Home Cinema Question

[Disky76]

Hello All!

I am thinking a little outside of the box, and transforming my front room into a home cinema, as it does not get sunlight at any point of the day. It is a rectangular, 14' long by 12' wide room. I want to make sure the room is large enough for what I am considering.

I have been thinking about a projector, to get the big screen sensation. But I also am considering a large (65") TV as well, but I am leaning towards the projector. I am planning on hanging blackout drapes over the windows, as well as sound absorbing blackout drapes over the pass through to the next room.

That said, here are my questions. As I am working with a limited budget, these are the things I am considering:

Mitsubishi HC1600 - anyone have experience with this projector? Positive or Negative?

Screen - What would be the ideal screen size? Would 100" be overpowering for the room? Are there any special screen considerations besides size? Will the screen make a difference in the picture quality? I found a 100" manual pull-down screen at Amazon for $65...would I be sacrificing picture quality if I got that?

Would I be better off just getting a big TV for the room?

Thanks in advance!!

[VinnAY]

I would map out my seating arrangement and then determine the screen size.

[Disky76]

The seating is going to be very basic. There is a couch on the opposite wall (14' back) and I was going to get an oversized ottoman so people can lay back. And then maybe a bean bag chair or two here and there. That's it.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Disky76

The seating is going to be very basic. There is a couch on the opposite wall (14' back) and I was going to get an oversized ottoman so people can lay back. And then maybe a bean bag chair or two here and there. That's it.

So you are going to be sitting almost 13' from the screen? You could go as large as 128"+ from that distance, but I don't know if these projectors have the lumen output for such a large screen in their "best" modes. In any case something around 100" should be good for that distance from the screen, although I like mine to be a bit larger

[Disky76]

Yeah, it's going to be about 13' from the screen. So, in essence, I should stay with 100" then if I am going to go with one of those two projectors?

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Disky76

Yeah, it's going to be about 13' from the screen. So, in essence, I should stay with 100" then if I am going to go with one of those two projectors?

At that range the mitsu can project an image any where from 90"-109", and the panasonic can project an image from 65"-129", so both would be within range.

Projection Calculator Pro

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

So you are going to be sitting almost 13' from the screen? You could go as large as 128"+ from that distance, but I don't know if these projectors have the lumen output for such a large screen in their "best" modes. In any case something around 100" should be good for that distance from the screen, although I like mine to be a bit larger

It all depends on the bulb etc (points out the obvious). My projector only has a 150watt bulb and I project at a bit less then 100" without any birghtness issues (and i'm projecting onto a diy'ed screen using curtain liner). If it is to dark you can always get a high gain screen (which also has its disadvantages [colour shift, viewing cone etc..], but sounds like it would do the job for you if you did have troubles with the projectors brightness).

[kpkelley]

I would suggest you look at the Panasonic PT-AX200U instead of the HC1600. They are both very good 720P projectors, but the the mitsu is a single chip dlp which means that your placement options would be limited and it is louder than the panasonic. The mitsu is a little sharper, the panasonic has a smoothscreen filter that while eliminating pixel structure also softens the image, and slightly better black levels, but they are an otherwise toss up in terms of picture quality.

Screen quality can affect the picture quality, but they can get expensive. I would suggest you decide what type of projector screen you want(fixed, motorized, or pull-down) and get the best one that will fit inside your budget, although many members have built there own screens if you are so inclined.

As for screen size, is would suggest something in the 90-106 range for the distances that you would be sitting (8-10)ft.

Another thing to consider is if your area is likely to get power outages you may want some sort of battery backup protection for the projector so that you don't blow a bulb if the power blacks out.

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I would suggest you look at the Panasonic PT-AX200U instead of the HC1600. They are both very good 720P projectors, but the the mitsu is a single chip dlp which means that your placement options would be limited and it is louder than the panasonic. The mitsu is a little sharper, the panasonic has a smoothscreen filter that while eliminating pixel structure also softens the image, and slightly better black levels, but they are an otherwise toss up in terms of picture quality.

Screen quality can affect the picture quality, but they can get expensive. I would suggest you decide what type of projector screen you want(fixed, motorized, or pull-down) and get the best one that will fit inside your budget, although many members have built there own screens if you are so inclined.

As for screen size, is would suggest something in the 90-106 range for the distances that you would be sitting (8-10)ft.

Another thing to consider is if your area is likely to get power outages you may want some sort of battery backup protection for the projector so that you don't blow a bulb if the power blacks out.

Thanks a lot man!! That was very helpful!

[Beta Man]

I sit about 10' from a 106" from a Mitsubishi HC1500 and I love it.

That being said, with your room size, 110" or so is all you'll get from that projector due to the throw distance.

I think the screen you found will work, but if you plan on leaving it down all the time, I wouldn't get a pull-down, but that's just me... I'd get the projector, throw and image, and tape off where the screen would be on the wall, and hang a fixed-frame-screen after you measure what you taped off, so you know the size to get.


Any other room constraints??? Do you have ceiling fans etc. to remove???? (I did !! )


This was my first projector, and after seeing it, I would never imagine getting a 60-70" DLP instead....

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I sit about 10' from a 106" from a Mitsubishi HC1500 and I love it.

That being said, with your room size, 110" or so is all you'll get from that projector due to the throw distance.

I think the screen you found will work, but if you plan on leaving it down all the time, I wouldn't get a pull-down, but that's just me... I'd get the projector, throw and image, and tape off where the screen would be on the wall, and hang a fixed-frame-screen after you measure what you taped off, so you know the size to get.


Any other room constraints??? Do you have ceiling fans etc. to remove???? (I did !! )


This was my first projector, and after seeing it, I would never imagine getting a 60-70" DLP instead....

Nah, no ceiling fans in this room. Fortunately, it should be a pretty simple setup. Know where I can get some reasonably priced sound absorbing drapes?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Disky76

Nah, no ceiling fans in this room. Fortunately, it should be a pretty simple setup. Know where I can get some reasonably priced sound absorbing drapes?

I saw some at a place called "Tuesday Mornings" it's like a discount store of some sort ........ Unfortunately I had already purchased and hung some curtains I really liked when I found this place, but they were CHEAP.....

I think it was $40 for 2-panels of sound and light blocking curtains..... they were 95" long or so, and VERY heavy.... I would have grabbed them in a heartbeat, and almost bought them just to hang onto.

Walmart also has suede curtains I was going to look at, and they were VERY cheap, but I was worried that they were too light-weight.... so maybe get those, and a roll of black-out-cloth from Joannes fabric

I stayed away from them because it was via-online, and I wanted to see the curtains in person.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Disky76

Hello All!

I am thinking a little outside of the box, and transforming my front room into a home cinema, as it does not get sunlight at any point of the day. It is a rectangular, 14' long by 12' wide room. I want to make sure the room is large enough for what I am considering.

I have been thinking about a projector, to get the big screen sensation. But I also am considering a large (65") TV as well, but I am leaning towards the projector. I am planning on hanging blackout drapes over the windows, as well as sound absorbing blackout drapes over the pass through to the next room.

That said, here are my questions. As I am working with a limited budget, these are the things I am considering:

Mitsubishi HC1600 - anyone have experience with this projector? Positive or Negative?

Screen - What would be the ideal screen size? Would 100" be overpowering for the room? Are there any special screen considerations besides size? Will the screen make a difference in the picture quality? I found a 100" manual pull-down screen at Amazon for $65...would I be sacrificing picture quality if I got that?

Would I be better off just getting a big TV for the room?

Thanks in advance!!

I was in the same boat as you when I decided to do my basement (although the room is about 15x28). I was going to get a 72" Sony SXRD, but then our family went over to 'movie night' at some friends' house. He has a 100" screen (made of paper mind you) and a 720P projector. The experience was awesome, and totally convinced the Mrs. that we should do it too! Wouldn't trade it for anything.

As far as screen size, you should try to get about a 30 degree viewing angle from your main seating position. I have a 102" Carada bright white screen and we sit about 13' away. Still looks good from the back of the room (28') and from the closest seat (on the side about 4'). No pixels- even from that close.

Here's an article that may help: http://www.finishabasement.com/home_...creen_size.htm, and also a very handy viewing distance/screen size calculator: http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html.

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by rogman

I was in the same boat as you when I decided to do my basement (although the room is about 15x28). I was going to get a 72" Sony SXRD, but then our family went over to 'movie night' at some friends' house. He has a 100" screen (made of paper mind you) and a 720P projector. The experience was awesome, and totally convinced the Mrs. that we should do it too! Wouldn't trade it for anything.

As far as screen size, you should try to get about a 30 degree viewing angle from your main seating position. I have a 102" Carada bright white screen and we sit about 13' away. Still looks good from the back of the room (28') and from the closest seat (on the side about 4'). No pixels- even from that close.

Here's an article that may help: http://www.finishabasement.com/home_...creen_size.htm, and also a very handy viewing distance/screen size calculator: http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html.

How do you mean a 30 degree angle? I'm a little confused.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Disky76

How do you mean a 30 degree angle? I'm a little confused.

I didn't word that very well... What I meant was a 30 degree field of view. Meaning that the screen should fill 30 degrees of viewing area from where you're sitting. The viewing distance calculator I mentioned will give you the numbers you're looking for. You put in your diagonal screen size and distance from screen and it will give you the number...

[Disky76]

Okay guys...

Well, I ordered the projector and screen last night, and they should arrive Thursday or Friday of this week. Got the Mitsubishi HC 1600 and Draper 100" screen. Will let you guys know what I think of these items once I'm able to test them out!!

Can't wait!!