[Iain Shields]

I have pretty much made up my mind to order a Panasonic PT-AE100 projector, as this is my first projector I dont really know much about setting it all up.

I intend to go for a manual pulldown screen fixed to the far wall roughly 3 metres (or about 10 feet) from where the projector would sit, on a shelf, on the opposite wall.

What I would like to know please, is what size of (good quality) image can I expect to get? (I'm hopeing for around 6-7 feet, is this realistic?)

Also, any recomendations for a suitable screen and it's price would be very helpfull...

Thanks in advance,

Iain.

[Bert Coules]

Iain,

With the lens 3 metres from the screen you'll get a picture width from 5ft 9ins to 7ft 2ins, depending on where you set the AE-100's zoom lens.

So your 6 - 7ft is pretty much spot on.

Bert
http://www.bertcoules.co.uk

[Paul.B2]

Mine is/was roughly the same distance, and i got a cracking picture on an 6' 8" wide screen. Before i got it set up i thought it may be too close, but its not. Just wish the goddamn projector hadn't died on me

[Iain Shields]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Now all I need is a few suggestions for a screen...

Can anyone help me out?

Iain.

[Bert Coules]

Iain, search around these forums and you'll find several different approaches to screens, from expensive custom-built jobs to a plain painted wall.

When I first got my AE-100 I set up a 6ft x 3ft sheet of plasterboard and projected onto the light grey side; the result was an excellent picture. Dulux Icestorm 5 (and/or 6) paint is popular, and similar shades of grey can be obtained in roller-blinds.

But I advise caution in the purchase of any screen. If your AE-100 (once you've actually bought it) shares the uncanny not to mention unwelcome sense of timing possessed by my own, it will unerringly blow itself up on the very day that your screen arrives...

Bert
htto://www.bertcoules.co.uk

[RichardH]

....so Bert, does this mean you have now bought a screen to replace the plasterboard, and if your AE100 is running again, what's the difference? Is a "proper" screen that much better?

[Paul.B2]

I use a Draper Luma manual pull down screen which cost around 250 quid. Personally i think its great, don't know other peoples opinion on it but i'm happy and thats all that matters to me.

I think general consensus is that theres not really much difference between a relatively cheap screen and the Icestorm 5 route. I suppose it all depends whether you can leave it permanantly mounted. That certainly is the cheaper option.

[Bert Coules]

RichardH,

My projector is still with Panasonic - or more likely it's still sitting at the dealers waiting to be sent; I only returned it on Saturday.

I didn't buy a custom-built screen; I ordered a standard roller-blind in a light grey blackout fabric. The colour is an almost exact match for Icestorm 5, the finish is a good smooth matt and the blackout property was necessary because it has to hang over a window. I plan to make a black frame (probably MDF or similar) which the screen can slide down behind.

The blind seems to hang well, though there is a very slight ripple towards the lower right-hand corner which I hope won't prove to be a problem.

All I need now is the damned projector.

Bert
http://www.bertcoules.co.uk

[-Spike-]

Hi all,

So if Iain is looking at viewing about 10 feet away from a 6-7 feet image wouldn't this be considered a little too close?

I thought that a general rule of thumb was to sit at least double the screen width away?

The reason I ask is that due to room length constraints or to put it another way a slight balls-up on my behalf, I shall be viewing a 7 foot 16:9 screen at about 13 feet, am I worrying over nothing?

Regards

Steve

[-Spike-]

Yes, nice reply Douglas.

Anyone else with something a little more constructive?....please?

Regards
Steve

[Bert Coules]

Steve, I've seen one-and-a-half times screen width mentioned here in several threads, and that was how I initially set up my viewing area; I found it perfectly OK, but eventually settled on being a touch further back. My setup is now very close to your thirteen foot distance and seven foot screen, and it's excellent.

These things are personal of course, but I don't think you need to worry about it.

Bert
http://www.bertcoules.co.uk

WWW.Panasonic.co.uk
Supportr
Technical Downloads
Presentation Products
Projectors
PT-AE100

You will see the pdf file of the ops maual there.

[-Spike-]

Thanks Bert,

Opted for a thirteen foot viewing distance today.
I was more concerned than usual as I have cinema seats that have to be bolted to the floor. Once there, there's no moving back or forward.

Cheers for taking time to reply,

Regards
Steve

[Bert Coules]

Steve, you're welcome. I hope the installation works out well for you.

Bert
http://www.bertcoules.co.uk

Look at the enclosed instructions.

Screens? Try checking out some AV dealers but do not buy a screen with gain. These often cause hotspots and can reduce the percieved contrast ratio.

I enclose an spreadsheet with full details but at 3 metres:

width = 1.78 to 2.13 Metres
Height = 1.00 to 1.20 Metres
Diagonal 2.05 to 2.45 Metres

[Iain Shields]

Thanks for all the replies guys, plenty of helpfull info...

Cheers,

Iain.