I am currently in the middle of construction on my theater and am looking at two options for projector placement. I think that I've decided on the AE1000U which obviously factors into this equation.

First, I can go with a soffit mount which places the projector 16'7" from the screen and arguably will look the best (1.31x).

The second option is to install the projector from one of the ceiling beams (a coffer-shaped false skylight w/ fiberoptics above) which places it closer to 11'7" from the screen (1.87x).

I am going to be using an AT DIY screen w/ SMX (1.16 gain) and the room is completely light-controlled. Both scenarios appear to be acceptable, but according to the calculator the soffit mount will only give me about 9 fL vs. the 13 fL or so with the ceiling mount.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance.

I didn't see your screen size? I could probably figure it out if I tried.
I'd go for the 13fl myself. I always shoot for 12fl in a dark theater room.

Sorry about that, I knew I'd forget to include something. I'm planning on a 110" (diagonal) 16:9. Thanks.

Wow, your larger than I am. I'm at 106" 1.1 gain.

Sometimes I wish it were brighter, I have to be honest about that. I am even thinking of going to a 100" 1.3 gain screen with it becasue at times I wish it were brighter. But I came from a rip'n light canon SP5000 for the past three years so that skews my perception I am sure of it.

My problem is I prefer a white screen for whatever reasons where projected color and whites in general are concerned. It limits me some.

I have about 100 hours on my AE1000U. I have it ceiling mounted at about 11.5 feet away, projecting onto a 104" 1.4 gain screen. The picture is plenty bright in Cinema 1 and 3 modes (which a lot of people use as the starting point for calibration), though I can see how that might not be the case if it were mounted further back. I'm still trying to get it calibrated just right. But I get the feeling if it were back another 6 feet I would have to start sacrificing blacks in order to achieve a satisfactory brightness.

John-

How far back is your projector mounted? Also, what is/are your viewing distances from your 106"? Thanks again.

I have about 100 hours on my AE1000U. I have it ceiling mounted at about 11.5 feet away, projecting onto a 104" 1.4 gain screen. The picture is plenty bright in Cinema 1 and 3 modes (which a lot of people use as the starting point for calibration), though I can see how that might not be the case if it were mounted further back. I'm still trying to get it calibrated just right. But I get the feeling if it were back another 6 feet I would have to start sacrificing blacks in order to achieve a satisfactory brightness.


What screen may I ask?

John-

How far back is your projector mounted? Also, what is/are your viewing distances from your 106"? Thanks again.


Well, It 's not mounted, I have been try'n out 4 different 1080p projectors for the past few weeks. I am pretty sure I am keeping the Panasonic, but I had concerns about brightness, but I think I am going to change screens and go a little smaller. Should also help make my 1st row seating more palletable. :)

1.1, maybe even 1.0 white matte screen, 106" I think I was throwing from around 11' on a temp stand. My front row is at about 9'....

With 1.3 gain 100" screen and max zoom, I can get around 18fl. so that should give me plenty of light to spare with it. I'm going to ceiling mount it at just under 10'.

The SP5000 that I used for 3 years got a whopping 24fl at about 12' of throw.

My Panny is mounted about 13 feet back, and I have a 100" 16x9, Carada BW 1.3 gain screen and use Cinema 1 mode and I think it's amazing. I have it completely light controlled and find it plenty bright.

Mine is soffit mounted almost 20' back from a 120" 1.3 gain screen and find the picture outstanding. I've got just about 100 hrs. on my lamp so I'm in the brightest part of that curve and I'm using the normal picture setting. Just an outstanding film like image from my blu-ray player; I couldn't be happier.

John