Questions about buying a good 1080p projector

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Batman

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#142529 15-Mar-2014 22:02

Hi I have a room that could easily take a 100" screen, but nowhere to mount the projector from the ceiling (quite high and no cavity).

the back of the room is about 8 to 10m from the front.

1) is a projector picture quality better nearer than 8m or better at 8m back?
2) how much does a decent projector cost
3) will it be as good as my TV's picture quality and if not how is it deficient (I have the best 50" Samsung plasma from 2007 - was told comparable to the best Panasonic plasma at that time)

tHANKS

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Ultimate Geek

#1006466 15-Mar-2014 22:32

FWIW I reckon spend your money on a 70"+ LED. At work we recently replaced the projectors with 75" Samsung LED LCD's and they are very nice. Since we were running them 24/7 the bulb replacements were getting very costly. Granted, you will not go through bulbs very often at home but it is something to keep in mind.

flynkiwi

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Master Geek

#1006472 15-Mar-2014 22:47

http://www.projectorcentral.com has a calculator that you can put in the projector, screen size and it will let you know best location for the projector and seating. 8m to 10m is quite far back if you want to wall mount it. You may need a very high lumens projector.

Ceiling height and projector off set all come into the calculations too along with your requirements for daytime viewing or not.

I have done tons of research as I have a screen and projector from the US just waiting customs clearance. :-)

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#1006543 16-Mar-2014 08:51

is the picture quality as good as say a good plasma?

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#1006544 16-Mar-2014 08:53

k14: FWIW I reckon spend your money on a 70"+ LED. At work we recently replaced the projectors with 75" Samsung LED LCD's and they are very nice. Since we were running them 24/7 the bulb replacements were getting very costly. Granted, you will not go through bulbs very often at home but it is something to keep in mind.

I've seen the sharp 70" LED (the RRP4500 one - very poor picture quality

I would have thought for a couple of thousand bucks you'd get a good projector ... just ... how good compared to my plasma

overkill

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Master Geek

#1006552 16-Mar-2014 09:21

Definitely search projectorcentral for info, also try searching online for "long throw projectors" and read up on the issues you will experience from an 8-10 meter throw.

Is there anyway you can bring the projector closer to the screen? The price of projector will of course be cheaper, you wouldn't have to worry about telephoto lenses etc if you go to a 'standard' home projector.

"Setting the Standard in Quality and Commitment"

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#1006569 16-Mar-2014 09:54

how near is a standard projector for a 100-120" screen

flynkiwi

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Master Geek

#1006576 16-Mar-2014 09:59

From what I have seen I would say the picture quality will be similar but the experience very different. This article explains things simply. http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57344073-221/projectors-vs-tvs-giant-screen-pros-and-cons/

There are normally ways around the situation you have in your room such as conduit cover to run cables etc so you can go with a standard projector. you really limit the projectors you can get by looking at a long throw like you are wanting. Hence will be more expensive.

I have found you are better off buying a projector from the US direct as the markup here is crazy. But you don't get warrantee so really a personal decision if you want to take the risk.

The screen is the other thing and there are many options there.

I would set you budget first. Don't forget screen, speakers, audio/video receiver, wire, cables etc.

My budget for the lot was 5,000.

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#1006577 16-Mar-2014 10:01

I have everything apart from the screen and the projector. I'm thinking ... maybe invest when 4K is prevalent

flynkiwi

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Master Geek

#1006582 16-Mar-2014 10:04

I will have a 110" screen once it arrives and my projectors throw distance is between 3.8 and 5m from the screen. My ceiling height is only 2.3m so really 110" is slightly too large due to the off set of my project. But I didn't realise that you have to take this into consideration when you work these things out.

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#1006585 16-Mar-2014 10:09

can you explain? so your projector doesn't project straight ahead?

overkill

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Master Geek

#1006586 16-Mar-2014 10:09

joker97: how near is a standard projector for a 100-120" screen

This would be purely based around the projector you are looking at. If you go to the site at www.projectorcentral.com, look for a projector you might like and go the Throw Calculator of that projector. You can then experiment with throw distance vs. screen size from there.

Check the following link for great information....

http://www.projectorcentral.com/screen_size.htm

Here is a link to an Epsom that you can see the calculations for recommended throw...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_5030UB-projection-calculator-pro.htm

"Setting the Standard in Quality and Commitment"

flynkiwi

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Master Geek

#1006601 16-Mar-2014 10:40

Most projectors have an image offset. http://www.hcinema.de/pdf/infocus-in72-74-76-offset-en.pdf

My mitsubishi 9700dw that I have coming even if I adjust the lense as it has verticle adjustment the centre of the lense to the top of the screen distance is still about 30cm.

As the 110" screen is 1.4m in height and you add the 30cm plus the height of the projector mount then your screen is quite close to the ground. It's not an issue if you have a high ceiling, but something I missed when buying my projector and screen.

flynkiwi

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Master Geek

#1006602 16-Mar-2014 10:41

As overkill said go to projector central and play with their calculators

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#1006605 16-Mar-2014 10:45

I see ... I thought they all projected straight. how many ansi lumens do you need? what determines a good picture?

I played around in projector central and the cost of the projector was 25,000 USD! lol I thought projectors cost 1-2k 2nd hand (3-4k new) lol

overkill

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Master Geek

#1006607 16-Mar-2014 10:51

joker97:what determines a good picture?

Quality of projector, correct throw (distance of projector to screen), type of screen (we use Elite Screens, they are pretty darn good), quality of darkness is the room......

You can have the best appliance setup and have a 'light' room and the picture will not be 100%.

Don't forget the sound, picture is one thing in a theatre, but you only get immersed in the movie when the sound is amazing....

"Setting the Standard in Quality and Commitment"

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