Viewing angle effects from wide field video projection images on the human equilibrium

Abstract Purpose To determine the system specifications for a future broadcasting system with an improved sensation of presence, it is essential to understand the effect of viewing angle on this particular sensation. This study aims to establish a clear and quantitative relationship between the viewing angle of the displayed images and the viewer's sensation while watching them. Methods We have developed a 4000-scanning-line video system with a wide field of view, which we have named Super Hi-Vision. Images can be presented on an almost flat screen with sufficient resolution and brightness for visualization. We measured viewers' body sway while they were viewing still images presented by this system at six different visual angles, under the assumption that the smaller the difference between the real world and the scene presented, the smaller the difference would be in the human equilibrium response. The total distance of body sway (henceforth called total body sway) and its power spectrum were calculated as an index of response. Results The total body sway shortened as the field of view increased. It was noticed that this effect had a tendency to saturate at angles above 76.9 arcdegree. On the other hand, the power spectrum showed no systematic change. This suggests that the total body sway can be utilized as one of the evaluation indexes of this sensation.

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