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Thoran · 06-13-2005, 09:20 AM

I've got a 120" full hd projection system (720p). Projection is the ultimate for Home Theater configurations, but there are a couple important points to consider.

- The larger the screen you want, the larger the room you need to have. My screen is in my bar, it's a 35' x 40' space. If your room is small you can still go front proejection, just don't get too agressive with screen size. The rule of thumb is that seating distance should be 1.5x screen size... so with my 10' screen I have the front row of seats at about 15' from the screen.

- Projection systems work best in a dark ambient environtment. My Bar has HEAVY curtains on the windows, and is pretty darn dark even on a bright afternoon... if I open the curtains, ambient light will strike the screen and cause some loss of quality from washout.

- Bulbs have a limited lifespan... usually 2000 hours, replacement bulbs cost about $500.

If you can do it, there is nothing better than front projection. EVERYONE who's seen my system has been totally blown away, the experience is very close to going to a theater... big picture and better sound... without the annoyances of dealing with other people and expensive ticket prices. Including the projector, screen, mounting hardware, HTPC, and THX Stereo I've got maybe $15k invested... that's a whole lot cheaper than it would have cost just a few years ago. You can get a nice projector for $2k-$4k, decent screen for a thousand or so, cables another couple hundred... then just add a sound system of some sort and video source and you're in business.

06-13-2005, 09:20 AM	#23
Thoran Galvatron Join Date: January 10, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Age: 57 Posts: 2,109	I've got a 120" full hd projection system (720p). Projection is the ultimate for Home Theater configurations, but there are a couple important points to consider. - The larger the screen you want, the larger the room you need to have. My screen is in my bar, it's a 35' x 40' space. If your room is small you can still go front proejection, just don't get too agressive with screen size. The rule of thumb is that seating distance should be 1.5x screen size... so with my 10' screen I have the front row of seats at about 15' from the screen. - Projection systems work best in a dark ambient environtment. My Bar has HEAVY curtains on the windows, and is pretty darn dark even on a bright afternoon... if I open the curtains, ambient light will strike the screen and cause some loss of quality from washout. - Bulbs have a limited lifespan... usually 2000 hours, replacement bulbs cost about $500. If you can do it, there is nothing better than front projection. EVERYONE who's seen my system has been totally blown away, the experience is very close to going to a theater... big picture and better sound... without the annoyances of dealing with other people and expensive ticket prices. Including the projector, screen, mounting hardware, HTPC, and THX Stereo I've got maybe $15k invested... that's a whole lot cheaper than it would have cost just a few years ago. You can get a nice projector for $2k-$4k, decent screen for a thousand or so, cables another couple hundred... then just add a sound system of some sort and video source and you're in business.