Suggestion for College Apartment

[garto]

Alright well next year I will be living in an apartment just off campus (Uconn). I want a nice TV, hence why i have my 32 lcd sharp but I'm somewhat scared to put anything on our first floor that is worth any money in case it gets ruined at the parties. Then I thought that maybe a front projector would be perfect since i could get pull down screen that could disappear in a flash if need be. It leaves one major problem though. There is no lighting help in the room, i can get shades but even the if its bright out it will be bright in the room. I need something bright but that still maintains a good picture. Possibly use a black screen with higher gains.

The room is about 15 feet by 15 feet. The couch will be at the end of one side and the projector projected picture will be on a side perpendicular to the only windows in the room. For me any picture over 60" would be perfect, HD cable will be used as well as a HTPC for upconverting everything else. I just want something that will be bright and mostly indestructable since I can mount the projector in a safe enclosure (metal enclosure with hidden vents).

I have a sharp aquos 32 inch now and i would prefer something that provides a better image. The thought of spending a 1500 and not getting something better would make me angry.

Thanks,

Oh and budget is around 1500. I'm an engineering intern if you wonder how I can afford it.

[BMXTRIX]

Take a look at www.avintegrated.com/lighting.html for an idea of what ambient light can do to your image on screen under various conditions. I've still gotta take some photos during the day to show what things look like.

Bottom line is that I would strongly consider the Optoma HD70 or Mits. HD1000 for under $1K then use some leftover cash to get some decent blinds/curtains. If the wall is appropriate, I would probably just use that for the screen. If you have the time, a properly painted wall can perform better than a pull down screen for image quality.

Keep in my that ventilation for the projector is CRITICAL - not an after thought! So, if you have to add computer fans/etc. to ensure proper cooling, do so! Don't just put some small air holes in a box - this isn't a hamster. ;)

[garto]

Would say an HP 50" plasma be a much better picture?

I cant see having that kind of light control in the apartment, especially when we are watching the game and whatnot. Anyone have any ideas of making an indestructible mount for a flatscreen that can open easily but more importantly when put away would be stronger than a wall.

[alphamajor]

Front projectors really are only good in a room with very little to no ambient light, so I would eliminate that possibility right off the bat.

For a flat screen, you could make a hinged drop-down mount for the ceiling. That would stow it up out of the way. If you got really fancy you could make a box enclosure around the back of it (assuming the TV folds up face first against the ceiling). That way it would help protect it when stowed away, plus make it less obvious that it's a TV, except for the cables running up the wall and ceiling to it. However, if it's a relatively low ceiling, that may not work at all.

Another option might be to make some sort of dartboard type cabinet for it that can be locked up. Just mount the TV to the wall using a regular wall mount, and then build a nice, strong box around it with strong locking doors.

That's the best I could come up with.

[garto]

Yea I was thinking the same thing alphamajor. I just had hope that possibly a projector might work but oh well. For a plasma, is there any way I cannot mount it? Could i put a plasma on a swing arm that fold down from the ceiling to the wall. As in 90 degrees of motion or would that void the warranty.

Thanks again for your quick responses.