So after going back and forth I think I have settled on the Epson HC 720 as my new living room PJ. I now need to plan the mount and cable run. I couldn't stand ordering the PJ and having it sit in a box while I noodle my way through the mount.

Logistics:

-Ambient light 50% of time
-120" screen, most likely Wilsonart Fashion Grey laminate DIY frame as I have read all I can take about DIY screens and this seems to be best for durability (two kids and twenty little fingers).
-9 foot ceiling
-Room is approx 19x15, but rear is open to kitchen/bar/breakfast nook, therefore:
-Flexible throw range (9-20 feet), I'm pretty sure the joists in the ceiling run perpendicular to the image path.
-Primary viewing locations are around 17 feet (two lazyboys) and secondary at 10 to 12 feet (couch). The furniture is in an L configuration with the chairs facing the screen.
-One more thing...at around 22 feet there is a door that exits the house (to the deck)

Questions:

1. Assuming a 120" screen with this PJ, is there a "sweet spot" in terms of throw distance? I've run the cool calculator at PC, but would rather trust the real world opinions here when making final placement decisions.

2. How close to the ceiling is too close? I think the WAF would be higher if it didn't hang down too much, but a flush mount seems to be discouraged. This PJ vents out the front, right?

3. For retrofitting the ceiling with cabling, any caveats? I'm planning on running HDMI, Component, RS232, and Cat5. I also plan to use either an HDMI switch or an AVR that lets me send everything over the HDMI run.

Thanks guys!

great choice on the projector! I have an epson cinema 400, so I think I can help answers some of your questions. After work today i'll post back with my configuration so you can see how it turned out as a reference, its somewhat similar.

Great, thanks defboob!

Audixium,
The Epson HC720 will throw a 120" diagonal image if it is mounted anywhere between 12'5"- 26'8". It is usually recommended that the projector should be mounted in the middle of that throw range (17'). Any flush universal ceiling mount is designed to place the projector a safe distance from the ceiling for ventilation purposes (4"-5"). I use the Peerless PRS-UNVB Universal Ceiling Mount in my set-up and I have been very happy with it.

Ok here's my info:

first here's the mount that I used:

http://bradboob.com/theater/epson1.jpg

http://www.mountdirect.com/PMS_Projector_Ceiling_Mount_p/pms.htm

it's dirt cheap and rock solid. Luckily I have a wooden section of my ceiling that hides a iron beam in the foundation, which inside has a ton of room, so drilling holes and mounting the projector was a breeze. I did have to buy my own bolts to mount it in, but that was no problem. I also had to use the extension pieces that come with the mount to have it reach the holes on the projector itself. It also includes a piece to extend the mount down so that the projector hangs a little lower from the ceiling, so its really your preference. For the price, you can't beat it, works great.


You will have no problem having a 120" screen in your scenario. I have a 106" Carada screen, which my viewing distance is about 15' or so back. I did not have to use much of the zoom at all on the epson. If I max out the zoom on the Epson, i have an image that is pretty much from floor to ceiling on the front wall. My ceilings down there are just under 8ft high. The projector is mounted lower than that (as you can see in the pic) but there is plenty of movement up and down with the lens shift that you won't have any issues. There's really no "sweet spot" in your case, just a matter of how much zoom you'll need to use dependent on how far back its mounted. It won't really affect image quality. I think most people prefer to use less zoom when possible though. You shouldn't have any issues with running the HDMI aswell. I ran a 25ft monoprice HDMI cable (little thicker gauge) and it works great going to my receiver.

http://bradboob.com/theater/inaction1.jpg

Good luck in your project, post pics!

jakejj - thanks again for the info

defboob - I really appreciate you posting those pics!

Just to be clear - I can flush mount the HC720 on my 9' ceiling at about a 14'-17' throw and still be able to adjust the screen position on the wall fairly easily? I don't want to end up with the image too high or low.

I just read another "beginner" thread and the offset discussion really threw me off :confused:

Please help...

The HC720 has lens shift so you dont need to worry about offset at all.

Got the 720 yesterday. Just ordered the NPL Series Projector Mount (http://www.mountdirect.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NPL&CartID=1).

http://www.mountdirect.com/v/vspfiles/photos/NPL-3T.jpg

I'll post picks of the install once I receive the mount - hopefully by this weekend.

I POSTED (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12867239#post12867239) about my Positive Experience with the Monoprice Ceiling Bracket/Mount with Pics and Tips (for a 12-13 pound projector).

Ok, so it's been a while now but I finally took some pics. Hope this helps someone...

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff254/Audixium/Epson_720_sideshot.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff254/Audixium/Epson_720_sideshot_right.jpghttp://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff254/Audixium/Epson_720_frontshot.jpghttp://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff254/Audixium/Epson_720_sideshot_rear.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff254/Audixium/Epson_720_rearshot.jpg

Does the ceiling mounts block the air filter box on the bottom?

on the one that I have from mountdirect it does not...i can still access the panel and clean it out when need be.

I can still get to my filter without removing the screws. I haven't cleaned it yet, but I'm pretty sure I can get to it without removing it from the mount.