This is topic How far to the first ramp (row)? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Dave Bird (Member # 490) on 03-07-2001, 08:06 AM:
I've heard that SMPTE guidelines for placement of the first row in a theatre says it should be no closer in distance than 2 times the height of the screen (obviously disregarded by most new theatres). Is this correct? I'm wondering if this also applies to outdoor screens. Thank you.
Posted by Evans A Criswell (Member # 381) on 03-07-2001, 09:15 AM:
There is only one theatre in my area where the first row of seats is a significant distance from the screen. It is the Carmike Century Cinema 8 in Decatur, AL. It was built by Fairlane/Litchfield in 1982, so the original four auditoriums (1, 2, 7, and 8) have the first row of seats so that the first row puts you 22 feet from the screen. The screens are 14-15 feet high. The first rows in those auditoriums are far enough back that I sometimes sit there if the movie is "flat". It's too close for scope.All other theatres in my area have seats all the way up to just a few feet from the screen. Sitting in the first row of the old Fairlane/Litchfield houses is like sitting in the fourth row of most other theatres.
Evans A Criswell
http://home.hiwaay.net/~criswell/theatre/
Posted by Christos Mitsakis (Member # 143) on 03-07-2001, 09:33 AM:
Quoting from SMPTE EG 18-1989:
"The nearest viewer's vertical line of sight should not exceed 35° from the horizontal to the top of the projected image, and preferably should be 15° to the horizontal centerline of the screen image."2x the hight of the screen is a practical rule of thumb. The distance depends also on how wide is the front row of seats relative to the width of the screen.
C.
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 03-07-2001, 10:31 AM:
Dave:The Skyline Drive-ins first ramp is 100 feet from the screen. The picture area is 40 feet high by 82 feet wide (2:1 scope picture). The whole tower is 60 feet high.