Epson 6500 throw distance/setup question

[rolyasm]

Hello,
I have a Epson 6500 ub showing up soon. Wanted to double check on the projector distance. It would be easier for setup if I could have the projector 20' back from my 110" 1.0 gain screen and about 1 foot of center. The room is a dedicated HT, so I will have minimal ambient light. When i wired for my house 3 years ago, the installers ran DVI, but no conduit. So either I can run some HDMI, about 2 hours of work, and have the projector sit at 14" from the screen, or put the projector on my rear shelf at 20' and 1-2 feet off center. Any pros or cons to either of these? ProjectorCentral Calculator shows it isn't a problem.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Pro_Cinema_7500_UB-projection-calculator-pro.htm
And the manual states that from 11.8 to 25.1 feet I can throw a 120" diagonal image.
I suppose putting it back further will decrease my brightness, but from the reviews, it is very bright. I was actually planning on running it in economy mode at the 14" range to decrease the brightness a little. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Trezl]

As a new recipient of this projector, I will say it is bright. I'm not projecting from as far back as you want, but it has been more than bright enough.

 

[lsiberian]

Hello,
I have a Epson 6500 ub showing up soon. Wanted to double check on the projector distance. It would be easier for setup if I could have the projector 20' back from my 110" 1.0 gain screen and about 1 foot of center. The room is a dedicated HT, so I will have minimal ambient light. When i wired for my house 3 years ago, the installers ran DVI, but no conduit. So either I can run some HDMI, about 2 hours of work, and have the projector sit at 14" from the screen, or put the projector on my rear shelf at 20' and 1-2 feet off center. Any pros or cons to either of these? ProjectorCentral Calculator shows it isn't a problem.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Pro_Cinema_7500_UB-projection-calculator-pro.htm
And the manual states that from 11.8 to 25.1 feet I can throw a 120" diagonal image.
I suppose putting it back further will decrease my brightness, but from the reviews, it is very bright. I was actually planning on running it in economy mode at the 14" range to decrease the brightness a little. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks.

You know DVI is HDMI without the sound basically.

 

[jostenmeat]

what ^he said. Maybe one of these adapters?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?spcDB=10419&spcWord=+DVI/HDMI+Adapter&keyword=adapters

roylasm: farther for better contrast. closer for brightness. However, I'm wondering if that unit can really get it as "small" as 110" from that throw. If it can, it is sometimes said that you don't want to use the maximum shift or zoom of any PJ, as that can reduce brightness. That said, if they look equally good, I'd opt for the longer throw, simply based on impressions/assumptions/reading.

I bet it will look fine either way. Good luck.

 

[rolyasm]

"You know DVI is HDMI without the sound basically."

It is the "basically" part that worries me. From what I have read, DVI won't do entirely what the HDMI1.3 will, ie, YUV Color Space, lipsynch control, CEA-861B InfoFrames and a few other things. Now to be honest, I don't know what the 861BInforframes thing even is. It sounds like I might get better color control with HDMI. I probably won't even notice a difference.

But HDMI-DVI aside, are there benefits to placing the projector at 14' vs. 20 ft? It would be a very easy setup to put on the shelf. No mounting, no drilling, etc. Looking at the calculator it looks like I would still have some wiggle room with the zoom. I will call Epson on Monday to see if they advise one or the other. Thanks.

 

[BMXTRIX]

HDMI->DVI adapters will work fine at this point as there is nothing which you will use which can really take advantage of anything which HDMI 1.3 offers between your recevier and the projector.

On the other hand, more to the 14' vs 20' mark, you lose light output from the projector.

If you look at the calculator, if it is accurate, from 20' you will have about 13 lumens per square foot on a 110" 1.0 gain screen. This is on the low end of acceptable with projection.

Yet, at 14' on them same 1.0 gain screen, your brightness measures 17 lumens per square foot, which is sitting pretty at THX specification levels.

Frankly, I would go at 14' if at all possible, and I would probably try an adapter first to see if it works just fine, and then dig into the headaches which running new cabling could bring.

 

[lsiberian]

"You know DVI is HDMI without the sound basically."

It is the "basically" part that worries me. From what I have read, DVI won't do entirely what the HDMI1.3 will, ie, YUV Color Space, lipsynch control, CEA-861B InfoFrames and a few other things. Now to be honest, I don't know what the 861BInforframes thing even is. It sounds like I might get better color control with HDMI. I probably won't even notice a difference.

But HDMI-DVI aside, are there benefits to placing the projector at 14' vs. 20 ft? It would be a very easy setup to put on the shelf. No mounting, no drilling, etc. Looking at the calculator it looks like I would still have some wiggle room with the zoom. I will call Epson on Monday to see if they advise one or the other. Thanks.

Don't be caught up in gimmicks and things that aren't even used yet.

Just get an adapter and move on. I don't suggest a shelf mount if you have a ceiling mount. Every time someone stands up you will loose your picture.

And if you look towards the PJ you will get a dangerous beam of light in your eyes. I wish I had a ceiling mount for my PJ because of that fact.

 

[rolyasm]

Aw Crap.
Nevermind on the whole DVI thing. Turns out the cable is an RGB "H" or "A" cable of some kind (analogue). It is as thick as my thumb and I thought I was told it was DVI. I do have RG59 there for component. So I think my options are running HDMI, or Cat cable and using a Cat 5-HDMI converter. I think I have read this gives you full HDMI. CAt cable would probably be easier to run but the cost of the converter might outweigh the ease of install. Thanks again.

 

[BMXTRIX]

They likely ran a RGBHV cable instead of something digital, which would be common for home installers that lean towards the clueless side of the industry. Typically home builders will have a security company wire for A/V as well... and they generally stink at this job, as you now know.

Just make sure you understand: If you run CAT-5e/CAT-6, make sure you run TWO pieces, not one. The solution, except for some very pricey models from Gefen, require two pieces of cabling, not one.

Otherwise, pick up a HDMI cable from Monoprice and get it done.

 

[lsiberian]

A very easy way to run the cable.

tape or tie the end of the hdmi cable to the input place on the wall for the existing cable Make sure it's snug! and don't overlap the connectors. . Then go to the output place on the ceiling and pull the existing cable out. If you've done it right the new cable will follow the old cable and eventually you will see the end of the hdmi cable. Walla you ran the cable!

This may not work in all cases and you may need to get up in the attic, but hopefully not.