Help me decide on a projector - UST v. Long-Throw

jganzer1 said:

Hey everyone,

I debating putting this in one of the projector forums, but thought I would get better responses to my question in this one. If it needs to be moved, please let me know.

I am still in the planning stages of our townhouse basement media room remodel, but we have settled on a basic layout:

http://imgur.com/a/swj0CxS

We have decided on:

• a couch with a bar behind it for extra seating
• 100" screen
• Denon AVR-x3700
• 5.1.4
• Polk s20 L/R, s30 Center channel
• DefTech Mythos XTR-20BP for surrounds
• Atmos speakers are tbd
• Rythmik L12 subwoofer
• under the screen will be cabinets that span the length of the 9'2" wall and will house the a/v equipment and be used for other storage.
• The room has to include a desk for me to work from, so it will be in one corner
• We are still deciding what to do with the other corner. Likely some sort of bar/fridge combination

Here's where I need your help. I'm really struggling on whether to go with a UST (Hisense 100L5F) or a long throw projector (likely the Epson 5050ub).

We are a family of three and have movie nights on a regular basis, so that is the main use of this room. There is a small window, but it is under our deck and lets in minimal light (blinds will cover it as well) so for all intents and purposes, the room is fully light controlled. We have another tv in our living room, which is where we spend the majority of our time. However, I would also like to be able to watch sports in the room and have friends over to do so. This will likely include having overhead lights on but dimmed.

Both projectors are about the same price and the main difference as far as layout is that the media cabinet will probably have to be custom made to accommodate a UST projector if we go that route (if we go with the Epson, we would probably use premade wall cabinets with some sort of top). I could probably make the cabinet in that case, but it is still time and likely additional money. The sports viewing with some additional light is the main force driving me to consider the Hisense.

So, I would love to hear peoples thoughts and especially from people who have a similar use case to ours.

Thanks!

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