Projector v. LCD/Plasma Question

[Deadset]

Nice links...I face an issue on whether to put a projector or TV in my basement after it's complete. The main issues I see is that this won't be a dedicated theater, there are egress windows near the viewing area, and amount of inputs.

Having a digital cable box, 360, ps3, wii, HD camcorder, DVD recorder...I tend to run out on inputs.

[amtctt]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Nice links...I face an issue on whether to put a projector or TV in my basement after it's complete. The main issues I see is that this won't be a dedicated theater, there are egress windows near the viewing area, and amount of inputs.

Having a digital cable box, 360, ps3, wii, HD camcorder, DVD recorder...I tend to run out on inputs.

i have two arcadia doors and use a projector. you just need to get some good blinds, preferably with black out cloth in them. As far as inputs, you need a good av receiver and you'll be all set. i only run 1 cable into my PJ. i think some PJ's have too many. You only need 1.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by amtctt

i have two arcadia doors and use a projector. you just need to get some good blinds, preferably with black out cloth in them. As far as inputs, you need a good av receiver and you'll be all set. i only run 1 cable into my PJ. i think some PJ's have too many. You only need 1.

Yeah, now the receivers have HDMI, but right now, I route my video signal to my TV b/c my receiver doesn't have the required ports. I run optical audio from the receiver to the box. All of this could change if I get a better receiver. I've read in these forums that the Onkyo 605 seems to be pretty good.

I've always thought about a projector, but am very skeptical about the picture quality of movies.

[TAPman]

My buddy has the 52" sony bravia lcd and brother has a tosheba 50 plasma and they both look great. But my 92" epson 1080 ub looks exceptional.
You can see so much more detail in sceens (including the film grain as you can see in the theatre). it's as close as you can get to the movies without going to the theater. and it's always in focus. Seems like every other time i go to the movies the camera is out of focus. One other benifits to FPS gamers is it's much easier to see your target with such a large screen. Any question i'm more then willing to help...

[syncguy]

Projectors and plasma/lcds are different and suitable for different requirements. Projectors could produce large and immersive pictures but you need a suitable environment to get the best out of it. e.g. large screen, light control, darker surrounding, non reflective surfaces, a large space etc. For convenient day time viewing plasmas/lcds are better. There is no requirement for light control and could operate in a confined space.

I use both mainly depending on the content. I use a flat panel for TV and the projector for movies. IMO it is true that once you get used to a projector you cannot turn back. I now refuse to watch movies on the flat panel.

I prefer plasma as they could deliver a smooth picture for TV. Plasma has a quick response time and a wider viewing angle and they could produce a clearer and smooth picture. LCDs are catching up and many people would say that they prefer LCDs. In general LCDs are still good for games.

Plasmas are heavier and generate more heat. Hence they could suffer from heat related problems. Initially plasmas had a shorter life span and terrible burn-in problem. But I think plasmas are catching up with LCDs. Plasma has a glass like finish and could create problems due to reflections.

You may do a search to find more about on this subject.

[scragham]

Originally Posted by syncguy

Projectors and plasma/lcds are different and suitable for different requirements. Projectors could produce large and immersive pictures but you need a suitable environment to get the best out of it. e.g. large screen, light control, darker surrounding, non reflective surfaces, a large space etc. For convenient day time viewing plasmas/lcds are better. There is no requirement for light control and could operate in a confined space.

quoted very much for truthiness.

in the kind of environment you (the OP) are talking about, you have potentially a perfect environment for a projector where you can control the lighting very easily (if your "egress" windows are anything like the ones in my basement, which is where i have my projector set up, then 1) they're not very useful for egress and 2) they're not that hard to cover up).

i've been very, very pleased with the performance of my projector. the PQ is astounding. cables are not an issue because i just run an HDMI cable over to it (my receiver is an onkyo 605, which i'm also very pleased by).

[ryoohki]

Yeah, for Projectors, Receiver that does everything OUT TO HDMI is awesome because you only need 1 long cable to root that everything else it routed trought the AVR witch control Sound and Picture...

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Nice links...I face an issue on whether to put a projector or TV in my basement after it's complete. The main issues I see is that this won't be a dedicated theater, there are egress windows near the viewing area, and amount of inputs.

Having a digital cable box, 360, ps3, wii, HD camcorder, DVD recorder...I tend to run out on inputs.

I recently completed my basement and built a 'theater area' in the main part of the basement. My wife was insistent that it not be a separate enclosed room. The multi-use plan worked out great. I had debated getting a 70" Sony SXRD and instead went with an Epson Powerlite Home 1080P and 102" screen. From my experiences the last few months, I would say DON'T THINK TWICE! Go with the projector. NOW!

You'll get much more bang for your buck with a projector, especially in a basement where you can control the lighting. Projectors are much cheaper per square inch and you can use the money you save to pay for the screen, receiver, and maybe even speakers too. Believe me as someone who's been there, you won't regret it!

My wife was totally against the idea until we went to our friends for 'movie night'. They have a cheaper projector (720P) and a 100" homemade paper screen (white photographer's background). Even with that- it was awesome. After that day, she was totally on board to do it. Now the whole family can enjoy movies like never before.

You can easily find something to 'black out' the egress window, so don't let that scare you. I only have a regular glass block window in the theater area, but I've covered it (temporarily) with two extra carpet samples.

Check out my home theater gallery for a look at the results, and my basement site if you still need any tips or ideas as you finish yours.

Hope this helps.

[Lucy Diamond]

I have an LCD screen that I am very happy with.

If you have the room, go with a projector, but do your research, because when projetors are done badly, they are REALLY bad and that is something you will have to live with for a GREAT while.

Enjoy,

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by rogman

My wife was totally against the idea until we went to our friends for 'movie night'. They have a cheaper projector (720P) and a 100" homemade paper screen (white photographer's background). Even with that- it was awesome. After that day, she was totally on board to do it. Now the whole family can enjoy movies like never before.

You can easily find something to 'black out' the egress window, so don't let that scare you. I only have a regular glass block window in the theater area, but I've covered it (temporarily) with two extra carpet samples.

Check out my home theater gallery for a look at the results, and my basement site if you still need any tips or ideas as you finish yours.

Hope this helps.

Congratulations. I expect you would end up with a very nice theatre. The commitment is the key to success in home theaters.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by rogman

I recently completed my basement and built a 'theater area' in the main part of the basement. My wife was insistent that it not be a separate enclosed room. The multi-use plan worked out great. I had debated getting a 70" Sony SXRD and instead went with an Epson Powerlite Home 1080P and 102" screen. From my experiences the last few months, I would say DON'T THINK TWICE! Go with the projector. NOW!

You'll get much more bang for your buck with a projector, especially in a basement where you can control the lighting. Projectors are much cheaper per square inch and you can use the money you save to pay for the screen, receiver, and maybe even speakers too. Believe me as someone who's been there, you won't regret it!

My wife was totally against the idea until we went to our friends for 'movie night'. They have a cheaper projector (720P) and a 100" homemade paper screen (white photographer's background). Even with that- it was awesome. After that day, she was totally on board to do it. Now the whole family can enjoy movies like never before.

You can easily find something to 'black out' the egress window, so don't let that scare you. I only have a regular glass block window in the theater area, but I've covered it (temporarily) with two extra carpet samples.

Check out my home theater gallery for a look at the results, and my basement site if you still need any tips or ideas as you finish yours.

Hope this helps.

Hey, I just checked out your basement media room / theater and it looks fantastic! I know it was alot of work, anyone who has done a basement or is doing one can relate. With that said, I'm just about done with wiring, got all the breakers and lights working, the last thing I'm going to do is put an outlet box in the ceiling just for the projector. I can't really see how your's connects to a power source, assuming there's a plug in behind the drop ceiling. Having an outlet up there just in case won't hurt, I have the extra 12/2....

All my other outlets are run on the main wall, was expecting to do a standard TV wall. I'm thinking about building a custom shelf for the components and have a pull down or fixed screen on the main wall. I think I have enough room. When you check your messages, send me your email and you can take a look, feel free to give me any pointers. I can still make changes until I drywall.

Another question for you, do you have a cable connection down there? Do you connect the RF to the receiver? or to the projector? I may have to move my RF connection if that's the case...

Are those in wall or surface mount surrounds?

ps...by the way, your couch looks awesome. exactly what I'm looking at too

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Hey, I just checked out your basement media room / theater and it looks fantastic! I know it was alot of work, anyone who has done a basement or is doing one can relate. With that said, I'm just about done with wiring, got all the breakers and lights working, the last thing I'm going to do is put an outlet box in the ceiling just for the projector. I can't really see how your's connects to a power source, assuming there's a plug in behind the drop ceiling. Having an outlet up there just in case won't hurt, I have the extra 12/2....

All my other outlets are run on the main wall, was expecting to do a standard TV wall. I'm thinking about building a custom shelf for the components and have a pull down or fixed screen on the main wall. I think I have enough room. When you check your messages, send me your email and you can take a look, feel free to give me any pointers. I can still make changes until I drywall.

Another question for you, do you have a cable connection down there? Do you connect the RF to the receiver? or to the projector? I may have to move my RF connection if that's the case...

Are those in wall or surface mount surrounds?

ps...by the way, your couch looks awesome. exactly what I'm looking at too

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to provide some 'inspiration'!

I had the electrician put an outlet in the ceiling for the projector, and run a coax cable across the ceiling and down the wall for the cable box. There's just one cable (HDMI) to the projector, and everything else goes thru the receiver.

The surrounds are surface mount switchable bipole/dipole surrounds from Aperion. It's my first experience with bipoles and they're great! The surround effect is VERY realistic! I was watching "Flight of the Phoenix" over the weekend, and kept looking behind me thinking there was something there. The plane was creaking, etc. and I though it was my furnace or something making noises. In the 'rainy scene' at the beginning of Ratatoulle, we thought it was really raining outside, and the Mrs. went to check.

You may have noticed that the fronts are piano black and the surrounds are cherry. When I ordered the system last November, the piano black surrounds were on back order until Feb. Since I didn't want to wait to complete the system, I ordered both sets. I ended up thinking the cherry looked better on the wall than the black would have. It gave me a chance to test Aperion's "no risk" return policy. Sure enough, they really mean it. They e-mailed me the FedEx shipper and I dropped the package off. About a week later, the amount was credited to my charge.

I wired for 7.1 just in case I decide to upgrade later....