ceiling mount projector for TV use

[whd507]

My wife wants to get a big-screen TV, and I'm thinking it would be as much or less to mount a projector to the ceiling, and hook it to a Tuner, and project it on the wall. that way we could have a much bigger picture. (we have a room with a blank wall.)

anybody done this? I used to show movies with one, and I know there are ways to play TV with most of them.

[Blk Mamba]

I think your wall needs special paint.

[whd507]

thats not a problem, they dont usually texture walls around here, so its sanded smooth. I'm adding texture as I go through a room and repaint, but I wasnt going to texture that wall. we project on the wall at church, and its painted a light silver color right where its hits the wall.

[fastblackmerc]

I got this DLP
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/gifts/IM000068.jpg

This is how it looks from where I sit - 20ft away.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/gifts/IM000056.jpg

[ImpalaSlayer]

i think the only prob with the projectors is that the bulbs dont last very long and there very expensive what what i hear.

[DOOM]

[QUOTE=fastblackmerc;585425]I got this DLP
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/gifts/IM000068.jpg

Excellent uhum picture quality

:D

[CRUZTAKER]

OMG...I want this so bad when we blow the LR out to 35'.

My brother-in-law bought my dad's old house. My dad had closed in the attatched under bedroom 35x35 garage years ago and made it a FR. It has a drop ceiling, perfect for hiding cables.

Mark just finished his so called 'home theatre'.

I do not have specifics, but he bought a 120" fixed grey screen off eBay for like $160, and a HD ceiling mounted projector. Some hi-end highest lumen model for like $1200 and OMG!

We saw superbowl at his 'home theatre' warming party.

This had to be THE CLEARED HD I have ever seen. And from ANY viewing angle. At 120" the players were near life sized. With the 5.1 surround and HD feed, it was like being at the game.

THIS IS MY FUTURE.

LCD's in all my other rooms, and deck...but projector is the ****itt booya!

[Aren Jay]

I have two.

1. Sony VPL CX75 Always in the shop getting fixed.
2. Sony VPL ES2 My spare.

When they work, the CX75 is a buggy model, they work great. They are not good in direct sunlight and even with shades light that bleeds through makes watching anything difficult.

Great for TV, nothing beats watching your favourite programme with a 100" screen. Except programmes made for smaller screen sometimes are unwatchable. You can get sea sick watching some shows. I have gotten sick watching an episode of the Rockford files once. I had to hide my eyes behind my hand a peek through my fingers or I would get queezy.

Projectors are getting much cheaper than when I bought my first projector, 6 years ago. I sold that one to a friend and he still uses it and loves it.

Screens, it is best to just get matt white, they are cheap. 100" for under $200. I have been using Draper Luma's great manual pull down.

Projectors come in different versions.

LCD (old)

3LCD (cheaper now, very good refresh few problems)

DLP (cheap but specs don't tell you what they can do, make a rainbow effect often)

3DLP (very good but expensive)

CRT (rare now)

They also come in 4x3 or 16x9 ratio's.

Typically 4x3's, which can also display 16x9 are brighter but not as high of resolution. They work best as computer screens, but again most computer games are not made for BIG screens. You can get sea/air/car sick playing a game on a huge screen. They are cool for surfing the net though.

4x3 screens are full size for 4x3 tv shows. They are 92% of full size for 16x9 recent tv shows, and some movies, they are 84.6% of full size for 2.35x1 wide movies. So for my 100" screen it is 100" for 4x3, 92" for 16x9, and 84.6" for 2.35x1 viewings. Black lines at bottom.

16x9 screens are full size for 16x9 movies and newer shows. But only 84% for 4x3 and 92% for 2.35x1 movies. They are also typically the same width as 4x3 screens and thus smaller. They do not fill the wall completely but most power priced projectors don't make a difference, you run out of width room before you run out of height.

4x3 ratio projectors are able to be used in non direct daylight. Widescreen 16x9 ratio projectors are typically dimmer and not useable for daytime viewing. There are always exceptions and the more money you spend the bright projectors get.

DPL brightness and contrast levels for movie or tv use should be rated as half of their specs. LCD are fully rated.

Don't be fooled.

See Projectorcentral.com for reviews and throwdistance calculators.

SOme projectors have zoom lenses and some do not, they also have different throw ranges for screen sizes.

Typically you need 1500 lumens for dim light conditions. 2000-2500 lumens for non direct light day use. For bright light you should have 3500-6000 lumens and direct sunlight 10,000+ lumens.

If you are using DLP double these figures.

Cheaper 16x9 projectors, under $3000, typically are only useable in dark rooms.

Projectors are fully adjustable and can be used in front, rear or even mirrored applications. You can even watch movies with the right and left sides switched. ie: Spiderman lives on the right side Mary Jane on the left.

It changes the whole movie, although everything is written backwards too.

For mounts you can mount projectors up to the side, not completely to a side (it is technically possible but the screen image is not really good), low or high on walls, ceilings or shelves.

I use Premier gyro mounts.

Any questions ask away.

[Aren Jay]

Bulbs last 2000-3000 hours. 2 to 3 years and can cost up to $400.00

Sony uses a prorated warranty, which lasts for years up to 5 if extended.

I have had 2 bulbs in my VPL-CX75 Sony projector go, I have spent a total of $121 on bulbs.

Some other companies use cheaper bulbs and many projectors now come with spare bulbs.

My current Sony Projectors have a capacitor that stores electricity and will allow the bulb to cool down even in a power failure. Normally they shut themselves off 5 or so minutes after you turn them off.

Sony Projectors also have bright and standard power levels. I almost always use standard power levels, they are not as bright typically 80% but the fan is quieter and and the bulbs last 50% longer. They also decrease the bulb life indicator at a 50% less rate. For your prorated warranty.

If you are looking for a good Sony unit, this one here is an excellent unit:
http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VPL-EX4

see here too: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony-VPLEX4.htm


I have considered it myself.

I buy from a specialist company and get a 20% discount off retail so shop around.

Fan noise is louder with a projector but with a good wall or ceiling mount this is minimal and depends on your altitude. Calgary being 3700 feet above sea level means high altitude mode is needed and makes the fan louder. But after a few minutes you barely notice anymore.

Also for sound you will need a seperate sound system, stereo or home theatre setup. But then everything sounds so much better. And for TV use, Commercials are amazing. They have the best sound.

My next setup will have an 11 foot screen, and will be setup in my 15x10 foot theater room.

[pantheroc]

Sorry to hijaak....I love it when Sandra manually whips up something in the mixing bowl.....:P



I got this DLP
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/gifts/IM000068.jpg

[fastblackmerc]

This is one of her more "revealing" shows....

[Master]

I've used projectors for years and watched countless movies. It is true that cheaper ones need darker conditions (but not that dark to be acceptable). The bulb in my Optoma seems to be indestructible. It is also the most amazingly quiet unit I've seen yet, and its just a cheap machine.
I will definitely go with an upgraded projector before I spend money on a flat panel.
Also note: Somehow, almost regardless of the wall colour, the picture comes out looking good. I have a screen and just never use it. I'd rather project on the wall.

[Aren Jay]

Screens are cheap, and make everything look better.