I am in the process of building a dedicated theater in my basement. I have decided on the projector, but I am having difficulty in making a final decision on a screen aspect ratio.
Here is the information I am using to try to make a decision:
Protector: Epson 5040
Throw distance: 15'10"
Seating Distance: 12-13'
I will not be using an acoustically transparent screen.
Screen material will likely be white 1.3 gain
Walls and ceiling will be dark.
Maximum Screen Height is 65" (Ceiling height is 94", clearance for center speaker with stand is 25", I am allowing 4" for top screen frame)
I have no limitations for screen width.
Let's assume playback of 16:9 and 2.35:1 material will be split 50/50.
Using Projector Central's Throw Distance Calculator:
If I went with a 16:9 screen, I could go with a 132" screen (115"w x 65"h) - 7445 square inches.
Positives: - This size would not be maxing out the projectors zoom
- Brightness would be 54fL
- I wouldn't have to worry about using lens memory
- IMAX Enhanced movies could be viewed hassle free
- More flexibility with placement of front speakers
Negatives: - Smaller size for CinemaScope movie viewing (approx. a 123" 2.35:1 image)
- Not as "theater-like"
If I went with a 2.35:1 screen, I would max out at a 153" screen due to constraints of the projector at that throw distance (140"w x 60"h) - 8427 square inches.
Positives: - Much larger screen for CinemaScope movie viewing
- Looks more "theater-like"
Negatives: - Smaller screen for 16:9 material (approx. 120" 16:9 image)
- The zoom of the projector would be maxed out
- The brightness would be lower at 42fL
- I would need to use lens memory
- I would place and remove magnetic masking panels when switching between sources
- Less flexibility with placement of front speakers. They would be at least 12' apart (but at a 12' seating distance, that's not a huge issue).
Given the above, I would appreciate it if anyone knows of other things I should consider when making this decision. Maybe there is something I am not considering that, once know, will make my decision easier.
Thank you!
Here is the information I am using to try to make a decision:
Protector: Epson 5040
Throw distance: 15'10"
Seating Distance: 12-13'
I will not be using an acoustically transparent screen.
Screen material will likely be white 1.3 gain
Walls and ceiling will be dark.
Maximum Screen Height is 65" (Ceiling height is 94", clearance for center speaker with stand is 25", I am allowing 4" for top screen frame)
I have no limitations for screen width.
Let's assume playback of 16:9 and 2.35:1 material will be split 50/50.
Using Projector Central's Throw Distance Calculator:
If I went with a 16:9 screen, I could go with a 132" screen (115"w x 65"h) - 7445 square inches.
Positives: - This size would not be maxing out the projectors zoom
- Brightness would be 54fL
- I wouldn't have to worry about using lens memory
- IMAX Enhanced movies could be viewed hassle free
- More flexibility with placement of front speakers
Negatives: - Smaller size for CinemaScope movie viewing (approx. a 123" 2.35:1 image)
- Not as "theater-like"
If I went with a 2.35:1 screen, I would max out at a 153" screen due to constraints of the projector at that throw distance (140"w x 60"h) - 8427 square inches.
Positives: - Much larger screen for CinemaScope movie viewing
- Looks more "theater-like"
Negatives: - Smaller screen for 16:9 material (approx. 120" 16:9 image)
- The zoom of the projector would be maxed out
- The brightness would be lower at 42fL
- I would need to use lens memory
- I would place and remove magnetic masking panels when switching between sources
- Less flexibility with placement of front speakers. They would be at least 12' apart (but at a 12' seating distance, that's not a huge issue).
Given the above, I would appreciate it if anyone knows of other things I should consider when making this decision. Maybe there is something I am not considering that, once know, will make my decision easier.
Thank you!