I am getting ready to purchase an Optoma HD70 for our living room. My problem is our ceilings are about 105 inches. The screen I am looking at is the Da-Lite Model B 37x67. We are only sitting 7-9ft away, so a 45x80 screen would be too big I think. To make this 37x67 screen work, I think I need the screen to hang about 3 feet from the ceiling. Is there an easy way to let the screen hang this low? I would really appreciate input, and if you have any other suggestions for my situation, feel free. I have a screen budget of about $500, has to be pulldown, as it will be in the corner of a room, so no wall for a fixed screen, plus we have a small TV behind where this screen will go for daytime/SD viewing. Thanks!!

I am getting ready to purchase an Optoma HD70 for our living room. My problem is our ceilings are about 105 inches. The screen I am looking at is the Da-Lite Model B 37x67. We are only sitting 7-9ft away, so a 45x80 screen would be too big I think. To make this 37x67 screen work, I think I need the screen to hang about 3 feet from the ceiling. Is there an easy way to let the screen hang this low? I would really appreciate input, and if you have any other suggestions for my situation, feel free. I have a screen budget of about $500, has to be pulldown, as it will be in the corner of a room, so no wall for a fixed screen, plus we have a small TV behind where this screen will go for daytime/SD viewing. Thanks!!
At 8 feet viewing distance, you're really in the realm of plasma, lcd, or rear projection. Ideally, that is. Everyone, of course, can do whatever they want. As far as any screen hanging questions, you might try the DIY forum too. Some pretty inventive folks over there.

I am getting ready to purchase an Optoma HD70 for our living room. My problem is our ceilings are about 105 inches. The screen I am looking at is the Da-Lite Model B 37x67. We are only sitting 7-9ft away, so a 45x80 screen would be too big I think. To make this 37x67 screen work, I think I need the screen to hang about 3 feet from the ceiling. Is there an easy way to let the screen hang this low? I would really appreciate input, and if you have any other suggestions for my situation, feel free. I have a screen budget of about $500, has to be pulldown, as it will be in the corner of a room, so no wall for a fixed screen, plus we have a small TV behind where this screen will go for daytime/SD viewing. Thanks!!
People tend to underestimate the size of the screen that would be desirable. There are people that have a 1 to 1 ration of viewing distance to screen width which they think works well.

I am at a ratio of 1.3 and want a smaller ratio. Now the question as far as I am concerned is using a DaLite High Power screen or 1.3 white screen from any vendor. Those type screens seem to be essentially generic

Being very close to the screen, probably for family viewing, the different angles to different people may get too large (tens of degrees) to take advantage of the High Power screen. A 1.3 gain screen may be OK for you.

Optoma, huh? I am trying to decide what to do regarding my next TV purchase, considering front-projection.

I've read some threads, but would love to know more currently how front projection TV's stand up to flatscreen plasmas and LCDs. I know the technology and pricing is improving every day, but I'm still a newbie to this.

I do research for a living, so the geek that I am I put together ten questions in a survey form so I can look at your rankings of brands. I'll post the results here after I get some responses. This is not SPAM, I promise!

Please take a quick minute:
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB2294RNL6W4C

Being from New Castle surely you want a Draper Screen:)

I think I need the screen to hang about 3 feet from the ceiling. Is there an easy way to let the screen hang this low?

"Drop" is the distance between the bottom of the screen housing and the top of the screen's viewing area. According to the Da-Lite website, the Model C allows the option of adding up to 13 feet of drop. The Model B info does not mention drop. The smallest standard Model C 16:9 screen is 45x80. Typically, they will custom make you a smaller screen upon request (but charge you for the next larger standard size, IIRC). After you decide exactly what you want, I suggest you have a chat with Da-Lite to see if they can meet your needs. Be advised that substantial discounts ARE available from Da-Lite dealers--including the AV Science Store, this forum's owner.