Projector/Screen Recomendations for Room with moderate ambient lighting?

R

Rapajez

Audiophyte
Hi there. Long time listener, first time caller.

I used to have a projector setup in the basement of my old home. It was a very dark painted room with 0 windows, and there was no issue with lighting.

I will be purchasing a new projector (most likely the Optoma HD70) and screen for the apartment I recently moved into. The living room where it will be used has 3 windows, with dark curtains and white walls. The projector will be about 13' from the wall, about 7' - 7 1/2' feet up.

For now, I'm using a borowed older presentation projector (Viewsonic J something). We (don't feint, brace yourselves) pointed it at the wall without a screen. The image seems fine at night and is ok during the day for normal television watching. It is not; however, acceptable for playing games and watching movies during the day.

What I'm asking, I guess, is how much more visable will the image be with the HD70, and a decent screen? And what type of screen should I be looking for? Grey/white, high or low gain? If I select a new projector, what shoud I look for? High contrast ratio or high lumen?

Thanks in advance! :)
 
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BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
During daytime viewing a projector which can achieve 10,000:1 contrast ratios will be reduced to levels below 50:1 (no, not joking) so the most important specification is the one you will be hurting the most under this viewing scenario.

That said, you really want the lumens since added lumens, while they raise black levels and lower all around contrast ratios will combat ambient light far better than anything else. In fact, I would likely steer away from the HD70 in favor of trying to get the Panasonic AX100U which should deliver a fair bit more overall light output and then still be adjustable enough to offer lower light output with higher contrast after dark.

Now, the screen is a different story. Absolutely the best screen I have seen was the DNP black screens. For lit room conditions, nothing is better.

And you can't afford it.

So, I would go with a moderate gain screen as a better alternative. Realistically, you aren't going to do much with black levels unless you go with a positive gain, grey screen which both enhances black levels and brightness at the same time. I believe Draper, DaLite, and Stewart all make screen materials like this. But, if your budget only affords you Carada, then I would go with positive gain over grey screens in a second. A 1.4 gain screen will help the projector deliver more light back to your eyes in a higher than normal lit room which should be sufficient to allow you to enjoy gaming/etc. during the daytime.

For me, it wasn't enough and I went with a 50" plasma behind a 106" manual screen. During the day the screen went up and the plasma came on. It solved the issue without making me rebuy a lot of gear.
 
R

Rapajez

Audiophyte
For me, it wasn't enough and I went with a 50" plasma behind a 106" manual screen. During the day the screen went up and the plasma came on. It solved the issue without making me rebuy a lot of gear.
Children in Africa are starving.
 
R

Rapajez

Audiophyte
Thanks for the info though! I'm now researching the different screen brands you mentioned above.

I'm not sure about upgrading the projector to the panosonic, as it's more than double the price of the HD70, and as you probably figured out, I'm on a pretty tight budget already.

EDIT: How much of a difference do you think the Panosonic would make?
 
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BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
I'm not sure really, but I have done a recent setup with the Panny on a 160" diagonal screen with excellent results. Yes, that room is dark, but 160" is on the 'huge' side of things. It is a go to projector for brighter conditions and larger screen sizes (not both).

For price - the projector is $1700 with a $400 mail in rebate at www.visualapex.com - a top shelf online etailer and site sponsor here. That's $1,300 after rebate, which shouldn't be a lot more than the HD70. Plus, the Panasonic has the lens shift and zoom you may need for proper placement in your room. Remember, if you have to tilt your image to get it to fit on your screen, then you are losing resolution, processing the image, and losing potential brightness.
 
R

Rapajez

Audiophyte
Last edited:
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
Wow 160"? Anyway, I guess doubleing the number of lumens couldn't hurt. Thanks for the help!
Does this screen look acceptable:
http://www.visualapex.com/accessories/accessory_details.asp?chPartNumber=DF-GWII9106F&MFR=Optoma&Type=Screens
It's a grey screen with a 1.8 gain...
I realize that. I meant it as a joke, but I guess it wasn't obvious.
Why don't you check this out before you go the grey route

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=773065

No, that joke went over my head, sorry:D
 
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