[3pwood]

Just looking for some feedback on this proposed setup. I'm finishing my basement. Ceilings are 9' height. Sitting distance is about 14' to 15' back from the screen. I'm considering a 120" 16:9 screen with the Panasonic AE3000 projector. Room can be completely blacked-out. I'll be watching mostly movies and sports. Also some Xbox360.


Any comments on this screen size and the Panasonic AE3000 in this application would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[mondaycurse]

The AE3000 is a great projector. Are you using a ceiling mount and how far back will it be mounted?

 

[3pwood]

Yes to the ceiling mount. And it will be right over the primary seating, about 14' back. I'm worried the seating isn't back far enough. I'm attaching a sketch. Any advice or comments are welcome. Thanks.

 

[3pwood]

Here's my current layout cleaned up a bit and with dimensions...

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

With that projector did you think about a 2:35 screen?


one finished theater with the Panny.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=102

 

[jamis]

I also have the AE3000 with a scope screen and couldn't be happier!


A 120" screen is 59" high. That works out to a 141" wide 2.35:1 screen with a 120" diagonal 16:9 area which is probably doable in a fully light controlled room for the AE3000. To put it simply, it would be like taking your originally planned 120" screen and and just making it wider.

You would need at least a 16' throw which might be a problem with that lolly column. While you could use the horizontal lens shift, using the 2.35:1 features of the AE3000 tend work better with a centered projector (so you have a centered image when viewing 16:9).

 

[Stew4msu]



Quote:
Originally Posted by 3pwood /forum/post/15528170


I'm worried the seating isn't back far enough. I'm attaching a sketch. Any advice or comments are welcome. Thanks.

No need to worry. I'm 13' back from my 126" (16:9) with no issues.


If I were putting it together right now though, I'd definitely go with a scope screen, especially with that projector.

 

[jamis]

With my screen (111" 16:9)... my rows are 11' and 17'.... I like the front row for HDTV, PS3 and Bluray. I prefer the second row for DVD and Wii. A good percentage of people who've come over prefer the second row on most material.


I'd say that a smaller size to distance ratio can be an acquired taste and may take some getting used to.

 

[3pwood]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jamis /forum/post/15530949


I also have the AE3000 with a scope screen and couldn't be happier!


A 120" screen is 59" high. That works out to a 141" wide 2.35:1 screen with a 120" diagonal 16:9 area which is probably doable in a fully light controlled room for the AE3000. To put it simply, it would be like taking your originally planned 120" screen and and just making it wider.

You would need at least a 16' throw which might be a problem with that lolly column. While you could use the horizontal lens shift, using the 2.35:1 features of the AE3000 tend work better with a centered projector (so you have a centered image when viewing 16:9).

Yep - the 16' throw would be a problem. I want to try to keep the projector right in front of that center column (that column keeps my up at night by the way). Which gives me about a 13.5' throw distance from the front of the projector. Looking at the AE3000 charts, anything over 120" both 16:9 or 2.35:1 would be pushing that minimum.


So then the question is....would I rather go with a 120" 2.35:1, or 120" 16:9 screen. The 120" 2.35:1 would be a 47" tall screen. So when I watch a 16:9 program on that it would be equivalent to a 96" diagonal, correct?

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

You can also do a custom size that is a 2:1 ratio, wider for movies, taller for sports. There should be a discussion of this concept in the screen discussion room.


However You will have letter boxing no matter which format you watch unless you do masking.

 

[jamis]

Looking at the projector central calculator, it looks like with a 13.5" throw you could possibly get up to a 50" height... this would get you a 101" 16:9 screen.


It's a tough call really... if movies are a huge part of your viewing, it might be worth it to go scope. If you watch alot of HDTV, the bigger 16:9 might be better.


Or as BIG suggests, you could go for a 2:1 screen with 4-way masking and attempt to maximize both.

 

[jamis]

One additional note I just thought of... the ports are all in the back of the AE3000... so if you are placing it RIGHT in front of the poll, you may have problems with clearance for the cables. This may eat a few inches of throw.

 

[3pwood]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jamis /forum/post/15540531


One additional note I just thought of... the ports are all in the back of the AE3000... so if you are placing it RIGHT in front of the poll, you may have problems with clearance for the cables. This may eat a few inches of throw.

When I measure the exact distance between the concrete basement wall and the pole, then back out for the new wall construction and column wrap, then back out the depth of the AE3000, and then back out another 6" of space between the back of the projector and the pole (for cables and such)....I end up with exactly 13'1". Here's my concern however, the AE3000 spec sheet gives a minimum throw of 12'5" for a 120" 2.35:1 screen. But then they stick this note:


"NOTE: The values of L shown above vary due to characteristics of the zoom lens. Images may slightly distort due to characteristics of the zoom

lens when the zoom lens is set to the minimum throw distance."


I feel like my 13'1" is getting fairly close to the minimum. Should I be worried about this "slight distortion note"?

 

[rosenjas]

Hi folks. I too have a setup question. I have the Panny AE3000. I'll be using a 92'' 16:9 screen. My throw distance will be somewhere between 9.5-10 feet. Is this sufficient?


Also, I may need to use the horizontal shift for about 12 inches. How much will this affect picture quality?


Thanks for your input folks!!

 

[JOHNnDENVER]

Should be fine.


I throw 106" at like 10.5' with the AE1000u, pretty sure it's the exact same throw ratio's on them.

 

[Chuck90199]

Hi 3pwood...


I haven't seen your room except for the floor plan, but would it be possible to shift your screen and the seats about 2 feet to the left or right instead of centered on the 21-foot wall? Then the pole wouldn't be a problem, and you might be able to get a longer throw.


chuck