Which Hi-Def projector has the best lens shift?

tigergeek1

I want to buy a home cinema projector for my Xbox, but I don't want to go through the trouble of mounting it to the ceiling. I just want to place it on a table to the side of my sofa. Thanks in advance!

Answer
LCD projectors typically have the best lens shift (versus DLP models which didn't used to have the feature).

Panasonic PT-AX200U (720p) and Panasonic PT-AE2000U (1080p) are both good. Epson's Home Cinema UB is also good, but is new and costs more.

Good lens shift is about %50. So imagine the center of the image moving to about where one side was after it's moved over completely. Watch for one with both horizontal and vertical lens shift too.

For gaming, the Panasonic PT-AX200U is a good price and has a game mode too. Its the first projector to have a mode for gaming specifically. It's bright too, so you can use it with lights on.

what front projector screen size?

gandalf

The distance from sitting area to screen will be 11-12 ft. What is the maximum screen size I should get? I am getting a 1080p front projector for blu-ray movies if that helps.

Answer
The maximum screen size as well as screen performance depends on several factors, which include:

     ⢠The interior dimensions of your viewing environment;
     ⢠The placement of the projector (governed in part by the lens shift function (if so equipped) and the throw distance. The latter is dependent on the focal length and the zoom ratio of the lens);
     ⢠The post optimization and/or calibration light output of the projector;
     ⢠The peak gain of the screen;
     ⢠The resolution of the projected image;
     ⢠The (corrected) visual acuity of the viewer(s);
     ⢠The ability to control the amount of ambient light in your viewing environment;
     ⢠The video and image processing performance of the projector or outboard video processor;
     ⢠The performance of the video source equipment;
     ⢠The source material;
     ⢠And last but not least your budget.

You will want to choose a quality projection screen that is optimized for HD video projectors, which has an aspect ratio of not less than 16:9 and a peak gain between 0.9 and 1.4. Keep in mind that the higher the screen gain the narrower the viewing angle (aka viewing cone) before you hit the half-gain point. This will be important if you expect to accommodate up to several people in the room at any given time. You should also give consideration to using a gray, high contrast screen if there will be any ambient light present during viewing. You will also want to use a black velour or velvet screen frame finish or masking, i.e. border, that absorbs over-scan, which helps to increase perceived contrast.

Realistically there are few consumer-oriented video projectors under roughly US$10,000 that will allow youâeven under the best of conditionsâto project a (16:9) HD video image larger than 120 inches diagonally while maintaining a sufficiently bright, reasonably uniform image that possesses good contrast and minimal color shift over a viewing angle of more than 50 to 60 degrees.

At a viewing distance of 11 to 12 feet, for one or more viewers possessing normal visual acuity viewing a 1920 Ã 1080p video image of good image quality, you will want to use a 16:9 (or even a 1.85:1) aspect ratio screen with a diagonal size of approximately 84 to 90 inches give or take no more than roughly 6 inches; providing your projector and room dimensions will accommodate a screen size in this range. (Note: using a native 1920 Ã 1080p âFull HDâ DLP or LCOS video projector will allow you to fudge a little toward the higher end of the screen-size range. If youâre using a Full HD 3LCD video projector you should limit yourself to a slightly smaller maximum screen size, e.g. no greater than 90 inches, especially if there will be any ambient light in the room.) For a brief list of the more popular projection screen manufacturers please see my answer to the Yahoo! Answers question titled âWhat is best screen for Optoma HD80,â to which Iâve provided a link below.

I strongly encourage you to use the popular interactive Projection Calculator Pro utility on ProjectorCentralâs Website to verify which screen size, screen gain and projection variables will provide the best performance for your viewing environment. Just remember that the reported Image Brightness value is based on the projector manufacturerâs often exaggerated and unrealistic brightness or light output specification.

######################## RESOURCES ########################

Planning and Setting Up a Front-Projection Home Theater
http://www.isftv.com/Article_Planning_and_Setting_Up.html

Projection Calculator Pro - Throw Distance and Screen Size
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm

Viewing Distance Calculator
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

Screen Size vs. Viewing Distance vs. Resolution
http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/

Screen size versus Optimum Viewing Distance
http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/Tv-viewing-distance.html

[PDF] Specifying Projection Screens in Six Easy Steps
http://www.cinemasource.com/articles/screens_six_steps.pdf
[PDF] Types of Home Theater Projection Screens
http://www.cinemasource.com/articles/screen_types.pdf

THX Home Theater Display Setup
http://www.thx.com/home/setup/display.html
THX Certified Cinema Design - Screen Placement
http://www.thx.com/cinema/builtTHX/screen.html
[PDF] THX Theatre Alignment Program (TAP) Guidelines
http://www.thx.com/library/pdf/guidelines.pdf

[PDF] Research on Human Factors in Ultra-High-Definition Television to Determine its Specifications
http://www.nhk.or.jp/digital/en/technical/pdf/IBC2007_08040906.pdf

Practical Projection Pointers
http://motion.kodak.com/US/en/motion/Hub/projectionPointers.htm

How to determine BEST screen size for home theatre projector viewing?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071121170743AAnVZ3T
300-inch projector [screen]?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070412204130AA58dGc
What is best screen for Optoma HD80? What size best image?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090226095949AATpahf
General home theater projector questions and...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090213080745AAdJG1N
What is good distance to watch 42 inches television?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070530083548AA33IHN

HDTV Display Technology Shoot-Out
http://www.displaymate.com/shootout.html
Display Technology Shoot-Out
Comparison of CRT, LCD, Plasma, DLP and LCoS Technologies
http://www.displaymate.com/ShootOut_Comparison.htm
 

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Projector SONY VPL-VW50 or PANASONIC PT-AE1000, which is better for new Projector user? Where to buy cheaper?

Leung

I'm a new projector user. I'm considering to buy either SONY VPL-VW50 (HK$36000/US$4615) or PANASONIC PT-AE1000 (HK$21000/US$2692). Any recommendation to me as first projector user?

I'm also considering to buy GRANDVIEW 100" electronic screen at HK$10,000/US$1282. Is it good choice? Where could I buy cheaper?

Distance between sofa and the screen is 13.5 feet. Do you think 100" screen is too large or good?

What do I need to be careful when selecting the projector and screen?

I'm also moving to a new flat and therefore I could decorate and install the projector and screen. What should I pay attention.

I'm living in HK. Any merchant in HK would you recommend (pls provide phone number if you have)?

Answer
Both your suggested models are good projectors, but each has advantages and disadvantages, and since choice often comes down to factors that are important to you I recommend reading the reviews at the first three links (and see comments at the fourth). They will also give you a good idea of issues to consider. For example, you have identified the distance to the screen, but you must also consider resolution, brightness, contrast ratio, whether lens shift is important to you (this will depend on how you plan to mount the projector (ceiling, shelf, table)), technology (DLP, LCD, LCOS), lens zoom ratio, fan noise, bulb lifetime, types and number of inputs, etc.

I highly recommend reading as much as you can, get opinions, but ... finally, make your own decision based on knowing what is important (and not important) to you. The four sites I have suggested will provide (almost) all the information you need to make a good choice. But also go and see projectors if possible.

As to size of screen, see the 5th link, but basically the screen when viewed from your preferred location should subtend an angle (left to right) of about 36-40 degrees. I am using a 110" screen (diagonal) and sit 12 feet from the screen, so 100" at 13.5 feet is certainly not too large.

As to the type of screen, again this is somewhat personal. You are considering an electric screen, but unless you need to be able to retract it a fixed screen would be cheaper. And it lends itself to building your own for a lot less $$. See the fourth link and the DIY screen forum for details ... but you can paint your own screen on the wall for $50 (US) that will rival a $1000 commercial screen.

Sorry, but I can't suggest HK stores.

I hope this helps. Good Luck ... you will love having a projector!

I have vaulted ceilings..Can I put in projector?

dan l

My ceilings in the living room are not your standard 8 foot high ceilings. The screen would be mounted near the top of the 8 foot wall. Can the projector project the picture downward on an angle to the screen? It probably will end up being 2 or 3 feet above the 8 ft height compared to the top of the screen.

Answer
Most decent home theater projectors have what's called "lens shift". What that does is allow you to shift the projected image up/down/left/right without having to angle the projector and use keystone correction. Keystone correction typically adds artifacts to the picture quality as it is digitally stretching or shrinking parts of the image. With lens shift you can place your projector practically anywhere in the room.

You could also mount the projector on a rear wall if it's not too far away or get an extra long ceiling mount. The problem with having a projector up really high is not going to be if it can project it's image properly. It will be servicing it (ie: cleaning the filter). Just make sure if it is up high that you can still access the filter via climbing up a ladder or standing on a chair.

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