I've been reading these forums for what seems like ages now and I'm finally nearing the final stages of the basement remodel project. I'm not creating a dedicated theatre. Instead I'll have a family room type setup open to the rear to a bar/play area.

My general requirements:
I want at least a 92" screen, maybe larger if I can make it work. Throw is very short at about 9-10' because of an air duct. This pretty much forces me to LCD although a few Sharp DLPs look like they can handle the short throw. I want the rear of the unit as close to the duct as possible. General viewing will be movies and sports. Lighting can be controlled since it's the basement so for movies it will be nice and dark and probably a bit lighter for sports (like Sunday football). Most viewing will be DVD and HD cable (movies and sports on Tivo). Trying to keep the price reasonable, but will extend a little for quality.

Here's the general list so far. Clearly every unit has its issues and I'll do more digging as I narrow the list, but am I missing any names?

Sanyo Z5
Panny AX100
Epson 400
Sony AW15
Sharp DT500
Sharp Z3000

If I stretch for the lower 1080p guys then I can include:
Panny AE1000U
Mitsubishi HC5000
Epson 1080

Thanks in advance for any input to help me get started!

On the sharp why the DT500 & the Z3000, why not just list the Z3000?

Looks like you have the run of the mill sub 3k projector list for short throws. I too am looking for more of a multi-use theater and decided I want a light canon for my projector to handle more ambient situations (Hello UFC, HBO Boxing & Superbowl). I think you are going to find yourself swinging back and forth among this list.

I assume your duct is about 11' feet back (or so), the 10' throw would be from the lens and not the rear of the unit so consider the depth of the projector + cables to decide on your size & throw distance of certain units that are close to the min 10' range for a 96" screen...things could get tight.

am I missing any names?
Take a look at the BenQ W500 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=725484).

On the sharp why the DT500 & the Z3000, why not just list the Z3000?

I assume your duct is about 11' feet back (or so), the 10' throw would be from the lens and not the rear of the unit so consider the depth of the projector + cables to decide on your size & throw distance of certain units that are close to the min 10' range for a 96" screen...things could get tight.

Well I went back and measured again now that the sheetrock is up and unfortunately for me I only have 10' from the duct to the wall. I could squeeze 2-3 more inches out of it since there is a 2x4 frame in front of the duct.

Regardless - that pretty much eliminates some projectors that won't let me bring it right back towards the wall (the Sanyo tops this list). Sounds like the Panny AX100, both Epsons and the Sharp Z3000 would all work (vent to sides or front). I'm flexible with the connecting wires because I left them coiled in the small wall behind. Looks like I could bring some of these to within 4" or so. I'll only get about an 88-90" picture, but that's the price. If I could mount it under the duct in some way I could go further back. I'll have to explore that, but probably not until after I've purchase a projector.

Take a look at the BenQ W500 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=725484).

I just did - should have had it on the original list but now that I've got an even shorter throw it gets bumped back off. The zoom is not enough and the minimum space recommended from the wall is 20" so that would give me a 68" screen at max! Way too small. Thanks though.

Is the duct in the middle of the room? If so, can you not mount it behind the duct?

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Is the duct in the middle of the room? If so, can you not mount it behind the duct?

The duct and a couple of columns split the family area from the bar/play area, so it essentially runs right down the middle. The couch will go pretty much under the duct. No chance of mounting it behind the duct. There is a chance that it could be mounted under the duct, but I'd really like to avoid that. With several little kids having the projector that low, just above the couch, is probably not a good thing. It would also be in view from the bar area whereas in front of the duct you wouldn't even know it was there.

It's looking more like the Panny has to go to the top of the list. I think I need to make a decision based on the desire to mount in front of the duct, but if I can make it work, leave the option to move it under. A third option might be to mount it to the ceiling in front of the duct, but up against the duct - and have the projector drop just below the duct (almost like mounting the projector directly to the duct with no clearance). Hopefully that makes sense. That would put me in the 90's for screen size.

Based on some further digging it looks like my choices are reduced to:

Panny AX100
Epson 400 (or the 1080 if I decide to step up).
Sharp Z3000
Marantz VP4001 (added as suggested by tradewinds below)

The Sanyo Z5 is still a ???. They want 3' clearance from the exhaust, but no mention of the intake. If that can get to 4" then Sanyo is in the mix.
The Sony gets the boot because they want 12" minimum clearance from all walls.

I'm just thinking out loud, and have no idea if this would work. How about using horizontal lens shift, and mounting the PJ next to the duct?

The duct and a couple of columns split the family area from the bar/play area, so it essentially runs right down the middle. The couch will go pretty much under the duct. No chance of mounting it behind the duct. There is a chance that it could be mounted under the duct, but I'd really like to avoid that. With several little kids having the projector that low, just above the couch, is probably not a good thing. It would also be in view from the bar area whereas in front of the duct you wouldn't even know it was there.

It's looking more like the Panny has to go to the top of the list. I think I need to make a decision based on the desire to mount in front of the duct, but if I can make it work, leave the option to move it under. A third option might be to mount it to the ceiling in front of the duct, but up against the duct - and have the projector drop just below the duct (almost like mounting the projector directly to the duct with no clearance). Hopefully that makes sense. That would put me in the 90's for screen size.

Based on some further digging it looks like my choices are reduced to:

Panny AX100
Epson 400 (or the 1080 if I decide to step up).
Sharp Z3000

The Sanyo Z5 is still a ???. They want 3' clearance from the exhaust, but no mention of the intake. If that can get to 4" then Sanyo is in the mix.
The Sony gets the boot because they want 12" minimum clearance from all walls.

I have a Sanyo Z3 with about 400 to 500 hours on it. It is only about 3 inches or so from the ceiling, even though Sanyo recommends a much larger clearance. I have not had any problems with it, yet.

FWIW...I just got a Marantz VP4001 which is similar to the Z3000 and I am blown away by the PQ and have no desire to even explore 1080. It is excellent for movies and sports with its 3-position dual iris with what is said to be Marantz custom optics. Comes with 3 year parts and labor warranty also. I am surprised I did not know about this PJ before.

jpm42 - the duct runs through room parallel to the screen, so the projector either goes in front or under it. I wonder though if I can get a bigger picture by using some horizontal lens shift and just putting the projector a foot left or right of center? That something to explore.

TazExprez - that's good to hear about the Sanyo. It's not like I'm planning on leaving no room behind the projector so it should get airflow into the intakes. There is plenty of clearance on either side for the exhaust.

tradewinds - you are spot on. I actually had the Marantz on my spreadsheet but for some reason forgot to list it above. Because it is basically a Z3000 (with different optics as you said) it works for my setup.

Looks like I've got some research to do on horizontal and vertical lense shifting now to make sure they all will work (shouldn't be a problem with the LCDs, but not sure on the DLPs).

Thanks.

Can you put a pj behind the duct or is it up against the back of the room?

I'm just thinking out loud, and have no idea if this would work. How about using horizontal lens shift, and mounting the PJ next to the duct?

How do you mount the pj next to the duct when it is running side to side in the room? It's either in front, under or behind the duct.

Can you put a pj behind the duct or is it up against the back of the room?

No - your second post had it right. Duct runs right down the middle and basically splits the family and bar areas. Under the duct acts as the "defacto" back of family area. Projector can't go behind there. Oh how I wish the duct was on the other side of the beam. That would give me another 2 feet, all I need. Honestly, I figured about 92" all along. If I go in front I'm at 88" or so, not far off. I can play with positioning a bit, maybe take out part of the soffit that boxes in the duct (that's 3" there), in order to get back up closer to the 92". I'm sitting about 10' back so somewhere in the 90" to 100" range should be nice.

First step is chosing the projector from the short list. I wish I could find places to view these guys. I've seen the Panny and like it, but have nothing to compare it to.

I know it doesn't really matter if I understand or not but does down the middle mean front to back with the screen on the front wall or side to side so that the duct is the defacto back of the family room as you describe and the screen is the front?

If the duct runs side to side, why can't you put the projector behind the duct? Does it drop down two feet or something?

I know it doesn't really matter if I understand or not but does down the middle mean front to back with the screen on the front wall or side to side so that the duct is the defacto back of the family room as you describe and the screen is the front?

If the duct runs side to side, why can't you put the projector behind the duct? Does it drop down two feet or something?

Side to side so that the duct is the defacto back of the family area with the screen wall parallel to it.

The duct is pretty big- comes down about 12" and is 3 1/2' wide. I can't put the projector in the other room. There are windows on the back wall, columns to deal with and that room will be a bar / play area. I'm ok with putting it in front or maybe slightly under the duct. I'm looking at an 88" screen at worse and sitting probably no more than 10' from the screen.

I think I've got a pretty good range of projectors to choose from.

I was asking because the image offset on the HD1000u and HD70 are great enough that you could put them behind the duct and project into the family room anyway and the duct would not be in the way.

But, if you think you have it figured out...

I would still be looking for a way to get 100" instead of 88"! :D

I was asking because the image offset on the HD1000u and HD70 are great enough that you could put them behind the duct and project into the family room anyway and the duct would not be in the way.

But, if you think you have it figured out...

I would still be looking for a way to get 100" instead of 88"! :D

Thanks. I certainly appreciate the input. I wouldn't say I have it figured it, just that I have a plan I can follow. That is to get a projector that can handle the largest size screen given my limitations. But then, once I have it I'll do what I can with placement to try and get bigger than 88". I have 2 windows on either side of the screen wall that come into play as well. A screen larger than 95" or so would block them slightly. That requires working on the wife a little, something that is easier to do once we have the projector in hand :)

Horizontal lense shift question

So let's say I go with the Panny (hypothetical). It has up to 25% horizontal lense shift. Does that allow me to produce a larger image because I'm now farther away from the center of the screen?

Horizontal lens shift allows you to mount the PJ to the left or right of the center of the screen and still get the picture on the screen correctly. You are not farther away from the screen, just off-center.

Short answer: No.

You are so close to the screen, you might not want a light cannon like the Panny. It really comes in handy when you are farther than 15 feet away and need lumens.

Lens shift :

92" = 80" x 45"

25% Horizontal
63% Vertical

0.25 x 80" = 20" measured from the centerline of the width
0.63 x 45" = 28.3" measured from the centerline of height.

So Horizontally you can move the center of lens up to 20" left or right of the center and you can move 28.3" up or down from the center and not have to keystone.

since 63% is above 50% (half the screen) you will be able to mount the projector 13% above or below the top or bottom of the screen. in your case you have a max of 5.85" above the screen (assuming my math is correct)

Lens shift just gives you more mounting positions relative to the screen before keystoning is required. At least this is how I understand it.

Thanks guys. The lens shift might still help me. I could possibly put the projector under the duct in front of one of the columns - that way it doesn't look so obtrusive. That would likely add a foot of distance to the screen and get my screen size comfortably up into the 90's. We'll see. This could possibly push out the 2 DLP contenders and leave me with the LCD options.

reconlabtech - thanks for the suggestion. Would the Z5 be better? I do plan on watching sports and there is likely to be some ambient light when I do. I'm just getting started reading all the reviews on these things, but from what I've read all of them will produce a brighter image if I have the projector so close to the screen.

reconlabtech - thanks for the suggestion. Would the Z5 be better? I do plan on watching sports and there is likely to be some ambient light when I do. I'm just getting started reading all the reviews on these things, but from what I've read all of them will produce a brighter image if I have the projector so close to the screen.

The Z5 is no doubt a great PJ for the price.


I turned my whole room around over a three day period to make it work with my PJ and screen! But, I'm handy with tools so I didn't mind.

The Z5 is no doubt a great PJ for the price but I was concentrating on getting you the best 4:3 solution I could find. The Z5 moves you into the native 16:9 category and that means many more options show up on the table as long as you are going to view more 16:9 / DVD / HD content.

You have some strict placement requirements for your PJ but I still think that for 4:3 viewing it will be tough to beat the Sharp and it does a good job with 16:9 material as well!

I turned my whole room around over a three day period to make it work with my PJ and screen! But, I'm handy with tools so I didn't mind.

I would say 99% of the viewing will be DVD or HD content. All movies will be either DVD or HD (from Tivo S3) and all sports will be in HD. I find it hard to watch 4:3 now that I've gone 16:9 and HD. I probably should have been clearer about that before.

The placement requirements are very strict. Working with the wife on that one. Screen is going on the wall I have set up now. No changing that. I believe, if I need to, I'll be able to get the projector just under the duct to eek out an image in the 90" to 100" range. I won't really know until the room is finished and I have a projector in hand. At that point I can see if putting it under the duct is as obtrussive as it seems now.

I could rebuild the room if I had to but after spending a while wiring the entire basement (electric and LV) I have no desire to do so. At least right now :)

I would say 99% of the viewing will be DVD or HD content. All movies will be either DVD or HD (from Tivo S3) and all sports will be in HD. I find it hard to watch 4:3 now that I've gone 16:9 and HD. I probably should have been clearer about that before.

The placement requirements are very strict. Working with the wife on that one. Screen is going on the wall I have set up now. No changing that. I believe, if I need to, I'll be able to get the projector just under the duct to eek out an image in the 90" to 100" range. I won't really know until the room is finished and I have a projector in hand. At that point I can see if putting it under the duct is as obtrussive as it seems now.

I could rebuild the room if I had to but after spending a while wiring the entire basement (electric and LV) I have no desire to do so. At least right now :)


Ok, I gotta stop posting and working at the same time. My last post was for the wrong thread! Sorry!

The Sharp DT-500 is superb. I just got mine today. The thing is a light canon and you can adjust the iris for higher contrast and deeper blacks.

The Sharp DT-500 is superb. I just got mine today. The thing is a light canon and you can adjust the iris for higher contrast and deeper blacks.

What took you so long?