I've been lurking for awhile, but I'm finally at the gear-buying stages of my theater.

My room is not very large, unfortunately, dimensions are 12'6.5" W X 14'4.5" D x 7'2" height.

I'd really like at least a 80" diag screen, and a 1080p projector. Any ideas? Will the Optoma HD80 fit this bill?

Thanks guys,

-Ben

i dont have an hd80 (i have pan. ptl500 lcd hd pj). if u havent already done so you should research lens shifting. many lcd pjs have that feature making placement much easier. i dont think most dlp pjs have the feature. also research length of 'throw' from pj to screen (zoom) and appropriate screen size. 80" sounds small, imo. once u get going, youll love it!!

No way the HD80 will work without serious keystoning. Look at one of the 1080p LCDs or the Sony VW50

Thanks for the input so far guys.

I remeasured today, (did it myself this time) and the room is 14'5.25" deep, 12'9.75" wide and celing is 7'9" currently (prior to dri-core subfloor and carpet.

Room is completely light controlled, as it's in the back corner of my basement.

If I move down to a 720p projector (mainly for cost, as I really want one of the JL Audio home subs,) would a HD70 Optima work? If not, what's a good sub-$1500.00 projector that would work in this room

Thanks again,

-Ben

Your ceiling is 7'9" and you only want an 80" screen? An HD80 willl work fine in there.

Let me clarify:

I didn't think I could get much bigger than 80". I've love to do either a 92 or a 100" if I can run it, but my biggest concern is budget. As much as I'd love to pick up the HD80 now, I think that with the other equipment I need to get (sub, a new set of rears, and preferably a newer Denon w/Audyssey and hdmi, like the 2808 or 3808,) I'm better off going for a nicer 720p projector now and then upgrading to a 1080p in the future.

Does that make sense?

-Ben

I think you would be fine with a 720p projector and this point--at that size screen the difference may not be that dramatic (someone smarter than me pipe in about eye aperature etc)

There are less-expensive subs out there that perform as well as the JL subs--depending on the size footprint you can live with.

And you could DIY on the sub and not sacrafice any performance (depending on footprint again) and still spring for the HD80 and fit in your budget.

Something else to consider with a smaller screen like that is to go with a 2.37:1 screen

Mike