Hey There!

I would like to buy a new projector for my father's HT. I'd like to keep the projector under $7K, for just the projector, not the screen. I have 112 inches of room for the screens width (where the existing one is). The ceiling is over 8 1/2 feet tall.

The room is also used for entertaining and watching sports, we call it the men's room. During the day the wall lights may be on, but they're not very bright. There's also a bit of light coming from the windows. I have some pictures of the setup.

Any suggestions or help will be appreciated.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pgwalsh

I'd probably look at the InFocus IN83. Since you'll be dealing with ambient light, you'll want plenty of light output from a projector, and you're going to have trouble finding a projector with more output than one of the new IFs. They're also about spot on, calibration wise out of the box and you should be able to fit it with 8.5' ceilings.

I'd probably look at the InFocus IN83. Since you'll be dealing with ambient light, you'll want plenty of light output from a projector, and you're going to have trouble finding a projector with more output than one of the new IFs. They're also about spot on, calibration wise out of the box and you should be able to fit it with 8.5' ceilings.I did read a snippet about that particular model since it was just released. Do have any recommendations on screens. Our old screen is 4:3 and is white and electric. I remember a while back that people were using gray screens. Any suggestions or manufacturer's to look into?

You can read Jason's review of the IN82 if you search this forum. The IN83 is basically the DarkChip4 version of the IN82. I've got a 110" wide SMX Acoustically Transparent screen. Beyond that, I'm not sure what I'd recommend. I realized early on that the only way to get the size I wanted was to go AT, so I never really researched non AT screens much.

Beyond that, I'm not sure what I'd recommend. I realized early on that the only way to get the size I wanted was to go AT, so I never really researched non AT screens much.
Why is this the only way to "get the size I wanted"?

Does selecting the high brightness Brilliant Color mode introduce noise and artifacts?

It is great though that we finally see the first half-way reasonably priced projector to include DC4. :)

You can read Jason's review of the IN82 if you search this forum. The IN83 is basically the DarkChip4 version of the IN82. I've got a 110" wide SMX Acoustically Transparent screen. Beyond that, I'm not sure what I'd recommend. I realized early on that the only way to get the size I wanted was to go AT, so I never really researched non AT screens much.

I'll look into those. I guess I have to hire a professional anyway for the installation and I'm sure they'll have a recommendation. Just want it to be nice for my father.

Reincarnate, I assume he is referring to the fact that AT screens are needed to get a large screen width and not have line of sight issues with front LR speakers blocking the screen from some seats. Everything is a compromise. This does affect sound quality but when well done allows 3 identical speakers up front. Of course they still don't sound quite the same because of room bounderies. Of course I may be mistaken about Stranger89's reasons.

Regards,
Bill

Why is this the only way to "get the size I wanted"?

Because there's no room to put speakers on the sides of the screen (no room between screen and walls) and above/below is too high or low. FWIW, my room is 11.5' wide, relatively small, to get the screen size/viewing ratio I wanted while maintaining a reasonable viewing distance, that meant wall-to-wall screen.

Does selecting the high brightness Brilliant Color mode introduce noise and artifacts?

I never said anything about putting it in uncalibrated mode. Jason got 1100 Lumens from the IN82 just by putting it in high lamp and wide-open iris. I assume (yeah, I know how that goes) that Jason's 1100 lumens was still "fully calibrated".

We engineers never assume as it leads to costs and embarrassment. Especially when advising others. Better to continue gathering the facts until you are able to make a knowledgeable decision. :)

We engineers never assume as it leads to costs and embarrassment. Especially when advising others. Better to continue gathering the facts until you are able to make a knowledgeable decision. :)
Are you saying assuming make an a$$ of U amd Me? Okay that was really bad, but I couldn't resist. ;)


Any other projector suggestions?

Actually engineers make assumptions every day, we just state them up front. And true, we usually try to avoid it if we can.

After viewing the pics you have an AMAZING "men's room", I am so jealous of your bar. But for a home theater room it looks far from ideal. Projectors in the $7k range cost so much for their picture, usually black level and shadow detail, which will be obliterated in that room.

I'll probably be drawn and quartered for saying this, but I think you would be much better served spending far less on one of the new 1080P projectors in the $3k range and buying a screen that rejects ambient light. I just don't believe you will be getting what you paid for otherwise.

Thanks,
Andy

After viewing the pics you have an AMAZING "men's room", I am so jealous of your bar. But for a home theater room it looks far from ideal. Projectors in the $7k range cost so much for their picture, usually black level and shadow detail, which will be obliterated in that room.

I'll probably be drawn and quartered for saying this, but I think you would be much better served spending far less on one of the new 1080P projectors in the $3k range and buying a screen that rejects ambient light. I just don't believe you will be getting what you paid for otherwise.

Thanks,
Andy

Andy... Thanks for the feedback and the compliments. The main window has blinds and we have heavy curtains for the side windows. I opened everything up for picture taking purposes. Those were taken with an old camera a while back, 2001.

The current 4:3 covers most of the front window and turning the blinds down helps reduce the light quite a bit. I am think of having automatic screens for the windows installed. I'm also think of putting in a second TV within the bar area, but we'll see.

Also, we do most of - if not all - of our movie watching at night. I wanted a bright projector so we could watch sport games during the day without closing the blinds on all the windows and turning the room into a dungeon. We'll be adding a dart board and pool table, so we'll need some ambient light.

Currently the center MK S-150 is on the floor in the front. That will be mounted upside down on the ceiling. After stanger89's recommendation, I looked farther into the projector and think it may work well. I would even consider the anamorphic lens and a 2.35:1 screen.

To be honest, I was hoping I'd get several recommendations - maybe even above the price ceiling - on screens and projectors, but that doesn't appear to be the case. I'm open to all recommendations as I really want to be armed and ready for when I hire the installer.

A RS1 with a Firehawk (8-9' wide) could be a good combo. Lots of light output and the Firehawk has magical light rejecting properties while still having good gain.

It is a very bright projector.

Check out the Sim2 projectors which cost a lot more but have a lot more light output.

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