MaryL
Novice Member
Looking to buy my first projector for use in small crowds (20 people). Will the average person notice a difference in clarity with 1080p vs. a pixel enhanced model?
Thanks Shane,This will depend upon the material you are showing, seating distances in relation to screen size and how good their eyes
For 20 people, I'm guessing the room is quite large, how will the light control be as this will affect how people will perceive the image more discouragingly than using anything like 4k projector with image shifting technology do compared to 1080p technology
14' should be fine for a 120" screen if want to keep it the solution to a 1080p
Have you thought about audio and how you are going to join the sound and vision together
Thanks Shane, for your replies. I have done most of that already. I think I have decided on the Espon Home Cinema 2250. Upon more researching, I don't think pixel enhancement will be of any benefit because the seating will be far enough away from the screen (14 feet minimum). I chose this model because, for one, it is available! Also because it has bluetooth installed. However, I am reading that the audio and video might not be in perfect sync (Epson website specs file) and this annoys me greatly so I will likely have to work with cable and wires. Do I need a reciever? If so, would I just need one cable to go from the projector to the reciever, and everything else plugs into the reciever directly?The other thing to do is draw a plan regarding floorplan and where everyone is likely to sit, make out where the main sockets are, doors and windows. Then pencil in where you'd like the speakers to live and where you think the projector will live and from hear, with the projector, you'll many more things without having to purchase anything right away
For the cabling, this will depend upon the electronics solution path you take. Once cable is an absolute must with the projector and that will be HDMI. All cables are certified to 5m and if you are showing to the public, using a 1080p projector should save you a lot of headaches and 4k material over longer distances can be a nightmare for anyone using it
Regarding the distances you are talking about, Fibre or standard high quality HDMI cables should be fine upto about 15m (49'). You will spend a lot on the cable and I'd suggest something like the QED Performance HDMI Cable (its what I use at home without issue). There are cheaper options, but its more of a lottery than a guarantee that they'll work
If you are planning for the future, then ensure the cable is always accessible to remove at a later date (this is the most important information I can offer you as its more important than the AVR, Projector or Speakers as they can fail and do plus if you need to upgrade to fibre for 4k, you can easily access it)
What you'll need in order to show movies.
- License to do so!
- Something to play the footage you wish to show (Blu-ray Player, PC Based Software plus partnering software to ensure seamless viewing)
- Surround sound will require an AV Receiver, Stereo sounds will require an integrated stereo (if you run down the stereo option, then the Blu-ray Player will require optical or RCA outputs)
- Workings of the Throw Ratio for the projector to screen
- Ceiling mount
- Speaker and Subwoofer Cable
- Speakers, For a large venu, you will need more than just the basics as you will quickly ruin then, so, buy once, but buy better
- Active Subwoofers
The main thing that could make your system fail is budget, The AV Receiver will have to have something more than just the basics like the speakers. I
The analogy is like two identical cars with different engine. One has a tiny 3 cylinder compared to the 6 cylinder v6 with a couple of turbos attached. Even though round town both would be perfectly comfortable, the rev's however would tell a different story as the tiny 3 cylinder will have to work harder to just even keep up with the larger engine version and when the tiny 3 cylinder has maxed out at 5,000rpm, you know that the v6 is only just getting going at around 2,500 rpm with much more available should never needs.
Now, using more than one subwoofer means that you are not calling on the those speakers or amplifiers to deliver that extra power require for the difficult low end notes meaning they work a little bit like a turbo on a car. The more you have, then better it is and for the surrounds speakers, you can in fact use smaller speakers (still good quality but this should put less strain on both them and the AV Receiver) allowing you to rely on the grunt of the woofers (turbos (as I've created the analogy it )) to fill the room
Now thankfully the room isn't hugh at 7m (23') x 4.2m (14'). So again this will work in your favour
Whatever you do, be realistic with your budget, Don't buy the baseline products and they will not last long if its going to get some proper usage and you will wear them out very quickly.
As a minimum, I'd suggest two of these. SVS PB1000, Yamaha RX-A4A (due to the usual reliability and durability of Yamaha), SVS Prime Bookshelf and Centre. Cable wise, Any good quality 1.5mm or 2.5mm cable and for the sub, purchase a fat cable over a thinner one as bass travels on the outerside of the cable (or so I've been told by the clever boffins in the industry)
For locating the projector at the right distance, the spec data claims you can achieve a 120" Diagonal throw from between 11' 7" and 18' 10" with approximately 8" lens shift. Before you purchase, I would suggest ensuring you view the item first and maybe look at something little larger like the 3200 as this is where cinema projectors really start in Epsons line up. Ones below are really data projectors re-jigged for the domestic home solution. The throw is almost identical (and I'd say work on between 12' and 18' for your measurements), but it also gives you proper lens shift meaning the job of setting up is thousand times easier especially if it's not going to be fixed in place
Hi Joe,Floor plan and front wall elevation - are you able to share them?
Permanent install - is your kit being fixed in place?
Screen - if your seating is not raked or on tiers the screen needs to be set higher than you would set it for a single row of seating.
Projection - I’d go with a Projector from the Installation/Event Market rather than a Home Cinema projector.
Audio - surround and overhead effects are quickly forgotten if the dialogue is lost, your seating layout will guide the best loudspeaker layout (often 2.1 with multiple stereo pairs down the side of the room).
Mic - any requirement to have speaker support?
Cabling - whilst you tend to end up with kit in a rack, cupboard etc at the Rear of the room you may want to also allow for Presenters having a Laptop at the front of the room.
Some installation projectors include an HDBT Receiver for video over a CAT cable - which allows for longer cable runs and a more robust solution, you simply add an HDBT Transmitter at the Source end of the cable run.
Joe
Hi Joe, Sketch attached. If I have extra people they would go to the open space in the left, where I've shown a table and chairs. I have reached out to a local tech to see if he would help me. Hopefully he is still in the area. For the past 5 years I ran some copyrighted films at our local Village Playhouse Theatre, so yes, I do know all about the licensing and had no problem acquiring them, although they can be very pricey. It is not that hard here in Canada. They are all previously released films. The tech I speak of is the one who ran the equipment for me at that venue.Layout - do you have a sketch and include the ‘extended’ version when you say you may increase the audience size.
Loudspeakers - unless folk in Canada have ears in there knees you want to rethink the speaker placement and get the speakers up high to allow you to cover the eighteen seats.
Viewing - plan now for raising the rear seating, nothing worse than looking into the back of someone’s head.
Budget - going second hand for some or all of the kit will greatly increase your options.
AV - really this is AV rather than Home Theatre, have you ‘reached out’ to your Community for assistance, there is bound to be an AV Co. or Tech who will help you out.
Licensing - it has been mentioned previously but have you had a look at what is involved if you wish to show ‘Blockbusters’? I run a Community project in the Scottish Borders and it is far from straightforward, or often affordable, when you aim to show copyrighted material.
Joe