How do you decide how big to go with your screen? - Blu-ray Forum

painted_klown · 01-04-2011, 05:18 PM

Hello all.

I recently purchased my first projector. An Epson powerlight home cinema 720HD. Black levels aside, I really like this PJ a LOT. I must say that it has added more to the "fun factor" of my setup more than any other single purchase.

Since I do not yet have a screen I have been shooting it onto a sheet tacked to the wall and moving my "screen" around to different walls and rooms in the house (just playing with it a bit) to see what screen size seems to work well.

One thing that me and my GF both quickly realized is that there is no such thing as a screen that is too big.

This got me to thinking that I should measure the wall and just buy the biggest screen that will fit on it. Here is where I run into a dilema...if I do that, then I have an issue with speaker placement. The two main speakers (towers) would end up blocking the screen.

So, here is my question. How did you decide what size screen to install?

Astrakan · 01-04-2011, 05:35 PM

Haven't you pretty much answered your own question? You've decided that bigger is better, but too big will cause your speakers to obstruct the view.

So... get a screen that's as big as possible without causing speaker placement problems.

That's what I did. Love it. I paid no heed to the various calculators out there, but if you want to go more scientific you could do that.

Beta Man · 01-04-2011, 05:38 PM

Base it on speaker placement, as you said, and make sure you don't go bigger than the projector is capable of (based on throw distance).

Also, for entry level projectors like ours..... you don't want to go "too" big in the fact that the lamp is only so bright...... so keep it under 160" or so.

eclimax13 · 01-04-2011, 09:19 PM

for me it was as big as i could go...my towers block the screen just a bit but only for people who sit off center, which i never do so it doesnt bother me at all

Blown 4.3 · 01-05-2011, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrakan

So... get a screen that's as big as possible without causing speaker placement problems.

that is what i did. actually, i diy'd my first screen. that gave me an excellent idea of what i wanted. which was a screen that was as big as i could fit.

pics of the evolution in my gallery.

painted_klown · 01-05-2011, 11:54 PM

Thank you for your responses guys.

It looks like I am not the only one who thought that screen size shouldn't be limited to the THX recommendations. Once you experience that amazingly HUGE screen, it's quite difficult to settle for a smaller screen.

Blown 4.3 · 02-02-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painted_klown

Once you experience that amazingly HUGE screen, it's quite difficult to settle for a smaller screen.

thats it right there. those that have not seen a large sceen, just don't understand.

my wife thought i was crazy for getting the 65".
she loves the 119"

getech · 03-20-2011, 06:28 PM

Can anyone out there suggest a good but not too expensive front projector and screen for my evolving ht? My room is 29' x 19'. I have a 50" plasma which seems rather puny for the room especially paired with my 3 CAT12's & 2 Submersive HD.s. My target price is <$5K. So many brands to consider though it appears that JVC has the best rep out there. What about Optoma; Epson; Panasonic; Sony; Mitsubishi...worth considering?

Thanks for any input!

Trogdor2010 · 03-20-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getech

Can anyone out there suggest a good but not too expensive front projector and screen for my evolving ht? My room is 29' x 19'. I have a 50" plasma which seems rather puny for the room especially paired with my 3 CAT12's & 2 Submersive HD.s. My target price is <$5K. So many brands to consider though it appears that JVC has the best rep out there. What about Optoma; Epson; Panasonic; Sony; Mitsubishi...worth considering?

Thanks for any input!

You should choose based on the width of the room that you are using. I'd personally go with something larger than 150 inches (diagonal) maybe even larger, which other than a few DLPs, most home theater projectors can't even light up that big of a screen (including JVC, which is per se light cannon for a Home theather projector). You might want to consider a model from Vivitek (H508OD). Even cheaper would be the Viewsonic Pro8200 ($950, likely will need calibration). If you decide to go with a 2.35:1 screen, and do zoom, the brightness will be based on the 16:9 image the projector produces, but if you buy (or make) an anamorphic lens, you'll get an image that is 15% brighter than the zoom image, very useful with larger screens and brightness limitations. Google the carlton calculator and it will give you a guide on the brightness of which is ideal. Also read the reviews on their actual brightness. Also check for it's warranty to make sure you don't get a fluke later on.

Mr.Poindexter · 03-21-2011, 02:03 PM

You can get a wider screen when you run an acoustically transparent screen and then you don't have to worry about the speakers getting in the way since they are behind the screen just like in a commercial theater. There are THX certified screens on the market so you don't take a hit to the sound performance. That is one thing I notice lacking from almost all the theater installations in the gallery here.

Having an acoustically transparent screen also allows one to have identical front speakers, which allows for a more even sound field and the sound comes directly from the screen, not from below it.

When you go that route, it is also much easier to go with a 2.35:1 screen, which is really the way to go if you are a film buff.

01-04-2011, 05:18 PM	#1
painted_klown Expert Member Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Posting Unpopular Opinions 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:23	How do you decide how big to go with your screen? Hello all. I recently purchased my first projector. An Epson powerlight home cinema 720HD. Black levels aside, I really like this PJ a LOT. I must say that it has added more to the "fun factor" of my setup more than any other single purchase. Since I do not yet have a screen I have been shooting it onto a sheet tacked to the wall and moving my "screen" around to different walls and rooms in the house (just playing with it a bit) to see what screen size seems to work well. One thing that me and my GF both quickly realized is that there is no such thing as a screen that is too big. This got me to thinking that I should measure the wall and just buy the biggest screen that will fit on it. Here is where I run into a dilema...if I do that, then I have an issue with speaker placement. The two main speakers (towers) would end up blocking the screen. So, here is my question. How did you decide what size screen to install?

03-20-2011, 06:28 PM	#8
getech New Member Member since:Jan 2009	Choosing my first Projector! Can anyone out there suggest a good but not too expensive front projector and screen for my evolving ht? My room is 29' x 19'. I have a 50" plasma which seems rather puny for the room especially paired with my 3 CAT12's & 2 Submersive HD.s. My target price is <$5K. So many brands to consider though it appears that JVC has the best rep out there. What about Optoma; Epson; Panasonic; Sony; Mitsubishi...worth considering? Thanks for any input!

01-04-2011, 05:35 PM	#2
Astrakan Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Toronto, ON Blu-ray collection:164 Trading Score:6	Haven't you pretty much answered your own question? You've decided that bigger is better, but too big will cause your speakers to obstruct the view. So... get a screen that's as big as possible without causing speaker placement problems. That's what I did. Love it. I paid no heed to the various calculators out there, but if you want to go more scientific you could do that.

01-04-2011, 05:38 PM	#3
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	Base it on speaker placement, as you said, and make sure you don't go bigger than the projector is capable of (based on throw distance). Also, for entry level projectors like ours..... you don't want to go "too" big in the fact that the lamp is only so bright...... so keep it under 160" or so.

01-04-2011, 09:19 PM	#4
eclimax13 Special Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Massachusetts Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:2	for me it was as big as i could go...my towers block the screen just a bit but only for people who sit off center, which i never do so it doesnt bother me at all

01-05-2011, 11:54 PM	#6
painted_klown Expert Member Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Posting Unpopular Opinions 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:23	Thank you for your responses guys. It looks like I am not the only one who thought that screen size shouldn't be limited to the THX recommendations. Once you experience that amazingly HUGE screen, it's quite difficult to settle for a smaller screen.

03-21-2011, 02:03 PM	#10
Mr.Poindexter Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2010 Home Theater Gallery:29 Trading Score:1	You can get a wider screen when you run an acoustically transparent screen and then you don't have to worry about the speakers getting in the way since they are behind the screen just like in a commercial theater. There are THX certified screens on the market so you don't take a hit to the sound performance. That is one thing I notice lacking from almost all the theater installations in the gallery here. Having an acoustically transparent screen also allows one to have identical front speakers, which allows for a more even sound field and the sound comes directly from the screen, not from below it. When you go that route, it is also much easier to go with a 2.35:1 screen, which is really the way to go if you are a film buff.

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