Audio Advice - Free HT Room Setup Tools

Audio Advice – Free HT Room Setup Tools

All Image Credit: Audio Advice

Audio Advice is a Raleigh, NC based home technology specialist and integrator retailer that has created a pair of free tools to help with the positioning of many of your home theater components.

Both tools are based on simple 3D interactive graphical models allowing for the easy input of the required information in order to optimally position:

Screen
Projector
Seating
Speakers

According to Audio Advice, the Projector Throw Distance Calculator uses brightness data from their own lab tests, quote; “Projectors have been tested in our lab and use precise data to show the exact brightness on the screen”. This helps ensure a more “real world” brightness result. The calculator provides minimum, maximum and ideal throw distances by calculating the projector position that will provide optimal image brightness for different screen sizes and gain etc. It uses various data to determine these values to include; screen size, screen gain, projector model (Epson, JVC, Sony or generic), horizontal and vertical oﬀsets, aspect ratios and panamorphic lens use. Changing any of these variables allows the user to see what impact it has on the projector/screen room configuration.

Once all variables have been chosen the program calculates the systems Brightness in Nits. This number indicates whether the proposed setup is compatible with high dynamic range (HDR) content. Green means all is well but yellow means the selected configuration will provide images that are too dark for good HDR viewing. Projector fan noise is also provided at both 3′ and 6′.

The above tool has also been integrated into their patent-pending 3D interactive Home Theater Designer. This tool allows users to model an acoustically correct home theater system that takes into account the projector, speakers, seating, and riser locations during the rooms configuration.

The anticipated sound dispersion patterns can also be viewed.

The tool provides several preset room views and also allows you to “grab” the room layout and move it around providing errors for incorrect positioning.

These are very user friendly and simple to use tools for those wishing to get a better idea of how to arrange and optimize their HT room environment.