Deadset's HT Build Thread

[Deadset]

Ok, Beta I did use your idea, but it was a good one! I'm starting this thread to get some ideas on setup for a projector and a projector that will suit my needs. I'm looking for a 1080p projector in the price range of $2500 or less. I have a unique setup, but first some background.

I'm finishing our basement and the plan was to keep an open floor plan, add a 4th bedroom, minibar and a great room that 1/2 will be a theater, the other 1/2 will be kid stuff. It's been a busy year, new baby and 9 months of building, wiring and plumbing, but the current plan is to be done by December and then I'll be getting a projector at that time.

Planning

To start out with, I came up with a floor plan before the building ever began in Jan 2008.

The birds eye view of the basement

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1...ayout01kh8.jpg

The minibar setup

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6...ayout01ta2.jpg

Basement Build

Currently, I've done the framing, wiring, plumbing and am about 85% done with the sheetrock. I've done all it my self, but plan on hiring out the mudding and texturing.

Starting from scratch, view of future projection wall



View of the duct work and far wall / rec room area, mini-bar to the right


View of the projection wall


Built in blu-ray storage, 1 of 2 built-ins pictured


Side view of the movie room, duct work


5' mini-bar


Change in Plan

Once the planning was done, it was time to start building. At first, I was planning on the TV being a large screen, probably 63" or so... I wired up the basement as such, towards the end of wiring I was reading about projectors and I think it was rogman who convinced me the joys of owning one (plus all the other well informed HT junkies on here).

Some setup challenges

The Limitations are shown in a very rough pic below

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/4887/ht01zz9.jpg

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/8152/ht02bh3.jpg

As you can tell, the ductwork is going to be an issue, well at least I think it is. I ran a 32' HDMI cable and wired up an outlet in the ductwork frame and just last weekend, I added 4 more support cross arms to support the weight of the projector at various mounting distances.

The center of the wall is pretty much right where the projector is going to mount, so there's really no concern with with horizontal shifting.

Vertical Offset

Here is where I'm a bit sketchy, I've seen some projectors at projectorcentral.com that have this in their calculation and some that do not. Does this mean some have internal offsetting?

The projector will hang down from the 7' of space I have from the duct work about 5 to 6", and it'll probably be about a foot long. That said, my throw distance at a maximum will be 12' from the front of the lens to the wall mounted screen.

Also another concern I have is noise and heat. I've read some projectors are noisy and that is a big concern I have, since it's going to be lower and just behind the seating.

Viewing Habits

Obviously I love watching movies and blu-rays are great but...I have several TV shows in SD and am a big MST3K fan, so I need a projector that does display SD as well as my JVC LCD 40" TV.

I'm not a big football fan, but I will watch hockey in HD down there.

I'll also be playing games and could possibly hook up the computer to my future receiver - but the PC thing will be rare...

Summary

1. With an 11' viewing distance, a maximum throw distance of 12' what projectors do you guys recommend? I'm looking at the AE2000U due to some the flexible setup features it offers.

2. I really need a quiet projector.

3. If I have to have an offset from where the projector hangs, can I still have 100" screen, with the hight being 49" (I'm good on width of 87) and still have room for a low component shelf below the screen? Will my viewing distance be too close for 100" screen?

4. Are there any projectors that you can recommend that satisfy my viewing habits?

Any other input you can give would be appreciated. This will be my first projector. I've read lots of posts and really haven't decided on one projector, lots of people recommend the sanyo, epson and panny, but am also looking for other suggestions with my setup challenges.

More pictures to follow!

Edited the thread with pictures and links to larger files to make it more readable.