Last updated 15:52, Wednesday, 23 April 2008

KISSING in the back row of cinemas could soon become a thing of the past if research by University of Cumbria has anything to do with it.

Academics at University of Cumbria and University College Dublin have discovered that cinema and TV screens should be viewed in rooms which are much more brightly lit than they traditionally have been.

The findings will strike a blow to the thousands of dating teenagers across the country who for years have used the cover of darkness offered by dimly lit cinemas to further love’s young dreams!

David Manning, Professor of Medical Imaging at University of Cumbria, said: “Despite the multi-million pound budgets, A-list Hollywood stars and cutting edge technology, cinema-goers may not be seeing the latest blockbusting movies in the best light, literally.

“Ideally, ambient light should be adapted to the brightness of the screen, for the eye to pick up as much detail as it can. However, most people prefer to watch films in a darkened room but as the eye adapts to the surrounding light, these conditions may not be conducive to picking up maximum visual detail.”

The research findings suggest that the lighting should be the same brightness as that of the image being viewed.

This means that everything from big-screen movies through to soap operas and football matches should be viewed in much brighter light than is currently the case, otherwise the lighting conditions will prevent the eyes from seeing the screen at its best. Not only will this reduce the effectiveness of the millions splashed out on special effects, lighting and digital technology by the directors of Hollywood blockbusters, it will also break a million teenage hearts.

Patrick Brennan, of University College Dublin, said: “It’s not for us to decide how viewers should watch their favourite films and television programmes, but the quality of the image they see will be enhanced if the correct levels of ambient light are set. Most people associate the cinema with being dimly lit and enjoy the big-screen experience in that environment, but our work has shown that in order to get the best visual experience, the lighting levels need to be more closely matched than they are at present.”