JasonBenway

Still undecided

I want a big picture.
The room is about 19X12

I've been looking at projectors, (96 inch screen width) but I'm not handy when it comes to hand tools and the installers I found around here only want to sell $3500 or more projectors. Plus, I need an electic screen so that looks to be another $1500 or more.

So now I'm starting to look at large TV's

But I plan on putting the home theater in the basement, so getting a large TV down the stairs could be difficult.

You can seem pictures of the basement at
note: I can't post the URL because I'm a new member to this site /note:
The pictures are on flickr and my username is benwaynet on flickr.

I just don't know what to do. The project can have a bigger picture and easier to get down stairs, but it will be more difficult to install and more items to buy so the price could add up.

A large TV (lcd,dlp,plasma,crt,etc) will be easier to install but more difficult to get downstairs. The picture will be smaller, but could cost less.

Too many options!!! help!

Evan M.

If you are putting your HT in a basement and it will be light controlled than GET A FP!! It is not expensive at all and you CAN do it yourself. If the installers only deal with 3500$ and up FP's....then I would not deal with them. Right now a 4805 or H31 can be had for around $1000. Before we get ahead of ourselves.....What will you be using the projector for?? Just movies, HD material, Gaming, SD TV?? Once you let us know what you will be using it for then we can narrow the field down a bit. Also...how far will you want to sit from the screen?? Electric drop screens are nice but you can make a cheep fixed screen for 60$ or buy a decent manual pull down for around 150$
What FP were these "instalers" trying to get you to buy? The FP world right now is so vast and competitive that you can get a BEAUTIFUL 720p FP with a nice screen for around $2000. Or if you want to save more money you can get a great 480p FP and nice screen for around $1,100. If you want a THEATER and you have decent light control than really FP is THE way to go. Once you see it you will literally laugh to yourself when you hear about a friend showing off his "monsterous" 55" DLP set that he paid $3000 for!! So to close, answer the questions I posed and we'll hook you up. If you want to do a bit of research then check out www.projectorcentral.com for some basics.

John S

True theater?? heck, I'd go FP.....

The two projectors I lean to these days.. Are the Infocus 4805 (Under $1000 these days) but not a true HD projector. The other in the Panasonic 700 (Wich can be found under $2000)and is an HD projector.

Jack Gilvey

FP, easy. 4805. Cheap, beautiful, and will embarrass your friend's itty-bitty plasma.

JasonBenway

I will be watching DVDs and TV (Analog and SD, I have charter cable and they still have about 70 analog channels) I'm not ready to pay for HD yet when there's only like 10 channels. I also want to hook my up my PS2 and play video games on it.

I want a 16x9 screen. Are manual plug screen difficult to make sure they are pulled down at the same height every time?

I'm also running into issues wiring the video cable
See
Home > Forum > Home Theater > HT Construction, Interiors and Automation > help me run my first video cable Page (1)

(its not letting me post the URL even though its for a post on this site)

Thanks,jb

Evan M.

Jason, it sounds like a 4805/H31 may be the way you want to go. If you want a 96" screen you wll want to sit about 14-15' away from the screen thoug since screendoor might become a bit of an issue. What type of issue are you having with the video cable?
As for a manual pull down screen it basicaly will work almost like a window shade except with definate stop points. It is difficult to explain but just understand that you WILL EASILIY be able to have it come down the same length every time you pull it down.......it kind of has different locking points all the same distance apart.....maybe like every 2 inches or so. Glad to see you seem to be leaning toward the FP route,,,,,once you go FP you will NEVER go back.........

JasonBenway

We will only be sitting about 11-12 feet back. Should I look at a DLP if I need to sit that close?

The issue with the video cable is more of where to run it, the route, and how to leave it so it isn't damaged during drywalling and is still easy to access after drywalling.

thanks,jb

Evan M.

With a 96" screen using a 480p FP (4805 or H31) you are going to see some screen door. It may not be enough for you to care though since we all see things differently. If you are concerned you can move "up" to a Panasonic 700 or Sanyo Z3. Personaly I would go the Z3 route. It will be a bit cheeper and offers supposedly better PQ (from several reviews comparing the 2). Thay are both 720p and you will be able to sit closer. A Z3 can be had for around $1700 or so if you look around. If you can manage to move the seets back 2 feet though you can still get into the 480p DLP's which offer the best value in fp IMO.

frankinG

At 12' seating distance from the screen the 4805 is not what you want. These projectors are only popular because of the price. Rainbows and dithering artifacts, not to mention the increased viewing distances required because of the large pixel structure make this selection unwarranted. Even though you will not be watching HD content now, the higher resolution sanyo z3 with its superior scaling will make all your dvd sources look better. The panasonic 700 is also a good choice but the sanyo has the price advantage. My own opinion is to bypass the 480p dlp projectors and go with a 720p lcd model. I own 3 projectors and the panny 700 looks great on my 106" screen from only 10' viewing distance.

Evan M.

Certainly can't agree with you one that one LOL!! Is the 4805 popular?? Yes. Is part of the poplularity because of the price?? Sure. Is it popular "ONLY" because of the price....of course not, common sence and a little knowledge of business disagrees with that "philosophy". The reason why it is popular is what you are getting FOR the price. The H31 and 4805 are loaded machines for that price. Seein you have owned a few FP's in your time you must know that resolution is one of many small parts that makes a "good" FP. I think contrast ratio/black level is every bit as important if not more. If you do not like DLP then fine.....but if you want to point out negatives of the technology then much can also be said about LCD (Screendoor, VB, degrading pannels, poor black level etc...) So I guess you need to pick your poison. Yes the Z3 is a fantastic machine and one that I have already recommended but I certainly would not say it has "superior scaling" over the 4805's Faroudja and DVD's will look better because of this! You obviously have not compared the 2 usin DVD. I come from the philosophy that there is the right machine for everyone......not the ....mine is the best and don't buy this machine philosophy......doesn't work well on on-line forums .