Question for all you projector guys.

jaritta

I am building a ht room, my dimensions of the room are about 15-17ft wide by 20 long. I want to put the projector on my (wide wall the 15-17ft wall)My room is square and i have duct work running about a foot off of the wall(wide wall) i want to put the screan on, I can put the screen on the wall without duct work infront (the other wide wall) I am wondering about the placement of the projector and if i will be able to do a flush mount on the celing, and shoot under the duct work and onto the wall. the duct work after it is finished will hang about 12in off of the celing. I am looking at putting about a 100 in screen with the epson 8700ub. Any thoughts on if this will work?

I can put it on the other wall oposite of the wall with the duct running along it, but i plan on having a bar next to that wall so i would like to put the screen on the oposite side of the room.

I guess i am looking for some suggestions on if the projector will shoot under the duct.

I hope this was clear, if not I will try to explain better or take some pics.

Thanks
Jaritta

kuntasensei

Yeah, I think pics will be required. I'm having trouble picturing what you're talking about.

jaritta

kuntasensei wrote: »

Yeah, I think pics will be required. I'm having trouble picturing what you're talking about.

Alright lets see if i can explain this better with pics.

The two walls that are in the pictures are facing eachother in a relitivly square room. The door to the staircase is offset, as you can see in the pictures. I would like to put the projector flush on the ceiling(or close to flush) so it wont be in the way of people walking.

Now, i would like to put the screen on the wall with the duct work running along it. The duct work will hang about 12in off of the celing after the framing and sheetrock is in place. I would like to put the projector about where the light bulb is. My question is will the projector immage miss the duct work if it is a flush mount or will i have to get an extension for the projector. If i did that i am afraid that it might hang too low and be in the way for taller people.

I can put the screen on the oposite wall, but i plan to do a wet bar area just to the left of the pictures...again this is the wall with out the duct work running along it. And it would make more sense to have the wetbar next to the seating rather than the screen......

So i am at the point of getting ready to run wire for speaker and projector hookups.....and a media cabnet so i need to get this figured out.

I hope i was clear, if not, just yell at me and tell me to explain better

kuntasensei

The 8700UB has a pretty good deal of lens shift (just under three picture heights), but if you mount it above where that duct work is, I'm not sure if you'll be able to get it down low enough (and the lower you get in the lens shift range, the more you increase chromatic aberrations caused by the lens). I would guess that you'd want to use an extension, though I wouldn't think you'd need much. Maybe just enough to bring the center line of the lens down to the bottom of that ductwork.

You might throw your distances into the calculator over at projectorcentral.com and see if it might make more sense to shelf-mount the projector on the opposite wall instead of ceiling mounting. That way, no one could whack their head against it, and you could drop it down low enough to clear everything (and maybe go larger than 100" if you have to, though I wouldn't go too crazy).

Ricardo

+ 1 ^^^^^^

If a ceiling extension puts it in the way of heads, shelf-mount it in the opposite wall.

jaritta

kuntasensei wrote: »

The 8700UB has a pretty good deal of lens shift (just under three picture heights), but if you mount it above where that duct work is, I'm not sure if you'll be able to get it down low enough (and the lower you get in the lens shift range, the more you increase chromatic aberrations caused by the lens). I would guess that you'd want to use an extension, though I wouldn't think you'd need much. Maybe just enough to bring the center line of the lens down to the bottom of that ductwork.

You might throw your distances into the calculator over at projectorcentral.com and see if it might make more sense to shelf-mount the projector on the opposite wall instead of ceiling mounting. That way, no one could whack their head against it, and you could drop it down low enough to clear everything (and maybe go larger than 100" if you have to, though I wouldn't go too crazy).

Thanks for the ideas, i have gone to the projector calc and if i mount it on my back wall it is going to be very close to the max distance from the screne, plus i am concerned about the leingth of hdmi cable and if i will have any picture loss if i make a long run, my original idea was to put the componant cabnet in the right hand corner of the wall with the screne, this would probably be a 25ish foot hdmi, would i have any problem with that. I dont think it would take much of an extension to miss the duct....just thinking at this point.

Also if i put it on the back wall would i have any problems with things like heads getting in the way of the picture??

Thanks guys you have already been a huge help!

polkfarmboy

Buy a mount with a drop tube

jaritta

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Buy a mount with a drop tube

kind of the way i am leaning, any suggestions on type, also any suggestions on rear wall mounting shelv, do you have problems with things getting in the way of the picture if rear wall mounted?

My celing will be just under 89ish inches if i get a tube mount i am afraid that it will hang too low because of the clearance below the duct work.

The projector calc was good but again it doesnt help me with the throw of the projector.

Ricardo

This is the shelf I used:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DMJ49C/ref=oss_product

If someone stands up in the seating position, there will be a head in the screen. But that will also happen with ceiling mounted projectors.

kuntasensei

As far as the length of HDMI... I'm using 35 ft. of HDMI from Monoprice.com with wall plates from my AVR to my Epson 8500UB, with about another 5-7 ft. from sources to AVR to plates. No signal issues whatsoever.

Ricardo, I dig that shelf. I may have to swap my homemade wood shelf out for that, 'cause that looks NICE!

Ricardo

For $27 it is well worth the investment.

I use a 50ft HDMI from monoprice. I use the $13 repeater, but I don't really think it is required.

polkfarmboy

kuntasensei wrote: »

As far as the length of HDMI... I'm using 35 ft. of HDMI from Monoprice.com with wall plates from my AVR to my Epson 8500UB, with about another 5-7 ft. from sources to AVR to plates. No signal issues whatsoever.

Ricardo, I dig that shelf. I may have to swap my homemade wood shelf out for that, 'cause that looks NICE!

I was thinking about the monoprice big long hdmi cables ..are they any good ?

I was lucky to buy a pj mount from elite screens that worked but it does not work with my epson but my epson pj has awesome lens shift . drop tube mounts are ugly but effective

kuntasensei

Man, those long Monoprice cables are QUALITY. Thick as hell, well shielded, and I haven't had a single dropout (and I'm not using a repeater/amp for that length).

jaritta

kuntasensei wrote: »

Man, those long Monoprice cables are QUALITY. Thick as hell, well shielded, and I haven't had a single dropout (and I'm not using a repeater/amp for that length).

There are a bunch of different types of long hdmi cables, i am looking at getting one, which type? most say standard speed...do i need a high speed. just fyi i am not getting 3d projector so does it matter?

Ricardo

I got their professional 22 AWG standard speed cable. It works great for me (Epson 8100).

Dandydan

I also use a Monoprice 25 foot HDMI cable on my Epson 8700. Picture is unbelievable especially with BD played. Using 16:9 110 In. screen with 1.3 gain and a light controlled environment where I can make it black.
The pop on the screen is as good as a plasma or LCD.:cool:

jaritta

Dandydan wrote: »

I also use a Monoprice 25 foot HDMI cable on my Epson 8700. Picture is unbelievable especially with BD played. Using 16:9 110 In. screen with 1.3 gain and a light controlled environment where I can make it black.
The pop on the screen is as good as a plasma or LCD.:cool:

Dandydan,(or anybody else) What type of screen are you useing, I need to try to figure out what type of screen to use. A guy i was talking to said something about useing a blackout screen....I dont know if he made his own or what. Just looking to get some info on that also. I am also a little illaterate on what 1.3 gain is...could you please explain?

Is it worth buildig your own screen or buying one? Also I am looking at a monoprice hdmi switcher with remote so i can switch hdmi signal because my avr is older and doesnt have hdmi, Is there anything i need to look for as far as specs?.....ect.

kuntasensei

Cheap 100" 1.1 gain Elite Screen pulldown for me, but I have a strange placement (as you can see in my gallery).

polkfarmboy

kuntasensei wrote: »

Cheap 100" 1.1 gain Elite Screen pulldown for me, but I have a strange placement (as you can see in my gallery).

Them cheap pulldown screens you mention has the best color accuracy out there next to the stuart firefox and the 1.1 gain does not hotspot

I use an infocus hd grey screen because I sometimes have side lighting and its great for superbowl partys and stuff during the day

So go for a grey if you cant completely block out the light and it will boost the native contrast as a bonus, but when its dark but you suffer from inacurite color compared to the white screens

You can find a white or grey fixed frame from elite for only $250 on amazon usually 105 to 120 inch

kuntasensei

BTW jaritta, you might find this interesting:
"This Epson has plenty of lens shift too! For that same 100 inch screen, the Epson can be placed, (normal The Epson Home Cinema 8700UB projector lens shift.or inverted), anywhere from 22.7 inches above the top of the screen surface, all the way down to 22.7 inches below the bottom of the screen surface. That is measured from the center of the lens."

So you might just be able to flush mount to clear that vent. Or at the very least, use a very short extension.
Source: http://www.projectorreviews.com/epson/home-cinema-8700ub/tour.php

Dandydan

Placement was no issue 12 feet from the screen - centered of coarse. Tons of adjustment room on a 6'8 in ceiling. I use on a 4 inch projector mount to keep it close. Gain compensates for lighter room conditions and brightens the picture slightly. I use it so i can run in eco mode and max. bulb life. Epson has a special on right now where they though in a few bulb with the purchase of the 8700. Just love the picture - I bought a no name electric screen Favi - and to be honest not sure if i could make it any better. All the reviews on the 8700 are true and then some as far as i am concerned. I was going to order a Panasonic AE4000 but when the new Epson was released they gave me a bulb / 100 rebate and reviews have been off the chart for image.

jaritta

Thanks for all the answers guys. You have been very helpfull.

Do you guys have any good websites to look at projector screens.?/Any suggestion on brands?

Is it worth going cheap on a screen or droping 500-700+ on a screen when i am paying 2100 on the espon 8700, I guess i am afraid I am spending a lot on the projector and not getting its full potential because i am trying to be cheap on the screen.

I am worried about getting the color ballance right on the 8700 when i get it. Do i need to get a calabration dvd? if so, any suggestions?

Any suggestion on flush mount/tube mount projector celing mounts??

jaritta

sorry i guess i should say i am looking at a fixed-mounted type screen, not the drop down type

polkfarmboy

jaritta wrote: »

sorry i guess i should say i am looking at a fixed-mounted type screen, not the drop down type

Just look for an elite silver frame projection screen. they are tensioned fixed frame screens and come in a variatey of screen gains and available with grey or white

The elite screens require almost nothing to calibrate them especialy with the new thx mode on the 8700

kuntasensei

Yeah, the Epsons' out of the box performance is pretty much as close to pre-calibrated as you can get. If you have a blu-ray player, google "AVS 709 HD" and there's a free downloadable 1080p calibration disc that is invaluable. All you'd need to do color is the right blue filter... but I would honestly say that you're gonna be so happy with the 8700 in THX mode that you won't be too hung up on calibration.

Ricardo

www.Carada.com

Not cheap, but it's an awesome screen. I got the precision bright white in 104" and it matches very well with my Epson. The gain really helps get a decent image with ambient lights, and I have not found any disadvantage to it. No matter where you are standing the picture is excellent.

jaritta

Hey guys, here is a link to the screen that i am looking at....let me know if you were in my position would you buy this screen. The carada screen is awesome but a little more than i wanted to spend.

Sorry to keep this thread alive, i just kind of have no idea on where to go on the whole screen issue.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190496163833&category=48655&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

here is a link to the screens in use.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/7680380_sAijF/1/496001832_4zExy#496001832_4zExy

I dont know...maby i should just break down and buy the carada screen

polkfarmboy

Well here is somthing to put in perspective

In audio always invest heavily in speakers and amps because cdp's and pre's change and get changed out alot

For video you should invest heavily in your screen because projectors and av processors change and get changed out alot too

Ricardo

I would go with Carada. I couldn't be happier wity mine.

Maybe that ebay screen is great. Maybe it isn't. But a gain of 1.0 might be too low for ambient light watching.

jaritta

Alright, i think youve convinced me, i think i will break down and buy the carada

jaritta

Hey guys, i have another quick question, I have an xbox 360 that i want to conect to the projector, should I get the 25ft componant video cables and couple them to the componants from the 360, should i get a cable from monoprice that has componant on one end and vga on the other.

The componant-vga is about 6.50 vs the componant-componant is about 20ish.

Can i pass the same quality of video to the projector via the vga or is the componant-componant the only way i can pass 1080p to the projector

I guess i should mention that the xbox is an older one that doesnt have hdmi(thanks microsoft....that was a brillant idea)