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Projector/screen planning

#1
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7/29/08 at 8:24pm
  • Joined: July 2008
  • Post Count: 2
I'm researching my first home HT. My room is 19' by 14'. I'm thinking about the Panasonic PT-AE2000U projector. Reviews/feedback seems to imply it is a quality unit and projects a great picture. I'm also thinking about a 16:9, about a 100-105" screen. My first row of seats would be about 14 feet from the screen.

My major question is on distance between the projector and the screen. I could mount the projector on the back wall - which puts the projector about 18.5 feet from the screen. Some of the research I've done suggests this is a good distance for this projector and a 100-105" screen. Does this distance need to be exact as recomended? I would really like to mount the projector on the back wall (versus hanging it from a 15 ft ceiling).

My other question is the screen size - given the first row will be about 14 feet away. Being a newbie, I don't want to get carried away with screen size and later realize a 100-105" screen is just too big for seating 14' away.

And finally, I'm completely overwhelmed with the screen choices. Light is very controlled in this room - so it will be totally dark during movie time. Any recommendations on projector screens. I've been looking at Stewart screens, but even they have a number of choices.

Thanks in advance and any feedback is deeply appreciated.
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#2
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7/30/08 at 12:08am
  • Joined: February 2004
  • Post Count: 1,603

Re: Projector/screen planning

I would get a screen of at least 110" diagonal. Maybe someone else can recommend a screen, I use a DIY screen. The mounting distance does not need to be exact due to the zoom lens. BUT it does need to be placed in a certain range to give you your desired screen size. Did you check the Projector Calculator at Projectorcentral.com?
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#3
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7/30/08 at 4:39am
  • Joined: July 2008
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Re: Projector/screen planning

I did use a projector calculator at projectorcentral. At a 106" diag screen size, it recommends a 18'6" distance. But, somewhere else, I read that the first row of seats should be 1.9 times the diagonal distance. Since I want two rows of seast, I don't have room to move the first row further than 14' from the screen - hence the desire to stay around 102".
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#4
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7/30/08 at 5:07am
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
  • Post Count: 4,539

Re: Projector/screen planning

I use a 103" DIY screen ($75 total) and a Panasonic AE-900U. My eyeballs on the first row are 12' from the screen (yes, I measured that close). It is a great distance for that sized screen. Very large but not overwhelming and you can see the entire screen without moving your head back and forth.

-Robert
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#5
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7/30/08 at 7:00am
  • Joined: May 2002
  • Location: New Berlin,IL
  • Post Count: 269

Re: Projector/screen planning

14' is not too far back. I have a Dalite 106" screen and sit 12' from the screen and it works quite well. If you are interested in buying a screen instead of making it yourself, check out Dalite screens as well as Stewart. They also make a very good screen at a reasonable price.
Gary Shipley
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#6
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7/30/08 at 7:12am
  • Joined: January 2006
  • Post Count: 105

Re: Projector/screen planning

I'm sitting ~14' from a 106" screen, and it's definitely not too big. For me it's pretty much 'just right,' although at times, I do have thoughts about going even bigger in the future...
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#7
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7/30/08 at 6:29pm
  • Joined: February 2004
  • Post Count: 1,603

Re: Projector/screen planning

dhilbe, that 1.9X distance is for standard def. not HD. I recommend you buy the screen after you project image on wall. You will find that 102" diagonal is too small.
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#8
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8/15/08 at 3:54am
  • Joined: October 2006
  • Post Count: 26

Re: Projector/screen planning

I have been messing about with mine for a while. Heres the here is: I bought a Epson powerlite home cinema 720. Researching screens, I found that a particular shade and texture that is gray works best. I tried black, white and everything in between. I ended up buying projector screen fabric from a hardware stor (It is a big roll of projector screen fabric that is heavy cotton with a matt white surface) I ended up mixing several shades of gray paint and painting several test strips and testing them all lined up together in various light conditions. I found that a light shade of gray really allows my projector to show its stuff good. My theater room is 14 by 19 ft. The walls are somewhat light but the reflected ambient is handled ok. My projected image is 150 by 110 inches. It can go higher with the handy sizing adj. but this is good.
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