Hello, I have been waiting to get a nice large lcd. Now I have decided to go with a Epson 1080 ub, so Im new to the projector scene. My question is:

1. How do I determine what screen size is suitable for my room size. Is there a rule of thumb?

2. Looking at an Elite fixed frame screen. Are these decent screens? Also should I choose the Grey or White & why?

3. I have never seen a 1080p front projection screen. What can I expect in terms of image quality on a 84" to 100" screen compared to say a samsung lcd?

Anything else I should know or consider?

Thanks for the help in advance.

Will be using with Dish network HD, Xbox 360, and Blu-ray via PS3. Good choice?

Carada 1.4 BW screen. Cost and build quality is extremely hard to beat. I have tried most of the other manufacturers and went back.

Carada 1.4 BW screen. Cost and build quality is extremely hard to beat. I have tried most of the other manufacturers and went back.

Plus one on the Carada, they sell screens direct so you save tons of coin for a superior screen with excellent build quality. Expect the same pq from an LCD or plasma TV but in a size that will blow ya mind.

Ok, so what about the size of screen and placement (how high). Whats the optimum distance to put you projector at? (How far back on the ceiling). I know these are prob easy questions, but Im new to projectors. Just want to get it right the first time. I will have 2 windows in this room. They are on the side wall, but are these dudes pretty bright?

Ok, so what about the size of screen and placement (how high). Whats the optimum distance to put you projector at? (How far back on the ceiling). I know these are prob easy questions, but Im new to projectors. Just want to get it right the first time. I will have 2 windows in this room. They are on the side wall, but are these dudes pretty bright?

The best size for the screen depends on the size of your room and how far back from the screen will the seating be (i.e., the viewing distance). A rule of thumb if you are using a 1080p projector is the seating should ideally be no closer than 1.5 times the screen width and the range of 1.5 to 2 times the screen width is typically recommended. For example a 120 inch diagonal (viewable) screen (assuming a 16 x 9 aspect ratio screen) is about 105 inches wide so the minimum viewing distance should be 12' 9" (1.5X screen width). Your room width may also limit you screen size and remember you will need to allow space for the front speakers.

As for the distance the projector is to be mounted back from the screen this depends on the characteristics of the specific projector (specifically it's zoom range). Projector Central has a projection calculator and the one for the Epson 1080UB is located HERE (http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_1080_UB-projection-calculator-pro.htm). Using this calculator the projector's zoom range would allow the throw distance, from the screen to the front of the projector's lens, to be:

For a 120" diagonal screen - throw distance = 11' 9" min. - to - 25' 1" max.

For a 108" diagonal screen - throw distance = 10' 6" min. - to - 22' 7" max.

For a 100" diagonal screen - throw distance = 9' 8" min. - to - 20' 11" max.


Another important factor to consider is keeping the throw distance toward the minimum end of the range will produce a brighter image because the 'f stop' of the projector's lens changes as you zoom for longer throw distances resulting in less light output from the projector. With the 1080UB the light output from the projector will be more than twice as much when set for the minimum throw as compared as for the maximum throw distance.

As for the screen height, the rule-of-thumb for the screen's vertical position is the seated eye level should be about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the screen. For example, with an eye-level height of 38" and a screen that is about 59" high (viewable portion of a 120" diagonal 16x9 screen) then the bottom of the screen should extend approx. 20" below eye level or, in this example, the bottom of the viewable area of the screen should be about (38" - 20") 18" about the floor).

For your side windows I would cover them with blackout shades or heavy light blocking drapes. If you aren't willing to do this, then your best alternative woul be to use a high gain, directional screen, such as a Dalite model with their "Highpower" screen material. This type of screen will tend to reject light coming from the sides of the room. However, the Highpower material is "retro-reflective", i.e., meaning it will reflect the maximum light back toward the projector, and because of this the projector height would need to be near your seated eye level. This is not practical for many situations, but if it works for you then a Dalite screen with the high power material could be your best choice if you cannot control the light coming through those side windows.

Ok, so I would want the projector closer for a brighter image, makes sense. I am looking at maybe a 84 to 92" screen. Looking at the projection calculator what is the diference between the throw range and the throw distance? What would be ideal?

The room is 25 X 13, with the screen being the 13 ft wall. Here is a pick of the room. What size would you guys go with? FYI 51" Sony TV is whats in the pic. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30537783@N03/2859505443/
Seating would be 9-15 ft depending where you are sitting. I have blinds and sunlight isnt direct into these windows so that shouldnt be a giant problem imo.

The Carada 1.4 BW is what i was looking at. I guess the 1.78 to 1 is what xbox 360 and Dish HD DVR use for normal HD? I will be running bluray via ps3 too.

Ok, so I would want the projector closer for a brighter image, makes sense. I am looking at maybe a 84 to 92" screen. Looking at the projection calculator what is the diference between the throw range and the throw distance? What would be ideal?

The room is 25 X 13, with the screen being the 13 ft wall. Here is a pick of the room. What size would you guys go with? FYI 51" Sony TV is whats in the pic. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30537783@N03/2859505443/
Seating would be 9-15 ft depending where you are sitting. I have blinds and sunlight isnt direct into these windows so that shouldnt be a giant problem imo.

The Carada 1.4 BW is what i was looking at. I guess the 1.78 to 1 is what xbox 360 and Dish HD DVR use for normal HD? I will be running bluray via ps3 too.

The throw range is the minimum to maximum distance from the screen that the projector could be located with the projector's zoom lens being able to correctly fill the selected size screen. The throw distance is the actual distance from the screen (i.e., within the throw range) where the projector is placed. The calculator is a little misleading since you can select the throw range as best suits your needs as long as it stays within the throw range for your screen size. Given your situation I would suggest a screen size of about 100" diagonal and for the Epson 1080UB this would mean the throw range would be 9' 8" to 20' 11" and I would also suggest you place the projector at 10' to 12' from the screen (to the front of the lens) as this will give you a brighter image as compared to locating the projector back further.

Thanks Ron. I think I will wait for the new Epson 6500 or 7500 (I hear coming out near the end of the year). My fan is exactly half way in between the room at 12.5'. I think that would be a perfect fit for the projector. I will either go with a 92" or 100". Is the Carada 1.4 gain BW a good choice for my room? Going make a cardboard cutout to see what works best for the room. I think i will have wall to wall cabinets built across the room in front of the screen to make room for the components and to accent the screen.

Did you look at the pic of the room? Thats about the max light that comes in any given day. Your thoughts & recommendations? I originally was banking on a 58" plasma but I think this will be awesome. I am going to check one out in person this weekend. My original thought of projectors was a big but blurry picture, but research on this site tells me differently. What pros and cons will i have compard to a lcd or plasma, upkeep & such. Again thanks for your help.

FWIW, I'm running the Pro 1080 UB tabletop mounted, about 18 inches above eyeline, about a foot behind my head, 18 feet from a retro-reflective DaLite High Power 2.8 gain screen. While I'm working out a few issues with DaLite on some subtle shadow lines (due to a bad lot I think), the calibrated image is stunning, and lets me run a 119" diag.

As you know, forget the published lumens - the 1080 is one of the lowest lumen projectors when calibrated. With my setup, I can get about 13 fl in low lamp mode, about 16 fl in high lamp mode. For me, more than acceptable.

Thanks Ron. I think I will wait for the new Epson 6500 or 7500 (I hear coming out near the end of the year). My fan is exactly half way in between the room at 12.5'. I think that would be a perfect fit for the projector. I will either go with a 92" or 100". Is the Carada 1.4 gain BW a good choice for my room? Going make a cardboard cutout to see what works best for the room. I think i will have wall to wall cabinets built across the room in front of the screen to make room for the components and to accent the screen.

Did you look at the pic of the room? Thats about the max light that comes in any given day. Your thoughts & recommendations? I originally was banking on a 58" plasma but I think this will be awesome. I am going to check one out in person this weekend. My original thought of projectors was a big but blurry picture, but research on this site tells me differently. What pros and cons will i have compard to a lcd or plasma, upkeep & such. Again thanks for your help.

You will really need to control the light coming thru the windows, especially the one right next to the screen. Have you considered adding a drop down light blocking shade behind your existing curtains to control the light coming thru the windows when you want to watch TV? If you want to go high end you even add electric power shades with a remote to open and close them. But for about $50 per window you could add a simple manual pull down light blocking shade (such as THESE (http://www.blindsondemand.com/product.php?ID=124)).

You will really need to control the light coming thru the windows, especially the one right next to the screen. Have you considered adding a drop down light blocking shade behind your existing curtains to control the light coming thru the windows when you want to watch TV? If you want to go high end you even add electric power shades with a remote to open and close them. But for about $50 per window you could add a simple manual pull down light blocking shade (such as THESE (http://www.blindsondemand.com/product.php?ID=124)).

Well I have blinds there, you just cant see in the picture. I will shut them and take another pic at lunch today and upload. My old Sont RPTV doesnt bother me with the lighting, is a projector just not as bright as that?We have the same blinds through out the house, and I dont think the wife would agree to one room standing out. This is in a second living room area so I want it to look good and not exactly like a dedicated HT room would look like. Will post a pic in a few hours.

My old Sont RPTV doesnt bother me with the lighting, is a projector just not as bright as that?With a front projector, you're looking a white screen (or grey, silver, etc.) that looks black because of the contrast. There are grey and silver screens that are designed for rooms with ambient lighting, but they're still going to react worse to ambient light than a RPTV.

There was some crazy figure about how much one lit match in a room affects our preception of projector contrast because of what it does to the "blacks". Regardless of how bright a projector is (and some are bright, especially at 84" and 100"), don't expect a front projector to handle ambient light the way your RPTV does.

Something like the Sony Dynaclear screen might give you the punch you need in a room with windows, but there's a reason that many of us with projectors decide to find a light controlled room for them.

So here is a pic with the blinds closed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30537783@N03/2862299969/

projectorcentral.com has a calculator with every projector listed and it will tell you the range of the throw distance (distance between projector and screen) based on the size of the screen or based on the throw distance it will give the size of the screen. Additionally it will tell you how many lumens your screen will have based on the the gain and size of the of the screen.

Basically, you should be sitting 1.5 - 2.0 X the width of the screen As each projector has its own specs, the size and distance of the screen will change depending on the projector

For the screen put down another vote for Carada 1.4 BW screen. I have 1080 UB and a 110" Carada 1.4 BW and love it. The cost is great and the quality is outstanding.

What I did to figure out which screen size was best for us was to get the projector first and then tape off the various screen sizes on the wall. We then zoomed in and out and and found what worked best for us at our normal viewing distance. We actually first decided to get a 106" screen but after a week of viewing on it we got used to the size and wanted something larger so we sent it back and got a 110" screen. We had no issues from Carada with this and they were very nice through out the process.

Carada is very good to deal with.:)