First of all, Thank you for taking the time for such a detailed reply!
I often respond in reverse since the last thing you wrote is the first thing in my mind...
Screen size in a theater is typically about 10" of diagonal for each foot of viewing distance for 'center of theater' feel. Most people find that 10" to 12" of screen diagonal for each FOOT of viewing distance is comfortable. If you go much larger, you can't see everything and it can be annoying. Personal preference is king here. I won't ever tell someone they are 'wrong' about what they like and prefer.
This is a good rule of thumb! I made a mistake in my previous post, I meant 3 meters, not 3 feet. So If I seat around 9 (left layout) - 10 (right Layout) feet and go with the 12" per foot since I like big screens, an 106" and a 120" will be perfect for either the left and right layout respectively.
This is good news because now I can take one variable out of the equation which will make things a lot easier!
Regarding the screen size, I have already asked this before but I would like your opinion on this matter too, using this rule of thumb, will I get the same cinema experience whether I use a 106" screen while seating 9 feet away and an 120" screen while seating 10 feet away or is a bigger screen always better?
For the second setup, I like the listening position better, I like the screen size better, and I like the speaker layout better. Across the board, I think everything is a bit better. More space to work with I suppose.
To tell you the truth I like the second layout better myself because, apart from everything else, it feels more "natural" in my space if you know what I mean. The big disadvantage though is the fact that I will need a pull down screen ( I am more of a plug and play type of guy) and I don't like that I will have to use a long cable, which I will have to route around the door, for one of my main speakers.
I guess it will all come down on the acoustics, since I don't have to worry about the screen, so I will make sure to use both layouts before I decide.
All DLP projectors are using the same DLP chip. There is going to be limited contrast and brightness capabilities compared to the better LCD models and certainly the LCoS models. So, the JVC DLP laser will be on par, or better, than most of the other DLP models out there. Same chip. But, Epson wipes the floor with pretty much all of the DLP competition. From there, you get into the JVC LCoS models and the Sony models, which just take it one step further. In room after room after room, JVC is king, with only a few exceptions for some boutique DLP models. Often cinema grade 3-chip DLP units.
If the Epson was using laser and was native 4K I would have already bought it! Such a great projector but even if I sacrifice the extra pixels for the superior contrast (Which I would be willing to do for this projector), the lamp is a no deal for me.
The LCoS JVC and sony projectors are out of my league unfortunately especially the laser ones since I would have to sell a kidney (quite literally) to buy them
My budget is 4 Grands maximum so I have limited options when it comes to laser projectors...
Be aware that 3-lasers does not mean there will be no RBE problems. Unless it is a 3-chip DLP, the colors will still have to be displayed sequentially. Just like with LED projectors. They are often faster than 4x or 6x color wheels as some DLP models offer, but if someone is particularly sensitive to rainbows, then RBE may be visible. I'm sensitive, so I have seen RBE on LED models as well as laser projectors for sure. I haven't specifically looked at a 3-laser model yet.
Actually, I wasn't aware of that! I thought triple anything would be an instant fix for the rainbow effect. I will make sure to check the chip count if I go with a dual or triple laser/led projector.
My issue with UST projectors is that they are soft in the corners and they are VERY difficult to setup with a screen. Placement has to be extremely exact. Any problems whatsoever with the screen will translate to a defect in the image on screen. Likewise, it is very difficult to get great image uniformity from the severe projection angle and the optics involved. Going standard throw makes all of this easy. A projector like the Epson 5050 is just so much easier to use. You don't need 'extenders', but just a RUIPRO HDMI cable between your AV receiver and the projector. As it is, the projector should always be mounted so that it isn't on the ground in a walking pathway. It is important to ensure any projector you get can be ceiling mounted and has a decent mount with good adjustments to go along with it.
As long as I only have to set it up once I don't really mind the difficulty but to tell you the truth, since I haven't seen any UST projectors in person I am worried about the image uniformity, especially when I hear that even tensioned screens can introduce crinkles on their surface over time.
Like I said above I would buy a laser version of the 6050 in a heartbeat but I hate the concept of projectors with bulbs and I didn't like the JVC so my options within my budget are limited. This is why I am stuck between UST projectors since they use a laser and from what I heard the optoma one will be serviceable once it's laser life is over which is another thing I am looking for in a projector.
I'm not sure of the construction setup, so I'm not sure how easy it is to run cabling, etc. If open, then put in conduit to a projector location so you can swap cabling in the future. If not open, and cabling will be surface mounted, then you can swap it in the future as necessary.
It's a wooden house so the cabling will be surface mounted and they will be swapable anytime.
I've never heard of Comtevision. Looking online I can't see any pricing in the USA or where you get them. I would be concerned about service, warranty, and quality. The cheap tab-tensioned screens I have used in the past (a couple of them) have not been completely flat. Better than non-tensioned screens, but not as good as DaLite or Draper. Which is okay for 1/3 the price. But, it wouldn't work for a UST projector. Be sure that you are covered just in case.
I would always use a ceiling motorized tab-tensioned screen if I can't use a fixed frame model. That is, in fact, what I am using.
I believe you can only find this brand in Europe. They are actually quite popular in my country when it comes to reasonably priced quality screens. I will make sure to buy both the projector and the screen from the same shop and confirm that it will work with the UST projector beforehand so if it doesn't for some reason I can return it.
That's only If I go with an UST projector though. I am glad I got to hear your opinion on the UST's! I will make sure to give the LT projectors a chance if their specs and quality are what I am looking for.