Hello!

I am about to finish my basement, and am going to have my finisher install my speakers/front projector.

I am about 99% sure I will be getting the Mitsubishi HC3000U.

The wall that I will be projecting on is approximately 14' wide (typical basement wall height... probably about 7-1/2 feet high once drop ceiling is installed) The room depth is over 30', so I'm really not bound by throw distance requirements. The room is quite dark, with only 1 window in a back corner, which will have a manual cover for it to block all outside light. The ceiling will have 20-24 recessed lights, with 4 separate dimmers for light control.

My question is... what would be a good screen size for regular television/DVD viewing?

The kids, no doubt, will be playing video games as well. We will be using couches/loveseats for viewing, and these will be placed at about 10-15 feet from the screen.

My concern is, I would hate for the screen to be "too big", and have it be like we're in the front row of a movie theatre. If the screen is too small, then the whole reason for getting a front projector is really out the window.

Is there an "optimal" placement on a wall, like 2 feet down from the ceiling, and 2 feet up from the floor? Or is that too restrictive? That would put our diagonal measure at about 66", seems awefully small for a front projector.

Oh... I plan to use Goo Systems Grey Lite for my screen.

I am open to any/all suggestions, comments. Thanks so much!!

I've already learned some stuff here, and I've now come to the conclusion that I don't need goo systems grey lite, but rather, I'll be using a custom mix, probably from Lowes.

There are other DLP options besides the 3000 that have LESS offset, some folks say that using keystoning with the 1000U isn't bad at all either, you can search for the thread with Keystoning and 1000U in the title to read more about it if you want, but if NO keystoning is your bag(preferable to be sure), there are alternative DLP machines that have LESS offset, allowing the top of the screen to be closer to the ceiling(and obviously further away from the floor), hence allowing a bigger screen.

The ones I know of are Sharp DT-500, or XV-Z3000, and I'm told the Infocus IN76(although I haven't verified this myself), the IN76 requires a longer throw than the Sharp models(for same size screen), but that doesn't seem to be an issue in your room.
There MAY be others that have small offsets as well.
I have the DT500, the offset isn't bad, and kept close to the ceiling, it would allow a larger screen due to distance off the floor(without keystoning).

Other than that.. LCD

I'd say 10-15' is a pretty big range... however at about the middle of that range (13') or so I'd say a 106" screen will be ideal. Some would even go larger to a 110" or even a 120" depending as you say whether or not you want to feel like you're in the front row at a movie theater. Most professional standards and guidelines place the viewer at about a 30-36 degree viewing angle - which is much closer than you might expect.

I sit about 13' from my 106" screen and I think after using for about three years that it's the perfect size. Not too small and not too big.

In my next theater (currently building my new house) I'm going to have a 120" screen with seating at about 15' from the screen.

Hope that helps.

Personally I would NEVER consider using keystone to fit my image on the screen.

That's not a knock against any projector or technology... it's a cardinal sin!

Is there an "optimal" placement?THX/SMPTE Screen Calculator (http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html)

I believe you are worried about the wrong thing

DLP with its single chip color wheel itself s/b your big concern - particuarly with gaming applications

As for screen size anything in the 8 to 9 ft diag range is right on target for HD consumer projectors - and ultra close seating (less than 1.0 times screen width) is possible with certain models

correction: meant to say single chip DLP which (of course) requires use of a color wheel

have you considered the Epson 400. its brighter higher contrast and lens shift. with your lower ceiling height lens shift might be necessary so you don't need to keystone. I use a 120" screen and sit 13 ft from it which seems great for movies but is too much for tv viewing.