Anyone have experience with projector based home theater?

[tbone_ 14,143]

Bought a new house and looks like the basement was set up with a projector at some point in the past. Has the connection box with cabling and electrical in the ceiling and great spot for a screen.

 

Thinking about setting one up but zero idea where to start. I suppose the easiest thing would be to just buy a giant 86’ tv but a projector seems cooler.

 

Any suggestions?

[Grimas 670]

Can you “black out” the basement?  I put a 100” screen and an Eason HD projector into our game room upstairs but the room doesn’t get dark enough until the sun goes down (wife objected to black out curtains...) The biggest pain in the butt I had was needing to run a long HDMI cable with a splitter from the A/V system.  For the amount I spent on the screen and the projector, you could probably buy an LCD screen almost as large as the projector screen for the same price (or less)... We have a large LCD in the same place and tend to use it more than the projector...  

[blacklab 11,943]

Team projector here

I have a 200" screen and a sony VPL-HW40ES that works great. Have a receiver hooked to the projector and a computer, playstation and tivo mini hooked to the reciever.

Other than one of my dogs going apeshit when a dog, horse, wolf, cow, squirel or pretty much any animal is on it I love it. I mounted speakers above it so they wouldn't be in the way. 

 

[tbone_ 14,143]

I already have the cables run.

It’s a walk out basement. But I don’t have a wife so I can paint the fucking sliders black if I want to.

How much would you guys recommend budgeting for a projector and a screen these days?

[blacklab 11,943]

go to projector central and poke around. They have recommendations based on your price range. You should be able to get something decent for $1-3k

For screen I bought this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZLZ9BU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

then screwed it to a frame I made out of 1x2's. total cost around $100. I fooled around with sanding the wall down and using special paint but I could always see lines/bumps in the wall, especially in white scenes.

[Jkwellborn 6,718]

A buddy of mine had one set up in his living room. Hit a switch and the screen would retract or come down. It was almost like playing Madden with midgets.

[52-80 19,224]

21 hours ago, Grimas said:

Can you “black out” the basement?  I put a 100” screen and an Eason HD projector into our game room upstairs but the room doesn’t get dark enough until the sun goes down (wife objected to black out curtains...) The biggest pain in the butt I had was needing to run a long HDMI cable with a splitter from the A/V system.  For the amount I spent on the screen and the projector, you could probably buy an LCD screen almost as large as the projector screen for the same price (or less)... We have a large LCD in the same place and tend to use it more than the projector...  

yeap - controlling ambient light is the #1 step to a high performing projector system.  if you need some pointers, a good place to start is at www.blacked.com

[tbone_ 14,143]

Thanks. Defiantly have that covered with it being a basement, black out curtains, and the fact that the walkout sliding door faces east and is shaded with a big overhang so only gets direct sunlight for about an hour early in the morning.

[rage-a-holic 4,445]

you'll want to spend a lot of time here

 

https://www.avsforum.com/forums/#display-devices.9

[Grimas 670]

I set mine up 7 years ago and looked at the prices if I were to do it again.  My screen was set for 1080p and it looks like you can get something similar for under $1000 for a ceiling mounted, roll down screen but if you get into 4K screens, you are looking in the 2-3k range... Thanks for the post, it “forced” me to reconnect my projector and screen after not having used it for at least 2 years...

 

Edited August 22, 2021 by Grimas

[ChickenSandwich 9,848]

Can find some used black diamond screens online from time to time. They help with the light and contrast. 

Edited August 22, 2021 by ChickenSandwich

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3,868]

https://www.surlyhorns.com/board/index.php?/topic/9168-school-me-on-a-home-theater-projector-please/&tab=comments#comment-1288210

[tbone_ 14,143]

https://www.surlyhorns.com/board/index.php?/topic/9168-school-me-on-a-home-theater-projector-please/&tab=comments#comment-1288210

Thanks. That’s helpful.

[Tailgate 3,022]

Screens can make a major difference if you go projector…especially with the 4K projectors out there now.

I was lucky and my bro in law was a rep for Screen Innovations (got a great deal). Their black diamond screens are the best I’ve seen. With their zero edge, I’ve had many people walk into my media room and think they are watching a TV and not a projector. They are a bit pricey…but sports, gaming and movies are incredibly immersive.
 

 

[tbone_ 14,143]

What’s one of those cost?

[ChickenSandwich 9,848]

56 minutes ago, Tailgate said:

Screens can make a major difference if you go projector…especially with the 4K projectors out there now.

I was lucky and my bro in law was a rep for Screen Innovations (got a great deal). Their black diamond screens are the best I’ve seen. With their zero edge, I’ve had many people walk into my media room and think they are watching a TV and not a projector. They are a bit pricey…but sports, gaming and movies are incredibly immersive.
 

 

The in person demos are insane. Would never consider a projector (serious dedicated one) without. 

[Tailgate 3,022]

2 hours ago, tbone_ said:

What’s one of those cost?

Around $5k

[tbone_ 14,143]

Uh yea no on that then.

[Jkwellborn 6,718]

Around $5k

That got any bourbon in it?

[markstanco 12,586]

I had a bulb projector for the last 10 years, and just ordered a laser projector from my AV guy yesterday.  Should be in and installed for Game one vs. Louisiana.  I'll let you know OP if it is worth the money, $3700 total. 

[tbone_ 14,143]

Pulled the trigger on an Epson 4010 4K 3LCD projector and an Elite 100” screen, plus a receiver with L/R/C speakers plus a sub from best buy today, and a harmony remote.

They have a service where they’ll send a guy out for free, consult, all the stuff is regular Best Buy price and the geek squad dudes will come install it all for $200.

Should be pretty cool. Going in a walk out basement with windows only facing East. Pretty easy to total black it out if needed.

[TeeDubya 3,362]

On 8/22/2021 at 2:23 PM, rage-a-holic said:

you'll want to spend a lot of time here
 
https://www.avsforum.com/forums/#display-devices.9

This. Most importing thing is to control the ambient light.

Zero extraneous light (and flat wall paint sheen) will make an ok screen and projector look great, but leaky light will make a really high-end projector and screen look crummier.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited November 16, 2021 by TeeDubya

[Buzzrock 14,936]

Pulled the trigger on an Epson 4010 4K 3LCD projector and an Elite 100” screen, plus a receiver with L/R/C speakers plus a sub from best buy today, and a harmony remote.

They have a service where they’ll send a guy out for free, consult, all the stuff is regular Best Buy price and the geek squad dudes will come install it all for $200.

Should be pretty cool. Going in a walk out basement with windows only facing East. Pretty easy to total black it out if needed.

How’d it turn out? We’ve got a 90” setup in an upstairs bonus room but it gets a lot of light so it’s mostly used by the kids.

[tbone_ 14,143]

How’d it turn out? We’ve got a 90” setup in an upstairs bonus room but it gets a lot of light so it’s mostly used by the kids.

Install is Dec 7th.