Looking to Upgrade from TV w/5.1 to Proper Theater Setup

[koberulz]

Been thinking about it for a while. I'd really, really, really like a bigger display: I'm currently 13' from a 55-inch TV (LG C6) and it sucks ass. However. I needs my 3D, so if I want something bigger it has to be a projector. If I want a projector, the room needs an overhaul. If I'm doing that, might as well go the whole way.

That said, I have no idea what this looks like financially. I've never looked into projectors, at all, and don't even know what I'd be looking for if I did.

My current setup is the OLED C6, an NVIDIA Shield, and a Yamaha RX-A760. I also periodically use a Panasonic NV-HS1000, thanks to the composite input the C6 still has. I have an Oppo UDP-203, though I almost never use it thanks to the Shield.

The Shield is used for streaming from Netflix and Criterion Channel and the like, but also for streaming from my home media server, which is running off a NAS in the other room and contains bit-perfect rips of all my discs, so no quality loss vs using the Oppo. I've converted my 3D movies into full-SBS files, since MVC doesn't bloody work on the Shield, and the C6 is capable of playing them back at this resolution in SBS mode, giving me the full-res passive 3D experience.

My speakers are just five PSB bookshelf speakers, with a sub. Really nothing special, but it's all I could fit in the TV cabinet I have. Obviously if upgrading to a much, much larger display and completely rearranging the room, that goes out the window and I'm in the market for something a bit bigger and more surroundy. Not entirely sure off the top of my head what the receiver can do, whether I'd have to choose between 7.1 and 5.1.2 or whether it could do 7.1.2, but heights would be nice.

As I said I'm very, very new to all of this and currently at the don't-know-where-to-look/don't-know-what-to-look-for stage. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Chad Rouch]

I would say like most things in home theater, you are talking about starting to incrementally improve your system. Since your TV is on the old side, and you sit a fair distance from it, I'd suggest starting with the projector and screen that can get you to at least 85" or more if your wall can accommodate it. Now, depending on how willing (or able, if you rent) you are to hang a projector and the aesthetic you are looking for start looking at the difference between a traditional projector and a short throw projector. Either way you're talking about at least $4,000, which is why I'd say this is going to be an incremental process over a few years.

So much, though, depends on the room itself. For instance, in my home, I just don't like the aesthetic of cramming a bunch of speakers into it (I've gone down that path before and it just always looked cluttered) so I like my soundbar and TV combo. But if your room can tolerate the speakers and not clutter up (and at a 13' viewing distance I imagine you can) you might want to start building towards a 7.1.4 system should your budget afford it (again, incrementally over a few years).

[koberulz]

Well sure, but I know so little about projectors. Been doing more digging, and it turns out a lot of the projectors that claim to be 4K actually only upscale. 3D doesn't seem very common even in the projector space. HDR is another question: obviously the brightness isn't going to be there, so how does that work?

Then there's the question of how room space is going to impact what I can do. I have a weirdly-shaped wall and a couple of doorways/windows to deal with.

[Chad Rouch]

It really depends on the projector, but a lot of them require an add-on for the 3D glasses transmitter. And, yes, many of them use pixel shift to achieve 4K but aren't true 4K. You'll have to pay more for true 4K. Which also brings up the point that for the most part front projectors do not handle Dolby Vision. You may be limited to HDR10 and then the lumens will certainly affect the performance of that HDR.

You'll also need to consider how much natural light the room gets. That will determine the type of screen you will need to buy and, possibly the type of projector.

Since you have an oddly shaped room that makes a front projector impractical, you may want to try an Ultra Short Throw projector (they sit on the floor or on a short cabinet only a few inches from the wall and project a 100" image. I don't know if they sell in Australia, but AWOL has 3D projectors.

The broader point is that there's a lot to consider, and you'll really just have to dive in and start researching. Audio Advice has some good beginner videos. Build Montage is a YouTube channel that has some good info, and he's in Australia, I think, so he may be better able to help with local brands.

[koberulz]

The weirdly-shaped wall isn't an issue for the projector, really - the ceiling fan is more of an obstacle in that respect - it just narrows the room significantly, from one side only, at the back, which is going to be a seating/speaker placement issue.

[lucasatakros]

Originally Posted by koberulz

The weirdly-shaped wall isn't an issue for the projector, really - the ceiling fan is more of an obstacle in that respect - it just narrows the room significantly, from one side only, at the back, which is going to be a seating/speaker placement issue.

The good news is this doesn't have to cost thousands. Your receiver is compatible with 4K projectors and you can upgrade the speakers at your leisure. Dependent upon your desired screen size, kits are very affordable or you can build your own. You can also purchase retractable screens dependent upon your room configuration.

First you have to decide where and how large a screen you want. That will help determine if you need to go with a short throw projector.

If 3D is a requirement you have run into some problems.... and if 4K/3D is a requirement you have more problems.

3D Problems: There are active and passive glasses. Some projectors will do both. Dependent upon the projector, if using active glasses, you may need a signal transmitter and will need a compatible glasses. Then you need to find them...... and a projector with 3D sync.

4K Problems: Finding one with 3D......

You can go to the projector threads with questions. Knowing if you must use a short throw projector will help narrow down your choices. I'm trying to upgrade to 4K as well, but I'd like a 4K projector compatible with my 3D transmitter and 16 pairs of active glasses....

You might find it less expensive to buy a used projector for 3D (and hunt for compatible glasses, etc.) and mount a separate 4K projector.

This can be overwhelming..... but you can look for a used screen and a used 1080p 3D projector/glasses and then decide on 4K. Also, cardboard is cheap for covering up windows temporarily...

I was parallelized several years trying to decide. Don't make that mistake. However, it can be a pain in the @ss getting everything 3D to work due to different protocols- and even worse now since there are fewer choices/sources of glasses, etc.

[lucasatakros]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Well sure, but I know so little about projectors. Been doing more digging, and it turns out a lot of the projectors that claim to be 4K actually only upscale. 3D doesn't seem very common even in the projector space. HDR is another question: obviously the brightness isn't going to be there, so how does that work?

Then there's the question of how room space is going to impact what I can do. I have a weirdly-shaped wall and a couple of doorways/windows to deal with.

Those of us with 3D projectors frequently comment that the immersiveness of 3D is preferable to the extra detail of 4K. I'm happy with the detail from my 1080P projector... and was actually astounded by the quality- and this is my projectors 10th anniversary! (LOL, I grew up with a 32" low resolution tube TV).

[koberulz]

My 4K collection already outsizes my 3D collection, though, and that's going to get worse as time goes on because 4K is far better supported.

Passive 3D in a projector is a thing? Didn't even know that.

Then of course there's DolbyVision, which just makes things even worse. Paramount, in particular, relying on it for compression makes losing it a daunting prospect.

But one thing I'm really keen to do is mux the 3D Gravity with the Atmos Gravity and thus watch it in 3D with Atmos. Which is several upgrades away.

Don't really fancy buying two projectors. One is already a pretty big budgetary concern.

Here's what I'm working with (1px=1cm):


TV is currently in the top left corner, with seating along the right-hand wall. Was thinking of putting the projector screen where the seating is, but with that angled wall you'd basically have to put the screen over the window in the top right, otherwise the seats get pushed so far forwards I might as well keep the 55" TV. Then there's the ceiling fan, which is pretty much dead center of that upper area of the room.

[lucasatakros]

I would recommend shifting your discussion to the projector thread for better advice. It looks like you'll need a short throw projector.

Could the ceiling fan be relocated? Perhaps go with wall mounted oscillating fans....