Hi,
In the last thread I started:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=780667

KeithfromCanada advised me that an LCD may be better then a DLP for my ceiling height of 7'. Though depending on my flooring it may be as low as 82". The dimensions of the rest of the room are not an issue (13'x21'+) as can be seen:
http://www.omnium-gatherum.org/misc/theatre.jpg
I started a new thread to be a little more focused so I could understand the issues at hand.

I'd like as large a screen as possible and at least 92" diag but still be high enough of the ground. A 94" would be a 46" x 82". Could this work using the HD1000U or any DLP or am I better off with an LCD? The basement is currently unfinished so I could recess a projector mount into the ceiling if necessary but not sure if that would create a cooling issue.

Floor mount if you don't want to use keystone as ceiling mount will put your image too close to the floor.

Huey, you have the HD1000 right? If you tried keystone with it, did you notice any image degredation? I'm in the same boat as Master Kato, and I would like to get the HD1000.

Floor mounting isn't an option...little hands in the house. Same question as Jim about Keystoning degradation.

I have the same issue in my basement HT: low ceiling with a desire to to get the HD1000. I have to ceiling mount mine, but can't recess it because of a plaster ceiling. I currently use a low-profile mount that only adds about 4"...but I've done all the measurements and calculations and an image at my desired 106" is just about on the floor.

I decided to order the HD70 from Costco to see how it may work. If it is acceptable, I may return it and order the HD1000 since the offsets are somewhat similar.

For you others in the same boat as me. I searched around more on the forums and this has been discussed on a couple threads.
On this one:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=775181

Someone provided a link to the Mits site where you can download a distance calculator that also lets you visualize ceiling height:
http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/bu/projectors/downloads/

Also this thread may be of use:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=754500

I think the bottom line here is that us short ceiling folk are out of luck. We're really better off using an LCD projector I think (i.e. a proj with lens shift).

Even with a low profile mount that puts the pj lens 4"-5" below the ceiling, the top of a 92" screen would be about 20" below the lens center, making it about 25" below the ceiling. It seems like that would require quite a bit of keystoning to square up the image. I'm in the same situation as you and it is frustrating cause the latest dlp units from Mits and Optoma are both good and cheap but they are not made for our rooms. You could try a lower offset dlp like the Benq PE7700, Sharp DT-500, or Infocus In76 but those are all more money than the HD1000. You can get a lcd model like the Panasonic AE900 on clearance for a little over 1K.

Moe

Can't you just put it on a shelf and angle it downward severly?

Can't you just put it on a shelf and angle it downward severly?
I think that any mounting option that does not have the projector pretty much level or parallel to the floor/ceiling is going to require keystone adjustment, perhaps extensive keystone adjustment. Anyone with 7' ceilings (like me) needs to keep this in mind when targeting one of the low end DLP's with substantial offset. IMO you need to consider small (<90" screens) if you plan to ceiling mount these projectors with ceilings this low.

Cheers!

Fortunately I have about 89" to the drop ceiling so I think 92" is going to work for me. That was the size I was looking at but then thought...100" sounds cool.

I think I'd rather avoid the keystoning adjustment and want to maximize my screen real estate as my room is fairly large, it's just the ceiling height (1960's house, they didn't plan ahead and make tall basements).

So, if these DLP's are out what's my next best bet for an HD projector? Perhaps the Sanyo Z5...could I expect similar quality as with the HD1000U ? Any other lower cost alternatives?

I was drawn to the HD1000U because it seems to have captivated a lot of people and nearly everyone agrees it's a superior projector at an amazing price. Is there any LCD projectors out there that clearly stand above the competition?

I have 7' 6" ceilings my projector is about 13.5' from the screen and the center of the lens is 6" from the ceiling. The top of my 100" diagonal screen is 12" from the ceiling and bottom is 29" from the floor. To get a perfect rectangle I have to use keystone of +3. It has keystone adjustment way up there to 30 or 40 so this is much less than I thought I would need. I can also set the keystone back to zero and not notice the trapazoid unless I view something in 4:3 or if it has straight veritcal lines. For HD viewing like football I have just been letting a small part of the image (maybe 1.5" on each side) bleed over into my black velvet border and avoid keystone. But to tell you the truth I can not tell any difference with the keystone set to 3, and may just set it back and forget about it. I have not tested this with computer images.

So my screen is right where I wanted it 10" higher than it should be, but I am glad that I got this projector it is great. If you are watching HD material and movies and if you need your screen about another 10" higher or so than it needs to be to get the perfect rectangle for half the price I would give it a try.

Boy, I hope I'm not in the same boat... I have the Mits calculator, but I haven't made exact measurements yet. Going by what I think I remember for my room measurements, it's going to be close. I might even need to sink the projector up into the drop ceiling.

I saw a question in this thread about possible heat problems with doing this, but no response so far - anyone able to comment on this?

Just when I thougth I had nailed down my first projector.... (and I've already told the boss that the PJ will be under $1K.

I'm a HD1000u owner but just a heads up B&H has the Panny 900 (probably worse contrast, better colors than HD1000u, never seen either irl so ymmv) for $1050 with that blockbuster rebate, for those who want cheap but have low ceilings, this might be the next best option. This was pretty much the most popular pj here like 3 months ago. Aside from lens shift the other big advantage of this is with the smoothscreen tech you can sit really close and not get SDE - some say it's not sharp enough as a result of this... oh yeah and it's got a huge zoom so you can install it pretty much anywhere for any size screen anywhere on your wall, and no SDE, pretty sweet. Not the brightest, though (which they've corrected in this year's followup model).

I think I'd rather avoid the keystoning adjustment and want to maximize my screen real estate as my room is fairly large, it's just the ceiling height (1960's house, they didn't plan ahead and make tall basements).

So, if these DLP's are out what's my next best bet for an HD projector? Perhaps the Sanyo Z5...could I expect similar quality as with the HD1000U ? Any other lower cost alternatives?

I was drawn to the HD1000U because it seems to have captivated a lot of people and nearly everyone agrees it's a superior projector at an amazing price. Is there any LCD projectors out there that clearly stand above the competition?

Projectorcentral and projectorreviews.com both have very good reviews on LCD and DLP projectors. Look at the Sanyo Z4 and Z5, Panasonic AE900 and AX100 and Epson 400.

There seems to be some notion around here that going with LCD is taking a dramatic step backwards in terms of quality. It is not! Both LCD and DLP have their pros and their cons but at the end of the day, both of these technologies will give you stunning pictures. True, DLP currently holds the edge in terms of lowest priced units but with discounted Panny 900's and Sanyo's Z4, I find no reason whatsoever to be disheartened by the fact that a DLP will not work in your current set-up. Going with LCD will give you a great picture and reams of set-up flexibility.

I've said it before and I will say it again...DLP is missing out on a large market by not employing lens shifting on their lower-priced units.

Another option may be the Hitachi PJTX100 from Projector People. They have a very good price on it right now (below $900). The technology in is a couple of years old, but it has a very good lens on it along with a digital input (DVI). Audioholics did a recent review and gave it favorable marks. It has a relatively large zoom and lens shift. Specs are 1200 lumens/1200 contrast.

I want to keep my projector cost under $1000 (without dealing with rebates), so it's on my short list.

Audioholics review (http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/hitachi-PJ-TX100p1.php)

I'm a HD1000u owner but just a heads up B&H has the Panny 900 (probably worse contrast, better colors than HD1000u, never seen either irl so ymmv) for $1050 with that blockbuster rebate, for those who want cheap but have low ceilings, this might be the next best option. This was pretty much the most popular pj here like 3 months ago. Aside from lens shift the other big advantage of this is with the smoothscreen tech you can sit really close and not get SDE - some say it's not sharp enough as a result of this... oh yeah and it's got a huge zoom so you can install it pretty much anywhere for any size screen anywhere on your wall, and no SDE, pretty sweet. Not the brightest, though (which they've corrected in this year's followup model).

Excuse my ignorance, but what is B & H and the rebate? I have the same problem in that my coffee table it too high to have my projector sitting on it, and it sounds like the Panny can take care of this via it's lens shift option. Thanks a bunch.

I made my own low profile mount, and just tilted the screen to match the projectors tilt. so i wouldn't have to use the electronic keystoning.

Ceiling - 7’6”
Projector mount - ½” tilted around 3 deg.
Throw Range - 15’
Screen - 118”
Bottom of image - 21” from floor

I am very iterested in the idea of a tilted screen. How much did you have to tilt the srceen forward compared to the projector. Can you notice the screen is tilted when watching?

Sorry I already said too much mentioning the vendor (B&H) and price. It's a great deal. Check out dealnews.com for this and other similar deals. If it's already scrolled off the current set of deals search 'ae900u'. Yes lens shift is a VERY convenient option for more difficult installs, a high end feature and the fact that it's available on what was a top tier sub $2k projector 3 months ago is astounding.

Leto,

I am also interested in how much you tilted your screen and if it is noticeable.

Also, by my calcutlations, you have the projector zoomed at 1.15x. Any issues with that?

Ideally you would want to tilt the screen the same amount as the projector.
After taking a closer look, i should tilt the screen a bit more than i did. there is about 1/8" of trapezoid left on each side. However the black boarder absorbs it, and i can't really tell its not perfect, even in 4:3.

The top of my screen is mounted via a french cleat offset about 2" off the wall. The bottom just rest against the wall. I don't think its noticeable, 2" isn't much compared to a 10 foot screen. If it bothered someone, they could boarder it with curtains to conceal it.

And yes i am near the end of the zoom range. I haven't noticed any issues related to the zoom. But this is my first projector. So i probably wouldn't know what to look for anyway.

Just wamted to know what you guys think of the HD1000u in my setup. I have a 7' ceiling height in my theater and I am stuck with the bottom of the screen being around 30" off of the floor. Is this doable with tilting the projector and the screen or is this just not an option for me? Thanks in advance.