I'm a newb.

which do I install first...screen or projector

Projector. Your room size (ambient lighting, color of the walls) and seating distance will determine what screen and size that that you may have the best results with.

agreed. Install the projector and play with image sizes until you are set on one.

If you want the room done, neither. Otherwise, projector first, need to know how big of a screen you're cozy with/fits your room. Nobody realizes how big 120" is until they put it up on the wall. :)

If you are just mounting the screen on a wall do the projector first, then measure the projected image to be sure you have a square image. Check the length of the left and right edges, they should be equal. Turn the projector toward the smallest side until the two edges are equal. That will give you the location for the screen.

If you are building a false wall set up you might not have any option of where the screen goes so put that up first. Then measure carefully from the upper two corners of the screen to find the location for the projector.

OOO OOO OOO, I know I know I know, pick me pick me....

Do the projector first....then you'll NEVER get done! And don't forget to order some chairs to, just to "try them out." That'll REALLY help you get done faster.

heh heh...and another one bites the dust....

OK. Great.

Now, I was a bit over zealous (it's my first PJ and I'm pretty damn excited). I actually taped out various screen sizes on the wall before I bought everyone. I decided to go with 100". The room will be very dark and have very little ambiant light. Ceiling is black and sides are dark red (brick dust). There's really on one place to put the screen and I'd prefer to have it centered on the wall.

So in this case, does it really matter if I install the projector first?

Yes, install the projector first.

You won't know how high on the wall to mount the screen until you've had a chance to sit in the seats (one or two rows?).

I assume at this point you have a projector, which determines throw ratio, screen size and projector placement? Also, the projector features like off set etc determine where the screen can be mounted...how high or low...center with projector etc.

There is more to it than screen size...all the components work together. Projector, screen size/material/ratio, room size/placement. Your projector is the first component that usually determines all the other factors (it's placement flexability or limitations).

Lastly, I will always recommend posting threads in the more focused approach of using the individual forums. Though this area has some of the best well rounded/educated members of all of AVS...the folks that "play" with the projectors everyday (and may demo dozens of different ones...as their focus of the hobby) are located in the projector forums. After I determine the questions you are asking ...would I post here for specific problems or questions about physically mounting the screen or projector. JMHO

Ron

Just so you know rooms are rarely square. You can't just measure over from a side wall and assume that you will hit the point that is perpendicular to the center point of the front wall.

That's why it's better to use your trig class and figure out a line perpendicular to a line connecting two points on the front wall (the upper two corners of the screen)

Don't forget to take into account the offset of the projector lens when putting up your mount unless it is centered. And remember the projector may be upside down.

Makes sense.

Just so you know (if you care at all)....I have purchased the screen (100"). As for the PJ, I know which one I'm getting and will be buying it in a couple of weeks...Epson Pro Cinema 1080UB. It is off set. I hired a handy man to come in and do the electrical already (installed surge protector outlet). I have an idea of where it needs to go but not exactly. Hence why i wanted to know which to install first. Installing the PJ first makes the most sense....this way I don't have to move the screen after the fact. PJ will be upside down on a ceiling mount. I already calculated the throw distance for a 100" on Epson's site.

Here's everything I'm hooking up in the HT:

Yamaha receiver 7.1
Energy speakers (fronts, center, 4 x surround, 2 x 12" subs)
Xbox 360
Samsung Blu-ray
DirecTV HD
Epson Pro Cinema 1080UB

I'm on track to everything done by Sept 7 (NFL Kickoff). Can hardly wait!

I'll add before and after pics when I'm all done. Of course, I'll add them the "before and after pics" thread.

If you have a projector with lens shift (LCD/SXRD), then I'd say it doesn't really matter. You can mount the screen, put the projector in place, and use minor lens shift to perfect the alignment.

You can adjust the height of the screen to your liking even without an image on it. (I found the eyes-at-1/3-picture height to be pleasing.)

yup, definately projector. Because mine does not have lens shift, and i'm not too interested with the keystone correction. I installed the projector and adjusted it so i got a nice clear even picture, taped it off on the corners, installed the wall mount screen, easy as pie

I believe the 1080UB has lens shift...I'll double check. How easy is the lens shift to use? Is it as easy as turning the lens or are there buttons?

There is horizontal and vertical lens shift. Vertical won't help diddly if you don't get the projector square and centered to the screen.

Be sure it has horizontal if you want to SWAG the mounting.