it.
For more information about Audiovisual Equipment Hire Mandurah or Jukebox Hire in Mandurah and stage hire services, visit the Peel AV website today.
Article by John Black
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