[PastorDan]

Hi all,


My HT Room is 12'6" by 25" by 7'7". The screen is on the far short wall, with the main seating about 17" back (although I can move the recliners if I need to). Currently I have a 92" Panoview Gray Wolf, and a Mitsubishi HC1500 coffee-table mounted.


We just had some basement flooding, and had to rip out carpet and drywall. So, I'm taking this opportunity to redesign the room. Replacing the projector is NOT in the budget, so that stays. I've already purchased a Chief universal ceiling mount, and I want to finally get the PJ off the table and reclaim some floor space.


I have to repaint anyway, so I'm going to go with dark walls and ceiling. It's a basement room with no ambient light issues.


So, here are my questions:


1) Is the Gray Wolf even going to work for a ceiling mount PJ? I could just mount the projector and try it out, but if I replace the screen, I'll probably also increase the size, which might change how far back I'd mount it, so there's a bit of a chicken and egg there.


2) If I need or decide to replace the screen, I want to go larger, but the ceiling height worries me. A 119" screen, including casing and drop, will stretch down so low that I'll have to have my center speaker sitting on the ground (I think this is a bad idea) or I'll have to move the screen forward off the wall 18" so that I can put the center speaker behind it. Is that an acceptable option? Anything bad about having the screen moved forward like that? Am I just being greedy considering a 119" screen with a ceiling height of less than 8 ft? In fact, with the screen so low, if I try to put any seating in front of the recliners, they would have to be really LOW seats to avoid cutting off the bottom of the screen.


3) If I do replace the screen, I'm leaning toward a Dalite Matte White Model B or C. Is there any reason to look at other screen materials? I don't think I need increased gain in a light-controlled room with dark paint. Is that correct?


I'm not an expert at all, so don't be afraid to talk basics to me. I've tried reading several threads in this forum, but with so many variables, it seems wise to ask for advice for my exact situation.


Thanks for any input or advice!!

 

[K-Spaz]

Addressing the chicken and egg deal,


Set up your current stuff just as it was. Then take a look at the screen when you are up a ladder so your head is near the ceiling. Angle up is the same as angle down. If it works at your current distance and angles, then it'll be fine if you ceiling mount and sit in a chair.


For additional seating in my room, I bought "Video Rockers" that are a sort of semi-comfy portable rocking chair. I actually like em a lot and I didn't need to elevate the rear seating to accomadate them. They also stack in the corner when not in use so they're great for me. My original intent was so that kids could use em but it seems the adults enjoy them more than the kids, and leave the recliners to them now. Maybe they feel younger in em, who knows.


On the other issues, I can't help there. Too new to this.

 

[pocoloco]

1) The gray wolf is retro-reflective so you'll lose a lot of it's gain when ceiling mounting. Not to say it won't work but it definitely won't be as bright as your table mount. You should try it out to see if you can live with it.


2&3) 119" is not ridiculous. If your projector is bright enough, go for it. You can always mount your center speaker from the ceiling in front of the screen casing instead of the floor. Or you can get an acoustically transparent roll down screen (seymour av) and position the speaker behind the screen/image.

 

[Jason Turk]

In regards to the projector, if you had flooding, even if the projector didn't get wet, the extreme humidity could have caused unseen damage to the projector. I would suggest taking it to a local service center to give it a good checkup. I wouldn't want corrosion or such to take place...


Just a thought...

 

[PastorDan]

Good thought.


Any comment on going with matte white verses high gain materials for the screen? In a completely light-controlled room with dark walls, I am assuming I'll be ok.

 

[Jason Turk]

If you are sticking with about the same size, you really don't need a high gain (and it sounds like this is pretty much light controlled for viewing).