RPTV vs. Projector? Aesthetics

Chuck Bogie · 02-02-2004, 12:28 PM

Here in a little while, I'm going to be moving into a new house. So, here's my quandary... I'm going to be making a dedicated room in the basement, and I'm trying to decide between a 65" Hitachi and something on the order of an Epson Home 10 (but not nailed down on brands/hardware at all).

I'm considering price (would like to keep budget under $3,000 - and I am considering cost of replacement bulbs), but I'm also considering screen size (I'll probably do three rows, all sofas, with the rear two on risers), and general aesthetics. I'll be able to control the lighting, so a dimmer projector may still be doable. What do you guys think?

I'm leaning toward a projector, since that'll let me put the screen on a wall, use a curtain, and things will be more "movie like," but at the same time, I lean toward the RPTV for more "durability," less hassle, etc...

Tommy G · 02-02-2004, 12:49 PM

Definitely go the front projector route. You are in a great situation where you are dedicating a basement room to HT and it is yet to be built. The Z2 http://www.projectorcentral.com/proj...m?part_id=2239 can be had now for under $2K. Aesthetically, this would also be more pleasing as it is small and can be put on a shelf on the back wall or mounted from the ceiling. I have a FP and did it after my basement was built and love it. The wife loves the fact that it is more hidden than a 65" bulky TV.

Chuck Bogie · 02-02-2004, 01:54 PM

The orientation of the room is still up in the air (haven't framed yet)... I'm guessing, however, that I'm likely to have it 14-16' wide, and about 20-24' long... Planning on an installation of cabinets along the lower part of the wall, bookshelves above the cabinets, and a bar in the rear, with the projector above the bar. If I've got a 21' throw to the front wall...

RPTV is just seeming so much simpler...

Dan · 02-02-2004, 02:06 PM

I did the same thing with a room in my basement (we just moved in a month ago). My room is a windowless 18' wide x 27' deep . My experience has dictated that since I'm about 12' from the screen (plus about 1.5' for the TV)I've got only about 12 more feet to play with in the back-- my concern was having the speakers too far back (which they'd have to be to incorporate another row). Your room may be even smaller with the cabinets, etc.

You may have this all thought out, so I don't mean to second guess you-- it sounds like our roooms are very similar.

Neil Joseph · 02-02-2004, 02:34 PM

If your intention is to watch movies then do front projection and keep a small TV for .... TV viewing. Your basement, I assume is light controlled, and will be perfectly suited for front projection and if your intention is to have 3 rows of seating then the larger screen will be more effective.

Moved to HT Construction/Interiors.

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Chuck Bogie · 02-02-2004, 04:52 PM

I may be getting too ambitious... Figuring 100" for the screen. Sofa 1's back will be 8' from the screen, Sofa 2's back 14'... That'd require Sofa 3 to be 20' (figuring 3' separation, 3' sofa). I'd also like to have a row of stools in front of the bar, so let's add at least another 4'... Hmmm... Of course, the sofas will likely end up closer together. I'm planning, however, on putting a low and narrow munchie/beverage table behind each of the two front sofas, but my design won't get in the way of feet.

Also just realized that I haven't figured out how to add in the surround back speaker(s)... Can't do a single in the center because of the projector, so it'll be a pair flanking the projector - gotta isolate 'em for vibration...

Chuck Bogie · 02-02-2004, 04:57 PM

Oh yeah - figuring to have the room be 14-16' wide in floor size - after the cabinets and bookcases are built. Going to stash all the electronics by the bar, along with the entrance and a half bath (or halfway down on the side, if I have to hang the projector). Existing plumbing will dictate somewhat...

Luitz · 02-02-2004, 06:02 PM

If yer getting a built in Vacuum? Get the guy to run a pipe from the stereo euipment location upto where u want to hang it.
Get electrition to wire a outlet near the Pipe the vacuume guy did on the ceiling.
Prewire for a 7.1 system. Front main and center can be left out.
While yer at it make a 8cubic foot box somewhere for some subs as a stand or in the ground.
Prewire some cat5 from where ur pc will be to stereo.
Cover all with blank wall plates till needed.

MikeWh · 02-02-2004, 11:17 PM

Chuck,

You'll need to do some serious research on projectors (and the other aspects of HT design, for that matter). I know you're just starting to think this through, but there are many interdependancies in the proper design of an HT. You'll need to look at each aspect-- video, audio, seating, lighting, etc. as a complete system. Each individual aspect can create a limitation on the others.

To start-- I think you'll be very limited by your current design for a 100" (wide or diag?) screen with a throw of 21'. Certainly, the Epson Home 10 can't do that (the Hitachi Home-1 can at least come close-- about 20' @ 100" wide). My guess is that you'll ultimately have to place the pj around 12-15 feet. For example, assuming you're talking 100" diagonal, then the Home 10 would require placement between 8.4 and 13' from the screen. This obviously impacts seating design.... especially if you're planning for risers.

Believe me, it's a long road to working out some of your design kinks, but eventually, you'll give and take until you are happy with the results.

BTW, back to your original question--- Go with front projection. I'm happy I got rid of my 50" RPTV of 12 years. I'll never go back.

Philip Hamm · 02-03-2004, 08:25 AM

Dedicated room? Don't even consider an RPTV. Absolutely no reason.

Dave Poehlman · 02-03-2004, 08:48 AM

Quote:

I lean toward the RPTV for more "durability," less hassle, etc

I am sort of wishing I would've went FPTV in my rec room. I have a Toshiba 50HDX82 and the picture is great, however, I have this monolith taking up about 8 square ft of floor space when I could just have a projector taking up a few inches of head room.