I am building a dedicated theater in my basement which will be 21' L x 13.5' W x 8.5' H. There will be NO ambient light in the room. I am mainly interested in watching DVDs (and, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD in the future, no doubt) but I also plan to watch Cable and Digital Cable in the room and possibly play video games. I have a current collection of over 3,000 DVDs so DVD is definitely the primary use.

I have a budget of $3000 for the projector. I'm looking to mount the projector to my ceiling and project onto a 104" Carada Criterion screen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the most common format in my DVD collection.

I'm confused about which projector would be the best to buy. I want a beautiful, clear picture which can take full advantage of my 1.85:1 aspect ratio screen. Since the room isn't framed yet (framing begins next weekend), I can place the projector anywhere down the length of the 21' ceiling.

Please help me choose the best possible projector so I don't waste $3K!!

Also, anyone familiar with screens, should I go with the Classic Cinema White, Brilliant White, or High Contrast Grey screen?

Thanks!
Rick

Greetings and welcome to the forum!

I am in the same boat as you are and my basement ht will be very close in dimensions as yours. I am still in the planning stages so I do not have everything in concrete yet, but I have narrowed down some of my choices.

To properly give you some input the kind folks here will need some additional information. Such as what type of projector do you want ie. DLP, LCOS (D-ILA), or LCD. There are pros and cons to each and you will find there are many people out there that will defend their favorite display method sometimes to excess. Each type does (to me anyway) have a "look" to it that is associated with the display technology.

I like different things about each display technology, but due to my room not being as tall as yours and needing some mounting flexibility I have chosen to go with LCD. I have look at many different brands on line and through reviews and believe now I have my choices narrowed down to the Epson line either the Cinema 400 or the ta700/ Cinema Pro 810.

The most important thing is what looks best to you. I would (if you can) try to see some projectors in action and see what display technology you prefer. Just remember most stores that carry projectors rarely have them set up under ideal conditions.

With DLP some people experience RBE (rainbow effect), some complain with LCD there is SDE (screen door effect) and with LCOS, D-ILA some say there is a certain "softness" to the picture. Like I said try to see the various types in action.

With $ 3,000 there are a lot of choices for you to look into. Surf this forum and soak up all the valuable info around here and happy hunting. I hate to flat out recommend a specific projector because there are many out there that would be fantastic but everything is subjective. I will say no matter what you pick, more than likely with the new crop of projectors you will be happy with the result.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

Living up to my user name,

dazed

You need to decide on DLP or LCD first. You are lucky in that you have a nice ceiling height(not too low). That means you don't "have to buy" a LCD for the lens shift.

Thanks for the info so far, guys. I knew about LCD and DLP but I've never even heard of LCOS.

Also, let me state one clarification. The room, although it has 8-1/2' ceilings, isn't truly 8-1/2' back where the projector will be. I'm building a 2-tier stage in the back for stadium seating so where the projector will go will actually only be about 7' from floor to ceiling. Does this change things? Am I destined to go with LCD?

Also, can all projectors output a 1.85:1 aspect ratio or do only certain models do that?

Thanks, again, for your assistance!
Rick

Thanks for the info so far, guys. I knew about LCD and DLP but I've never even heard of LCOS.

LCOS is a display technology used by Sony and JVC

Does this change things? Am I destined to go with LCD?

Does it complicate things yes and no. Most DLP projectors have what is called offset. It can be rather large or small and varies between manufactures and even between models from the same manufacturer. Having an offset will require you to mount the projector a certain height above the screen if ceiling mounting or a certain distance distance below the screen. There are DLP projectors that have lens shift, however they tend to be on the pricier models. Two DLP projectors having lens shift that may be very close to your budget are the BenQ 8720, and the Optoma 7100. You can read those threads to gleen more info on those pj's. Eventhough those two projectors have lens shift it is limited when compaired to the LCD projectors.

Also, can all projectors output a 1.85:1 aspect ratio or do only certain models do that?

If you mean 16:9 yes unless you purchase a "presentation" projector the vast majority of new home theater projectors have a 16:9 or "wide screen" presentation.
Thanks, again, for your assistance!
Rick

Living up to my user name,

dazed

Living up to my user name,

dazed

Dazed,

You're not nearly as confused as your name would imply. In fact, you've been VERY helpful. The one question I haven't seen answered by anyone, although you tried, Dazed, is regarding the 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

16:9 is the same as 1.78:1 aspect ratio. I'd much prefer a 1.85:1 aspect ratio screen which my DVDs will take better advantage of.

Anyone know if all projectors can shoot a 1.85:1 image or know where I can find a list of ones that do?

No.

All PJs are 16:9 (1.78:1) (there are some 16:10 DLPs though = PC widescreen format) except for business types, which have 4:3 ARs (aspect ratios). If you want 1.85:1 or up to 2.40:1 (the newer widescreen movies), then you need to get an anamorphic lens add-on. See the new http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=117 thread on constant height projection. Some members use screen masking, manual or electric, to mask their screen to whatever the AR of their video (movies, etc.) is. Otherwise, you will have to live with the black bars (which also happens when you are viewing a 4:3 source).

I refuse to use the picture zoom/stretch options of PJs, because they distort the image and usually result in softer, less sharp, images. PQ is much important to me than seeing black bars above and below (or on the sides) of the video image. When I am watching movies or TV, the black bars tend to disappear in my brain, because I don't fixate on the image and enjoy the movie. Having a good sound system helps the illusion too (it's 50% of the big screen experience).

NOTE: Running with the brightness (black level) or picture controls set too high (factory defaults) will also result in the black bars not being black (or very close to it) which can be distracting. This is why PJ calibration is so important.

Dazed,

You're not nearly as confused as your name would imply. In fact, you've been VERY helpful.

Thanks. I have been lurking around here much longer than what it shows in my profile, but when I found this site and started my research into this thing we call home theater I was definitely overloaded "dazed_n_confused" with all the info.

Good luck with your efforts and I'm glad I could help.

CT,

Thanks for clearing up the CIH stuff, that is one thing I know very little about. I also agree with you 100% sound is much more of the home theater experience than it gets credit for. So don't skip on sound.

Living up to my username,

dazed

You probably already know, but just in case you don't, you'll really wanna check the reviews on projectorcentral.com and especially those on projectorreviews.com.

Just to add fuel to the fire.

The prices of plasma and LCD rear projection along with other competing formats have been plummeting since fall. A 50 inch plasma can now be had for half of its list in fall of 06. New 60 inch plasmas are expensive now but the same pricing discounts can be expected as they role out in 2007.

A 60 inch screen is close in size to a modest projector screen. Yes people can go
upwards of 120 inches but the detail and sharpness and brightness are lost at these sizes in my opinion.

There is also 60,000 hour panel life no lamps to change after 2,000 hours. A more usable display and the abilty to watch in all light conditions.

You also made mention of cable television viewing and wanting to view beautiful clear images. Until I recently upgraded to HD cable my tv viewing was almost 0%. Not by choice but the viewing experience was nil watching standard tv on the projector. The experience improves with hd but the choices do not as in my area at least the hd choices are small.

If these choices do not appeal then I would suggest a 80 inch diag screen of a high contrast material depending on what the the manufacturer labels it as. As good quality projector as you can afford with your budget keeping in consideration the costs of cable, mounting and calibration and upgrading souce components.

You wanted input, think it over.

Ok I'll throw my .02 for what is is worth.

kiwi,

You do bring a valid point regarding the general viewing requirements/dare I say pitfalls for pj's, however while full room light and or large amounts of ambient light will wash out even the heftiest of "light cannons" with one of the newer brighter pj's reportedly handle this situation much better than their predecessors with some light control applied.

The only thing I will differ in your opinion is even though a 60" screen is large and a beautiful thing, it is still not a match or as immersive as a 90" or greater screen that is properly set up. There are several examples here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=786593&highlight=screen+shots on some rather large screens and I don't see any loss in detail or sharpness. Again this is dependant on proper set up and ideal conditions for sure.

As for the SD tv I understand why some people can't watch SD tv on a HD projector due to how terrible it can look. I have watched SD tv on a pj and while it is not optimal it is (to me) still watchable and it makes me appreciate the picture even more when I pop that movie in.

Regards,

RTROSE

I was thinking about going with the "ACER XD 1170D". It's my first PJ and it fits my budget. DLP™ technology, SVGA (800 x 600) native resolution, 2300 ANSI lumens (standard mode), 2200:1 contrast ratio. It's the DVI-I interface that attracted me. My ATI X800 will push this device.
Any feedback on this set.

db