I'm installing my new Panny AE3000 this week in my HT and I'm confused about the throw distance and optical zoom in terms of brightness and contrast.

At this time everything is setup for a throw distance of ~ 12 - 12.6 feet in a 16 foot long room. I have a 106in fixed screen. (The builder installed the 110 and projector cables at this distance).

According to the Panny calc I have to use a zoom of about 1.62 to 1.70 to achieve a 106in picture from that distance.

What can I expect to lose in terms of contrast or brightness with this much zoom?

If I moved it back to 15 feet I'm still looking at a zoom of 1.36 to acheive 106 screen.

I can move the 110 and cables (PITA though!) back to 15ft but is it buying me much?

I'm installing my new Panny AE3000 this week in my HT and I'm confused about the throw distance and optical zoom in terms of brightness and contrast.

At this time everything is setup for a throw distance of ~ 12 - 12.6 feet in a 16 foot long room. I have a 106in fixed screen. (The builder installed the 110 and projector cables at this distance).

According to the Panny calc I have to use a zoom of about 1.62 to 1.70 to achieve a 106in picture from that distance.

What can I expect to lose in terms of contrast or brightness with this much zoom?

If I moved it back to 15 feet I'm still looking at a zoom of 1.36 to acheive 106 screen.

I can move the 110 and cables (PITA though!) back to 15ft but is it buying me much?

Mount it closest to the screen. It will be brightest and mine is razor sharp at that distance.

I have a question along these same lines. My throw distance from the front of the projector to my 120" screen will be exactly 13'1" as current planned in my name HT. Here's my concern - the AE3000 spec sheet gives a minimum throw of 12'5" for a 120" 2.35:1 screen. But then they stick this note:

"NOTE: The values of L shown above vary due to characteristics of the zoom lens. Images may slightly distort due to characteristics of the zoom
lens when the zoom lens is set to the minimum throw distance."

I feel like my 13'1" is getting fairly close to the minimum. Should I be worried about this "slight distortion" note?

I have a question along these same lines. My throw distance from the front of the projector to my 120" screen will be exactly 13'1" as current planned in my name HT. Here's my concern - the AE3000 spec sheet gives a minimum throw of 12'5" for a 120" 2.35:1 screen. But then they stick this note:

"NOTE: The values of L shown above vary due to characteristics of the zoom lens. Images may slightly distort due to characteristics of the zoom
lens when the zoom lens is set to the minimum throw distance."

I feel like my 13'1" is getting fairly close to the minimum. Should I be worried about this "slight distortion" note?

Don't worrie about distortion. mine is at minimum throw of 12'6" from a 120" 16:9 screen. The distortion is negligible. For example 3 pixel horizontal line on the bottom of the screen bends down 1-2 pixels at the last 5" to 6" at the right and left corners. 13'1" will be fine.