The Projectors that you can put on your floor right in front of the screen.

[Firestreak]

I remember seeing a video of this months ago, there were projectors that would function in any room shape size, because instead of shooting the image from the opposite side of the room, you put the projector on the floor in front of the screen, and it shot the image angled upward.

Anyone know any more about this? I can't find any models of these and am curious to look into them.

[Brandon B]

Nec Wt600

[AlaskaDon]

I think they all pretty much do this. You are talking about vertical offset. The amount of offset varies from projector to projector so it's a matter of finding the one that will meet your needs.

When you ceiling mount a pj, it's mounted upside-down to have it throw the image "downwards". It also rotates the image 180 degrees so that the projected image itself is not upside-down. It's basically the same thing as putting the projector rightside-up and on the floor except that you don't need the projector to rotate (flip) the image over. The main thing is to find a projector capable of meeting the offset you require based on where your screen will be mounted, and where you plan to place the projector.

DLP projectors usually have a fixed amount of vertical offset making them harder to place. LCOS projectors generally have adjustable offset.

[Firestreak]

I think I saw something like the NEC but it seemed to be more for movie watching rather than business applications. Same kind of idea though. I saw it on the TV coverage of some electronics expo, so it's possible it's something not out yet - or something not for mass market yet.

[AlaskaDon]

There is an inherent problem with projecting from the floor or a low table. If you put the projector in front of your seats (i.e. between the seating and the screen) then it's going to be so close to the screen that the resulting image will usually be smaller than you want. Obviously you can't place it behind the seating as this would block the image altogether. Some people get away with placing the projector on a table between the seats, but that creates problems with noise and heat. I can't really imagine that any new technology is going to fully overcome these physical limitations. Possibly new lenses, or more zoom that would allow placement of the projector closer to the screen?

My feeling is that nothing beats a ceiling mount for the best possible HT experience. It's also easiest to use as you don't usually have any obstructions between the projector and the screen, and you don't have to worry about tripping over anything

Edit: I took a look at the spec sheet on the NEC. Interesting that it can project a 100" image supposedly at a throw distance of about 30". It doesn't appear that this projector is designed for home theater. The contrast ratio is not very good. It's also heavy on PC type inputs, yet it lacks HDMI. I think that it's more designed for business applications like PowerPoint, and I would imagine that you would be disappointed with it in an HT application.

[Texitura]

Check this out:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/sany...l50_review.htm

[Brandon B]

Originally Posted by AlaskaDon

I think that it's more designed for business applications like PowerPoint, and I would imagine that you would be disappointed with it in an HT application.

It definitely is a business projector. I have not seen an ultra short throw HT unit yet. The Sanyo above is similar in specs and connections to the NEC.

You could try getting a lens attachment from someone like Navitar, but then you are bumping the cost up pretty significantly.

BB