Questions about Projector Setups

[Baplad]

I am really really interested in getting myself a projector setup rather than my 37" lcd tv which ive got a little fed up of, so a few questions and well your advice would be helpful

I dont really know a lot about projectors, so below is what my budgets are and a few questions about projector setups.

• I would be wanting a HD Projector my budget for the projector would be around the £500 mark.
  
• What screen would i need to get for it? (pref 16:9 and around about 70") and how much do the screens usually cost?
  
• What is the recommended distance the projector should be from the screen?
  
• Can you use HDMI switchers with projectors? (skyhd, mediacentre, xbox360, ps3)

I will also be re-decorating my room around the same time, so what colours (im assuming darker colours would provide a better environment for a projector setup)

And im guessing investing in a good pair of thick/blackout curtains also?


I know im asking a bit more than the usual spec me threads, but i appreciate any responses.

Cheers,

Mark.

 

[Baplad]

Cheers for the info, and yes i forgot to mention about speakers, plan to buy a new set.

 

[Baplad]

Thanks ScarySquirrel ill have a check when i get in from work, and referring to your distance my room is about 10ft square so give or take a foot taking the projector + screen into consideration.

My room very rarely gets the sunlight through the window, not to mention living in N.Ireland you get more moonlight than sunlight!

Use the projector to compliment your TV, not replace it!

It gets quite old quite fast having to sit in pretty much darkness every time you want to view anything, especially during the day!


I've got a 42" LCD I use primarily, but I've just put up my 5ft-wide pull-down screen (which gives a 72" diagonal image... small, but I got the screen for nothing!) and am about to mount my projector

I was thinking about mounting my tv with the sceen to pull down infront of it, but i live like a vampire anyway! Work late most nights so its usually dark when i get home, apart from the summer!

And rarely get to watch stuff during the day, if i do its football in the pub on a saturday/sunday. That's why im thinking of going to a projector setup, it seems perfect for me.


Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Baplad]

Need some more help,

I measured my wall i want the projector to project from and to, and its 10ft(120inches)

Using the projector calc, for the Optoma HD65 its saying screen size for 16:9 is 89" on 1x zoom or 81" on normal, if im reading it right!

So my question is, what would be a suitable screen for this distance, like i said before this is my first time venturing down this road, so not really sure what type of screen to get and what gain etc?

Thanks,

Mark.

 

[Baplad]

I can't stress how much a positive impact a darkly decorated room has on picture quality. Go as dark as you can stand or are allowed (the misses often has something to say about this). It doesn't have to be a cave - although that's best

Would the whole room need to be the same colour, or would the wall where the screen is going be sufficient enough?