Living room projector screen suggestions

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Living room projector screen suggestions

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252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1305163 14-May-2015 14:07

What do people think of the

BenQ w1070

Ambertech 92" drop down

Nyrius HDMi over wireless

Anyone got any thoughts on the BenQ projector fan noise if its sat on the coffee table in front of us ?

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1305206 14-May-2015 15:14

Why not get a projector that can handle ambient light like the panasonic PT-8000 and ditch the TV altogether. I've used a projector for all of my viewing for about 6 years now and would never go back to a TV screen. For a screen I have a 100" fixed screen so when not in use it just looks like a blank canvas.

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1305208 14-May-2015 15:19

robbon44: What do people think of the

BenQ w1070

Ambertech 92" drop down

Nyrius HDMi over wireless

Anyone got any thoughts on the BenQ projector fan noise if its sat on the coffee table in front of us ?

Check out http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-W1070.htm for reviews on this and pretty much every other projector.

robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1305214 14-May-2015 15:28

Yep I am reading reviews after reviews but I still like people from here to give me their opinion, trusted.

that's a nice set up, I assume your projector is roof mounted ? or is that it on the coffee table ?

mine will be coffee table mounted and im also keen to hear what the negatives are with this... its not going to be roof mounted as this is unacceptable to the missus..

Dingbatt

6756 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1305239 14-May-2015 15:40

Just be careful of how much keystone correction may be required if the projector isn't centred. Also check the throw distance for the size screen you have. In my case the projector is in a cupboard at the back of the room and pretty much the only projectors with a long enough throw are Panasonic's. Luckily I think my AE8000 is awesome.

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JimmyC

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1305265 14-May-2015 16:14

geekiegeek: Why not get a projector that can handle ambient light like the panasonic PT-8000 and ditch the TV altogether. I've used a projector for all of my viewing for about 6 years now and would never go back to a TV screen. For a screen I have a 100" fixed screen so when not in use it just looks like a blank canvas.

For me, the big screen is for movies. If you watch the News or Food TV or something day to day via your projector, it ruins the impact for movies.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1305269 14-May-2015 16:23

Putting a projector on a coffee table is problematic for numerous reasons.
Often, it means the projector isn't aligned with the screen, so you need to resort to keystone correction. Sadly, using keystone correction can reduce the resolution by up to 50 percent.
On a big screen, that's exactly where a drop in resolution is noticed.
The other reason, is that a projector down low is very, very easy to move. This means constant re-adjustment of the projector and potential damage to the sensitive light throwing gadget... *ahem, I mean projector*.

As others have suggested, building the projector into shelving behind the seated position, is often the preferred method.

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Masterpiece

247 posts

Master Geek

#1305284 14-May-2015 16:47

I agree with others sentiments of coffee table setup, this is a temp or one off configuration only.

You will have distracting light and noise from a unit in front of you, you can compromise video quality because of misalignments and the need to keystone the image with large off angle positioning.
Wireless HDMI is for last resort no other choice.

The screen is actually quite important, remember you can re use a screen with projector upgrades so it can be worth adjusting what you spend on the screen.
If you don't want a fixed screen, in a multi use room a fixed screen is open for damage, a pull down can be better, but a motorised screen tends to have less screen stretching. The pull when lowering can create ripples over time.
Consider a modestly priced motorised.

DLP verse LCD, SXRD projection, just be aware some people are sensitive to DLP flicker where they see rainbows. I do, especially on the lower spec'd models. On the JVC higher end models I don't see it.

Consider sitting the projector to the rear of the room on a shelf, or similar at aheight of about 1600~2000mm, you can get away with lower but the centerline of the room is then lost for seating.
Also consider placing all your amps and AV gear with the projector to the rear, all those LED lights compromise your image. This helps the HDMI issue because it is a short run from the BD player, AV unit to projector.

You then need to run longer audio wiring from this position, but this is less complicated than the reverse.

I use a projector for movies, TV for Freeview .

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Me: .....

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1305568 15-May-2015 08:22

JimmyC:
geekiegeek: Why not get a projector that can handle ambient light like the panasonic PT-8000 and ditch the TV altogether. I've used a projector for all of my viewing for about 6 years now and would never go back to a TV screen. For a screen I have a 100" fixed screen so when not in use it just looks like a blank canvas.

For me, the big screen is for movies. If you watch the News or Food TV or something day to day via your projector, it ruins the impact for movies.

I watch the news on a 32" in the dining room while i have my dinner and I don't watch mindless TV, only actual programs with actors and scripts and such that are either downloaded or streamed and look fantastic on a big screen.

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1305596 15-May-2015 09:22

I am a big fan of projectors, and have had several over the years. Sadly my current living room doesn't lend itself to them, so I had to sell and go flatscreen tv instead.

If you want that 'at the movies' feeling for film, you have to go big. 100" has been doable via projectors for years, and far cheaper than any flatscreen can offer for similar sizes.

A couple of things I'd throw in the ring.

Fixed screens tend to be better than cheaper roll down ones. Cheap roller screens tend to be quite thin and don't have a lot of weight, so move a lot in a breeze. If you have air con, or a fan heater, or a gas heater with a fan, or a door open during summer etc, the screen will move. Fixed ones don't. As you spend more they get better in quality, up to a point of diminishing returns. That's been covered by others above.

Plan everything. Ideally you want to setup your new projector without the need for keystone correction, or digital zoom. To achieve this you need to know your specs inside out. Also, if the projector lens is off centre of the projector body case, then measure from the lens, not centring the projector case. Ideal is to not have to adjust anything electronic basically.

Masking the edges/rear surround of the screen in black is potentially worth while. Under most scenarios you won't be able to mask the top and bottom for different film aspect ratios, so you'll still get some black bars top and bottom.

Projectors do take more setup thought. They can chuck out quite a bit of heat too, and can be noisy depending on the model.
You can't have any hanging lights in between the projector and the screen if ceiling mounted. Hopefully you have in ceiling lights, or they are hanging elsewhere.

Projectors don't have sound, so they are quite a bit more involved than setting up a TV. They also require power to be run to the ceiling...

As always, try to keep the cable run to the projector at 10m or under via hdmi. Get a decent hdmi lead, with the distances you may need to run, it has to be good. The last thing you want is hand shaking issues to the projector.

Good luck!

robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1306196 16-May-2015 08:17

Ok so update :

Decided it best to run power and dual cat 5/6 to a ceiling position for the projector.

Have constructed the housing for a 100" screen (although only going for a 92") at moment.

Allowed for electrics for future electric screen in ceiling bulkhead.

Have chosen the short throw BenQ projector, purchased the ambertech screen (already delivered).

Room being gib boarded this week.

I am now pondering the hdmi splitters or using the Nyrius with multiple screens on a single connection to the amp.

So..

Thanks for responses but as always one answer triggers another question...

I'm about to pull the trigger on purchasing the projector.

Unfortunately I cannot afford to buy one from a nz based supplier. They are about $1000 over the cost of importing.

The goods I have purchased over amazon and similar sites previously have not been of such value to attract import tax. This item will. So could anyone give me steer as to how this happens...

Do customs hold the item until the tax is paid ?

Also does anyone know how big the box would be for an amazon import of a projector box?

I'm trying to calculate the approx cost of using youpost and I know amazon like to use big boxes !

I'm working on about $150 for youpost and about $150 import tax on $1000 spend. Am I missing anything else?

Cheers again.

Rob

Dingbatt

6756 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1306234 16-May-2015 11:24

Personally I'm a bit leery about importing something as delicate as a projector. Too much to go wrong that might make it DOA. Just watch "Airport baggage handlers" on YouTube. But that's just me, happy to import anything that is basically unbreakable but I like to have a shop counter I can thump on for any tech that goes wrong on me.
As far as I am aware the customs duty is on the total cost of the import so will include ancillary charges such as freight, etc.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1306367 16-May-2015 17:40

I hear you but, I simply don't have a spare $900 for the privelage. I can't find any nz stockists that can supply a BenQ st at anywhere near my budget.

My best bet is I think using B&h photo and video and use UPS international.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/898477-REG/BenQ_MW821ST_3000_ANSI_Lumens.html

Projector $799 USD

Ups $90 USD

That's around $1200 nz

Allow $180 for import tax..

That's around $1380.

Best price in nz so far is $ 2400.00

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1306401 16-May-2015 19:34

I've got to be honest... that does look like an odd choice.
Why not a projector that can display a native 1920x1080p source. The unit you've linked to can receive the signal, but it cannot produce it onto your screen.
And most worryingly, why choose a model without zoom capability?

billgates

4705 posts

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Trusted

#1306407 16-May-2015 19:39

robbon44: I hear you but, I simply don't have a spare $900 for the privelage. I can't find any nz stockists that can supply a BenQ st at anywhere near my budget.

My best bet is I think using B&h photo and video and use UPS international.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/898477-REG/BenQ_MW821ST_3000_ANSI_Lumens.html

Projector $799 USD

Ups $90 USD

That's around $1200 nz

Allow $180 for import tax..

That's around $1380.

Best price in nz so far is $ 2400.00

$1499 from AVWorld incl free shipping.

http://www.avworld.co.nz/shop/product/benq-w1070/overview

Do whatever you want to do man.

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