Projector Central Calculator Question

[wbond]

If you use the distance calculator and are using a 1080 or even 720 projector and put it in 4:3 mode, you get black bars on the sides. My question is, when it shows the width of the image on the bottom, does this include the black bars? If so, how can you tell how wide the black bars are on each side?

I'm looking to get a new projector for an approximate 10' wide screen, but i think i may need to account for more distance if i want to get a 1080 projector and use 4:3.

[aja]

Firstly, pay attention to image width. Forget all about image diagonal, that is misleading especially if comparing different image ratios, ie. 16:9 vs 4:3.

The width shown is for the image being projected. Watch the values as you select 16:9 vs 4:3.

Yes, you will have to move your 16:9 projector back if you switch it to 4:3 and want to fill the width of the screen.

Set the calculator up for your screen width. It will show the distance the projector is to be set up at for the native 16:9. Switch to 4:3 and the image width is shown for the narrower image. Adjust the screen width in the bottom right to match your screen width. The projector distance will increase correspondingly.