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Any advice would be much appreciated, as this is my 1st foray into the HT Projector experience. The HT is in a section of my basement that's the only logical area for the setup, and the dimensions are fine for my preferences. The ceiling is sheetrock, and somewhat lower than ideal, but my real dilemma is a structural I-Beam that sits 8" below ceiling height, parallel to the screen wall in the projection path (see diagram).
The accompanying diagram - although a bit elementary - should be relatively explanatory. I'll do my best to explain my preferred viewing parameters and include other factors that may be helpful in finding the best possible solution to this problem, but I believe my options are really limited.
1. My projector choices have been pared down to either the Epson 5010, BenQ-W7000, or the Panasonic-AE7000. I prefer a DLP unit, but placement flexibility is mostly limited in this price range.
2. The room is configured strictly for a ceiling mount, or a rear-wall shelf if needed, but I want to try to avoid the shelf mount. I'm aiming for a 120" screen, but may decide on a 2:35 (as big as would be feasable on a 12' wall). This would make the Panasonic my logical option, I believe.
3. My room is completely light-controlled, will have 2 rows of 3 HT Chairs, the back row on a 12" riser with a 7" step-up. I like to sit close, so the 1st row will be approximately 12' from the screen. The 2nd row of seats (excluding the riser step-up) will be under the soffit, but will not be used that often.
My current idea is to ceiling mount directly in front of the soffit with a short extension, to just barely clear the beam and place the image as high on the wall as possible. This would be about a 14' throw and feels like my best option. I want to avoid using Keystone and do the best I can with the Lens Shift and Zoom features. I've wondered about tilting the PJ slightly upward, but this would merit a lower mounting and possible image issues. I can also flush mount the pojector below the soffit, with a throw between 15-18', but this will be closer than I'd like to a back seat viewer. My last known option is to shelf-mount on the back wall, which would be a 19' throw and still only as high as the bottom of the soffit. I want to avoid this if possible.
Questions:
1. Are there any options I haven't thought of to make this work? I assume Vertical Lens Shift is my most important factor in choosing the projector.
2. With the beam sitting between 9' from the lens and 6.5' from the screen, would a PJ with an offset be helpful here? The Optoma 3300 and many DLP units I've seen have offset lens, including the BenQ I think, but most at this price point don't have Lens Shift or high Zoom numbers.
3. All things considered, am I better off with the Anamorphic screen? If so, what would be the biggest logical size for a 12' wall? I like to feel immersed by the image, as most of my viewing consists of BD/DVD movies plus films and sports on cable. No gaming or PC use at all.
Thanks in advance for any ideas or opinions given. They will be greatly appreciated, as I'm itching to get this thing rolling and for my head to stop spinning.
Best,
Rich Primo
The accompanying diagram - although a bit elementary - should be relatively explanatory. I'll do my best to explain my preferred viewing parameters and include other factors that may be helpful in finding the best possible solution to this problem, but I believe my options are really limited.
1. My projector choices have been pared down to either the Epson 5010, BenQ-W7000, or the Panasonic-AE7000. I prefer a DLP unit, but placement flexibility is mostly limited in this price range.
2. The room is configured strictly for a ceiling mount, or a rear-wall shelf if needed, but I want to try to avoid the shelf mount. I'm aiming for a 120" screen, but may decide on a 2:35 (as big as would be feasable on a 12' wall). This would make the Panasonic my logical option, I believe.
3. My room is completely light-controlled, will have 2 rows of 3 HT Chairs, the back row on a 12" riser with a 7" step-up. I like to sit close, so the 1st row will be approximately 12' from the screen. The 2nd row of seats (excluding the riser step-up) will be under the soffit, but will not be used that often.
My current idea is to ceiling mount directly in front of the soffit with a short extension, to just barely clear the beam and place the image as high on the wall as possible. This would be about a 14' throw and feels like my best option. I want to avoid using Keystone and do the best I can with the Lens Shift and Zoom features. I've wondered about tilting the PJ slightly upward, but this would merit a lower mounting and possible image issues. I can also flush mount the pojector below the soffit, with a throw between 15-18', but this will be closer than I'd like to a back seat viewer. My last known option is to shelf-mount on the back wall, which would be a 19' throw and still only as high as the bottom of the soffit. I want to avoid this if possible.
Questions:
1. Are there any options I haven't thought of to make this work? I assume Vertical Lens Shift is my most important factor in choosing the projector.
2. With the beam sitting between 9' from the lens and 6.5' from the screen, would a PJ with an offset be helpful here? The Optoma 3300 and many DLP units I've seen have offset lens, including the BenQ I think, but most at this price point don't have Lens Shift or high Zoom numbers.
3. All things considered, am I better off with the Anamorphic screen? If so, what would be the biggest logical size for a 12' wall? I like to feel immersed by the image, as most of my viewing consists of BD/DVD movies plus films and sports on cable. No gaming or PC use at all.
Thanks in advance for any ideas or opinions given. They will be greatly appreciated, as I'm itching to get this thing rolling and for my head to stop spinning.

Best,
Rich Primo