Thinking about upgrading to a projector. Any thoughts ?

[codecougar]

I currently have a 42" LCD JVC 1080p and a Blu-ray player. I will probably still use this for watching television, but I have been thinking about getting a 1080p projector, ceiling mounting it above my couch and putting a drop down screen in front of my current tv and using the projector for Blu-ray viewing.

I am considering buying or making a ceiling mount that can hold the projector and the Blu-ray player and then I have to find like a 25' optical cable that I will run through my ceiling to the receiver which is on the other side of the room.

Any thoughts on this set up? The only problem I foresee is where to put my center channel. It is currently above my tv so it would be behind the projector screen when I pull it down. I suppose I could mount it under the screen, but that's not a preference of mine.

[Robert-The-Rambler]

I currently have a 42" LCD JVC 1080p and a Blu-ray player. I will probably still use this for watching television, but I have been thinking about getting a 1080p projector, ceiling mounting it above my couch and putting a drop down screen in front of my current tv and using the projector for Blu-ray viewing.

I am considering buying or making a ceiling mount that can hold the projector and the Blu-ray player and then I have to find like a 25' optical cable that I will run through my ceiling to the receiver which is on the other side of the room.

Any thoughts on this set up? The only problem I foresee is where to put my center channel. It is currently above my tv so it would be behind the projector screen when I pull it down. I suppose I could mount it under the screen, but that's not a preference of mine.

It is really difficult to configure a projector in general to be bright enough to exhibit the contrast to impress me enough to recommend anything short of something that probably would cost a ridiculous amount of money. I spend a lot of time looking at LCD monitors and rear projection CRT televisions and front projection is so hard to get bright enough with enough contrast. I'm using a huge Grayhawk glass beaded screen with 1.8 gain and frankly the image is stilll not bright enough even in a dark room to compete with any kind of other type of display technology available. I would recommend that you check out larger DLP televisions if big is what you want or if you have no budget restrictions go deep into the higher end projectors like JVCs 1080p LCOS projector that gets great reviews at projectorcentral.com or a 3 chip DLP model with contrast ratings way up there. LCOS seems to offer the best true contrast ratings.

Beware of auto iris inflated contrast numbers in front projection. Thos numbers are total BS. Native contrast is all that matters not the best contrast possible when the iris is open just right. I don't give a crap if you get 50000:1 contrast when the moon eclipses the sun. I hate that misleading nonsense.

[codecougar]

It is really difficult to configure a projector in general to be bright enough to exhibit the contrast to impress me enough to recommend anything short of something that probably would cost a ridiculous amount of money. I spend a lot of time looking at LCD monitors and rear projection CRT televisions and front projection is so hard to get bright enough with enough contrast. I'm using a huge Grayhawk glass beaded screen with 1.8 gain and frankly the image is stilll not bright enough even in a dark room to compete with any kind of other type of display technology available. I would recommend that you check out larger DLP televisions if big is what you want or if you have no budget restrictions go deep into the higher end projectors like JVCs 1080p LCOS projector that gets great reviews at projectorcentral.com or a 3 chip DLP model with contrast ratings way up there. LCOS seems to offer the best true contrast ratings.

Beware of auto iris inflated contrast numbers in front projection. Thos numbers are total BS. Native contrast is all that matters not the best contrast possible when the iris is open just right. I don't give a crap if you get 50000:1 contrast when the moon eclipses the sun. I hate that misleading nonsense.

Good info here. Thank you !

[musicman1999]

Why would you want to mount the bluray player on the ceiling? Makes it haed to change movies for one thing.Putting the player in a normal position and running component cables to the projector would make more sense than running coax from the bluray, you can't get the new audio formats using coax or optical, it must be 5.1 analog or HDMI.

bill

[codecougar]

Why would you want to mount the bluray player on the ceiling? Makes it haed to change movies for one thing.Putting the player in a normal position and running component cables to the projector would make more sense than running coax from the bluray, you can't get the new audio formats using coax or optical, it must be 5.1 analog or HDMI.

bill

I am limited with the space/ set up I have. I was going to build some type of ceiling mount shelf unit that will house both the projector and Blu-ray unit. Otherwise I will have to run and 25' HDMI cable. I don't really have many other options. I am using a optical cable right now for the sound anyway and it sounds good to me.

[GMichael]

With that length of a run, I would use digital coax instead of the optical. It's more durable.
I have the Sanyo Z-4 and have also had trouble with brightness. But only in the living room where I have a grey 106" screen. This pushes the limits of this projector. The one in the bedroom shows on a 92" white screen. The brightness there is fine. The newer models are better. I would suggest checking out this site: http://www.projectorcentral.com/
Enrole as a member and ask questions on their forum. These people know their chit!
I have eyes for the Optoma HD80 right now. But by time I'm ready to upgrade, things may (or should) change. This is the time of year that all the new models come out.
Oh yeah, I love both of mine. Even the one in the living room. Nothing beats a huge screen for movies. (or sports)
Poor Washington.

[Robert-The-Rambler]

I am limited with the space/ set up I have. I was going to build some type of ceiling mount shelf unit that will house both the projector and Blu-ray unit. Otherwise I will have to run and 25' HDMI cable. I don't really have many other options. I am using a optical cable right now for the sound anyway and it sounds good to me.

I've watched numerous HD-DVDs with a 25 foot cable and there are virtually no problems with loss of data or anything like that and it is very convenient. It just works. What are using to process your sound? Man, if you are going to be basically building a theater you should try to take advantage of the new sound formats.