HELP!!! Quick advise needed on Front Projection system

[PhenomeNhan]

1. I don't know much about front projection systems.
2. Trying to help a friend put together one.
3. I've always heard good things about Panansonic projectors.
4. Don't know anything about screens.
5. We are putting this into an existing HT room that had a FP system before.
6. This deal ends tomorrow (trying to stay around the $3000 mark):

http://www.projectionguys.com/packages_PanasonicPTAE3000U.cfm

His friend has a JVC and Stewart screen (but I don't it'll go way over the budget). Please let me know your thoughts.

Thx.

[dguarnaccia]

What is his budget? (I'll assume 3k between projector and screen)

Does he want 1080p or will he settle for 720p?

How dark will the room be when watching the projector? will be be completely blacked out or will there be some ambient light? This will drive how much lumenosity you need and contrast ratio needed.

How big of a screen does he want? How far back can the project be from the screen? Some projectors can only be a certain distance (throw) to achieve certain screen sizes.

How is he going to mount the projector? Ceiling mount? Wall Mount? How tall is the room? If it's ceiling mount, how far off the ceiling he want to suspend it? Good mounts will cost between 100-200 dollars as well.

[dguarnaccia]

For that projector, here is a calculator that can help answer some of the throw distance questions...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Panasonic-PT-AE3000-projection-calculator-pro.htm

Elite screens are a nice budget screen that look great, and are easy to put together. Again, depends on how much ambient light you are dealing with on what kind of screen material you go with, but take a look at the Elite screens since you get a lot for your money... http://www.elitescreens.com/

[Jed M]

If I was just getting into FP, I would recommend the Panasonic PT-AE3000u and a 2.35:1 screen from Carada. I installed that combo for my parents and it is mighty impressive. Unless you have major money to spend on a really nice lens system, the way Panasonic has implemented their easy zoom memory for regular and scope screens beats the ease and quality of my cheaper lens system. I will make the switch when I upgrade. I truly am not some kind of fanboy, but I have always loved my scope screen but never recommended them because of the added expense and/or hassle. Now with Panasonic's new feature I can whole heartily recommend this projector if you want to go scope. On top of that it is an excellent projector to boot. Don't underestimate the first time you fire up LotR in scope.:clapper:

[PhenomeNhan]

What is his budget? (I'll assume 3k between projector and screen)

Does he want 1080p or will he settle for 720p?

How dark will the room be when watching the projector? will be be completely blacked out or will there be some ambient light? This will drive how much lumenosity you need and contrast ratio needed.

How big of a screen does he want? How far back can the project be from the screen? Some projectors can only be a certain distance (throw) to achieve certain screen sizes.

How is he going to mount the projector? Ceiling mount? Wall Mount? How tall is the room? If it's ceiling mount, how far off the ceiling he want to suspend it? Good mounts will cost between 100-200 dollars as well.

Thanks for the response. I think the budget will be $3500 max. Closer to $3K realistically.

He wants 1080p, since he's intending for it to last for quite a while.

Although it's a dedicated home theater room, there will be some lights in the daytime, as it has windows (covered by plantation shutters) and a french door. I'll suggest putting drapes to darken the room.

I've not seen screens smaller than 92", so that's the max/min size we are shooting for?

I'm guessing the projector will be about 11-12 feet back. Seating will be about 10 ft (the room's only 14.5 feet long)

It'll be suspended from the ceiling (which is 10 ft high). I don't know how low he wants to suspend it, but most likely, we are looking at just using the mount that comes with the projector deal in the link above (if not, then something from Monoprice?)

[PhenomeNhan]

For that projector, here is a calculator that can help answer some of the throw distance questions...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Panasonic-PT-AE3000-projection-calculator-pro.htm

Elite screens are a nice budget screen that look great, and are easy to put together. Again, depends on how much ambient light you are dealing with on what kind of screen material you go with, but take a look at the Elite screens since you get a lot for your money... http://www.elitescreens.com/

I tried using that calculator, but I'm not sure I'm using it right. Don't know what some of those numbers are???

The Elite screen (92") actually comes with that package from the same site you linked to (Projector Central).

[PhenomeNhan]

If I was just getting into FP, I would recommend the Panasonic PT-AE3000u and a 2.35:1 screen from Carada. I installed that combo for my parents and it is mighty impressive. Unless you have major money to spend on a really nice lens system, the way Panasonic has implemented their easy zoom memory for regular and scope screens beats the ease and quality of my cheaper lens system. I will make the switch when I upgrade. I truly am not some kind of fanboy, but I have always loved my scope screen but never recommended them because of the added expense and/or hassle. Now with Panasonic's new feature I can whole heartily recommend this projector if you want to go scope. On top of that it is an excellent projector to boot. Don't underestimate the first time you fire up LotR in scope.:clapper:

I kinda like that Panny feature when I was perusing the specs. I've seen systems that have the external switchable lenses, but I didn't want to get into that, as it'll add much more complexity and $ :D

I'll take a look at the Carada stuff, as well. Thx!

[engtaz]

I have bought from projectorpeople.com. Good prices and selection.

[dguarnaccia]

Aye, I bought my stuff from projector people as well. Good service nice prices.

That calculator just helps you make sure your distances relative to screen size and projector specs are jive. Looks like will be fine with the PJ back at 11-12 feet assuming as 92 inch diagonal.

For rooms with more ambient light, you tend to want more of the high contrast grey material than the cine white stuff from Elite. All in all, the Panny is a great projector, and he'll be happy with it. That's probably my next upgrade eventually as well. The mustang mount should be fine, but he might consider adding a 12 inch extention to drop the projector to 8 foot so it's not such a steep projection angle.

[PhenomeNhan]

that make sense. Thanks for the info. I'll look more into screen gain and a longer mount.

[geneward]

lens shift should handle it

The optical lens shift on that projector should negate the need to drop the projector at all. I also think it will draw less attention mounted directly to the ceiling. I would just use what you get included. Spend the rest on a blu-ray player to really see what the projector can do.

[mojave]

Aye, I bought my stuff from projector people as well. Good service nice prices.

That calculator just helps you make sure your distances relative to screen size and projector specs are jive. Looks like will be fine with the PJ back at 11-12 feet assuming as 92 inch diagonal.

For rooms with more ambient light, you tend to want more of the high contrast grey material than the cine white stuff from Elite. All in all, the Panny is a great projector, and he'll be happy with it. That's probably my next upgrade eventually as well. The mustang mount should be fine, but he might consider adding a 12 inch extention to drop the projector to 8 foot so it's not such a steep projection angle.

The grey screens have less gain and are used for boosting contrast in a dark room with projectors that have a low contrast ratio. Elite's website even says: "Manufacturer’s tip: if your projector’s contrast ratio is more than 2000:1, we recommend you use CineWhite™ material for a brighter picture."

[PhenomeNhan]

The optical lens shift on that projector should negate the need to drop the projector at all. I also think it will draw less attention mounted directly to the ceiling. I would just use what you get included. Spend the rest on a blu-ray player to really see what the projector can do.

Thanks. I'm sure they'll appreciate the less intrusive look with a shorter mount. A blu-ray player will be part of the system, but not mentioned in this budget.

[PhenomeNhan]

The grey screens have less gain and are used for boosting contrast in a dark room with projectors that have a low contrast ratio. Elite's website even says: "Manufacturer’s tip: if your projector’s contrast ratio is more than 2000:1, we recommend you use CineWhite™ material for a brighter picture."

So, you are suggesting to go with a Cinewhite (higher gain = larger #), since there is some light that will be coming into the room?

[PhenomeNhan]

Also, I'm getting confused with all the sites. Are these the same sites:

Projectorcentral.com
Projectionguys.com
Projectorpeople.com

When I go to Projectorcentral, I see both the latter sites???