flat screen or projector

[slude]

debating to go with (1) 65" and (2) 32" or a 3d projector for a +100" screen. will mainly use for watching movies, htpc streaming, split screens between nfl and other sports.
 
anyone with a projector care to shed some light on the picture quality?

[bulbasaur]

I run a projector at 120 inches.  It looks good at 1080p, and the newer 4k ones probably look better (but there isn't much content).  If you have a dedicated room, the picture quality should be fine as long as you get a decent projector.  The downside is that if you are just running it in a living room setup, the quality will still be good, but those black levels won't look as good.  A projector does give the best dollar per inch. 

For a living room setup, it's probably Best Image vs. Size.  What kind of image is good enough?  What kind of size is good enough?  Personally, if it is over 100, I rather go projector and make modifications to the living room.  If it is 70 inches or less, a television. 

For a dedicated room, a projector is the way to go.

[slude]

i'm renovating a basement room into a theater room. max screen size is 110" diagonal. i'm a little worried about not being able to see the projector screen if i want a little sunlight to come thru the windows. i will  have curtain drapes to cover the windows, but still want to enjoy a little sunlight like a living room without losing the picture quality.

i'm looking at the benq w1070 projector for starter. its got great reviews and won't break the bank.

[six]

I've done the 70" HDTV and 3D projector on a 12' screen.  For your choice, you should be fine with a little light coming through, as long as it's not direct sunlight.  Direct sunlight is too bright.   It needs to be diffused.  2000 lumens should be the minimum for your purpose.  With that said, sports will look better on the 65" HDTV.  Movies will be better on the projector.

Don't forget to consider the cost of replacement bulbs.  (Because once you get your setup going, expect to have people over non-stop for a while.)  Buy OEM bulbs.  Don't waste your money on remanufactured bulbs.  I only buy Osram/Sylvania branded bulbs.  I don't waste money on Philips or any other brands.  Know the different model numbers for the same bulb, that'll save you money.

Oh yeah, don't forget about the 3D porn.  Pron shot with a real 3D camera will look like a live show.  Porn that's post-processed to 3D looks like floating cutouts. 

[slude]

3d porn

thanks for the insight. i'm leaning towards a projector and also a few recessed light fixtures, and ceiling speakers. how did you configured your av components?

thinking of running all components to the projector, then out with a digital optical to the receiver.

[thePoster]

I thought about a projector too in my last apt, had a huge whitewall in the living room but I just got a TV, with the projector I believe after many hours the bulb will go out.


Anyways I was hanging out at a co workers house one night and he had a huge huge TV setup, like I think maybe 80+ inches, raised high, he had high Celine's and a nice sound system, it felt like a theater in there.

Then next morning we all went too he wingbowl.

[six]

I see why you're doing that.  I used a computer to control everything.  I had the AV equipment behind the projector screen. Optical out from the computer to pre-amp then amp.  Ran a DVI cable from the computer to a DVI to HDMI adapter to the projector's HDMI port.

The hardest part was speakers placement.  Too close the the wall, and they sound boomy.  If one is closer the the wall, it'll sound a little louder.  If they are behind the screen, the highs are a little muffled.  Yes, I am anal (but people who experienced my setup always asked how I achieved the "3D sound" with two speakers.....h ahaha.)  Ideally, the speakers sounds best when it's configured in a isosceles triangle in front of you away from the walls.  I eventually settled for good enough - speakers placed on the side of the screen two feet away from the walls.

Good luck.

[winerice]

Get a nice soundbar and wireless sub to go along with this project then you're done. Don't need to run those speaker cables everywhere.

[slude]

i'm not into soundbar. less speakers but not the same as surround sound.

i decided to stick with my polk tower speakers, center channel and 2 ceiling speakers, also got an entry level yamaha 3d pass thru receiver for the benq projector. i will go wireless for the sub.

running cables is no joke. ran ethernet, coax, speaker, hdmi, components above the ceiling. in a couple of years everything will be wireless. but for the time being, wired is reliable.

[winerice]

I think your basement is the perfect setup for soundbar if the basement is a rectangle layout. The Yamaha YSP 4300 can send sound and bounce through wall and create a surreal 7.1 sound. Even the Bose lifestyle 135 series III and the new Sony HTST9 are capable of creating a surreal 7.1 sound.

I am currently have the Sonos playbar and sub and it rocks in my living room whether watching movies or TV. My house furniture doesn't rattle like other soundbars i went through. I can convert into 5.1 setup with two play1 or play2 speakers.

[bulbasaur]

Nothing against soundbars because they are good for many setups, but real speakers just sound better.  If you got the space and the budget, go for a true setup. 

[slude]

my theater room is 13'x19' would be ideal for a high end soundbar like the sonos. but they are a little pricey, almost $800 for the set if you want surround sound but a lot better than those packaged soundbars. if price goes down this holiday i might pick one up for the upstair main living room.

i had an onkyo 7.1 receiver and never utilized all speakers so decided to go 5.1.

[winerice]

That is a great ideal room size for a man cave. I wish we have basement in cali.

[slude]

here are some pix of my design and renovation work. still in the process of painting and putting up the center 8x8 drop ceiling, then adding optic fiber for a star ceiling.

3d design of the room. originally going with 7.1 but decided to go with 5.1 and added 2 ceiling speakers behind the theater seats.



plans for drywall ceiling studs


early plans for 3 lcd's


decided to do one 100" projector screen


putting up drywall ceilings and wiring. projector mount and 2 hdmi cables from 12' center of room to opposite wall for 100" screen.




made a closet for av components with built-in shelves, access from back thru lower level



a lot of planning and work. still in progress, just finished sanding the ceiling and put a coat of paint. finishing with another coat tonight and adding crown molding trims around. star ceiling is next and new carpet tiles to complete.

[winerice]

coming along very well. show us the finish product and a demo would be awesome!