first sim build...4:3 or 16:9

[airbaker]

Hi everyone,

I'm embarking on my first sim build and like so many others, I'm facing paralysis of analysis. One of the major hurdles I need to tackle is what format would be better for my room size, 16:9 or 4:3.

My room is fairly tight: 16' x 16' with 10' ceilings. I have an 18" deep inset on the wall that I intend to set up the screen (I think originally designed so someone could put in a wall of bookshelves). The inset dimensions limit me horizontally to 12' 7" and realistically with the mounting studs and brackets, the usable screen will be maxed out at 11' 10". So I'm thinking I have a screen of 141" x 110" to work with.

I'm leaning towards setting up the projector to maximize a 4:3 format as I think that would give me the best use of the screen, but there might be times when it would be nice to stream a Netflix. If I do that, would it make watching something in 16:9 impossible....I ask these newb questions because when I fiddle around with the throw distance calculators, it seems like a typical ceiling mount 7-8' back from the screen (optimized for 4:3) would make the 16:9 too stretched out? Are there work-arounds with technical features I should look for in choosing different models (some type of lens, zoom feature, etc)? If this was your build, with these dimensions, how would you set it up?

Thanks guys/gals

[3on3putt]

140x105 would give you a nice 4:3 setup and would allow for about 6 inches on each side for hanging purposes. Since you're going to be hitting from so close (7 feet or so), that will be a nice size screen and you'll be filling up the whole thing. And 16 feet is plenty wide enough to hit centered (assuming the insert area is centered to the room). Plus that can put the projector almost right over your head, which is a good place for it to go.

[airbaker]

3on3, yes thanks for your input. I was thinking along the same lines. I guess my only hesitation would be if I will limit myself from ever viewing anything 16:9 again (like a movie night). I'm sure there must be some type of setting so that I can reconfigure it occasionally? And yes, the inset is perfectly centered and actually makes a nice framing around the screen.

My only hesitation is that I'll be pushing the boundaries of the Mevo+ (when it eventually arrives). I'm considering cutting a carveout into my back wall a foot or so, to allow the Mevo, 7' unit-to-ball and 10'ish ball-to-screen. I hope to not have to go through the trouble and that my numbers will be accurate enough at 8/8 or 9/7 ratio. Maybe future firmware updates will refine and allow for even shorter spaces...