What's the most appropriate Projector & Screen size configuration .. ? (1 Viewer)

[ahmadka]

Hey all .. So yeah, I have created two previous threads, but its so confusing, I'm creating a third one, since I've also found some issues with projector screen size limitations .. Hopefully this will be my last thread on this topic

Room Specs:

So I have two possible projector throw distances: ~21 ft and ~16 ft .. Given the specification of my room, the 16ft option is easier to implement, but a 21ft option can also be done if needed ... Screen ratio is finalized: 16:9 .. So a throw from 16 ft will result in about a 120" diagonal screen maybe, and a throw from 21ft will result in a 145" screen maybe ..

Given some external factors, I will only go for either a 120" screen, or a 145" screen .. nothing in between ..

Viewing distance is anywhere between 16ft and 21ft, but I'm a little unsure if a 120" screen will look small or not from 21ft away .. On the other hand, a 145" screen might look *too* big from just 16ft away ..

Room is almost completely light controlled ..

Rough floor plan of my HT room:

The dilemma:

The dilemma is between which projector(s) to get, given the options below ..

Originally, I started my search with Epson 5030, but since I wanted great picture quality in both 2D and 3D, a lot of people suggested (and rightly so, I think) that I should go for a 2 projector setup: One for 2D, one for 3D: a JVC RS-46 for 2D, and a second one for 3D (undecided yet) ..

Read reviews on the RS-46, and I decided to go for this 2 projector setup, as the JVC was considered the benchmark for 2D, and idea I loved ..

For the 3D projector, I originally wanted a budget Benq or Optoma, but people said largely that it has washed out colors and crappy contrast .. I was instead suggested Sharp XV-30000, or Optoma HD8300, for the 3D projector ..

The problem is that according to this link, the RS-45/46 doesn't really support a screen bigger than 130", meaning I am limited to a 120" screen if I go for this projector .. Also, I would need a 1.1 or 1.2 Gain screen for this JVC RS-46, even when it's projecting at a 120" screen ..

This creates a problem if I were to get a budget second projector for its 3D, since they all have higher brightness, and they won't work well with a 1.1 or 1.2 gain screen (according to calculators on projectcentral.com) ..

However, the Optoma HD8300 and Sharp XV-30000 are both OK with a 1.1 gain screen (especially the Sharp XV-30000) ..

Lastly, another option is to compromise on possibly both 2D and 3D a little, and get something like Epson 5030 or Sony HW50, both of which have a 'decent' result in both 2D and 3D .. They can both be used with a 120" or 145" screen ...

I CAN afford (barely!) to buy two ~$3000 projectors, but this would indeed burn a **huge** hole in my wallet, something which I didn't plan for when I started my search about a week ago ...

----------

Options:

So which option below is most recommended ?:

1) JVC RS-46 + Sharp XV-3000, both sharing a 1.1 gain screen. Total projector cost: ~$6000
2) JVC RS-46 + Optoma HD8300, both sharing a 1.1 gain screen. Total projector cost: ~$6200
3) JVC RS-46 + Optoma HD131Xe, both sharing a 1.1 gain screen. Total projector cost: ~$3700
4) Epson 5030, using a 1.1 gain screen. Total projector cost: ~$2600
5) Sony HW50ES, using a 1.1 gain screen. Total projector cost: ~$4000

------

Took me an hour to type this up

 

[Type A]

Using a second high gain retroreflective screen is a cheap and highly effective solution, 2.8 gain and about $300, but its not practical with your second row of seating. I would go with a 16' throw, the 1.1 gain 120" screen and option #5. BTW the 50 is $4k only direct through Sony, why I have no idea. I wouldnt be surprised if you could find it closer to $3k from an authorized dealer.

 

[schan1269]

If you can scare up that Sony for anything close to $3000, number 1 choice by far.

 

[Greg_D_R]

If you can scare up that Sony for anything close to $3000, number 1 choice by far.

I don't know, the light output on the Sony is pretty low. He would have to have a totally light controlled blackout room to get the most out of it. My vote still goes to the 5030ub, but I haven't seen any of the two projector combos listed. I have seen the Optoma HD25-LV (related to the HD131xe), and while it is blazing bright, and has great 3D performance, rainbows are still an issue, and the video noise while displaying grainy subject matter was a big negative for me.