Projector possible?

[AlfieArch]

Hi! We are working on putting a HT system in our loft area. I really would love to do a projector/screen setup but I don’t think it’s feasible due to the room layout. See attached picture. Excuse the mess. Lol. The height from the floor to the ceiling at the back wall is only 5 ft. So I think I have to go with a large screen tv. What do you experts think? Thank you in advance!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If the room is the typical 18-20FT length and you want a traditional rear projector, then I say get a TV.

If the room is much longer, you can still mount the PJ on the ceiling.

Or you can get those ULTRA-SHORT-THROW PJ + Screen.

EpiqVision Ultra LS800 Laser Projection TV | Epson US

Introducing the LS800 Ultra Short Throw Laser Projection TV, an immersive display for home entertainment sports and gaming up to 120".

epson.com

 

[Eppie]

Problem with a screen is how far up the angled ceiling will you have to go to get the screen to fit and at the right height? Does not look very practical in that photo. That also rules out wall mounting the TV. I would get a low profile stand and as large a TV as you can fit under that ceiling. You can move the stand out a bit to gain some more height.

Other thing to watch for is where to place a center speakers? If the stand is low, the center speaker could end up being too close to the floor and the angled ceiling makes a speaker above the TV impractical. You are probably best off to use just front L+R with a phantom center and forgo the center speaker.

 

[AlfieArch]

Problem with a screen is how far up the angled ceiling will you have to go to get the screen to fit and at the right height? Does not look very practical in that photo. That also rules out wall mounting the TV. I would get a low profile stand and as large a TV as you can fit under that ceiling. You can move the stand out a bit to gain some more height.

Other thing to watch for is where to place a center speakers? If the stand is low, the center speaker could end up being too close to the floor and the angled ceiling makes a speaker above the TV impractical. You are probably best off to use just front L+R with a phantom center and forgo the center speaker.

Yep! Thanks! I think that is what I am going to have to do. Good call on the center speaker. How does a phantom center speaker work? Would there possibly be some setting in my receiver for this?

 

[AlfieArch]

If the room is the typical 18-20FT length and you want a traditional rear projector, then I say get a TV.

If the room is much longer, you can still mount the PJ on the ceiling.

Or you can get those ULTRA-SHORT-THROW PJ + Screen.

EpiqVision Ultra LS800 Laser Projection TV | Epson US

Introducing the LS800 Ultra Short Throw Laser Projection TV, an immersive display for home entertainment sports and gaming up to 120".

epson.com

Yes, it is the typical length so I think the TV would work best. Thanks!

 

[lovinthehd]

Another consideration about a center (and left/right speakers) is putting them behind an acoustically transparent projection screen.

 

[AlfieArch]

Another consideration about a center (and left/right speakers) is putting them behind an acoustically transparent projection screen.

Thanks! I did not know those existed.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks! I did not know those existed.

Many commercial theaters have such. It does make the screen more costly, too To answer your question about a phantom center, your L/R speakers will create a phantom center, particularly if you sit right between them.

 

[AlfieArch]

Many commercial theaters have such. It does make the screen more costly, too To answer your question about a phantom center, your L/R speakers will create a phantom center, particularly if you sit right between them.

Gotcha! So just do not wire a center speaker to the receiver (use just L and R)?

 

[lovinthehd]

Gotcha! So just do not wire a center speaker to the receiver (use just L and R)?

Yes.

 

[lovinthehd]

Also don't tell the avr that there is a center, rather than just not hook one up....(just to be sure ).

Automatic setup routines would automatically do such, too.

 

[Eppie]

With an acoustically transparent screen you need 1 or 2 feet to have space for the speakers behind the screen. Measure how high up that would put you on the angled ceiling and how low you want the screen to go (you don't want to be looking at the floor). That will likely give you the biggest image possible, but with screens you need to keep ambient light in mind. You want a dark room when using a screen while a modern LED panel will have a very bright image that works well in both low a higher light conditions. Think about cabling too when considering a projector. You need to get power and video signals up there.

 

[AlfieArch]

With an acoustically transparent screen you need 1 or 2 feet to have space for the speakers behind the screen. Measure how high up that would put you on the angled ceiling and how low you want the screen to go (you don't want to be looking at the floor). That will likely give you the biggest image possible, but with screens you need to keep ambient light in mind. You want a dark room when using a screen while a modern LED panel will have a very bright image that works well in both low a higher light conditions. Think about cabling too when considering a projector. You need to get power and video signals up there.

Thanks! I did measure and it unfortunately would be now too close to the seats.