Opinions on Sony short throw projectors

[1KW]

I saw a Sony short throw projector , it was maybe 8-10 inches from a 120 inch screen picture looked great even with all the lights on in the room . I am considering this for my place in Florida . Anyone have experience pro or con ?

[mtroo]

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I saw a Sony short throw projector , it was maybe 8-10 inches from a 120 inch screen picture looked great even with all the lights on in the room . I am considering this for my place in Florida . Anyone have experience pro or con ?

David.......I have not seen any of the new Sony short throw projectors in action, but I have looked at then online. The price points are fairly steep for the 85" to 120" capable projectors. My opinion leans toward the better value of a 75" or 85" full array local dimming LCD or an OLED television. In general nearly all projectors have far lower contrast ratios and light output, thus requiring you to have control over ambient lighting both day and night for the best possible pictures, especially during the day time hours in rooms with exposure to outside daylight. That's not to say I haven't seen some great projector presentations, but always in near total darkness for the best picture.

I think that dollar for dollar and overall performance under all lighting conditions a full array local dimming LCD or an OLED television makes better sense unless the projector is going to be installed in a dedicated room that can take full advantage of external light control. Sony's newest 2019 premium 85" LCD, the X950G 85 Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV with HDR (XBR85X950G) is less the $5K. That's the way to go.

[nicoff]

I agree with many of the things that jdandy pointed out. However, imo a 85 inch TV is too small for what I would consider a "home theather". When one is talking 120 inch, only a projector will do. To put in in perspective, a 120 inch diagonal screen has twice the area of a 85 inch diagonal TV. With the right amount of light control (and it does not have to be 100% dark) there is just no comparison in terms of the visual impact of a 120 inch screen.

[1KW]

I want 120 inches

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I want 120 inches

Minimum viewing distance should be at least 20 ft away for a 120" screen according to the experts. Are you sure you need 120" ?

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Minimum viewing distance should be at least 20 ft away for a 120" screen according to the experts. Are you sure you need 120" ?

Source?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by nicoff

Source?

https://www.octaneseating.com/scienc...creen-distance

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by PHC1

https://www.octaneseating.com/scienc...creen-distance

According to that website, viewing distances would be:

Width of your TV or Screen (Not the diagonal length) X 2 = minimum distance

Width of your TV or Screen (Not the diagonal length) X 5 = maximum distance

For a 120 diagonal, the width of a 16:9 screen is 104.6 inches, so...
Minimum distance = 17.4 feet
Maximum distance = 43.6 feet.

My screen size is 116 inches. I sit about 17 feet from the screen. The room is multipurpose music, theater, entertainment. It is not dark or designed as a cave. It has three normal windows but with blinds and/or blackout shades you can make it as dark as you want.

[jdandy]

I guess size really does matter. .