[RickF]

Our dedicated room dimensions are 25' x 13' x 7.5', viewing distance 13'-15', light controlled with a dark red front wall and fairly light colored mustard/brownish flat painted side and rear walls with white trim.


We currently have a 73" Mitsubishi RP DLP TV that we have been very pleased with for the past six years.


My initial thoughts were to add a manual pull down screen in front of the TV and use the projector primarily for movies and use the TV for everyday viewing...


Initially I was looking at the Epson 8350, then the 8700ub, Panny AE 4000, Mitsubishi HC400 and now the JVC HD250.


Is 13-15' viewing distance adequate for a 120" screen and of the above projectors which would work best? I'm not interested in 3D and this will be our first front projector.


Thanks in advance!

 

[coderguy]

You may want to wait 30-45 days as some new projectors are about to come out after CEDIA. This may alter the prices of current models as well as throw additional options into the fray. If you don't want to wait, out of that list I would suggest the JVC HD250 over the other projectors.


So the 7.5 feet is the ceiling height?


They will all work except the Mits since the others have lens shift. For the Mits hc4000 DLP with no lens shift, it will be tough with a 7.5 foot ceiling for a 120" screen, you would need to mount the screen very close to the floor or use some keystone.


Mits hc4000

The Offset is 19.8" for the Mits hc4000 with a 120" screen. So if you are able to get the actual lens of the projector hanging about 7 feet from the ground, that would mean the screen would only be 6" from the ground. Generally, about 25" is the lowest you want a screen to be mounted before it looks "funny" too close to the ground, although it won't hurt putting it lower to the ground unless you recline in a chair and your feet get in the way, but you might not like the effect a screen gives when it is too low to the ground. That said, you can use keystone, but you will lose some resolution and sharpness if you use as much as you would need from that mounting position.

 

[RickF]

Thanks for the quick reply..


Waiting will not be an issue, I was going to make the install a winter project and pick up the equipment in advance. Anything in particular I should be looking for whenever the new stuff comes out? I can actually go a little more than $4k on the projector budget if I need to but was looking for the best bang for the buck in the $3k range, needless to say my mind has been boggled since I started researching and knowing absolutely nothing regarding front projectors.


7.5' is indeed the ceiling height.

 

[ack_bk]

What will you be using the projector for mostly (TV, cinema, sports, etc)?


DLP, LCoS, LCD, there are advantages and disadvantages for all three. For sports, I really like DLP. Black levels? LCoS. Placement? LCD.


Waiting foe CEDIA is smart and we may see some great deals on current offerings to clear stock.


In your price range, lots of folks like the JVC projectors.

 

[RickF]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ack_bk /forum/post/20794242


What will you be using the projector for mostly (TV, cinema, sports, etc)?


DLP, LCoS, LCD, there are advantages and disadvantages for all three. For sports, I really like DLP. Black levels? LCoS. Placement? LCD.


Waiting foe CEDIA is smart and we may see some great deals on current offerings to clear stock.


In your price range, lots of folks like the JVC projectors.

We'll primarily use it for cinema and some HD TV content including sports, but mostly for cinema and blu-ray ... I'd guess 85% cinema and 15% TV with no gaming. With the 7.5" ceiling height do you think a 120" screen will be too large with a manual pull down screen? We already have a 73" display so I'd like to think the money spent will be a considerable improvement over our current TV.

 

[ack_bk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RickF /forum/post/0



We'll primarily use it for cinema and some HD TV content including sports, but mostly for cinema and blu-ray ... I'd guess 85% cinema and 15% TV with no gaming. With the 7.5" ceiling height do you think a 120" screen will be too large with a manual pull down screen? We already have a 73" display so I'd like to think the money spent will be a considerable improvement over our current TV.

You should be able to fit that screen with that ceiling height. Even with the frame you are looking at about 62" for height for your screen. But that is for 16:9. You may want 2.35:1. In which case you could go with a larger screen.


Based on your application (cinema) for the PJ, I would push you towards the JVC projectors.

 

[coderguy]

I'd agree and say grab a JVC HD250.

 

[eyeage30]

I love my HD250! I think I actually watch it too much....

 

[chumpchange21]



Quote:
Originally Posted by eyeage30 /forum/post/20796664


I love my HD250! I think I actually watch it too much....

+2 Great choice.


eyeage30, are you watching it right now? If not then you're not watching it too much, if yes then