Projector on my mind

[antipop]

I've been finding lately the size of my tv quite small for my taste at 55". I've been toying with the idea of putting a projector and screen for those movie nights.

However, I don't know anything about projectors and I wouldn't know where to start.

All I know is that it has to integrate perfectly in my living room and I don't have a lot of room for manoeuvre.

This is my room currently :



Regarding the screen, it will be an electric one and the size will depend on how I can setup the Elipsa.
Today, they would allow for 180cm base, I could push them toward the wall (the left one) and I could increase the base up to 240cm. I don't know what would be the impact on sound to have the sofa in front of the woofer.

Also, I won't be able to move the front speaker so they will be behind the screen. I also don't know what would be the impact.

Regarding the projector, the idea is to pick up a second hand since they depreciate a lot and very quickly. I don't need 3D or gimmicks like that so I'm willing to trade for better picture quality and contrast.

The idea is to hang it at the far end of the room which is roughly 5.5m away from the screen and it would be quite high (over 2m). I want something as little obstrusive as possible.

How would you go about for this project ? What do I need to take into consideration ?

[doggiehowser]

A projector can work as long as you can have light control in the room during the day. But in your case, I am not sure the projected image is going to be particularly large because otherwise your speakers would be blocking the projected image.

You can try projector central where they have calculators. You can check if based on where you are mounting the projector, you can project the right size you need. Projectors have different "throws". A short throw lens allows you to project a larger image from closer to the screen, while a long throw one may work if you have a long room and placing the projector at one end.

There are a few different technologies used for projectors - DLP, LCD and LCOS.

DLP is usually the cheapest. And IMHO works best for 3D. But greys and blacks are the worst of the lot. For 3D, using polarized glasses help improves the black/contrast levels. They also help mask the Rainbow Effects that may be apparent to some viewers when watching DLP.

LCDs provide better contrast levels but do exhibit ghosting in 3D.

LCOS (sold by Sony and JVC as SXRD and DILA respectively) provides the best black levels. Sony provides a pretty good 3D ghost free image and has better motion. JVC has the best blacks and contrast levels (native) of all the technologies (save for the Sony 1000ES).

[antipop]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

A projector can work as long as you can have light control in the room during the day. But in your case, I am not sure the projected image is going to be particularly large because otherwise your speakers would be blocking the projected image. You can try projector central where they have calculators. You can check if based on where you are mounting the projector, you can project the right size you need. Projectors have different "throws". A short throw lens allows you to project a larger image from closer to the screen, while a long throw one may work if you have a long room and placing the projector at one end. There are a few different technologies used for projectors - DLP, LCD and LCOS. DLP is usually the cheapest. And IMHO works best for 3D. But greys and blacks are the worst of the lot. For 3D, using polarized glasses help improves the black/contrast levels. They also help mask the Rainbow Effects that may be apparent to some viewers when watching DLP. LCDs provide better contrast levels but do exhibit ghosting in 3D. LCOS (sold by Sony and JVC as SXRD and DILA respectively) provides the best black levels. Sony provides a pretty good 3D ghost free image and has better motion. JVC has the best blacks and contrast levels (native) of all the technologies (save for the Sony 1000ES).

Light control is not an issue. I can black out the room easily and I do most of my watching in the evening.

The image would be between 180cm and 240cm long, I don't know what that means in inches but it should be fairly standard.

I don't care much for 3D. I've never used it on my tv.

[Masterlu]

Do you have any cables pre-run in the ceiling?

[antipop]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Do you have any cables pre-run in the ceiling?

I don't think so. If the ceiling is made the same way as the wall, there would be no room to pass the cables.

I will need to run the cable all the way from the front to the back of the room which I'm already doing for ethernet cables. I have a fake baseboard on that side to run the cables. I would need something like 10m of cable.

[thxthx]

Maybe you could somehow place the projector at the end and under your table (just a thought)?

I am very happy with my projector (see signature).

[antipop]

Originally Posted by thxthx

Maybe you could somehow place the projector at the end and under your table (just a thought)?

I am very happy with my projector (see signature).

Under the coffee table ? I'm afraid that would be too messy with cables running from the table.

I'm starting to think that JVC and Sony are the best regarded in the industry.

[chessman]

Georges, not to be a naysayer, but I do not think your present layout is a good candidate for a front projector and screen. The wider the screen, the deeper the screen. Consequently your speakers will be in the way. If your speakers are X feet apart, you should be seated about 1.2 X back from them. When you go wide for video, the acoustic image for audio becomes a problem for two channel music (movies use the center channel to overcome this). The allegedly acoustically transparent screens are a disaster. I think you should consider a larger flat screen TV.

[antipop]

Randy, I'm not sure I understand. Are you talking about a fixed screen ?

I'll put an electric screen which will be pulled up when I'm listening to audio.

[GaryProtein]

Does anybody use a Christie HD projector?