4K projector and screen - help!

[David A]

Time has come to upgrade/add to the 85” tv with a projector. I started looking at these https://www.projectors.co.uk/projectors/brand/opto... but scope creep / reading reviews makes me think this https://www.projectors.co.uk/epson-eh-ls12000b-pro... is a better option.

It would be paired with this screen I think or perhaps the next size up if I can make it fit https://www.projectors.co.uk/sapphire-electric-301...


I need a 4K so my video feed doesn’t transcode and plays natively. Screen needs to be ceiling mount but not recessed. Projector will be almost directly above the seating so quieter the better.

This is all well outside my area of knowledge so any guidance welcome !
Thanks

[Techno9000]

Have been using the LS12000's predecessor the Epson TW-9400 for a couple of years now, after upgrading from a Panasonic full HD model.
I use this with inputs from everything from a Freeview tuner through to Blu-Ray, all switched via a Denon AV receiver.

I went for this model due to my requirement to position it circa 15 feet from the screen, near the ceiling, and needed the zoom and lens shift to place the image on my screen.

I find the upscaling rather good, the image a major step on from the Panasonic which, to be fair, was a few generations older.
The projector is about 4 feet from my ears at the main listening position, and is audible in very quiet passages in screenings, but not annoyingly so.

I sit about 13 feet from the screen, and use a couple of different lens settings depending on film or TV watching. The picture never fails to impress with it sharpness and good colour rendition.

I've seen a comparative review about the TW-9400 and its successor recently, mentioning that the laser light source doesn't add much at all to the picture brightness, but obviously should last longer than the (replaceable) lamp. It may be that the successor is quieter, given the laser should be producing less heat and need less air to cool it.

Given the significant saving, I'd weigh up the options of either the TW-9400 with a spare lamp (which you unlikely to need) or its successor, I think either will satisfy you.

Edited by Techno9000 on Thursday 4th January 21:51

[steveamv8]

David A said:

Time has come to upgrade/add to the 85” tv with a projector. I started looking at these https://www.projectors.co.uk/projectors/brand/opto... but scope creep / reading reviews makes me think this https://www.projectors.co.uk/epson-eh-ls12000b-pro... is a better option.

It would be paired with this screen I think or perhaps the next size up if I can make it fit https://www.projectors.co.uk/sapphire-electric-301...


I need a 4K so my video feed doesn’t transcode and plays natively. Screen needs to be ceiling mount but not recessed. Projector will be almost directly above the seating so quieter the better.

This is all well outside my area of knowledge so any guidance welcome !
Thanks

Ive got my eye on this one at present ,
im still looking at screens for it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2IeR3IhHkw&t=...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOhMM905KJE

[David A]

Thanks - if it helps this is the layout looking at the screen:



And from above/plan:

[David A]

Now thinking about a cheaper screen and ex display better projector
https://www.projectors.co.uk/projector-screens/ele...

https://www.projectors.co.uk/projectors/sony-vpl-x...

[JEA1K]

David A said:

Thanks - if it helps this is the layout looking at the screen:



And from above/plan:

Just looking at your calculations here.

Total room length 5.5m. Take away 500mm for projector and then 300mm from screen wall to screen position leaves you with 4.7m as your throw distance.

Leaving the projector band in the centre of its zoom range means a screen diagonal of 125"/3.1m.

On your cacls of using a 136"/3.47m is you're about 65% up the zoom capability of the projector ... thats probably as far as I would advise. This drops the brightness to 95nits (PC estimate) where as with a 125" screen, ots 105nits so not a hune drop. Just something to be aware of if you have high ambient light levels.

Re the screen and projector, I could possibly get you a brand new unused projector for the same price ...

[JEA1K]

David A said:

Thanks - if it helps this is the layout looking at the screen:



And from above/plan:

What height do you have to the centre of the TV and your proposed screen?

You want to be looking (when seated) at the centre of the screen ... so it should be at 1200mm (usualy head height on a sofa) from the floor. That may seem low, especially when stood up ... but no one watches TV stood up;)

[David A]

Thank you. I'm having a bit of a in for a penny in for a pound moment

Now considering this https://www.projectors.co.uk/sony-vpl-xw5000-white... as is native 4k and rotating the room



I've pre-wired each corner for speaker cable so thats ok, and feels that this would allow for a 4 to 4.5m screen and be more of a "correct" layout for the room.

[JEA1K]

David A said:

Thank you. I'm having a bit of a in for a penny in for a pound moment

Now considering this https://www.projectors.co.uk/sony-vpl-xw5000-white... as is native 4k and rotating the room



I've pre-wired each corner for speaker cable so thats ok, and feels that this would allow for a 4 to 4.5m screen and be more of a "correct" layout for the room.

Thats the same model isn't it (XW5000)? Did you mean to post the XW7000?

This room format is certainly a better layout, although you are suggesting a seating position out of the recommended distance. Based on the 3m wide screen you have suggested, you really want to be sat 4m away from the screen ... with the projector being mounted behind the seating poistion.

You could get in a slighly larger screen and sit slightly further than the recommended 4m.

[David A]

Sorry I am being confusing, forgot I had put up the sony 5000. Yes it’s the 5000 - that’s enough scope creep!

Screen in this could be wider ie 4.0 - 4.5m

Projector would also not need to be behind - could be above the coffee table for example - but would that be distracting?

Happy to chat if you are a supplier/retailer etc !

[JEA1K]

David A said:

Sorry I am being confusing, forgot I had put up the sony 5000. Yes it’s the 5000 - that’s enough scope creep!

Screen in this could be wider ie 4.0 - 4.5m

Projector would also not need to be behind - could be above the coffee table for example - but would that be distracting?

Happy to chat if you are a supplier/retailer etc !

Ah yes, I see.

Bear in mind that there will be a reasonably large jump in cost when looking at screens of that size are they're produced in smaller numbers.

Yes you can have the projector behind or in front ... I would always have this behind ... overhead is certainly more distracting, in front also.

All good, yes we're a designer/supplier, will drop you my details.

[David A]

Thanks to JEA1K I parted with some money sooner than I thought. Sony VPL-XW5000 native 4k projector and a 3.5m tab tensioned screen. That’s about a 160 inch on the diagonal.

Photos don’t do it justice but it’s nice and bright, projector is quiet enough. Very pleased.

Still needs a bit of fine tuning and levelling but should have bought one years ago !

[QJumper]

Funnily enough I always use the opening scenes in Bladerunner to test my video quality.

[CharlesElliott]

I have the same projector - it is great.