Projection newb here looking for some advice. I recently borrowed an office projector from work to project onto a sheet stretched between 2 bookcases that flank my fireplace for a movie night with my kids. Very budget, but I was immediately hooked and am now trying to figure out if I can make this room work for a better setup. Because this is our living room, the biggest factor with which I have to contend is going to be the wife factor, so keep that in mind.
The budget: Nothing too crazy – looking to try to keep it under $1500 for the projector and maybe under $500 for a screen. Willing to consider options here though if that range doesn't work for my needs.
The room: Dimensions are 20’ x 17’. Ceiling height is 10’. The current setup is a plasma mounted over a fireplace on one of the 20’ walls. Flanking the fireplace are some built-in bookcases that sit 12’ apart. Facing that wall is a u-shaped sectional that sits about 4’ from the back wall. The right wall is a giant picture window which will limit the projector’s use to nighttime only. Not a big deal, as that is usually the only time I would use it, but there will be some ambient light especially as we get closer to summer and the sun stays up later.
The projector: My current thinking is to put a bookcase or similar behind the couch and just place the projector on top of it. It seems a ceiling mount is really the way to go, but unless I could completely hide it somehow, this would definitely get vetoed by my wife. She already hates the surround speakers that are mounted on the wall, so I’m pretty sure a projector hanging from the ceiling would not fly. Now, from what I've seen, it seems that projectors need to be installed either high or low, as they project upwards. In my case, the projector would be maybe 6' - 7’ off the ground and would need to shoot almost straight ahead. Is this possible? Any other installation ideas? This is where I could really use some advice. Also, some potential projectors to get me started would be great.
The screen: Would have to be the pull down variety as the plasma will still get most of the use. It would also need to be ceiling mounted to clear the plasma. The pull-down projector screens I've seen all look like, well, a projector screen. Are there pull down screens that look more discreet when they are not in use – something that would blend in a bit more? Or maybe a way to hide it?
Also, in general, who offers some good general educational resources for people just getting into projectors?
The budget: Nothing too crazy – looking to try to keep it under $1500 for the projector and maybe under $500 for a screen. Willing to consider options here though if that range doesn't work for my needs.
The room: Dimensions are 20’ x 17’. Ceiling height is 10’. The current setup is a plasma mounted over a fireplace on one of the 20’ walls. Flanking the fireplace are some built-in bookcases that sit 12’ apart. Facing that wall is a u-shaped sectional that sits about 4’ from the back wall. The right wall is a giant picture window which will limit the projector’s use to nighttime only. Not a big deal, as that is usually the only time I would use it, but there will be some ambient light especially as we get closer to summer and the sun stays up later.
The projector: My current thinking is to put a bookcase or similar behind the couch and just place the projector on top of it. It seems a ceiling mount is really the way to go, but unless I could completely hide it somehow, this would definitely get vetoed by my wife. She already hates the surround speakers that are mounted on the wall, so I’m pretty sure a projector hanging from the ceiling would not fly. Now, from what I've seen, it seems that projectors need to be installed either high or low, as they project upwards. In my case, the projector would be maybe 6' - 7’ off the ground and would need to shoot almost straight ahead. Is this possible? Any other installation ideas? This is where I could really use some advice. Also, some potential projectors to get me started would be great.
The screen: Would have to be the pull down variety as the plasma will still get most of the use. It would also need to be ceiling mounted to clear the plasma. The pull-down projector screens I've seen all look like, well, a projector screen. Are there pull down screens that look more discreet when they are not in use – something that would blend in a bit more? Or maybe a way to hide it?
Also, in general, who offers some good general educational resources for people just getting into projectors?