Projector in a small room.

Mikharper

Mikharper

Mikharper

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Prescot, Liverpool UK :)
After getting an AV reciever and 5.1 speakers last year I've been bitten by movies and good TV programs bug, I currently watch everything on my 22" Samsung 226bw, which while good as a PC monitor is just seeming too small and I would like to put some HDness to some proper real estate screen size.

I cant wall mount a TV, nor can I really afford the screen size I would like (I was going to go for a 1080p to use PC with but I've gone off that now)

Basically I'd like a projector, a 720p as my budget is £500ish, after a lot of reading it seems my room, roughly illustrated below

I have 2 options, a 6ft throw distance, or an 8ft.

3388086751_c784145c34_o.png


(On the left is the bed, infront is shelfs, then you see the speakers, with the centre being on the desk which is the top rectangle on the pic, other 2 blobs are Chair, footrest)

is small to be considering a projector, the ceiling is just over 6ft.

I have 2 options, a 6ft throw distance, or an 8ft.

I would re arrange is to this

3388085019_f3ba3b9395_o.png


Which would give me more throw distance to work with and by moving my shelfs I wouldnt have to ceiling mount it I dont think, but then id lose the speakers when sitting at the PC and.. id have to figure out where the centre speaker would go.

I know its not a very concise post but im basically asking do you think I should continue to plan/consider or just look at something else.

Thanks.
 
Your throw distances will be less than these. You need to take into account the size of the projector and there is normally some sort of recommendation for clearance around the projector.
 
With most normal projectors you could get a 45" diagonal image from 5', or you could get one with a short throw lens (bit expensive though) and get a larger image, maybe 60-70".

With rearranging your room, you should be able to get about 75" from 8'.

Use this tool to work out your sizes. Remember to subtract about 18-24" from your throw distance unless you are mounting the screen flat on the wall, and putting the projector inside the opposite wall.

Most people recommend Panasonic, but I have had an Optoma HD72i for a couple of years and the image quality is great.

I think for your budget I would be looking at eBay for a second hand one.

Edit: I just noticed you say you have 6ft ceilings. I think you may have more of a problem mounting the projector where it won't be obstructed, plus the drop distance of the screen may be lower than the bed/cupboard.
 
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The Sanyo PLV range of home cinema projectors have a 2x zoom lens, which would give you a 60" image at 6ft, and a 80" image at 8'. (nice round figures there!) but that is not taking into account depth of the projector, air flow, mounting the screen etc. Maybe it would be better off for you to get a cheap but big LCD tv on your desk.
 
Okay without actually buying a projector to try out is there a way to find out how high (or low since it will be upside projecting down) an image will be on the wall? Going from a height of 6 foot.
 
If you are using a ceiling mount, the angle of projection will be adjustable so that the image can be put at any height. Most projectors will have keystone correction to adjust the distortion.

My projector is mounted 12" from the ceiling, and the top of the image is at about the same height (maybe a bit higher, 8-10" from ceiling). The reason I have this drop from the ceiling is because I have lights which would be in the way.
 
Well I bit the bullet and just ordered a Optoma HD65, after carefull planning I think I will see 34hx60w inch image 16:19 and and 25x60 for most movies, I'll update when it arrives/I've got it set up :)
 
Update, its arrived, I re-arranged the room, and I LOVE it, worked it out mostly right, just watched IMAX space station in HD, it was amazing, im very happy I went this way over just a large TV. Pics to come soon, next thing I want to do is make black felt masking for 16:9, and try and combat reflection areas on the walls.
 
The great thing is, if/when you move rooms BOOM you get a bigger tv :p. I love taking my Z3 around my mates student house, old victorian style with a HUGE front room, can project about 3m wide its mad.
 
Chris1712 said:
The great thing is, if/when you move rooms BOOM you get a bigger tv :p. I love taking my Z3 around my mates student house, old victorian style with a HUGE front room, can project about 3m wide its mad.
Click to expand...

Or take it outside and project a 20ft Sky Sports HD onto the side of the house next door!! :D
 
Hedge said:
How much the projector set you back?
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About £540 which is more than this projector has been priced at in the past so it may go down again.

Yep I quickly set it up in the living room and got quite a large image, happy with what I have in my room though.
 
Ah man, Im trying to sell mine aswell but ive been really lazy in trying to do so.

Sorry i didnt see the thread earlier and try and sell ya mine! lol
 
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