gmal2003

Im about to remodel my basement into an entertainment/dance room. I was thinking of getting another HDTV but then I decided to think about a 1080p projector. The room Im using has the low lighting/darkness necessary but Im wondering about the height requirements for the room. My question is what height requirements for the room is needed for various sized projectors? I have the open wall space. Im sure there is a website that calculates this for you. Any other suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance!!

DamingR

Height requirements shouldn't be an issue. The only thing it would limit would be your screen size. I think you need to clarify you question to get a better answer.

StealthStratos

I think the general rule of thumb is that for every 2 feet you move the projector back, you get a 1 foot wide image. So you if you know your width, you could calculate the height based on a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio. Of course I'm far too lazy to do the math myself, and I could be totally wrong about the assumptions about distance.

kenbuzz

Of course, you'll need a 1080p-ready wall.

kenbuzz

http://www.carltonbale.com/home-thea...er-calculator/

Drexl

It will depend on what kind of projector you get (DLP or LCD) and the offset if it is fixed. Generally, DLP models have a fixed offset while LCDs have lens shift which helps with placement flexibility. The offset is a percentage of the image's height that the image will be shifted - it won't be straight ahead (unless the offset is 0), but raised or lowered depending on how the projector is oriented (straight up on a table or upside down from the ceiling). LCD models usually allow you to adjust the image (lens shift), so if you're worried about placement you could just get an LCD.

The distance will vary from projector to projector, and will be affected by how large and high off the ground you want the screen. If your ceiling is at least 8 feet high you'll certainly have enough room.

applesandrice

The ceiling in my parents' basement is only 7' and they have an image that's 6.5' wide (suddenly too lazy to do the rest of the math . . .).

Anyhow, what everybody else said so far.

gmal2003

Thats good to know because my ceiling is low. Im about 6 foot 4 and the ceiling is just above me so its in the 7 foot range. What Ill do is measure the entire room and get you guys oppinions. As far as that one chart goes, either Im stupid (which I dont think), or Im too tired from work now but I didnt understand it. Ill have to look at it again more throughly.

gmal2003

Ok I get it now! (just had to look at it). So this applies to tube tvs AND projectors? Also, whats a 1080p ready wall? I was just gonna buy a screen.

O yea, and where does 1080i play on that graph? My living room TV is 1080i so would it fall in the 720p category or the 1080p one or in between?

dan30oly

according to that graph, I am sitting waaay too close to my projector.

I have a panasonic 720p dlp 2000 lumen projector with a 106" screen and am only sitting about 6-7 feet away, I can only move back so far before I get in the way of the dartboard and then pool table.

I may have to re-think my rec room design.

Josh Z

Every projector is going to be different. If you're looking at a specific model, visit the manufacturer's web site and look for a throw distance calculator.

Also, this web site has useful specs and information on many home theater projectors:

www.projectorcentral.com

Drexl

As long as you're comfortable with it, that's all that matters. Some people like to sit closer. The distances in the chart are only to show how close you would have to sit to be able to take in the detail, and are minimum distances rather than absolute distances.

In fact, if you have multiple rows of seating, the plan would be to have the back row at the chart distance with the front row(s) sitting closer.