Hi Guys,
I am planning to setup my own media room with mounted ceiling projector, and projector screen.
What kind of projector do you recommend for 3.5 meter wide wall.
How do you run movies, USB? Netflix? or any other services?
It sums up everything that I need thank you @Shorty. However, since the post is from 2017 a lot must have changed. I am wondering if you have anything to say over 85'' TV vs Projector?
A projector gives you a larger screen experience but a TV is going to give better colour accuracy, detail and contrast. I guess only you can decide which is more important to you.
Thank you so much.
The most impressive ones ive seen for a cheaper budget all use an ALR screen with a short throw laser projector. the screens are 1k plus.
A projector as a TV replacement is a bad idea. I've yet to see a 'slick' home-projector set up. There's just too many things to fiddle with - lights/blinds, screen, audio, input sources, etc. The closest I've seen is where the person has a dedicated home cinema room and doesn't mind spending 5mins to get everything set up.
Not that hard, I use a logitech harmony hub (about $60 when I bought it on special) to do everything with one button press on my phone - turn on projector, AV, xbox/ps4/tv tuner or whatever and selects appropriate input.
Not that hard
Not that slick either … some people are okay with that type of set up as a tv replacement, but most aren't.
Projector
Budget - Epson TW5600 approx $850-900
Better - JVC LX-NZ3 or Epson TW9400 $4-5000
Screen
Do NOT get a pull down screen. They pretty much all suck, you'll see ripples and waves, unless you pay big bucks for a tensioned model.
Get a good decent fixed tensioned screen. I recommend these, they're a great budget screen.
Better - Selby sell great screens, easier to assemble and better tensioning.
Media
Buy a Nvidia Shield.
Check out XYscreen on Alibaba. Landed a great ALR motorised tensioned screen for about $600. There is a maximum size they will ship through post/courier though. Watch out for ALR screens with short throws because sometimes they are not specifically made for the angled light coming from short throw projectors.
My room is very bright and I get good picture during the day with the ALR and the Epson TW8300 but I do need to close my blinds ideally (I don't have block out curtains).
Use bell cable (or similar) to make a 12v trigger cable and run it between screen and projector to automate the screen.
For good picture quality your gonna be forking out at least around $4-5k for a new projector. I picked up a relatively new Epson TW8300 LCD for a good price and my previous BENQ PE8720 DLP I scored off Graysonline lasted me more than 10 years so if you're willing to forgoe the latest and greatest and are patient you can get a pretty good deal. Beware most cheap DLPs will have noticeable rainbow effects.
The new blue light laser projectors are seriously bright and lamps last longer.
I found the Logitech Harmony a pain in the ass but it might work for you so check it out. Other options are the Broadlink RM Pro and the Bose universal remote (comes with Bose systems). Broadlink RM Pro is a good option but the app is a little clunky.
All in all like everything else you get what you pay for and home cinema is no exception to this rule. Lots of people have lots of opinions of who's right and you can get really lost in more and more technical details and reviews about 'the best' and who is 'right'.
Gotta do your research though so read up if you have time.
There are online calculators around for the wall size and throw distance that you can use to figure out screen size and projector placement. Check them out for your planning.
Hope these ideas give you some areas to check out with your own setup. Other option is to just pay a pro to install if you have the $$$ to burn.
How big was your screen ? also what are dimensions of your room?
Screen size is 130 inch.
Room dimensions are 5.6m x 6m.
Throw distance is 5.4m.
Hi its a year down the track my house is almost built now trying to organise what to buy!
The room is 4.8 x 3.7 (viewing distance would be about 3.3)
I think that would just work with 120" screen depending on the projector. Can you point me in the direction of the screen/a suitable projector?
I looked on XY screens but a bit confused about exactly what i'm after.
thankyou in advance!
@Jaz82a: That's great news!
Those LG oled tvs are worth a look…amazing picture quality. An 85"+ one of those would prob work quite nicely :)
There's basically 3 types of projector screens you could choose (links are indicative products):
1. Fixed frame screen (does not retract) —> https://www.xyscreen.com/Thin-Bezel-HD-Home-Theater-Projecto…
2. In-ceiling screen (hidden in the ceiling) —> https://www.xyscreen.com/in-ceiling-electric-projector-scree…
3. Wall/ceiling mount (casing is visible on wall/ceiling) —> https://www.xyscreen.com/tab-tensioned-motorized-projection-…
120" is about the largest screen you can reliably ship from China.
Its advisable to get tab-tensioned screens to reduce warping issues.
The fixed frame screens can be made with superior Anti-ambient Light material (also known as black diamond screens) but this will not be available in retractable screens as it is not flexible enough to roll up.
You can still get good Anti-ambient Light "grey" screens in retractable screens. IMO the one i have (XYScreen EC2 anti-ambient grey) allows good watching still in daytime - but this will also depend on how many lumens your projector is.
My XYscreen EC2 control board has just died and I'm trying to replace it. Trigger and IR activation doesn't work. Luckily the manual override buttons still lower and raise it.
Dont forget you'll need a decent HD HDMI cable 10m+ for 1080p or a HDMI Fibre Optic cable like Ruipro for 4k.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/337261