Projector Help

[bouchermb]

I'm buying a TrakMan and started the build out recently. I'm sure this has been posted a gazzillion times, but here's a gazzilon and 1. SIM enclosure has 8x12 impact screen, 16:10 aspect ratio and was curious what projector is good/decently priced and how far/where this should be positioned in relation to the screen. I'm planning on plaing the SIM 9 feet from the screen, unless someone recommends something different.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[3on3putt]

Thanks for clarifying and if you were me, what would your choice be?

Obviously go 16:10 if you can find one. If not, 16:9 is your second option.

[Dax]

bouchermb that Panasonic would be a good projector if it is in good shape. Issues I see is where you would mount it? I have not run the projector central calculator to make sure it is not too far back. If I recall that one has a pretty good zoom and so it might work. Other great features would be its lens shift to make for a nice install.

[bouchermb]

Yeah. That's been my concern as well. I was told I'd be at 9 1/2 feet if I got with the BenQ MW632 ST, but not sure what that would look like with the Panasonic.

[bouchermb]

Unless I'm doing something wrong, which is entirely likely, the throw distance for the Panasonic PT-VZ570U with my dimensions is about 16.5 feet. Looks like a 16:9 native aspect ratio is what i should go with.

[Dax]

I will check it tomorrow, but when you did your calf did you adjust the distance for the zoom that the projector has?

[3on3putt]

Unless I'm doing something wrong, which is entirely likely, the throw distance for the Panasonic PT-VZ570U with my dimensions is about 16.5 feet. Looks like a 16:9 native aspect ratio is what i should go with.

I don't know what your budget is but check out this guy =

https://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-LU951ST-projection-calculator-pro.htm

That would mount 10 feet from your screen and is 1920x1200 native (16:10) which would be a killer image quality. And plenty bright at 5,000 lumens. It has a vertical offset of 0 inches, so you would have to drop it down a little with the mount. But as long as you have it positioned over the ball it will be safe. Very high quality projector.

It's crazy expensive. Do an ebay search or google shopping search for the model number and see if there's a steal on the used market. But at the very least, it gives you hope there might be something out there for your dimensions.

[bouchermb]

Will do and at $4800, that would eat up a lot of the budget I have. I can always expand it, but the wife would kill me if I expanded by that much.

[3on3putt]

Haha I hear ya. Run a search on projector central for 1920x1200 resolutions and throw distance of 10 feet and sort through the results. They will all show crazy retail prices but you can often find them for way less with a little digging. There's a refurbished one on ebay for $3200 for that one I linked to above.

[Foreman33]

Sorry to repeat, but I have a 16:10 screen and I went with a 16:9 and project in 16:9. I wanted the best image and, for me, I don't even notice the black bars above/below the image. I would absolutely do 16:9 1920x1080 over 16:10 1200x800, if that's your choice.

If able to mount it ~17 feet from the screen, check out the BenQ TK850. 4k for $1500. Gungho and several others have it and seem to like it. I just installed mine and like it more than my prior Optoma 1090 (even though I'm still running 1080p because I'm still waiting for upgraded computer to run 4K). Bright image - good for rooms with some ambient light, if that matters for you.

[bouchermb]

I'm glad you did repeat and that's kind of the conclusion I'm coming to as well. It looks like the panasonic pt vz570 is 16:10 with a 1920x1200, but unless I did the math wrong, it would have to be 16.5 feet or so back from the screen. I'm leaning towards the BenQ TH671ST 1080p, unless the consensus is for me to go a different route.

[Foreman33]

The BenQ TH671ST seems like the way to go if you want to mount in that 10-12' range. Seems like great value.

I believe GungHoGolf sells them in his online store. He is really helpful. I would recommend sending him a PM.

[jasonreg]

bouchermb - just for the record do not write off the 632 BenQ model so quickly. While true it is slightly lower resolution that others, it is really bright and the format and throw distance seem to match up with your desires / needs. If you can get a decent price - you may want to start with it knowing that you will eventually upgrade - projector is one of the easiest components to swap out. I used one for my initial installation and while I did swap it out eventually it was working pretty well. Can't go wrong with the 671 either. Food for thought.

[Dax]

bouchermb i had a look at the screen calculator for the Panasonic. If your measurements are correct and you are looking for a 144 by 96 image, then the Panasonic you found would be at 16.5 feet from screen without any zoom adjustment. Setting the zoom to full will allow you to move the projector forward to 13’3”. A couple of comments though,

1. with your ceiling height, my guess is you would likely have cast a shadow onto your screen. I would definitely do the calcs suggested above by Ron.

2. When you computed your height and width, do you factor in that there would be a gap on each side of the screen as well as from the ceiling? Just want to ensure you factored in bungees.

[bouchermb]

All of this feedback is much appreciated and I think I'm finally understanding things a bit more. I believe the numbers above did factor in the gaps and my overall enclosure dimensions are about 100"H x 154.6"W.

So now for me, it seems to be a decision of whether to go with the 632 BenQ model or 671.

[toddr17]

Curious .. did you go with MW632 or TH671? And what has been your experience so far (assuming you already have it)?

[RobG]

Optoma has a couple good short throw projectors - laser model ZH406ST and lamp model GT1080HDR. Check projector central calculator for throw distance and offset. As a note, it's always better to avoid using keystone correction. If you use keystone correction, always test the keystone image size before installing the ceiling mount.

[Foreman33]

I'm sure they are great projectors but they won't won't work with 8.5' ceilings. Both must be mounted over a foot above the top of the image.

[RobG]

Right, you would need to use geometry correction and that can make it challenging to determine proper projector placement. You would need to verify the exact throw distance before installing the mount.

[bouchermb]

Still trying to decide which projector will work the best. Making slow, but steady progress on the build.

Is there any other projectors which would be goiod to consider with 8 1/2 foot ceilings and short throw?