My First Projector & Screen

[JStewart]

IIRC you were looking for 1080p projector? If that's true then there are quality projectors to be had used for under $1k which could get this closer to budget with a retractable screen.

Someone someplace has probably had a good experience with a retractable screen. Not sure where though. They always seem to end up curling on the edges and for their price, they shouldn’t. If you go with a pj, I’d skip the flat panel behind the screen and just used a fixed screen.

That would be a serious hiccup. Is your experience with tensioned screens?

In the 70" range a flat panel is going to be the better choice. Just need to keep in mind 70" could be too small for a good experience in a 2nd row of seats.

9.5 feet Maximum recommended SMPTE viewing distance (30 degree viewing angle)
11 feet Maximum THX viewing distance (26 degree viewing angle)
7.8 feet Recommended THX viewing distance (36 degree viewing angle)

(Source https://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html)

 

[Todd Anderson]

If you’re looking for a 1080p... IF it were me, I’d seek out a used JVC for under a grand, get a new OEM bulb, and never look back ;-)

 

[Grayson Dere]

If you’re looking for a 1080p... IF it were me, I’d seek out a used JVC for under a grand, get a new OEM bulb, and never look back ;-)

I absolutely love the picture quality from my 1080p JVC X75R : )

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

...How tall are your speakers?

52” spiked with tweeters at 47”

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

If you’re looking for a 1080p... IF it were me, I’d seek out a used JVC for under a grand, get a new OEM bulb, and never look back ;-)

Maybe I’d like to be you! We’ll see as I traverse this learning curve.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

...That would be a serious hiccup. Is your experience with tensioned screens?

Appreciate you asking what I missed.

In the 70" range a flat panel is going to be the better choice. Just need to keep in mind 70" could be too small for a good experience in a 2nd row of seats.

My setup is right at 9ft viewing distance for a 65”, so it’s close but certainly not ideal. I believe you about it being too small for the people in back. I’m finding it’s rough to accommodate both stereo and multichannel HT without serious compromises when setting up on the short wall. I being persuaded in another thread to map out the room on paper to get a better idea of what will work.

I’m going to “petition the court” regarding second row seating, but not for the reason you may think given that last paragraph. Setting up on the long wall may haul the new system up to the next level. It should allow an immersive multi-channel, big screen experience while retaining convincing two-channel capabilities.

Maybe I can set up a single row of increasingly off-center seats, tuning only for dead-center MLP. That’s not visitor-friendly, but my anticipated visitors will be attending more out of social necessity than for entertainment. Still, it would be nice to impress everyone.

 

[JStewart]

I’m going to “petition the court” regarding second row seating, but not for the reason you may think given that last paragraph. Setting up on the long wall may haul the new system up to the next level. It should allow an immersive multi-channel, big screen experience while retaining convincing two-channel capabilities.

Can the judge be bribed?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I have to say, I had a JVC RS45 that I sold for peanuts.... its 1080p performance isn't that drastically different than my RS520. Just say'n.

I sold that RS45 for $500

 

[JStewart]

A couple of random long wall placement thoughts...

For long wall viewing, flip the closet assignments between the theater room and adjacent bedroom. (IIRC the closet door for the theater was in the middle of a long wall.)

Long wall ammo for She Who Must Be Obeyed... If using short wall screen placement 3 seat wide seating assuming about 90" wide seating in a 132" wide room leaves 21" on either side if seating is centered for 2 channel. Not really wide enough for easy walk by.

For long wall viewing set-up maybe a 3-wide seating with a chair on either side so as not to interfere with 2 channel at MLP. Not sure, didn't check measurements. 5 seats vs 6.

For long wall viewing with projector set-up, cut a hole in closet wall to theater room. Shelf in closet to put a projector on. Piece of suitable glass between the rooms. + Keeps heat and noise in the closet. - Leaves some work to do when selling the home. + Gives you a bit more throw distance which might be needed with a JVC projector and 100" screen.

For long wall viewing a typically OLED has wider viewing angles than LCD/LED. Non ALR screens typically have wider viewing angles than ALR (ambient light rejecting). Not sure if there would be any issues with either but may be worth a check if/when decision time comes.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Thank you for all the input. I’ve been learning more about screens and aspect ratios. If I understand correctly, screen size and seating distance have recommended relationships but remain a matter of personal preference.

Many sources claim 16:9 screen is better for TV, sports and games while a 2.35:1 screen is better for movies (I still don’t know why). One person who watches mostly TV says here that they would choose a 16.9 screen almost the width of the room, knowing that 2.35:1 content would still fill the width but with black bars above and below the picture. Implementing a 2.35:1 screen would present 16:9 content with black bars surrounding the picture.

I watch mostly disc-based movies in the dark. Do you think I should plan my seating for a 16:9 screen? That choice seems more logical to me because the image will fill most of the screen irrespective of the source format, correct?

 

[Tony V.]

A 2:35:1 movie image on a 16:9 screen will have black bars top and bottom but on a 2:35:1 screen can be zoomed out to fill the entire screen pushing the black bars outside the screen surface area. A 16:9 image on a 2:35:1 screen will leave you with black bars on the sides (in my mind that's a better trade off that the anther way particularly because most movies and some TV shows these days are now shot with 2:35:1- 2:40:1 aspects)

 

[NBPK402]

You can also mask the side bars with a set of curtains. I like 2.35.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It really comes down to taking advantage of your screen's masking on the frame. Roughly 90% of movies are in 2.35:1... in my case, I went 2.35:1 fixed because everything we watch in the home theater is disc based (meaning, not altered by a cable TV station to fit a 16:9 screen). I like it that way because the masked frame creates incredibly crisp boarders. Also, 2.35:1 fixed gave me the ability to fit a larger screen in my space while allowing the center channel reside higher off the floor.

If you're thinking most of your content will 16:9... I'd go with that for the reasons Tony lists above.

 

[JStewart]

Evan Powell over at projector central has a good write up on the pros and cons of the different screen aspect ratios here https://www.projectorcentral.com/build_home_theater_screen_aspect_ratio.htm

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

For long wall viewing, flip the closet assignments between the theater room and adjacent bedroom. (IIRC the closet door for the theater was in the middle of a long wall.)

Good catch!

Long wall ammo for She Who Must Be Obeyed... If using short wall screen placement 3 seat wide seating assuming about 90" wide seating in a 132" wide room leaves 21" on either side if seating is centered for 2 channel. Not really wide enough for easy walk by.

Another, “Oh Man!” moment. I like totally forgot to reserve room for my tube traps. The larger measures 21” diameter and the smaller 18”. They’re designed to go in corners or along walls at strategic low-f pressure zones.

For long wall viewing with projector set-up, cut a hole in closet wall to theater room. Shelf in closet to put a projector on. Piece of suitable glass between the rooms. + Keeps heat and noise in the closet. - Leaves some work to do when selling the home. + Gives you a bit more throw distance which might be needed with a JVC projector and 100" screen.

Another handy tip from your Uncle “J”
I figured there’d be some amount of disassembly and repair work to be done to revert its condition to a bedroom come time to sell the home. Classy idea for a glass equipment door. I understand that glass is one of the worst surfaces to have in a listening room, but it’s probable that the resultant reflections would be tamed between the double onslaught of acoustic panels and Dirac Live. I know, I know. It’s better to clear as many issues from the room as possible before introducing acoustic and electronic correction.

For long wall viewing a typically OLED has wider viewing angles than LCD/LED. Non ALR screens typically have wider viewing angles than ALR (ambient light rejecting). Not sure if there would be any issues with either but may be worth a check if/when decision time comes.

Thanks for that. Viewing angle would definitely be an issue with a single row of five seats.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Thank you everyone for your help! Along with some discussion going on in my main build thread, you’ve helped me decide on a drop-down AT screen.

My most generous wife agreed to a single row of 3 seats, so speaker placement for best 2-ch performance has a fighting chance. The theory worked out in that main thread will most likely need adjustments, but there’s really not much room to make a difference no matter which speaker setup regimen is followed. EDIT: On a brighter note, I feel confident I can coax better SS&I from the new 11x17 room than I was able to squeeze out of my current 9x13 one.

The proposals below show front-row viewing distance as a function of number of rows. Screen location is the same for both: 4ft from front wall, 13ft from rear.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Evan Powell over at projector central has a good write up on the pros and cons of the different screen aspect ratios here https://www.projectorcentral.com/build_home_theater_screen_aspect_ratio.htm

I have to admit that first read left me a bit disoriented, but another pass of Part 3 brought things into much better focus. My first choice was a 2.35 screen. Now not so sure, especially after reading about the typical 1.78 and 1.85 aspect ratios of most music concerts. That type of content is my number one priority, so I obviously want to present it in the best light (no pun intended. That means largest image, not just best sound.

The article states that 1.78/1.85 content is actually smaller on a 2.4 screen than it is on a 1.78 screen. That’s because the latter has more actual area for a given length due to screen height.

 

[NBPK402]

Personally I prefer the 2.35 screens, and my next will be a 2.35 too. I used an anamorphic lens on my old setup though too.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Now that I know what to expect, it would be nice to see a couple examples in person. I wonder if the local Best Buy would have a setup I could view, or maybe there's a specialty shop in the city that has a working mock up.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Someone someplace has probably had a good experience with a retractable screen. Not sure where though. They always seem to end up curling on the edges and for their price, they shouldn’t. If you go with a pj, I’d skip the flat panel behind the screen and just used a fixed screen.

I'm not a fan of pull down screens either but that was my thoughts to get you more size.

Fixed would be great, but I'd have to settle for a much smaller size (think 70" vs 100") to fit between the mains, which will be located to prioritize 2-ch music playback. Quite a bit of Googling later finds me no closer to a verdict regarding curling. Reports seem to be dated, yet I have no doubt untensioned screen have curling issues. I wonder if tensioned models improve with cost.

Quality tension screens cost serious coin... just be aware!

I think you suggested a Screen Excellence model in another thread of mine. The quality and features sound fantastic, but I'm having trouble finding purchase info. Its the same situation with Da-Lite. It seems they only work with dealers. I'm going to try calling their North America numbers today.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

My issue with fixed (sans masking system) is just that: one aspect ratio will have masking... another won’t.

You can also mask the side bars with a set of curtains. I like 2.35.

Masking is a topic I have yet to become familiar with. I understand it's purpose, but not its execution. I can also understand manual curtains, but not motorized masking. A bit more reading is needed on my part.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Fixed would be great, but I'd have to settle for a much smaller size (think 70" vs 100") to fit between the mains, which will be located to prioritize 2-ch music playback. Quite a bit of Googling later finds me no closer to a verdict regarding curling. Reports seem to be dated, yet I have no doubt untensioned screen have curling issues. I wonder if tensioned models improve with cost.


I think you suggested a Screen Excellence model in another thread of mine. The quality and features sound fantastic, but I'm having trouble finding purchase info. Its the same situation with Da-Lite. It seems they only work with dealers. I'm going to try calling their North America numbers today.

I'd imagine that you could purchase Screen Excellence direct if you worked some magic. I just happen to know of someone that might be able to give you some insight @thrillcat

Have you tried giving them a call?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Masking is a topic I have yet to become familiar with. I understand it's purpose, but not its execution. I can also understand manual curtains, but not motorized masking. A bit more reading is needed on my part.

Masking isn't 100% necessary. BUT, without it, you lose a defined edge on your image. Is it the end of the world? No. Will it crush your viewing experience? Nope. But, it definitely looks better when in place.

My screen is 2.40:1 fixed. So any 16:9 video has black bars on the sides. The average viewer may not notice (or even care if they notice... which is more the likely scenario ;-)... but if you're particular, you'll note a bit of lightness along the edge of the image. Most movies are cinemascope, so I haven't bothered to make panels, but I've thought about it.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I think you suggested a Screen Excellence model in another thread of mine. The quality and features sound fantastic, but I'm having trouble finding purchase info. Its the same situation with Da-Lite. It seems they only work with dealers. I'm going to try calling their North America numbers today.

In North America, you order via www.seymourav.com. It is a partnership, Seymour/Screen Excellence. US distribution is Seymour.

As for fixed vs. not, I prefer a fixed screen. However, I know for a fact that Seymour's personal room has drop down screens (2, in different aspect ratios). His screens have tab tension on the sides with a cable pulling them tight to prevent curling. It's never been an issue that I've seen, they have always looked great.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Does he use AT Screens?

I might need to look into a 16:9 drop-down AT for in front of my fixed. would definitely give me a bigger 16:9 image!