Explain projectors to a complete noob

[DogsBody]

I am potentially interested in getting a projector but know little to nothing about them.
Can someone explain in full how I would set one up.

I know they have a 12v feed that will "switch" a screen to make it lower automatically.

What is tye best way to mount them ?
what type of PJ do I need so as not to compromise on quality.
Is there a chart that shows room distance vs maximu screen size achievable ?

I currently run everything through my Panny Plasma and 5.1 amp.
Do you lose the ability to have say your blu-ray player played through the tv or do you use some kind of switch box to switch the output source over to PJ or TV ?
I have a Logitech harmony one so controlling everything will not be an issue.
What type of screen is best ?


And one of the most important questions cost.
I am not interested in what the absolute cheapest, but in the same vane I don’t want to spend a fortune.

I don’t mind going 2nd hand if it means the kit isn’t compromised in anyway, ie do PJs die after a certain time or is it just the bulbs that go after a bit ?
Also roughly how much are replacement bulbs and how long do they tend to last ?


I will chase power into the wall/ceiling, and I assume there is no otherway to get the signal to the PJ without running an HDMI cable to it ? I guess I will have to chase this into the ceiling at the same time.

What is the best way to hide both the screen and the projector, I have seen in various installs where people hide the screen using a Pelmet is there anything else which can be done, ie can the screen housing be painted and hidden that way with any kind of decent results ?

I don’t see a lot of people hiding the PJ though is this generally not something that people do ? I just don’t fancy having a massive box hanging down from the ceiling on permanent view.


Anything else I should be aware of that I have missed ?

 

[DogsBody]

I appreciate your response.
Room dimensions I dont actually have yet as I haven't moved in

It unfortunately will be "your average" living room, I don't intend on painting walls or areas surrounding the screen black to make a better picture, I will be able to make the room pretty dark though through blinds and curtains and positioning of the screen.
Floor will be a medium coloured stained oak, wall behind TV will be faily dark, but rest of the room will be light colours, as will the ceiling


I estimate I will be sat 3m from the screen.
I haven't set a budget but to give you an idea of what i have already would perhaps give you an idea of what kind of budget I should perhaps set.

TV 46" Panasonic Plasma, cost me £700 but I got it as end of the line as new models came out, I know that my brother paid £1200 for a 42" version of an older model.
Amp is cambridge audio don't know what but cost me £270
front speakers are about 10 years old now but I don't see any reason to get rid as they still sound great B&W DM602 S3, about 18 months ago I bought the centre speaker to match off ebay for £100 (C600 is it ???)

rears I am going to buy when we move in I have set my budget at £150 for these and am looking at some mordaunt short bookshelf speakers.
Sub - Yes I have one, no idea what it is though lol think I paid about £150, it's a 10" woofer and the enclosure is a bit big to be honest but again it does it's job so probably won't be getting changed.
Blu-Ray player which has hardly been used is also a panasonic unit that I got for chrimbo last year cost about £90 I think.

 

[DogsBody]

The key to an easy life with a projector is an AV amp which routes video. Anything else is a massive pain in the backside.

Head over to AVforums.com for more info. There are hundreds of options, and even in the last 5-7 years the technology has come on massively.

Are you keeping your plasma for daytime viewing? Any projector is badly affected by natural light.

I assume amp would need HDMI for decent video then.
CBA to pull it all out right now but pretty sure my amp doesn't do HDMI

EDIT remember name of amp
Cambridge Audio Azur 540R V2
pic of back of amp

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/540R-V3-rear.jpg

Has HDMI
No idea how to use it or if I could run a PJ off it ???
EDIT V3 - I am pretty sure mine is a V2 and that pic is the V3, just checked and the V2 doesn't have HDMI on it.

What other options do I have if I decided a new amp is not within budget ?

TV would be kept for TV as I don't have sky, nor do I watch enough TV to warrant sky. TV has built in freeview and freesat. but freeview in my area is pants so I probably won't even install a TV aerial if I am honest (new build)

Have a quick look at my Facebook page. There's a projector install I did last week. It might give you some ideas.

Screen size vs throw distance depends on the projector lens. Some projectors are designed to go at the back of the room so it's very much like a proper cinema. Others such as gaming projectors go much closer to the screen and still make a very large image. The key to understanding this is the "throw ratio". Its simply a multiplication factor. Screen width multiplied by the number equals throw distance. And it's screen width not diagonal, same as if you were measuring up for carpet. Projectors witha a zoom lens have two throw ratio figures. The number is written in this fashion. 1:1.5~1.8 This gives you the longest and shortest throw distances for each end of the zoom range.

I already pretty much know what layout the room is going to be and the PJ will defo have to go at the back of room as high up as possible.