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Hi folks - I am just dipping my toe into a basement simulator build-out and am looking for some advice on projector selection and placement. I've attached some pictures of my space, it is roughly a 13'w x 16' d x 9' h area, but the height is complicated because it is a removed drop ceiling and there are a few pipes / HVAC ducts in the way (I plan to re-enclose the ceiling with plywood contoured around the obstacles).
I have a swing-lane (RH) where I should be able to get the full 9' of height, but the HVAC duct is straight down the middle of the ceiling where ideally the projector would go. The duct ends about 7' from the wall where the screen would be. I plan to have a 7.7x10 impact screen (4:3 ratio).
As far as project placement goes, the options that I've been considering are:
1) Mount the projector just off the right-hand side of the duct (opposite of my stance), where it will be roughly 12-18" offset from center -- in this case I have more flexibility on the throw distance, but will need seemingly a higher-end projector with either horizontal lens shift or quality horizontal keystone correction.
2) Find a very short-throw projector I can put in front of the end of the duct, which would be only a ~5' throw distance once the screen is installed. Not sure if this is viable, and if the projector would be in the "line of fire" of high flop shots / skied drivers (although I could potentially build an enclosure shelf underneath it to protect that)
3) Build a shelf that hangs below the vent and can be centered, right above my hitting area. This would have to hang down to probably 7' or so and would be below the top of the screen, so this seems unappealing aesthetically & functionally, but might be easiest from a projector standpoint (?).
edit: Adding option 4) Put projector on the floor rather than ceiling mount. I don't love the aesthetic of this but it may be the best option, especially since I will be hitting a bit offset from center.
As for the rest, I plan to enclose the left-hand wall and ceiling and cover them in carpet / acoustic tiles, and get a heavy curtain for the right-hand side so I can still access the closets when necessary. Will be using SkyTrak and building out a platform for the hitting mat / turf to fill the area, and likely putting a computer + display inside the farthest back closet on the right. My hope is for this to be a dual-purpose home theater & simulator, so will have some seating farther back (the room actually extends another ~30 feet back beyond what I showed).
This is still very early stages, so really appreciate any advice / feedback people may have (on anything, but particularly the projector issues). Thank you!
I have a swing-lane (RH) where I should be able to get the full 9' of height, but the HVAC duct is straight down the middle of the ceiling where ideally the projector would go. The duct ends about 7' from the wall where the screen would be. I plan to have a 7.7x10 impact screen (4:3 ratio).
As far as project placement goes, the options that I've been considering are:
1) Mount the projector just off the right-hand side of the duct (opposite of my stance), where it will be roughly 12-18" offset from center -- in this case I have more flexibility on the throw distance, but will need seemingly a higher-end projector with either horizontal lens shift or quality horizontal keystone correction.
2) Find a very short-throw projector I can put in front of the end of the duct, which would be only a ~5' throw distance once the screen is installed. Not sure if this is viable, and if the projector would be in the "line of fire" of high flop shots / skied drivers (although I could potentially build an enclosure shelf underneath it to protect that)
3) Build a shelf that hangs below the vent and can be centered, right above my hitting area. This would have to hang down to probably 7' or so and would be below the top of the screen, so this seems unappealing aesthetically & functionally, but might be easiest from a projector standpoint (?).
edit: Adding option 4) Put projector on the floor rather than ceiling mount. I don't love the aesthetic of this but it may be the best option, especially since I will be hitting a bit offset from center.
As for the rest, I plan to enclose the left-hand wall and ceiling and cover them in carpet / acoustic tiles, and get a heavy curtain for the right-hand side so I can still access the closets when necessary. Will be using SkyTrak and building out a platform for the hitting mat / turf to fill the area, and likely putting a computer + display inside the farthest back closet on the right. My hope is for this to be a dual-purpose home theater & simulator, so will have some seating farther back (the room actually extends another ~30 feet back beyond what I showed).
This is still very early stages, so really appreciate any advice / feedback people may have (on anything, but particularly the projector issues). Thank you!
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