Hello there! You're right on time.
This week's feature on Visual Feast is on Home Theater Installations, and what a feast it is. Do gorge on some of the most fantastic Home Theaters that these fortunate souls enjoy everyday of their lives, day after day.
It is not just about the Home Theater room, but impressive virtual tours of some rather breathtaking views of the entire houses itself, complete digital homes if you would.
There are some obvious suspects, such as stylish setups, The Digital Home setups shown in catalogs, and some outlandishly themed Home Theater Installations such as African Safari Themes, Hollywood Themes, Mediterranean Themes, classic Chicago and New York Themes and even an Elaborate Egyptian themed Home Theater.
One Home Theater based is Laguna beach, California is even built underground in the Californian Cliffs, for crying out loud! (see above image)
Modern Home Theater features exclusive Virtual Tours of some of the world's most amazing Home Theater Installations and Digital Homes. See, jaw drop in amazement, and after you get over it, shake your head in wonder.
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Stylish poster light boxes - for the ultimate in movie poster presentation!
Poster presentation is a most important aspect that should be taken into consideration when hanging a poster of your favorite movie on a wall. Appropriate presentation that matches with the rest of the room decor can help bring about the movie experience. Presenting your newly acquired poster by framing or mounting will not only result in a more attractive finished product, it also represents an important step towards helping your posters stay nice for much longer.
Almost all online movie poster suppliers offer some sort of framing or mounting service. AllPosters and MovieGoods offer ready-made Poster LightBoxes, framing and mounting services at reasonable prices.
As already stated, poster presentation needs to take into account the room decor. While both frames and mounts offer a great way of presenting a more attractive finish in any room, yet in the case of a dedicated home theater room, the ultimate in movie poster presentation is the BACKLIT MOVIE POSTER LIGHT BOX. The use of a Backlit Box will better help bring about that 'Oh My God' cinematic feeling into your home.
More information on poster light-boxes after the turn...
The Poster Lightbox:
A unique way to re-create the movie cinema experience, right in your home
Poster Lightboxes add a unique finishing touch to your home theater, or in that case anywhere you want to display a poster. The classical way to illuminate movie posters for display is from behind. Most poster lightboxes operate in this manner by having a warm or 'daylight' light source mounted on the rear side of a box frame. A diffuser plate is used to help eliminate the formation of possible hot-spots of light over the movie poster area.
These poster light boxes are also referred to as 'Backlit Poster Boxes' and are normally designed to take '1 Sheet' poster sizes.
The latter are typically 27 inches in width by 40 to 41 inches in height, depending on whether it is a pre-1983/1985 poster or otherwise.
Single-sided or Double-Sided (DS) 'One Sheet' Posters?
While it is possible to mount either type in a poster light box, yet the best posters to use in backlit poster light boxes are double-sided posters. These are normally designated as 'DS' 1 Sheet posters.
DS 1 Sheet posters have printing on both the front and the back of the paper stock, with the printing on the backside being in precise alignment with that on the front and a mirror image of the printing on the front side. Light from behind the 1 sheet poster will have to pass through both prints, with the poster acting as if it is a strip of film. The two prints on either side of the poster will render for a more robust and rich illumination of the poster art.
That is not to say that the cheaper and more common single-sided posters are not suitable for use in backlit lightboxes. It is just that one-sided 1 Sheet posters look somewhat washed-out when illuminated from behind.
DIY Poster Light Box
Whew... building your own poster light box should not be difficult in that you do not need to be neither a carpenter nor an electrician; in addition, you will be able to save some money while getting the finish that you want.
It is not the scope of this article to describe how to build your own poster light box, however, it is worth mentioning a few points that you'll find of much use when designing and building a back-lit light-box:
While a slim design lends itself to a stylish unit that integrates better with the surroundings, yet care should be taken to ensure that there is enough space between the backlight source and the back of the poster. This will help both reduce any hot-spots of light on the poster area as well as reduce any damage that may result from the heat generated by the light source.
Use of low temperature fluorescent tubes is mandatory to ensure a low enough operating temperature that will not damage the poster artwork even after long hours of continuous use. High operating temperatures will damage both the stock paper on which the poster is printed, as well as accelerate the fading process of the artwork itself.
A diffuser translucent plate on the back of the poster is necessary to help render a more uniform light field over the full area of the poster. The use of a matt Plexiglas sheet should usually serve the purpose.
The best way to hang your poster is between two sheets of Plexiglas set approximately 1/8 inch (a few millimeters) apart to allow your poster to simply slide in a pocket of air without being tight between the plates. Support your poster from the top with either miniature clips or a few small pieces of transparent Scotch tape, and let gravity do the rest.
Do not try to sandwich the poster firmly between the glass panels as the poster will tend to sag and ripple since it would not be able to freely expand and contract as a result of changes in temperature and humidity resulting from the heat generated by the lamps.
Ultraviolet rays need to be filtered out before the light reaches the poster, otherwise your precious print will slowly fade as a result of being bombarded by UV radiation. In particular, great care should be taken with DS sheets. If you cannot find a suitable UV-filtering product, try some non-yellowing archival protection lacquer spray (available from most arts stores), used for the protection of paintings and acrylics; these are normally UV resistant and should do the trick. Just apply the lacquer to the lamp-side face of the inner Plexiglas panel.
While this may whet your appetite, there are tons of other useful information to help you set up your own Back Lit Movie Poster Light Box. Keep watching this space for more information.
Related Posts in this series:
Relive the Magic: Movie Poster Series, Introduction
A Short Drabble: Movie Poster Series, Interlude 1
Size does matter, A Guide: Movie Poster Series, Part 1
Poster Presentation using Light Boxes: Movie Poster Series, Part 2
Guide to Movie Poster Sizes
Among the most popular movie poster sizes, one finds the one-sheet and the half-sheet, yet posters come in a variety of standard sizes from the so called 'lobby' cards and stills, to gigantic 24-sheet billboard size posters.
In this movie poster guide, you'll find all there is to know about the different sizes to help you put up some Movie Posters in your Home Theater - including dimensions, type of paper stock, poster use, etc.
Hang up a movie memory on your wall
...but which size?
Movie posters have always been printed on a variety of standard sizes since the early stages of the movie industry. However, some of these standards did change along the years; a typical case is the one-sheet. To complicate matters, poster sizes do vary from one country to another. French, Italian, British, Indian and Japanese movie posters - just to mention a few - all have their own variety of movie poster sizes that differ from American movie posters.
In this article, let us concentrate on the most popular ones, U.S. Movie Poster sizes.
Look for more after the turn...
Major U.S. Movie Poster Sizes
The most common among Poster Sizes: The One-Sheet Movie Poster
One-Sheet (27" x 40"):
One-sheets are the most popular among movie poster sizes and represent the standard movie poster size used in U.S. movie theaters.
Up to 1983, one-sheets measured approximately 27x41 inches in size. However, re-prints of pre-1983 originals will normally measure anything between 39.5 inches up to 40.5 inches in height, by 27 inches in width.
After 1983, we started to see a shift in the one-sheet movie poster size with the height being reduced to 40 inches rather than the original 41 inches used previously. However, almost all original one-sheets printed after 1989 are 40 inches, with poster sizes measuring 39.5 inches and 41 inches being the exception. Reprints of post 1989 posters would normally come in the same size of the original poster size, making it difficult especially for the untrained eye, to identify an original from a reprint.
'DS' One-Sheet:
DS one-sheet posters come in the same poster size as the one-sheet except that these are double-sided posters and are normally designated as 'DS' 1 Sheet posters.
DS 1 Sheet posters have printing on both the front and the back of the paper stock, with the printing on the backside being in precise alignment with that on the front and a mirror image of the printing on the front side. The inking on both sides of the paper stock will render the poster more suitable for use in backlit poster lightboxes - producing richer illumination as against the more washed-out results obtained with single-sided posters. The growing use of backlit poster light boxes especially after 1985, led to a larger number of modern posters being printed on both sides.
A few words about DS One-Sheet posters: Up to a few years ago, double-sidedness was considered as a guarantee that the poster is an original. This no longer holds true. In recent years, a handful of reproductions have been printed double-sided, often on better quality paper than originals. This has led to a lot of fraud and misrepresentation in the movie posters collector world.
Distribution of One-sheet Posters: These have mostly been distributed rolled in recent years, but folded one-sheets were commonly seen throughout the 1980s.
Posters printed before 1985 are almost always found with two horizontal folds and one vertical fold, except Disney posters which often do not have the final vertical fold.
Other Movie Poster Sizes (smallest to largest)
Still 8 x 10 inches:
Black and white photos, usually with a glossy finish, used for lobby display and press promotion.
Lobby Card (LC):
14 x 11 inches, printed on light card stock. Originally made in sets of eight per movie for display in theater lobbies. Most sets have one title card featuring title and production credits plus related artwork. The other seven cards are colored photographic scenes.
Lobby cards are no longer used in the US, but are still sometimes produced for the overseas market. Finding complete lobby card sets is not easy, as most desirable title sets have been broken up. Often, sets will have what are termed 'dead' cards - cards that do not feature main actors or scenes.
There are also the so called Jumbo Lobby Cards (JLC) which were made before 1940 and are usually found only as single cards. JLC come in 14 inch x 17 inch size.
Window Card (WC):
14 x 22 inches, are printed on card stock and come flat. These smaller posters were usually used for off-site advertising e.g. in windows of local stores in exchange of movie passes. Top four inches were left blank by the printer for the local exhibitor to fill in. For this reason, WC posters are sometimes found with the top 4 inches trimmed off.
There is also - though not so common among poster sizes - a Jumbo Window Card (JWC), measuring 22 x 28 inches. A Mini Window Card (MWC) is also available, measuring 11 x 14 inches; these are also printed on cardboard.
Insert:
14 x 36 inches, usually printed on card stock and come rolled though many pre-1960 were distributed folded. Later ones were printed on thinner stock.
1/2 sheet:
This is probably the second most popular among movie poster sizes. It measures 28 x 22 inches, is printed on card stock, and come rolled. Image is usually different from that used on 1-sheet; instead, it is often the same as the first, or title card, in the lobby card set.
Lenticular:
These come in approximately the same poster size as the one-sheet (approx. 27 x 41 inches); lenticular posters are printed between composite sheets of plastic and lit from behind to create a 3D/holographic effect.
30 x 40 Heavy Stock Posters:
30 x 40 inches, printed on heavier card stock. Image invariably same as 1-sheet but may be silk screened instead of lithographed. These posters come rolled and do not exist for many film titles.
40 x 60 inches:
Printed on heavier card stock, otherwise similar to the smaller 30 x 40 heavy stock posters though the image may differ, and again may have been silk screened. Designed for use outside the theater, on an easel, exposed to the elements. This is sometimes, incorrectly, referred to as a 2 sheet.
Banner:
These movie posters measure approximately 81 x 24 inches. Older ones were printed on bookbinder's cloth or light card stock. Modern ones are vinyl or light card stock or paper, while banner poster sizes are highly variable.
3-Sheet Movie posters:
41 x 81 inches, printed on paper stock on two and rarely, three separate sheets using lower stock paper. Often pasted onto wall outside of theater. From the 1970s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as 'international' versions.
6-Sheet Movie Posters:
81 x 81 inches, printed on paper stock, usually in four sections, and come folded; for use in larger U.S. theater lobbies and movie palaces, or on the outside of the building. This poster size is not so popular, and therefore rare to find.
and finally...
Billboard or 24-sheet Movie Posters: Approximately 106 x 234 inches, but may come in various poster sizes, usually in 12 sections, for use on roadside billboards.
Related Posts in this series:
Relive the Magic: Movie Poster Series, Introduction
A Short Drabble: Movie Poster Series, Interlude 1
Size does matter, A Guide: Movie Poster Series, Part 1
Poster Presentation using Light Boxes: Movie Poster Series, Part 2
Originals and Vintage Movie Posters
Classic and Vintage Film Posters and related movie memorabilia have become valued collector items. At well-known auction houses or distributors, collectible movie pictures in good to near mint condition can sell anywhere from a few hundreds to several thousand dollars. For example, an original 1954 film poster of the classic 'Gone with the Wind' movie in near mint condition would sell for around $2,000.
More than just Movie Posters
The Movie Poster is just the most common form of 'movie memorabilia' that you can find, but there is more.
A vast range of specialty products like wall tapestries, apparel, decorative mirrors, wall signs, magnets, coffee mugs, mouse pads, key-chains, and even stand-ups i.e. life-size cut-outs, are all available to decorate any corner, wall, or room within your house.
One may argue that there are quite a number sources on the Internet that specialize in movie posters and related memorabilia - yet in my opinion, AllPosters and MovieGoods has quite possibly the largest range of inexpensive replicas and new movie posters online. Ordering is simple, and service is quick from both suppliers. Interesting to note here that while the most common forms of memorabilia like apparel (shirts, hats, etc.), coffee mugs and possibly key-chains are available from most online suppliers - including Amazon, yet specialty products like wall tapestries, decorative mirrors, and stand-ups are normally available only from major movie memorabilia suppliers like AllPosters and MovieGoods.
Do drop in.
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Related Posts in this series:
Relive the Magic: Movie Poster Series, Introduction
A Short Drabble: Movie Poster Series, Interlude 1
Size does matter, A Guide: Movie Poster Series, Part 1
Poster Presentation using Light Boxes: Movie Poster Series, Part 2
A Great way to relive that movie magic in your home
The use of Movie Posters to decorate your home theater room is an effective way to bring about the Movie magic in the comfort of your home. However, the fascinating world of movie pictures is more than just a beautiful poster hanging on your home theater wall promoting a favorite film.
Hang up a memory on your wall!
Well, it has become easier than ever to relive that magical experience of your favorite movies in the home. Many home theater enthusiasts go into great detail about choosing their AV equipment - and that's the way it should be.
However, few realize that hanging up a few posters of their favorite movies on the walls of their home theater rooms - irrespective of whether this is a dedicated home theater, a living room home theater, bedroom, etc., can help bring about the magic of movies in the air. It is true that poster presentation plays an important role in reliving that cinematic experience - however this all depends on the nature of your room. The ultimate idea is the use of a poster light box in a dedicated home theater room.
On my part, I will present to you a short series of articles that cover various topics - from poster presentation to poster books, poster sizes, etc.
Heh, do excuse me for being cheesy, but I can't resist saying,
Coming soon....
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Related Posts in this series:
Relive the Magic: Movie Poster Series, Introduction
A Short Drabble: Movie Poster Series, Interlude 1
Size does matter, A Guide: Movie Poster Series, Part 1
Poster Presentation using Light Boxes: Movie Poster Series, Part 2
Adding home theater to a small space requires clever solutions and a lil' bit of compromise.
It’s a dilemma that almost everyone has: You want a cool home theater system, but you only have a room with small dimensions. It seems either too narrow or too shallow. But still, you’re mesmerized by that 100-inch screen at the nearby electronics boutique. Well, the first rule of home theater physics is that you can’t fit 10 pounds of surround sound into a 5-pound room. Or can you?
Whatever you are thinking, you should definitely think about some very essential points such as:
Where Can It Go?
You've gone all out and bought all that great equipment needed to setup your home theater. The Big Screen TV, Amplifier, Speakers, DVD player, Set-top box, Recorders etc, everything you need, you have. But Where exactly will you keep all that stuff.
How Big a Big-Screen?
It is easy to fall into this trap. You will buy the biggest screen you can afford only to find that there is no way you can set it up where you want and enjoy it to your fullest satisfaction.
Will the Sound Will Stink?
Bigger is not always better. Most times you'll find that a speaker set with a lower wattage performs more than your expectations. It's all in the placement, baby.
There's more after the turn...
In case you are thinking,
"What the hell is he talking about? Why doesn't he give a more clear answer?"
here it is...
Problem #1: Where Can It Go? Oh yeah, and you’ll need a surround-sound receiver, maybe some amplifiers, a DVD player, perhaps a satellite or cable receiver, maybe even a media server and a DVR (digital video recorder)—you have a place to store all this, don’t you?
Solutions:
You could always leave all that audio and video gear right out in the open. But maybe that’s not such a good idea. “I don’t think I’ve ever installed a system for someone who wanted to look at the equipment,” says Kirk Attoian of Redondo Beach CA–based Interior Technologies, which installs home entertainment systems into a lot of space-challenged beach homes. “The biggest issue is; How do we hide these things?” he says.
Get creative - “We have plasma screens built into cabinets so they look flush mounted,” says Attoian. “Some people have plasma monitors in frames with paintings or other artwork that scrolls over it to hide them. We’ve had ceilings faux painted so you can’t pick out the ceiling speaker. And flat-panel TVs can pop out of cabinetry.”
Be size savvy - In smaller spaces, consider in-wall or in-ceiling speakers if it’s possible to wire for them—or look to hide smaller bookshelf-size speakers in cabinets or credenzas. The electronics gear, too, can be concealed in a cabinet, in a nearby closet or behind a wall. You and your custom electronics installer can come up with many creative solutions.
Problem #2: How Big a Big-Screen? One of the most problematic factors with putting a home theater in a small room is having that really big big-screen TV you’ve been drooling over. There are ways to hide projection screens and TVs so they can drop out of the ceiling or be placed within a cabinet molding, but the bigger issue is; Will it be too big for the room? In other words, can you sit in the room and take in the whole picture?
Solutions:
Re-envision your television - Here’s a simple way to determine just how big a big-screen you can have in your room.
STEP 1: Get the 100-inch screen out of your mind. Unless you’re planning on building the room around the screen, you probably can’t accommodate this. Don’t try to shoehorn a home theater system into a space-challenged room: You should let the room dimensions determine just how big a screen you can have.
STEP 2: Where will the sofa or seats be located? The optimal seating position usually is about halfway to two-thirds of the way toward the back of the room. Measure the distance from the seating to the wall where you want your video display, in inches. Divide by two. That should be the approximate width of your viewing screen. (So if you plan to sit 100 inches or about 8 feet from the screen, the screen should be 50 inches wide. The general rule is that a seating distance should be two times the screen width, though you can sit closer for higher-resolution HDTV.) Keep in mind that nearly all video displays are measured diagonally, so a 50-inch plasma screen isn’t really that wide.
Consider your preference - Also consider where you like to sit at the theater. Do you go forward, toward the back or in the middle? If you like sitting close, you may want a slightly larger screen. If you like sitting in the back, think about a smaller screen. If you like sitting forward, and others in your family like to sit in the back, compromise.
Problem #3: The Sound Will Stink!
First of all, sound does not actually emit an odor, so you’re in luck there! The other good news is that a small room doesn’t need gobs of 100-watt-per-channel sound to blow you away. You can be thrilled by much less, like 50 or 60 watts per channel. And this can save you money on a receiver or amplifier.
Solution:
It’s all about placement - One of the keys to good sound in a small room is speaker placement. Do not locate the front left and right speakers next to the side walls. This will cause unnecessary sound reflections. Move them in from the walls as much a possible, while still flanking the screen. Also, try to place the front speakers at the ear level of viewers when seated. This will improve your sound quality immensely. (Surround speakers should be a foot or more above ear level.) If you’re using in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, think about getting ones with enclosures, or back boxes, that contain the entire speaker driver. This will keep more sound in the room and less sound from bleeding out the back of the speakers and into adjacent rooms.
A small space surely needs some clever thinking on our part, doesn't it ? Clearly list out what you need, adjust your aspiration in accordance with the available space on your hands. More often than not, a setup perfectly optimized to the available room space delivers more than the best and biggest equipment your money can buy.