Front projection for business application?

[Uniquely]

First let me say I know next to nothing about front projection. I work in a nursing home... and wanted to propose to our administrator that we install a projector and sound system in our large or small dining room. It would be used for movie nights for the residents, playing the Wii with residents, and continuing education for the staff.

Our large dining room is about 40' X 30' and our small dining room is about 15'X20' I think either room could be used for the desired purposes, but obviously the larger room could accomodate more people. A fixed screen would not be feasible, so it would have to be a drop down, or something portable that could be stored elsewhere and set up when needed. High def would be nice, but if it were cost prohibitive, it would not be neccessary. Cost is going to be the most important factor in convincing the administrator that it's a good thing to do.

Any suggestions on what kind of projector and screen would be the most cost effective in this situation? Also would it better better to go for the larger room or smaller room... IOW will throw lenght affect cost? And one more issue would be hook ups. The projector could remain mounted to the ceiling, but any components like the DVD player, Wii and PC would have to be locked up after use. How would one arrange for easy hook up of components?

[RazorFromHRSnet]

You are going to want something BRIGHT first and foremost. My suggestion for doing it "on the cheap" and allow for easy connect / disconnect of equipment would be have the projector installed in the ceiling. Feed your audio system from the projector's audio output, this way, when you switch sources on the projector, your audio switches with it. Bring all your audio/video lines to one central spot, terminated to an input plate, with 15-pin VGA / 1/8" Audio, Component 3 RCA / 2 RCA Audio, Composite RCA / 2 RCA Audio, and S-Video / 2 RCA Audio, and of course, if its feasable HDMI.

This job would not be a massive undertaking, but you might want to check out some A/V Companies (not Best Buy) about getting set up. The main benefit of working with an integrator for you guys is that you can have them demo the projector, etc, before hand so you know its going to work in your room.

Where I work we have had to throw together "cheap" conference rooms, we usually use a strategy similar to this. For sound we usually use a decent quality 2.1 PC Sound system, ceiling mount the sub, and wall mount the two speakers to the left and right of the screen. Most rooms are between 1/2 and 1/4 the size of the room you are going for, so you might need a bit more robust audio system, but it can be done, and also when you can't get a Crestron or other controller, it makes is pretty simple to turn on/switch sources/adjust volume all from the projectors remote.

[guitarist155]

i don't know of any HT projectors with an audio out? maybe a office PJ? makes sense though.

an install would be nice but i think it might be better to have a portable system to be able to move from the big room to the small room, as suggested you will need something with a higher lumen output
(might rule out HT projector)
I would get a rack and have the projector on the top (or in the rack if so desired), in the rack I would mount a BD player and a 2ch PA amp, i would then get a couple small but quality PA speakers ( stands optional ) and I would use a portable tripod screen.

with this setup you would only have to setup the screen then roll the rack in front of it plug the rack in and connect the 2 speakers ( just a standard 1/4 speaker cable or speakon ) when not in use the projector would store in the rack and the rack could be locked if needed. very easy to move around and only 3 connections to connect all of it. this setup should be between 2-3 thousand but might be able to be done a bit cheaper.

if you had the budget i say get a company to come in and install a pJ a couple speakers and wire everything with easy access.

[[1080-p]]

wonder if anyone ever used mirage http://www.eyetricks.com/mirage/
have a projector project into it instead of using an object

[Oddiophile]

The Epson Ensemble HD would be the easiest way to do it. It's an all in one theater in a box from Epson. It comes with a HT receiver, electric drop down screen with the right, left, & center speakers built into the top of the screen. You get your choice between a 720P or 1080P projector, but obviously the 1080P will add more to the price tag, and you get a surround cradle the go's around the projector housing your surround speakers for a clean look, plus a pre programmed remote control.

It's a very neat, easy, all in one solution but I think prices start at $4,999 and go up depending on options.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/c...s&oid=63073911

http://www.projectorreviews.com/advi...projectors.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKfllVOQ2MY