I have a room that is 9.5' wide and 14.5' deep. I want to install a projector hanging from the ceiling and a simple pull down screen. I did a quick layout and it looks like the seating will be about 8 feet from the screen. The projector can be placed wherever it needs to be up to the 14.5' depth of the room.

I'm not sure what screen size is best for this setup. In my limited searching for projectors, I see the Optoma HD70 gets high reviews. Would that work for me? I will be using the screen for standard DVD movies (possibly on an upconvert player), some HDTV, and some SDTV. I assume the HDTV will look great at 8 feet (depending on the screen size that is suggested to me), but what about SD and standard DVD?

I will also be looking for a receiver, speakers, upconvert DVD player, HD antenna, and any cables I might need for the whole thing. Not sure about all that yet, either.

I am on a budget, though not sure how much yet. Definitely not on a high end. Maybe my choice of projector will give a clue to my budget. I'm really excited about doing it since it seems like a good room for it (long, dark, accoustically separate from the rest of the house, etc).

Just trying to wrap my mind around everything so I can have a starting point to get things moving on the project. Any guidance would be very much appreciated!

The best advice on screen size is don't sweat it. Pick out your projector then experiment by shining it on the front wall. Sit at 8 ft and pick an image size you like. Then order your screen accordingly.

some HDTV, and some SDTV. I assume the HDTV will look great at 8 feet (depending on the screen size that is suggested to me), but what about SD and standard DVD?


When you go big you will become an HDTV addict. You won't be able to stand SD on the big screen.

Think about either the oppo upscaling dvd or getting a HD dvd that upscales (but upscales well like the toshiba xa2).

You may wan't to see if you can hold out/save up for the Samsung BD-UP5000 combo player due out in January at $799ish.

It will do both HD and Bluray. Best yet, it will have the preffered upscaling video chip.

So the room size is OK for what I am trying to do? 8 feet seating distance is not too close?

I have been looking at the Optoma HD70 projector and the Toshiba HD-A3 player. Sounds like it upconverts very well and I have a large collection of standard DVD movies I will be wanting to view. Is 8 feet going to be too close for SDTV? I understand it will look nothing like HD, but will it be viewable?

What about a good receiver/speaker set combo without breaking the bank?

Oh, and I will need an HDTV tuner as well, correct? And how would I hook up the SD cable coming from the wall jack?

So the room size is OK for what I am trying to do? 8 feet seating distance is not too close?


Is the seating at 8 ft because you are planning two rows? Personally I feel sitting at 8 ft is a bit close to get a reasonably big screen.

My front row is about 8' back from a 106' screen. I'd say it's a toss up. My wife and kids really like the front row, I prefer the back row, about 12' back. If you are going bigger than 106' screen I would say 8' is to close. Check my profile for pictures of my setup. It sounds close to what you are looking at doing. better pics here (http://flickr.com/photos/amesenbrink/238706929/in/set-72157600007175405/)

Just hang around here it will come together. There are lots of options just set your budget and figure out what you "need" to get the projector and surround. We used a couple old sofa's for a about a year before I upgraded my seating. I would spend hours going through the gallery to get ideas.

There will only be one row of seating and it has to be 8 feet because the room is still also going to be used as our computer room. It will not be a dedicated theater room. The computer desk will go behind the seating in one of the corners.

From what I have read thus far, I was thinking of a Da-Lite 43x80 screen which is just under 100 diagonal. How does that sound?

I've also been trying to read up on all the HDTV, connections, receivers, speakers, etc. I used to be somewhat "in-the-know" with stuff like this, but I haven't been on top of HDTV because I didn't think I'd be doing it anytime soon. Now I feel overwhelmed. But I guess I will start with the projector and screen and then move on to the other components. I can always add an HD tuner or whatever later after I get the DVD player up and running. Just trying to make sure I don't purchase the wrong thing for future enhancements.

There will only be one row of seating and it has to be 8 feet because the room is still also going to be used as our computer room. It will not be a dedicated theater room. The computer desk will go behind the seating in one of the corners.


Think about making your seating movable. Put it on those plastic furniture moving pucks so you can scoot it back to 10-11 ft for viewing and then you can go a little bigger than 100 inches.

No way to move the seating back at all even temporarily.

What about getting the AX200U? It is only a few hundred more than the HD70 and I have read that the smoothscreen technology would eliminate any potential SDE at 8 feet. Plus, I like the sound of the Light Harmonizer feature for times when friends are over and there is some ambient light.

Should I then go with a gray type screen? I was actually thinking of DIYing a fixed screen on hinges that I would swing up and hook to the ceiling when the room is being used for something else. If I did that, what kind of screen material should I look at?

Oh, and one more thing....kicking around the idea between the two Onkyo HTiBs. The $400 SR800 or the (seemingly) much better $750 SP908 (for the HDMI audio). Thoughts?

Any comments on my last post? Thanks everyone.

I think you lost everyone at HTIB.

I was under the impression that those two Onkyo systems (especially the 908 since it includes the 605 receiver) were fairly highly regarded.

I was under the impression that those two Onkyo systems (especially the 908 since it includes the 605 receiver) were fairly highly regarded.

Most people on the forum are pretty serious about their audio and video. Generally people hand pick components to meed their wants/needs. The HTIB is typically regarded for the consumers that are content with hearing sound come out of multiple speakers - they are not concerned with quality, THD, etc. Alot of the receivers by themselves that people use are much more expensive than an entire HTIB.

Not trying to be a downer... just addressing your comment/question. :)