kakountry
The room is in the basement but, I may have the lights on sometimes..
Answer
It is difficult to recommend a specific model without more idea of price range, details of the location where it will be used, and viewing preferences, here are some specs. to look for.
The primary requirement is a brighter projector than one designed exclusively for home theatre use ... say 2000-2500 lumens.
Most do have it, but you should also ensure there is a low light setting for when you would use in the dark ... this extends lamp life.
Depending on the priority you place on home theatre use under controlled (i.e. none) light conditions "contrast ratio" may be more or less important. For use in a lighted room anything over 1000:1 would be fine, but if you wish to use as a home theatre projector look for at least 2000:1 (higher is better).
There are many other specs to consider. The most important is "resolution" -- the number of pixels that make up the image -- if you don't intend to watch HDTV you could get by with a 480 x 854 (vertical x horizontal resolution) projector, but otherwise you should look for at least a 720 x 1280 model. If money is not an object consider a true HD projector (1080 x 1920) ... although note that all I am aware of under $20K or so are lower brightness projectors than you need.
Another important consideration is "aspect ratio". These days most recommendations will be for a 16:9 (widescreen) projector; and this is valid if you intend to watch mainly HDTV (e.g. sports) and widescreen movies. However, if you intend to watch old movies (4:3 aspect ratio) consider that 4:3 as a subset of a 16:9 image (there will be black bars on each side) makes for a small picture. If you note that even on a 16:9 (1.78:1) screen wider aspect ratio movies (1.85:1 to 2.40:1) will have black bars on the top and bottom, black bars will be a fact of life. So consider that a 4:3 aspect ratio projector will provide a huge picture for 4:3 material and widescreen will show as a subset the full width of the 4:3 screen but with variable amounts of black bar above and below. (Put simply a 4:3 image on a 16:9 screen is small, while 16:9 (and wider) and 4:3 images on a 4:3 display are all large). Worth considering.
Other specs to consider:
- "fan noise" (anything under 32 db should be OK in a bar room, but for quiet viewing look for something under 28 db)
- "lens zoom ratio" (at least 1.3:1, but 1.5:1 or more provides greater flexibility)
- "weight" and "size" (something in the 8-12 lb level would be good, but unless space is a big issue this isn't a major consideration)
- If a DLP (digital light processor) based projector the "color wheel rotation speed" should be at least 4X, and preferably 5 or more). If an LCD this is not relevant.
- The availability of "lens shift" (ability to shift the picture vertically (or horizontally) relative to the position of the projector) is desirable to make mounting easier. ("Keystone" adjustment may be provided but should be avoided since it degrades the picture).
- cooling air filtration: THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IF THE PROJECTOR WILL BE USED IN A SMOKING ENVIRONMENT. All projectors use a fan to push air past the bulb to cool it. Most have a removable/replaceable air filter. A few have a sealed system. If everything else meets your needs, a sealed system is a desirable feature. Failing that look for an easily accessible filter (e.g. you don't have to remove the projector from a ceiling mount to get at it).
OK ... how about a few possibilities (not intended to imply there are not other good choices, particulalrly if you settle for less brightness):
$1000 range: Sharp XR-10
$2-3000: Panasonic PTAX100U (16:9)
$3-5000: Canon SX-60 (4:3)
I personally have the Canon SX-60 and while you can get a less expensive projector it would work well for your purpose.
It is difficult to recommend a specific model without more idea of price range, details of the location where it will be used, and viewing preferences, here are some specs. to look for.
The primary requirement is a brighter projector than one designed exclusively for home theatre use ... say 2000-2500 lumens.
Most do have it, but you should also ensure there is a low light setting for when you would use in the dark ... this extends lamp life.
Depending on the priority you place on home theatre use under controlled (i.e. none) light conditions "contrast ratio" may be more or less important. For use in a lighted room anything over 1000:1 would be fine, but if you wish to use as a home theatre projector look for at least 2000:1 (higher is better).
There are many other specs to consider. The most important is "resolution" -- the number of pixels that make up the image -- if you don't intend to watch HDTV you could get by with a 480 x 854 (vertical x horizontal resolution) projector, but otherwise you should look for at least a 720 x 1280 model. If money is not an object consider a true HD projector (1080 x 1920) ... although note that all I am aware of under $20K or so are lower brightness projectors than you need.
Another important consideration is "aspect ratio". These days most recommendations will be for a 16:9 (widescreen) projector; and this is valid if you intend to watch mainly HDTV (e.g. sports) and widescreen movies. However, if you intend to watch old movies (4:3 aspect ratio) consider that 4:3 as a subset of a 16:9 image (there will be black bars on each side) makes for a small picture. If you note that even on a 16:9 (1.78:1) screen wider aspect ratio movies (1.85:1 to 2.40:1) will have black bars on the top and bottom, black bars will be a fact of life. So consider that a 4:3 aspect ratio projector will provide a huge picture for 4:3 material and widescreen will show as a subset the full width of the 4:3 screen but with variable amounts of black bar above and below. (Put simply a 4:3 image on a 16:9 screen is small, while 16:9 (and wider) and 4:3 images on a 4:3 display are all large). Worth considering.
Other specs to consider:
- "fan noise" (anything under 32 db should be OK in a bar room, but for quiet viewing look for something under 28 db)
- "lens zoom ratio" (at least 1.3:1, but 1.5:1 or more provides greater flexibility)
- "weight" and "size" (something in the 8-12 lb level would be good, but unless space is a big issue this isn't a major consideration)
- If a DLP (digital light processor) based projector the "color wheel rotation speed" should be at least 4X, and preferably 5 or more). If an LCD this is not relevant.
- The availability of "lens shift" (ability to shift the picture vertically (or horizontally) relative to the position of the projector) is desirable to make mounting easier. ("Keystone" adjustment may be provided but should be avoided since it degrades the picture).
- cooling air filtration: THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IF THE PROJECTOR WILL BE USED IN A SMOKING ENVIRONMENT. All projectors use a fan to push air past the bulb to cool it. Most have a removable/replaceable air filter. A few have a sealed system. If everything else meets your needs, a sealed system is a desirable feature. Failing that look for an easily accessible filter (e.g. you don't have to remove the projector from a ceiling mount to get at it).
OK ... how about a few possibilities (not intended to imply there are not other good choices, particulalrly if you settle for less brightness):
$1000 range: Sharp XR-10
$2-3000: Panasonic PTAX100U (16:9)
$3-5000: Canon SX-60 (4:3)
I personally have the Canon SX-60 and while you can get a less expensive projector it would work well for your purpose.
What is needed/makes a good games/cinema room?
Boo
I've decided this year I'm going to do something with my spare room and I want to turn it into a games/cinema room. What do I need? What makes a good games/cinema room? Ideas from big or small things. Thanks. =]
Answer
Well I design, install, and calibrate some of the very best in home theater systems so I know how that should be done. Most of the cinema systems I have done have also been used to play games, x-box, PS3. But I have never had the opportunity to design a dedicated game room which honestly I think should be designed differently.
I think you can have the best of both worlds, but there may be some compromises in one or the other.
I think the first question and important one, is this going to be a gaming room that you want to be able to have multiple players going head to head ? This would really require multiple screens and gaming systems. My idea of the killer gaming room would be 4 killer gaming chairs in the middle of the room, facing toward each of the four walls, each with its own screen and gaming systems in the middle, networked. This would allow interaction from all players, but still not being distracted (or cheat lol) by looking at each players screen. The ultimate setup I would use three screens per player for total gaming emerson. I would use high quality open air headphones so you would get the best sound detail for yourself but still be able hear the other players yelling at each other lol.
Now of course this room is not really the most practical for home theater, but it might be for the right person.
If its not going to be used for multiple players and is only one or two players at a time, then I would go with a dedicated home theater setup and also use it for gaming, this would easily allow you to have the best of both worlds. I would however recommend using a Plasma Tv for the gaming setup and then a drop down projector screen for the theater viewing. But that depends on the size of the room and the viewing distances.
The real key though will be to find a store or someone that can really help you design a good system, help you choose good equipment and knows how to install, and calibrate it properly. I would strongly suggest discovering your local independent high end audio video dealers in your area, and find a salesmen that can help you design the system you really want. The chain stores don't have a clue what they are doing, and 90% of the gear they carry is of very low quality. The odds of putting a good system together from one of these chains stores is highly unlikely.
Most of these independent high stores carry the better brands of speakers and equipment, and the salesmen generally have years designing and installing these types of systems.
Take you time, be patient, learn as much as you can, so you can go into the process with some basic knowledge of what makes a good system, and what some of the better brands of equipment are.
A book I would highly recommend you might consider reading and is very informative, is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIGH END AUDIO / by Robert Harley (get the latest addition which includes home theater) It is well written and very informative.
Good luck with your project and have fun with it. Oh and spend the time and money and have your displays properly calibrated it makes a huge difference and is well worth the investment. I would recommend going with a certified ISF technician (and not one from the chain stores)
Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist
Well I design, install, and calibrate some of the very best in home theater systems so I know how that should be done. Most of the cinema systems I have done have also been used to play games, x-box, PS3. But I have never had the opportunity to design a dedicated game room which honestly I think should be designed differently.
I think you can have the best of both worlds, but there may be some compromises in one or the other.
I think the first question and important one, is this going to be a gaming room that you want to be able to have multiple players going head to head ? This would really require multiple screens and gaming systems. My idea of the killer gaming room would be 4 killer gaming chairs in the middle of the room, facing toward each of the four walls, each with its own screen and gaming systems in the middle, networked. This would allow interaction from all players, but still not being distracted (or cheat lol) by looking at each players screen. The ultimate setup I would use three screens per player for total gaming emerson. I would use high quality open air headphones so you would get the best sound detail for yourself but still be able hear the other players yelling at each other lol.
Now of course this room is not really the most practical for home theater, but it might be for the right person.
If its not going to be used for multiple players and is only one or two players at a time, then I would go with a dedicated home theater setup and also use it for gaming, this would easily allow you to have the best of both worlds. I would however recommend using a Plasma Tv for the gaming setup and then a drop down projector screen for the theater viewing. But that depends on the size of the room and the viewing distances.
The real key though will be to find a store or someone that can really help you design a good system, help you choose good equipment and knows how to install, and calibrate it properly. I would strongly suggest discovering your local independent high end audio video dealers in your area, and find a salesmen that can help you design the system you really want. The chain stores don't have a clue what they are doing, and 90% of the gear they carry is of very low quality. The odds of putting a good system together from one of these chains stores is highly unlikely.
Most of these independent high stores carry the better brands of speakers and equipment, and the salesmen generally have years designing and installing these types of systems.
Take you time, be patient, learn as much as you can, so you can go into the process with some basic knowledge of what makes a good system, and what some of the better brands of equipment are.
A book I would highly recommend you might consider reading and is very informative, is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIGH END AUDIO / by Robert Harley (get the latest addition which includes home theater) It is well written and very informative.
Good luck with your project and have fun with it. Oh and spend the time and money and have your displays properly calibrated it makes a huge difference and is well worth the investment. I would recommend going with a certified ISF technician (and not one from the chain stores)
Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist
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