Basic Projector Set Up

[Jhodi]

I have decided to go with the projector route to watch high-def movies with my blu-ray player.

Question is....where do I run my audio out?

Must I go thru a high-def receiver? Or, does the blu-ray player or projector have an audio in?

Basically, what are the primary components to a projector set up?

Thank you very much for your help.

[Jhodi]

Ok, i think I answered my own question.

I have a Bose 321 sound system, and it has an optical in....so I can run optical out of my blu-ray player to the Bose optical in and use it for the audio, right? I realize it will not be hi-def audio, but audio nonetheless. I know bose sucks and all that, but I happen to have it on hand.

SO...thinking about just getting started with a 720p projector and my sammy 1500 blu-ray player, running thru the bose for audio, and project onto my da-lite 106" high power screen.

How does that sound for a beginner?

[Brain Sturgeon]

You've got it...

Optical out from the BD player to your Bose, hdmi out from the BD player to your PJ.

That ought to get you started. One additional thing you may want to do is have a video out connection from the Bose (composite, s-vid, or component) to your PJ in case there are any on-screen configuration menus from the Bose Media Center.

Let us know when you're ready to replace your Bose system.

[Jhodi]

Thanks Brain. I just ordered the Mitsubishi 1500 projector from Amazon for 779. With my screen at 300 something, and my sammy BD player for 400, I have a home theater system for under 1500 bucks! Of course, I am not counting that dreaded bose system! hahahhaha

Here is why I have that Bose system---I use it for a portable outdoor movie theater set up I have, and I fly with it, so it had to be loud and portable. Works great for that.

Thanks for the input...I can't wait to get it going on!

[Jhodi]

I am SO excited! All my gear came in. Initial set up worked great, except I think the digital optical cable I bought is bad because I had to run component from the Bose system to the BDP.

Projector looks great and the new screen is gorgeous!

Doing the major installation of it all this weekend. Expect questions.


Brain, I saw your pictures and you are my new hero. we should have been married! My husband won't go for any of that! Dammitman!

[jomari]

congratulations on your new setup jhodi, and welcome to the forum.

i do suggest, since you've just getting into projectors, have you found a replacement bulb for that mitsu you got?

its a very good idea to either buy one outright, or just save up for a new one.

the last thing you'd want is a pj without a bulb, and considering how some models are being replaced quickly these days, its never to be safe than sorry.

just my 2 cents.

nice setup by the way!

come around and we can discuss more about that da-lite and when you're ready to upgrade, let us know.

[Jhodi]

Ahhh Jomari...so what would be the upgrade from the Da-Lite screen? Just for future reference?

Don't tell me though what I am not supposed to like about the Da-Lite and I bet I will never know!

I would be LIVID if I couldn't get another bulb, so thanks for the tip on the replacement.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Jhodi

Ahhh Jomari...

1. so what would be the upgrade from the Da-Lite screen? Just for future reference?

2. Don't tell me though what I am not supposed to like about the Da-Lite and I bet I will never know!

3. I would be LIVID if I couldn't get another bulb, so thanks for the tip on the replacement.

1. well, there are a couple of options, all depending on how 'big' you're going to go with your current setup. some would like a grey screen, to enhance the contrast levels, others like a higher gain, while others would like to have a material where the sound can emit thru em.

2. there isnt much you wouldnt like about it... but there are options out there that may bring your eyes to a tear... for now, keep the da-lite. no need to upgrade unless you're going to go big time.

3. its not a bad idea to keep one, just in case, or for security reasons. its like insurance. you know you'll end up using it at one point or another right? its just a matter of WHEN.

[Jhodi]

Thanks for the post, jomari. This forum has completely enabled me to get all this done. And I know I have barely scratched the surface.

[Cossa]

Originally Posted by Jhodi

Ahhh Jomari...so what would be the upgrade from the Da-Lite screen? Just for future reference?

You should not feel like you've made a bad decision on your Da-Lite screen. I find their screen material to be superior to the other highly touted brands. I've obtained sample material from Screen Research, SmX, and SeymourAV. None of them had the picture quality of my Da-Lite screen. Although, I was only comparing acoustically transparent screens in a highly light-controlled room. Your mileage may vary. However, my point is that Da-Lite makes a very fine screen, and you made a good choice there.

On the flip-side, I look forward to talking to your further when you decide to replace the Bose 3-2-1.

[jomari]

i didnt mention that the dah-lite screens were substandard out there, although there is room for improvement based on each persons needs. (do i need a higher contrast level, do i need it perforated for my front speakers, etc)

its a substantial start so to speak, to break into the world of front projection displays.

[Jhodi]

Note: I didn't mention the Bose system in my gear profile! dammitman, you must have read the entire thread. Maybe I should do some editing!

I actually have a really nice set of Atlantic Technology speakers, 5.1, upstairs, but my frickin husband won't let me take them away from his CD player.

How do you all get around having to deal with the spouses on your hometheater dreams??? That is another thread altogether, indeed!

[AlaskaDon]

I finally had to go the legal route to solving my spouse/spending issues.

Seriously though, congrats on the new home theater set-up. I know you'll enjoy it.

[Jhodi]

You did, or SHE did?

[Brain Sturgeon]

Originally Posted by Jhodi

Ahhh Jomari...so what would be the upgrade from the Da-Lite screen? Just for future reference?

Don't tell me though what I am not supposed to like about the Da-Lite and I bet I will never know!

I would be LIVID if I couldn't get another bulb, so thanks for the tip on the replacement.

The DaLite High Power is an excellent all around screen, and many people use it for what are considered very high end theaters. I don't think you have to worry about upgrading the screen, unless you were to go with something larger. Even if you were to go with a very large screen, you would typically want to go with a higher gain screen with anything over 10' or so, and you aren't going to find a screen with much higher gain than a correctly set up High Power (up to 2.8 gain). Here's a pic of a large 12' High Power setup with a JVC RS-1 from a poster at AVS:



The guy in that picture is 6' 4".

Gray screens can improve your black levels somewhat, at the expense of your white levels. Acoustically transparent screens are useful for setting up a system where the speakers are behind the screen, much like a real theater; although the gain of these screens is not particularly high. I, myself, use an acoustically transparent SMX Cineweave HD (1.16 gain) which, I think, has fabulous video quality as well as being truly acoustically transparent (visit www.smxscreen.com). But, these are very specific screen materials for a given application. Bottom line is that your DaLite High Power is a great screen-- don't worry about needing to upgrade it unless you have some specific application in mind.

The bulb probably is not such a big deal. Even with discontinued projectors, you can typically find a replacement bulb from the right dealer. I suppose if it's inexpensive, then why not. But a bulb for my PJ, for instance, is $400. I'd rather not let $400 sit around doing nothing when it could be earning interest in a bank account or accumulating value in an investment.

In terms of WAF (wife acceptance factor), or in your case HAF (husband acceptance factor); I find that you either need to do a trade off and let her/him get something she/he wants (e.g I get projector, she gets diamond earrings) or you wow him/her with the setup that you want. In my case, I did both, and my wife actually enjoys our theater about as much as I do.

Good luck with your setup-- I'm sure it will be fabulous!

Cheers!

[Jhodi]

The gain on my screen is 2.8---not sure what that even means...but someone on here recommended the screen.

And the problem with the trade off idea with the husband unit is that he doesn't ever even spend money on himself...a real minimalist. SO....I have to just get what I want, let him kind of wig out, and then he too ends up enjoying it. I think I provide him some balance that way...although I don't think he sees it like that. hhahhahaha

First dinner party and a movie is Saturday night! I can't wait and husband is already asking what we are going to see.

[Brain Sturgeon]

Originally Posted by Jhodi

The gain on my screen is 2.8---not sure what that even means...but someone on here recommended the screen.

And the problem with the trade off idea with the husband unit is that he doesn't ever even spend money on himself...a real minimalist. SO....I have to just get what I want, let him kind of wig out, and then he too ends up enjoying it. I think I provide him some balance that way...although I don't think he sees it like that. hhahhahaha

First dinner party and a movie is Saturday night! I can't wait and husband is already asking what we are going to see.

In simple terms, the screen gain is a measure of how much the screen material amplifies the light output from your projector. The higher your screen gain, the brighter your projected image will appear. Here a formula for you:

Lumens (see your projector's specs) ÷ screen area in square feet (43.89 in your case, assuming a 16:9 ratio screen) = illuminance

illuminance x screen gain = luminance in foot-Lamberts

A luminance of 20 or brighter is considered a very bright picture. Greater than 30 is probably painfully bright. For reference, most real movie theaters have a luminance in the 10-12 range.

I suppose if you husband doesn't spend a lot, that just leaves more for you do buy stuff with

Just buying it and "wowing" your husband with the purchase will probably work within limits. Just make sure you have a return policy with anything you buy.

Good luck with the dinner party!

[Jhodi]

HAHAHHAHA...I think he is the one who oft wonders about his return policy! hahahha

Just kidding!


Thanks for the lesson in illuminance. I will figure out what my system's configuration computes to be.

[Jhodi]

ok, the mitsi hc1500 has 1600 lumens.

1600 divided by 43.89 = 36.45

36.45 x 2.8 gain = 102.06

Can you find the error?

[Jhodi]

One more question.

http://www.aboutprojectors.com/Optom...projector.html This is the projector I had been using with my little outdoor theater set up (blow up screen etc). I had been using this little portable system for summer fun...and also using it indoors...but when I went hi-def I thought I needed a HD projector so I upgraded to the Mitsi HC1500.

Now, when Brain started talking about Lumens, I wondered what my old projector specs were so I pulled up the specs...and it says it is HDTV compatible. What exactly does that mean?

Did I upgrade when I really didn't have to?

How does the Optoma DS305 compare to the Mitsi?

The Optoma is as such: DLP™ Display Technology
1800 ANSI Lumens
800 x 600 Native Resolution
4:3 Native Aspect Ratio
2000:1 Contrast Ratio
4.4 lbs
HDTV Compatible
1 Year Warranty


and the Mitsi

DLP™ Display Technology
1600 ANSI Lumens
1280 x 720 Native Resolution
16:9 Native Aspect Ratio
2500:1 Contrast Ratio
6.5 lbs
1 Year Warranty

How much better will the Mitsi actually be, I wonder?