I'm looking at getting my first projector. I've narrowed my choices to the Sanyo Z5 and the new Panasonic PT-AX200U. I'm trying to determine the distance at which to mount either of these.

My room is 23' long by 16' wide. My first row of seats is at 12' and the second row at 19'. My screen size is a 110" diagonal.

I'm confused by the results of using the Projector Calculator at ProjectorCentral.Com. For the Z5, with a 110" screen, it gives me a throw distance of 12'5", but seems to indicate this is beyond the recommended throw range. For the PT-AX200U with a 110" screen, it gives me a throw distance of 22'5", which seems to be right on the cusp of the recommended throw range.

I'm new to projectors, so here's my confusion. I thought I'd read threads where folks with these projectors were mounting them in the 15-17' range projecting on screens 110" and larger with great results. But with the way I interpret the calculator output, mounting at 15-17' for either projector doesn't project the 110" image I want nor is it a recommended brightness.

I'm sure I must be missing something here. Can someone help straighten me out and tell me how I might use either of these projectors in my room on a 110" screen?

Thanks,

Steve

The throw range for the PT-AX200U is 11' to 22.5'. You just zoom in if you're placing the projector at 22.5 '.
For the Z5 it's 11.1' to 22.2'
You can see the complete throw range at projectorcentral.com with the blue vertical line on the left side.

The throw range for the PT-AX200U is 11' to 22.5'. You just zoom in if you're placing the projector at 22.5 '.
For the Z5 it's 11.1' to 22.2'
You can see the complete throw range at projectorcentral.com with the blue vertical line on the left side.

I understand what the throw ranges are. I guess where I'm confused is that the screen diagonal changes when I select a different throw range. For example, if I choose a 17' throw range for the Z5, it gives me a diagonal of 89", but I want 110". I'm sure I'm missing something here....just not sure what I'm missing. :(

Steve

Just set the diagonal in the box on the right of the calculator to 110" using the + button. The scales will shift to higher throw. Couple of problems though: You may need a high gain screen to get enough brightness, and you may need a deeper room to get enough throw. (Throw is measured from the front of the lens to the screen surface.)

ETA- Scratch the comment about needing a deeper room. Just set the throw range shorter (higher zoom.)

Let me try once more time. I'm comfortable with using the calculator. However, it's the results that I'm trying to make sure I understand.

I guess the net of my question is this: Will either the Z5 or PT-AX200U work on a 110" screen in my room (23' long by 16' wide)? As I interpret the calculator, the Z5 would have to be mounted at 21' and the brightness might not be sufficient, and the PT-AX200U would have to be 22' 6" and the brightness would probably be OK. Am I interpreting this correctly? Is there anyone using either of these projectors using them with 110" screens? What distance do you have them mounted to support the 110"? How's your brightness level?

Thanks,

Steve

The brightness measurements are just guesses because it will all depend on how your projector is calibrated and the screen you use.