I'd like suggestions for a home theater projector and screen. The room is 21'x11'6" and I would be using the 11'6" to throw across. The projector would be ceiling mounted, and I'd like to have 1080p. The room will be completely light controlled. I have 128" horizontally in which to fit a screen.

I noticed there's a pretty good looking deal on a Panasonic AE1000U in the classifieds, here. Is it worth considering?

Not a necessary thing, but are there any in my price range with more than one HDMI input? I can spend up to $2,000, but I'd like to keep it well under that.

Thanks.

I'd like suggestions for a home theater projector and screen. The room is 21'x11'6" and I would be using the 11'6" to throw across. The projector would be ceiling mounted, and I'd like to have 1080p. The room will be completely light controlled. I have 128" horizontally in which to fit a screen.

I noticed there's a pretty good looking deal on a Panasonic AE1000U in the classifieds, here. Is it worth considering?

Not a necessary thing, but are there any in my price range with more than one HDMI input? I can spend up to $2,000, but I'd like to keep it well under that.

Thanks.

your toughest requirement is not money... it is throw distance. If I were you, I would find a way to throw the long way (brings more options into the mix). As you intend, you will not be using much of that 128" horizontally. The ae1000u is actually one of the better fits for you from a throw perspective... it is only 12" deep and can throw a 108" diagonal from 10.5ft. most of the LCD crop will get you right at 100", most of the DLP well below that (~80")... the jvc lcos projectors will get you 104" (if you got lucky and found a good used one for under $2k). If you have any DIY skills whatsoever, I'd suggest the DIY laminate route to save some $ (can easily build a nice 120" screen for around $200. Is the short throw an absolute requirement?

The short throw is necessary. If I tried the long way it would have to cover a fireplace or a set of stairs. The projection calculator says I can get a 113" image at 11'.

You guys have links to building a fairly nice screen that's about 110"?

You could possibly use and electric screen that drops down in front of the fireplace.

The short throw is necessary. If I tried the long way it would have to cover a fireplace or a set of stairs. The projection calculator says I can get a 113" image at 11'.

You guys have links to building a fairly nice screen that's about 110"?

keep in mind, the distance is from the lens to the screen, not from the rear wall... some projectors (like the panasonics) are as little as 12" deep, others are close to 20". If the exhaust is on the back (or the connectors), add at least another 2" clearance. which means for some of the PJs you could choose from, your actual throw would be as little as 9.5ft. If I had to pick a sub-$2k solution in your circumstance right now, and assuming you are not sensitive to RBE, I'd go with the infocus x10 and a screen like this (http://www.projectorpeople.com/screens/proddtls.asp?productID=22914). together (with some savings on the x10 you can check on the 'x10 under 1800' thread) they should come in right at just over $2k shipped. The x10 is plenty bright for a controlled room, so you would be able to stop down the iris to compensate for its comparatively weak black level (and a gray screen would further compensate for that). But that's just me :)

I'd like suggestions for a home theater projector and screen. The room is 21'x11'6" and I would be using the 11'6" to throw across. The projector would be ceiling mounted, and I'd like to have 1080p. The room will be completely light controlled. I have 128" horizontally in which to fit a screen.

I noticed there's a pretty good looking deal on a Panasonic AE1000U in the classifieds, here. Is it worth considering?

Not a necessary thing, but are there any in my price range with more than one HDMI input? I can spend up to $2,000, but I'd like to keep it well under that.

Thanks.


The Infocus X10 can be had for around $1,200, that is an awesome deal.

The Infocus X10 can be had for around $1,200, that is an awesome deal.

if you have the throw distance, the drop is the other concern for the x10... a 120" screen has a drop of about 2ft, so if you have low ceilings that could be a problem. consideration would need to be given to whether you wanted to mount your screen well below the ceiling, or buy the version with a larger drop (black section above viewing surface). If you have 8ft ceilings or higher, it should work fine, but any lower and the bottom of the screen is almost on the floor for large screen sizes. Anyway, if this combination would work, you would be hard pressed to do better for under $2k I think.

I have a room that it is 30 x 12, including dinning room, I went long way, I suggest you do the same. I have three windows that an electric screen covers. Short way I have a 50" Plasma for normal viewing. L shaped couch for best of both worlds. Projector and electric screen are within your budget.

if you have the throw distance, the drop is the other concern for the x10... a 120" screen has a drop of about 2ft, so if you have low ceilings that could be a problem. consideration would need to be given to whether you wanted to mount your screen well below the ceiling, or buy the version with a larger drop (black section above viewing surface). If you have 8ft ceilings or higher, it should work fine, but any lower and the bottom of the screen is almost on the floor for large screen sizes. Anyway, if this combination would work, you would be hard pressed to do better for under $2k I think.

If I didn't already buy an Epson 6500UB, with the X10 for $1,200 I would make it work...lol. Infocus is an awesome company, the IN72 I owned was great, the bulb hit over 4,000 hours before I sold it. Some people got the X10 for $950, the $200 rebate ended yesterday.

Some people got the X10 for $950, the $200 rebate ended yesterday.

let's just say I'm eagerly awaiting a package containing an item I purchased just before midnight eastern time, March 31st :D

Projectorcentral.com doesn't have the Infocus X10 so I can't do the calculator. Would this work with an 11ft throw for say a 100 inch screen? My ceiling is like any other normal ceiling, I believe 8 ft tall.

My choice for projector is the Mitsubishi HC5500 (http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=MTHC5500&id=MTHC5500&l=FROOGLE). 100" diagonal image from 10.5 feet.
Comes with a $300 rebate and a second rebate bulb worth another $300

The x10 is 17" deep so you will have a maximum of 10' 7" for throw. 78" diagonal max
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus-X10-projection-calculator-pro.htm

My choice for projector is the Mitsubishi HC5500 (http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=MTHC5500&id=MTHC5500&l=FROOGLE). 100" diagonal image from 10.5 feet.
Comes with a $300 rebate and a second rebate bulb worth another $300

The x10 is 17" deep so you will have a maximum of 10' 7" for throw. 78" diagonal max
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus-X10-projection-calculator-pro.htm

Too bad the rebate expired two days ago.

Projectorcentral.com doesn't have the Infocus X10 so I can't do the calculator. Would this work with an 11ft throw for say a 100 inch screen? My ceiling is like any other normal ceiling, I believe 8 ft tall.

check under manufacturer "Infocus Home" rather than "Infocus"... it is there.

My choice for projector is the Mitsubishi HC5500 (http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=MTHC5500&id=MTHC5500&l=FROOGLE). 100" diagonal image from 10.5 feet.
Comes with a $300 rebate and a second rebate bulb worth another $300

The x10 is 17" deep so you will have a maximum of 10' 7" for throw. 78" diagonal max
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus-X10-projection-calculator-pro.htm

even worse if by "11 ft throw" he meant max room dimension... 11 ft less 16" for the 5500 (2" for cables in the rear) gives a 92" diagonal... still MUCH better choice for short throw than the x10 (which will have trouble getting to 70"). the x10 is a great choice, but only if you can use it as a long-throw projector with a high ceiling (as it was designed).

I suggest getting an Epson 6500UB and getting a screen later. It can be had for about $2,200 after $500 rebate. Or even a Panasonic AE3000, those seem to be the cream of the crop for the new lower end 1080p models. Or if you have total light control, look for a deal on the Pioneer Kuro. All of those have great placement flexibility, you can place them almost anywhere.

You can buy my Planar PD7130 on the cheap if you want...lol. :)

By "11' throw" I mean the room is 11' 6" across and I badly estimated how big a projector might be.

$2,000 is my maximum budget and that includes tax and shipping for the projector and screen.

Too bad the rebate expired two days ago.

There will probably be a new one out shortly in order to keep liquidating stock. Rebates for projectors are almost always renewed. They just give them expiration dates so people will hurry and buy before the time they think the rebate is ending.

I had the identical budget.

I purchased a Epson 6100, Da-Lite 106" HP Manual screen, cables, and DVE BR for under $2000. 1080p, 24fps, bright project with excellent image quality, no rebates that hit my budget.

I recommend the Epson 6100 also. I got a great deal on a bundle with ceiling mount, screen, and HDMI cable from Kirk at projectorbundles.com. Give him a call, though, the website doesn't seem to show everything they have. There was a $200 instant rebate when I got mine, so I don't know what the deals are right now, but I would check it out.