Hi. Total newbie to HT projectors and am looking to buy my 1st one. I think I'm going with the 1000HD based on the glowing reviews, it's popularity, and price. However I'm a little worried about placement due to it's long throw distance, 1.2 zoom factor and large offset. Basically based on how close I want to sit to the screen it seems like I'll have no choice but to have the projector behind me rather than on a coffee table in front of me. Having the projector on a table next to me might be an option but I'm not sure how much the fan noise would bother me. Also it would prevent the GF from cuddling up to me. So I think mounting the PJ behind me is the way to go. Now I don't think ceiling mounting is an option for me. Currently living at home and the parents don't want me messing with their house.
The question is, can you just place the projector on a tall bookshelf at the back of the room and invert it? or might their be heating issues with that?

Are there any other 720 projectors DLP projectors in the same price range that have a shorter throw distance? I know about the benQ 7700 but that is quite a bit more than the HD1000. Thanks for everyon'e input ahead of time.

I have my HD1000 inverted on a "shelf" near the ceiling. See attached shot. Heat seems to mostly come out the front.

RJOHNSON did you have to use any keystone for your setup? how is your throw and how big is your screen? my HD1000U will be next week and your setup might work for me.THANK YOU

I have my Mits 1000u inverted on a wire shelf. Its about 6 feet high and about 8 inches from the back wall. Heat build up is not a problem since it vents from the front. Keystone adjustment is very slight and unnoticeable when watching movies.

PAGARC,how long is your throw and what size screen?THANK YOU

Thanks all for your replies. I may go with the HD1000. It's between this and the Sanyo Z5....but I think I do want to stay away from LCD's...I'm kind of wary of the panel degradation that I've heard about in the LCD PT's....at the same time the flexibility of having lens shift and a better zoom factor is rather enticing. Anyone know of another DLP in the price range with a better zoom factor and shorter throw?

PAGARC,how long is your throw and what size screen?THANK YOU

The front of the lens to screen is 11 feet. My screen size is 93 inches.

I'd check your user manual for details regarding air circulation. There's usually some details about how far away the projector should be positioned from walls and other objects. It's the sort of thing a projector company would use to wriggle out of a warranty claim.

GISMO1 -- No keystone. The HD1000 replaced an Infocus X1 which had a similar offset. Screen is 72.5" x 42.5". Throw distance is about 12 feet. I checked the geometry with the Mitsubishi projection calculator and charts.

In regard to the photo which I attached above: The two pieces of wood are used to keep the buttons on the "top" of the HD1000 from resting on the shelf. In addition, I can move them slightly to adjust the vertical position and tilt of the image.

R JOHNSON THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! i will be doing the same setup you have. my screen will be here wednesday maybe tuesday.i will be using a 92inch screen from 13 feet away.ceiling is 8 feet do you know how high i should mount my shelf i need to have the screen to be about 18 inchs from the ceiling.THANK YOU

GISMO1 -- Go take a look at the Mitsubishi data for accuracy. I suggest drawing a diagram and doing the calculations, but then I'm an engineer. IIRC, the offset is about 34 percent. So for an 80x45" (92" diagonal) screen, the center of the lens should be 45*0.34 = 15.3 above the top of your screen. Your screen might need to be a little more than 18" down from the ceiling. I'd hold off on mounting the screen and shelf until you can experiment with your HD1000.

THANK YOU R JOHNSON,i could not get the mits.calculator to work but with the numbers you gave me i can work with those.ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU

i think i figured it out if i make the screen 20 inchs from the ceiling i should mount the projector about 5-6 inchs from the ceiling does that sound right.THANK YOU

That sounds about right. The offset measurement is to the center of the lens, which will be a couple of inches above the shelf. You sound a bit anxious to start drilling and nailing....

laiels - Have you researched the Optoma HD70? I know it has a shorter throw because it wouldn't work with my existing shelf and screen installation.

HEY,R JOHNSON THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU HAVE BEEN A VERY BIG HELP.i just did some measuring and looks like top of screen should be about 24 inchs i can just make that happen.no i am not going to mount the shelf until i get the projector i just wanted to make sure i know what to do when it arrives and i could make a 92 inch screen work.i will be making the screen this weekend out of blackout cloth.THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

GISMO1 -- You're welcome.

received my hd1000u 4 days ago right now i have the projector on a bottom shelf of a coffee table 11 feet from a 96 inch screen blackout cloth nailed to the wall.so far all is good except the top right half of my picture is about 1/2 inch wider than my lower right.i think my table legs have sunk in the carpet and made it a little uneven.hd on this projector is GREAT better than my 65 inch hitachi crt tv.

UPDATE: when i put my frame around my screen and put keystone to 1 the image fits the screen now.so far i have 40 hours on the projector and loving it!!