I wasn't quite sure which forum to post this in but here goes.

I've been debating with myself on whether to get to get a front projector with a 92" screen or a 73" DLP RPTV. I keep telling myself "boy, it sure would be nice to have a big, 92" screen". If I use the old formula of diagonal inches multiplied by 1.5 that equals a viewing distance 11.5 feet from the wall which just happens to be where my first row of seats are. But then I got to thinking...after placing a stand for a 73" RPTV that would put the RPTV's screen 2 feet closer to my seats. So 73" multiplied by 1.5 = a viewing distance of 9.125 feet which is only a few inches off from my seats fixed location (bolted to the floor) which would be 9.5 feet from the screen.

So my question is this. Wouldn't the 73" screen appear just as big in my field of vision as the 92" screen placed 2 feet further away on the wall? The advatages of the RPTV is that it's basically plug and play. Going with the projector would mean much more work prepping the room. Painting a dark color, moving all my equipment and re-routing wiring. If what I just typed is true I may opt for the RPTV instead.

Thoughts?

Do you think your 73 inch at 9.5 feet will look better and more immersive than the 2 feet your seating from the computer monitor.....bigger is better...

Joey

Thats what she said... :)

Get the projector.

Get the projector. You'll never look back. Then again you're asking this question to a bunch of people that have projectors and are not looking back so we're biased. All I can say is I love my 110" screen and bigger definately is better when it comes to TVs.

My projector just went down and I need to repair it. I'm having trouble tracking down the part I need to see if there's any other damage I may not know about. Since it's been hard to track down I was contemplating buying an LCD to use instead of the projector. That thought lasted about 10 minutes, I just can't go back to a smaller screen. And I only have a 92" screen which is pretty small for a front projection set-up. I love it though, and for the room, the size is perfect. Very immersive.

Get the projector and don't look back until 100+" displays are the same cost.

Do you think your 73 inch at 9.5 feet will look better and more immersive than the 2 feet your seating from the computer monitor.....bigger is better...

Joey

I see your point but at what size do you start to see diminishing returns? You're right, obviously sitting 24" from my computer monitor can't compare to a 73" screen but if the 73" takes up the same amount of space in my field of vision as the 92" then isn't it a wash? I'm just thinking out loud, haven't made a decision either way yet. :)

There is something more than angles, degrees of arc, and distances going on here. I think it has to do with our perception of the sheer physical size of the image. Big screens are more immersive and compelling than medium size flat panels at the same size/distance ratio. It's a real phenomenon. It may be because you judge the image relative to what you see in the rest of the surroundings, and bigger is better. Perhaps this is because many of us grew up going to theatres and expect to see movies on a giant theatre screen. It will be interesting to see if the generation that has grown up in front of a computer monitor will view this differently. That is to say, I do not know if the impact of large screens is hard-wired in humans or if it is based on experience.

I can tell you this though, I will never go back to a panel. That said, of course we can all happily watch CRT and panel TVs and enjoy them. In some ways they can have superior picture quality. But they will never have the impact of 110" plus.

"if the 73" takes up the same amount of space in my field of vision as the 92" then isn't it a wash? "

Does a model airplane held at arm's length look as impressive as a low flying jumbo jet overhead?

OTOH, while there's no going back from a bigger screen, there's something to be said for never going forward in the first place.

Truth is, no matter how big your screen, you get used to it.

Years ago I overbuilt an in-wall entertainment center to leave room for a 30" TV, the biggest made at the time.

Now I'm eyeing that same wall, for room to go from a 116" wide HP to 130" wide.

Hi Nick, I just went through a very similar situation. We were all set to buy the best big TV we could, something like the 65" Panasonic plasma or the 60" Poneer Elite Kuro....then we saw how good 1080P projectors were and how they could be had for the same price or less. We sit ~10-11 feet from a 92" screen, and although the 92" is stunning and looks huge, we could have gone bigger for sure. Get the projector and don't look back, 92" is a fantastic screen size and it looks MUCH bigger than a 73" when installed. The 1080P projectors these days are so good that you can sit pretty close to the screen and not pick out any flaws.

Mark

My projector just went down and I need to repair it. I'm having trouble tracking down the part I need to see if there's any other damage I may not know about. .

Are you still using the Samsung?

If so, what broke?

You are off base and please dont ask me for a second opinion

You are off base and please dont ask me for a second opinion

You're not as friendly as Jason T. :(;):D

Believe me guys, the male instinct in me is screaming to get the biggest screen I can, which I'm sure I will end up doing. :)

I wasn't quite sure which forum to post this in but here goes. Fire it at the blank wall.

I've been debating with myself on whether to get to get a front projector with a 92" screen or a 73" DLP RPTV. I keep telling myself "boy, it sure would be nice to have a big, 92" screen". If I use the old formula of diagonal inches multiplied by 1.5 that equals a viewing distance 11.5 feet from the wall which just happens to be where my first row of seats are. But then I got to thinking...after placing a stand for a 73" RPTV that would put the RPTV's screen 2 feet closer to my seats. So 73" multiplied by 1.5 = a viewing distance of 9.125 feet which is only a few inches off from my seats fixed location (bolted to the floor) which would be 9.5 feet from the screen.

So my question is this. Wouldn't the 73" screen appear just as big in my field of vision as the 92" screen placed 2 feet further away on the wall? The advatages of the RPTV is that it's basically plug and play. Going with the projector would mean much more work prepping the room. Painting a dark color, moving all my equipment and re-routing wiring. If what I just typed is true I may opt for the RPTV instead.

Thoughts?

Nick, my advice, IF getting the PJ, is to hold off on the screen selection at first. Play with it for a week.

Yeah, I tried to predict all that stuff with viewing angle calculators, etc. But, once I had the PJ, and really started playing around, I was thinking bigger, and bigger, and bigger . . .

I ended up fitting the biggest possible screen I could in the end. 42 degree viewing angle for front row.

Now, if you are ABSOLUTELY sure that you will not go with a larger viewing angle... I might go with the RPTV. Can you still find those Sony XBR-2 SXRD 70"s? If so, stock up on bulbs! (sweet TV).

NOTHING beats the big screen experience. Until I can have the actors as 3D holograms in my livingroom, a big screen is the only way I want to watch movies. But, you'd better make that hologram big or I won't bite. :)

you're not as friendly as Jason T

I was just kidding. I was hoping you would ask me for a second opinion. Oh well

I see your point using viewing distance vs the size of the screen, but honestly, having the bigger screen will give you a much larger movie experience. Logically what you say is probably right, the but the whole experience is magnified by going with a big picture

I was just kidding.

I knew you were. That's why I gave you all those smilies. :p

Now, if you are ABSOLUTELY sure that you will not go with a larger viewing angle... I might go with the RPTV.

I'm pretty sure 92" would be max. My front wall is only 12.5 feet wide so that leaves me with only about 2.5 feet on either side of the screen to fit full size front L/R speakers and twin SVS 20-39 subs.

Hey Nick,
I might be selling my 96 inch wide Stewart Studio Tech 1.3 gain electric screen. It is tab tensioned for a very tight screen. It is a
4X3 which mean it can handle large 4X3 or 16X9 or 2.35

Send me a PM if interested.

I'm pretty sure 92" would be max. My front wall is only 12.5 feet wide so that leaves me with only about 2.5 feet on either side of the screen to fit full size front L/R speakers and twin SVS 20-39 subs.

I would still say that jostenmeat's advice above is very good: get the pj first, show it on your wall space for a few weeks and then decide on the size you want. My screen wall space is 150" (12.5 ft), same as yours, and finally went with a 126" diag (110" wide) screen. This leaves 20" from the screen edges to the wall, and is still fine with L and R speakers in that space. I've never regretted getting this size.

I've had to give up my 136" 'scope setup, and right now with the new "theater room" I'm stuck with will fit a 60" Kuro. My only FP option would be to use an AT screen that covers the whole 98" wide wall, but I don't feel like going that route as I could be in this house for only a year, maybe up to 3. I've seen the picture a Kuro can produce, and it is absolutely gorgeous, but after having had a projector for 2 years the thought of having "only" a 60" display just keeps gnawing at me.

My point is that, as other people have stated, human vision relies on more than just angles and parallax to determine the size of an object. In fact, a lot of size judgement is based on comparing something to known data, such as the known size of a chair, speaker, wall, etc. This is why sitting closer to a smaller screen won't get you the same immersive experience that an FP can give. I'd go with the FP, no questions asked - it is WELL worth the extra setup effort.

the svs subs work just fine lying on their sides below the screen!!

I would still say that jostenmeat's advice above is very good: get the pj first, show it on your wall space for a few weeks and then decide on the size you want.

I do agree and this is what I would/will do.

My point is that, as other people have stated, human vision relies on more than just angles and parallax to determine the size of an object.

This is what I suspected was true but needed confirmation like you and others have provided.

I'm coming back to my senses! I'll resume my focus on projectors. Either Epson 6500UB or Panasonic AE3000 more than likely.

the svs subs work just fine lying on their sides below the screen!!

I know you're right but I think that setup might look strange??

I second not getting a screen until you have had a chance to try different sizes with your projector. I had settled on a 110" screen for my room, designed cabinetry, etc...

I installed my projector and set up 110" on my wall. While watching a movie I started to increase the size. I got all the way to the stops on the zoom. Once I went larger I could not go back to a smaller size. When I would zoom back down I hated it, I HAD to zoom back up. So, here I am with the image 4" from the ceiling all the way to 1.5' above the floor, 150" diagonal, and it is about the perfect size for me, sitting just 13' from the screen.

So, all my designs are out the window based on the 110" size. I am not even sure how to position my equipment now that I have decided to stay 150", as I now need a very low profile equipment shelf to fit under the screen.

I know you're right but I think that setup might look strange??

can't see them with the lights out:)

Michael W has a point, you may want to wait and see how big of screen you want before you buy one. You will kick yourself you buy too large or two small, but if you tested out first, you get the perfect size for the room and you

Michael W has a point, you may want to wait and see how big of screen you want before you buy one. You will kick yourself you buy too large or two small, but if you tested out first, you get the perfect size for the room and you

I will definitely follow this advice. Michael W.'s situation is depressing. Sorry to hear that Michael.

If you use accoustically transparent screen material, you can hide your speakers behind the screen. It would move the screen forward a bit (and perhaps too much depending on the depth of your speakers), but it is a way to get an even bigger screen. I toying with the same idea now in order to go to a 2.35:1 setup. I have an 8' wide screen 16:9 screen now and while I would have the room to go to 2.35:1 with the same height screen I have now, it would result in moving the speakers too far out from an acoustic standpoint.

Has anyone done much experimenting with using bookshelf speakers right below the screen so they're even with the center channel? It seems like having all three speakers at the same height might even have some advantages over say towers on the sides with center below. This configuration would sure allow for wider screens without the added complication of going AT.

I found that connector you were looking for
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I found that connector you were looking for
Cindy, is this the thing you were looking for?
www.liangdianup.com/computeraccessories_1.htm

It's on the list of computer accessories and parts. They have the DVI video thing to convert that jap monitor to work with your other computer. Just about any other kind of wire adaptor, usb connectors, monitor extension wires, ps2 extention wires, and all kinds of female and male swap connectors and things that I think would help your shop. If that above link don't work then goto www.lducompany.com and click on computer accessories. Let me know if that is what you need and give me your email address again.