Projector and screen reccomendation please! Sony or Epson?

[branchman5000]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to decide on a projector. It's going to be in a room with ambient light, so I was thinking of a SI Black diamond zero edge for a screen. They seem amazing in ambient light. I'll mostly be watching sports and movies. I don't know how much 3-D ill be watching. I am thinking that the epson 6020, Sony hw50es would be the best two options. Or is there something else I should consider? I'm not opposed to a demo projector either. I really need your help with this decision.

I also need help with the aspect ratio. Should I go 2:35 or 16:9? My thoughts were to start with a nice screen and an entry level projector to upgrade the projector at a later date. I feel like 4K will become more affordable in the future.

Thanks

 

[lsiberian]

For movies and TV ambient lighting makes watching a projector terrible.

For sports it's not normally a big deal because they are so bright.

My first recommendation is you get a large TV like the Sharp Aquos 90". It's about even with the screen + projector you are considering. Plus you have a much cheaper install and much lower maintenance cost. This really is the best option.

I need a lot more details to make projector recommendations.

Can directional lighting be used?

Is this a bar, living room, home theater room?

What size screen are we aiming for?

I love projectors and have used them in ambient situations, but I still would go TV whenever I can.

For example Black Diamond screens are very expensive and best for vertical lighting situation where the walls are neutral. The Firehawk is better for horizontal lighting and colorful walls.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I continue to be amazed by this. The BD screens are amazing, but they tend to work best with brighter projectors rather than home theater models from what I've experienced. They also are a Band-Aid to a very poor viewing environment.

I agree with Isiberian on this... If you aren't going to get the room fixed, then a front projector is going to be compromised every single time you go an use it. Models like the Epson 6020 or the nicer Sony model are, IMO, wasted when put in rooms that are weak. This is because the great black levels these models produce can't be achieved in that room. When light starts bouncing off of walls in the space the contrast ratio is significantly impacted.

That is why there is a fairly serious list of 'living room' projectors which is out there. They are brighter and have lower contrast, but deliver a solid image for a poorly lit environment.

But even then, the image is compromised, and a better solution is found in the area of the large LCD panels which Sharp (and others) are now producing.

I'm not there, but if you can, you may want to borrow a projector to see how it looks as it is in the space. The BD screens are really amazing and may deliver enough to make you very happy, but this is more personal preference than anything else. I've done front projection in the family room before myself on a grey screen... I ended up buying a plasma and moving the projector elsewhere.

 

[branchman5000]

I'm not getting a 90" sharp their clunky and I haven't seen a uniform image on any of the ones I've seen.

The room will be in a daylight basement or in a room that will have daylight coming in from the left and right but that will be fixed with curtains.

I will be watching all the major sports, nfl, nba, NHL, golf, march madness and movies. Not so much tv shows except Netflix through an Oppo 103 at night.

I really just want the flexibility to have the guys over for the big games and not watch with all the lights off and still have a good picture.

I'm leaning towards the Epson 6020 because its brighter and when I get a theater room that's more dedicated ill step up and get a much better projector for that. What would be a good screen for a room that's 12X20 and 12X15?