What is a good projector screen size?

[TXBui]

My installer wants me to install a 109" screen. Why not go 130" or something different if the projector can handle it. The Epson Home Edition 1080 can do 130" so why shouldn't I take advantage of that? I suppose the video would be more diluted, but at 1080, would this be noticably different to the eye?

 

[majorloser]

By going to larger screen sizes you will be pushing the projector closer to it's maximum image size and throw distance. This will cause significant losses in image brightness and contrast.

To help determine the best size of the screen, measure the distance from the screen mounting location to where your eyes will be at the front row seating location. Divide the distance by 1.7 and will get a screen width that will give you a 33 degree viewing angle. This will work no matter what aspect ratio screen you wish to use. Of course, if you sit fairly far from the screen the screen width could end up being larger than the wall can handle. A 33 degree viewing angle would be like sitting in the center row of a movie theater. Angles larger than 33 degrees can be fatiguing to some viewers from moving their eyes and neck to follow the image. If you like to sit in the front of the movie theater, you can get away with wider screens. If you find it more comfortable to sit in the rear of a movie theater, then stick with an screen with an image of 33 degrees viewing angle or less.

In another thread you asked about micro perf screens. Larger screens and micro perf added together can end up with a very dim image. Add any ambient room light and the problem get's doubled or tripled.

Have your installer explain why he chose that screen size and see if he comes up with proper reasons based on image size and brightness.

 

[TXBui]

I believe he was following my interest of keeping everything clean lined rather than boxes of speakers throughout. He brushed off the idea that this has any impact on the image quality of audio causing the screen to vibrate, which clearly will bother the heck out of me.

I do want a clean line design, but not at the expense of video quality. I believe I can accomplish both, and I wouldn't have to hide the speakers in order to make it clean lined. Thanks for letting me know about the perf screen's video quality impact.

The projector isn't installed yet. I have a very long room (23' long) and big screen space (16' wide). The in-wall wiring for the projector is at around 11' hanging from the ceiling now, and there's room to mount the projector anywhere in that vicinity. I would like to maximize my screen but balanced with picture quality. I guess my option now is to cut out the sheet rock and move the speaker brackets around to be above and sides of the screen? Thx.

 

[majorloser]

Thanks for letting me know about the perf screen's video quality impact.

If you have a high lumens projector it won't effect the picture quality. Hve you selected a projector, yet?

 

[mtrycrafts]

My installer wants me to install a 109" screen. Why not go 130" or something different if the projector can handle it. The Epson Home Edition 1080 can do 130" so why shouldn't I take advantage of that? I suppose the video would be more diluted, but at 1080, would this be noticably different to the eye?

One consideration is how wide is the room or the wall the screen will be on. I don't like theaters where the screen is almost as wide as the room itself.

 

[TXBui]

The room size is 23' L x 16' W. Withthe concern that the acustically transparent screens being dimmer, I guess pushing it beyond 109" isn't an option for me. I have not selected a projector yet, but I am leaning towards the Epson 1080 Home Edition recently reviewed to be pretty good, practically exactly the same as the Pro version.

What would be the required lumens to make this adequate application for acust. transp screens?

Will this Epson projector and acustically transparent screen combination work with dimness issue you raised?

The projector would be about 11' way from the screen.

 

[KevInCinci]

I'd emphasize what Majorloser said in his original reply: the key dimension you should be concerned about when picking your screen size is how far from the screen you will be sitting, not how far away the projector is or how long the room is. A 130" screen will be uncomfortable in many ways if you're only sitting a few feet from it. You don't really want to be turning your head side to side to follow the action (or up and down). On the other hand, an 80" screen won't be to impressive if you're along the back wall, 23' away. Don't forget that the wider the screen is, the taller it is, too, so make sure the top wouldn't be bumping the ceiling or the bottom would be below your feet if you've got a recliner.

Following the 1.7 ratio (THX standards), 130" screen puts you about 18' feet away. A 109" screen puts you closer to 15'. Personally, I don't mind being a little closer than the recommendations, but it's up to you. Where do you like to sit in a real theater: front, middle, or back? That should tell you in what direction you can comfortably deviate from this ratio.

Once you've got that sorted out, you can worry about projector lumens and screen brightness, which will be more affected by where you put the projector. Most won't put out a 130" picture unless they're pretty far away. Of course being 18' from a screen will make it seem less bright, regardless of size, than being 15'.

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[mtrycrafts]

The room size is 23' L x 16' W. Withthe concern that the acustically transparent screens being dimmer, I guess pushing it beyond 109" isn't an option for me. I have not selected a projector yet, but I am leaning towards the Epson 1080 Home Edition recently reviewed to be pretty good, practically exactly the same as the Pro version.

What would be the required lumens to make this adequate application for acust. transp screens?

Will this Epson projector and acustically transparent screen combination work with dimness issue you raised?

The projector would be about 11' way from the screen.

Well, here is a screen size vs viewing distance chart:

http://s3.carltonbale.com/distance_chart.html

You have to weigh several factors.

 

[Johnd]

All good suggestions.

If I could add that the old parameters of 1.5 to 1.7 to 2.0 the distance are pretty much out the window with 1080p. Some are comfortable with no pixellization at 1.2 with 1080p. Myself? I'd get a sore neck.

On those rare instances that I go to a theater, I usually sit better than half way back. Still, there are those that want the front row, or the back row. Simple fact is incredibly good pq is now available, and the reasons we had to sit further from the screen no longer hold true. Personal preference for seating distance is more important now than ever with 1080p.

 

[TXBui]

I just measured the space and here are the dimensions:

- 16'x23' room
- 9' ceiling, soffit around the edges so screen wall is 16' W x 8' H.
- 16' projector mount from screen wall.
- Seating is 12' to 16' range (2 rows) from screen.

With 16' throw distance, using the lumens of an Epson 1080 Home Edition, and acoustically transparent screen, do you think the brightness would be an issue for me? What factors should I change, if any, to improve this?

 

[Johnd]

As already stated distance and use of the zoom function dims the picture. In addition, you are at the upper limits (though well within) of the Optoma's throw distance. Finally, no projector can take on the sun...ambient light is the pj's enemy. I would think in darker settings you'll be fine. In the worst case scenario you'll want to go with a high gain screen.

 

[jostenmeat]

I just measured the space and here are the dimensions:

- 16'x23' room
- 9' ceiling, soffit around the edges so screen wall is 16' W x 8' H.
- 16' projector mount from screen wall.
- Seating is 12' to 16' range (2 rows) from screen.

With 16' throw distance, using the lumens of an Epson 1080 Home Edition, and acoustically transparent screen, do you think the brightness would be an issue for me? What factors should I change, if any, to improve this?

Some helpful links for you.

Viewing distance calculator (scroll to bottom):
http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

Riser Height Calculator (determines minimum height)
http://www.theater-calc.com/

High Power, a review:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=773065

If you go AT, it seems that SMX is the wtg. I am afraid that might be very pricey. The thing I get stuck with is that while THX viewing angle, etc, are a bit wide, the DaLite HP screens drop below 1.0 gain at over 20 degrees. Extremely narrow viewing cone. I am not sure if that means seating needs to be squeezed in a little more than usual, but I presume so. Im learning about this too.

I should be getting an open-box JVC RS-1 any day from AVS for what was a steal. I had been eyeing the Panny, but for roughly the same price, I prematurely jumped the gun on my first PJ before I even know if I can pull it off. I already have people in line to buy it off me if I can't! Good luck.

p.s. Ideal would be to have your front wall and cieling in flat black paint, black velvet of any kind, or GOM fabric. Flat black doesn't wash, be very careful with it.

 

[mtrycrafts]

All good suggestions.

If I could add that the old parameters of 1.5 to 1.7 to 2.0 the distance are pretty much out the window with 1080p. Some are comfortable with no pixellization at 1.2 with 1080p. Myself? I'd get a sore neck.

On those rare instances that I go to a theater, I usually sit better than half way back. Still, there are those that want the front row, or the back row. Simple fact is incredibly good pq is now available, and the reasons we had to sit further from the screen no longer hold true. Personal preference for seating distance is more important now than ever with 1080p.

I probably like your theater location. Front row is a neck ache and swivel neck Back row is a tunnel view

 

[Johnd]

do you think the brightness would be an issue for me? What factors should I change, if any, to improve this?

As to the former, as already stated, you are within the parameters for that projector. You have not measured or posted the amount of ambient light in the room, and that could very easily be a determining factor with this projector.

As to the latter, that question has already been answered in at least two separate posts. Brightness is effected by zoom, distance to screen, ambient light, screen gain, and, of course, the amount of light thrown by the projector, which is nothing to write home about with the 1080. I've read reviews that at 13' and a 1.0 screen this pj was adequate with a light on in the room. That is of course subjective. Some people would find the 1080 dim in a blacked out room with a 2.8 screen.

If you refuse to change the distance or screen size, all that is left is screen gain and ambient light, both well within your control. I'm not trying to be trite or rude here TXBui, but others read here as well, and when something is plainly already answered, but then is continually asked by the op, one begins to wonder... Hopefully the responses you've received have shed some light on the matter. Cheers, John

 

[TXBui]

Thanks for all the responses. Very helpful. I just got a quote for the Da-Lite and Stewart AT screens. Holy moly, the Stewart is more than 3X the price of Da-Lite. I like the brightness the Stewart screen gives, but am told that DaLite is 30% less bright than Stewart. Even with zero ambient light (basement no windows) using a Epson 1080 Home Edition, I worry now that DaLite wouldn't deliver adequate brightness (since Proj is 16' away from screen, not 13' in reviews). Can any one comment on personal experience on DaLite Audio Transparent screens or the differences between the 2?

Sorry for apparently repetitive questions, but there are sufficient nuances in my situation that I want to gather your varied expertise before making a big purchasing decision.

 

[jostenmeat]

If going for AT, you are asking the screen to do a lot. In which case, I would not skimp, and simply go for the better, albeit much more expensive, SMX. C'mon man, its your personal dedicated movie theater, don't skimp on such a key component.

I recommend you call the Projector People and ask for their opinion. Im not saying their response will be the definitive word, but they do seem to be pretty familiar with the PJ's out there, and once you describe your room, they will more likely than not steer you in the right direction. You don't have to buy first to receive advice, just call and ask for it. The only unfortunate thing might be that they don't carry all of the models you are considering. I do know they can get any DaLite however.

 

[Audioholics]

You may want to read the article I wrote on this topic as well:

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/what-size-screen-display