[zozoman]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here and I was wondering if anyone could answer these questions I have...

Over the past 6 months I have been wanting to set up a projector and sound system in my room, but have not because of a few technical problems I have been worrying about.

The first question I have is about position of the projector. I would like to put it over my window and here is a picture of the area:


Here is the picture of the wall where the image will be projected onto:


The distance from the wall to the windows is about 15 feet give or take a couple of feet. Is this an appropriate distance for a projector?

And now we move on to the next question, getting it all to work. What I really want to do is have the projector hooked up the computer (my computer currently has 2 monitors hooked up to it so I am not sure if I would have to purchase an additional video card just for the projector). As you can see in the first picture is that the projector would be about 5-8 feet away from the computer.

I realize I would most likely need to purchase extension cables to get it to work, but what I am concerned about is how am I going to have the sound system work. I plan to buy home theater speakers, something like these, or perhaps a different speaker package that you guys recommend. As I was saying, I do not know how I would get these work with the computer. Would I need to buy a receiver or something to make the computer switch over to the projector? (That right here is the most troubling part I have with this setup, is how I am going to get the sound to switch over). I was also thinking that I would buy Y splitter cords for my current speaker set up on my computer and connect them to the home theater speakers, but I do not know if that would work or not.

So, in a nutshell I would like to purchase a good home theater projector and sound system. The major problem I am running into is how am I going to have the computer switch over to use the projector speakers instead of the computer speakers.

If anyone can help me out with this I would appreciate it very much! If anyone has any questions about anything or suggestions please let me know.

Thanks for your time,

-Alonzo

[Phil A]

Welcome to the forum. You can shelf mount the projector and look at a site like Projectors, Projector Reviews, LCD Projectors, Home Theater DLP Projectors at ProjectorCentral.com for the throw distance of specific projectors. Computer speakers are usually amplified and you'd probably want a sound card with a digital out to a rec'r to decode the surround sound formats and provide power to the home theater speakers.

[zozoman]

Thank you Phil for the fast reply! I will most defiantly take a look at that site and I have a question about the speaker situation.

So I can purchase any type of home theater speaker setup and all I need is a good receiver? Then I can connect my speakers to my receiver and my receiver to my computer and it should work? I am sorry if I am being redundant, but this part is most perplexing to me.

I currently have this sound card, I believe that it supports digital out.

And about hooking the projector up to the computer. As I said earlier I use 2 monitors on my computer at the moment, so that means my one video card is all taken up. If I wanted to hook my projector up to my computer I would imagine I would need another video card (albeit that it can be a crappy one). Then I should be set for having the projector hooked up to the computer, correct?

Thanks again for the response!

-Alonzo

[Phil A]

zozoman said:

Thank you Phil for the fast reply! I will most defiantly take a look at that site and I have a question about the speaker situation.

So I can purchase any type of home theater speaker setup and all I need is a good receiver? Then I can connect my speakers to my receiver and my receiver to my computer and it should work? I am sorry if I am being redundant, but this part is most perplexing to me.

I currently have this sound card, I believe that it supports digital out.

And about hooking the projector up to the computer. As I said earlier I use 2 monitors on my computer at the moment, so that means my one video card is all taken up. If I wanted to hook my projector up to my computer I would imagine I would need another video card (albeit that it can be a crappy one). Then I should be set for having the projector hooked up to the computer, correct?

Thanks again for the response!

-Alonzo

Alonzo, you'll want a sound card that can pass the digital bitstream on the DVD disc to the rec'r. The rec'r will then be able to decode what is on the disc (e.g. Dolby Digital, DTS). You can also buy a separate DVD player. Upconverting (upconverts the 480 lines on the disc) DVD players can be purchased for probably $60 or less and it may be a simpler hook-up vs. the computer. Blu-Ray players, which will also play std. def. DVDs have dipped below $200. You can also get a Blu-Ray Drive for the PC. I've seen those as cheap as $100-150. I don't know the type of monitors you have (and the type of video connection they use), but you also can get a cheap video switch. You can click on the banner ad for Monoprice and see some examples. You wouldn't likely want a crappy video card blown up on a big screen. Lots also depends on your total budget. As I noted, depending on your goals it may be cheaper and easier just to get a DVD player. You don't have to worry about a video card or a switch. If on some rare occasion you wanted to view something from the computer on the projector, you could just temporarily unhook a monitor. Besides budget, you want to decide placement of everything (e.g. speakers, projector, screen). As previously noted you'll need to determine things like projector throw image (how close or how far to the screen) and lens shift (ability to shift the projected image either vertically or horizontally or both). So decide where you want the projector and get access to one of those laser levels so you can determine what if any type of lens shift you need or if none is required. It may dictate your projector choices.

[zozoman]

The reason why I want to have the projector hooked up to the computer so badly is because I watch everything on my computer, I do not use a DVD/Blu-ray player at all. I currently have 2 wide screen monitors and they are both DVI. My video card has 2 DVI ports and an adapter to HDMI. I will take a look at that switch you were talking about.

As for budget, I was looking around the $2,000-3,000 range. I am not trying to have a spectacular setup here, just something that can take the video from my computer and project it to the wall and use a different set of speakers.

Here is a little picture of what I was thinking about the speakers so far:


I realize I will have 2 other ones, I will just put them to the side somewhere.

Again, thank you for the help. I really appreciate it.

-Alonzo

[Phil A]

Alonzo, if is somewhat difficult to tell distance with the mirror and speakers, but if you click on the Carada banner ad you will be able to see screen heights and widths (even if you just project on the wall it will give you an idea of spacing). From 15 feet away (and give or take a couple can make a big difference), the picture would not appear to be realistic spacing of the speakers vs. the projected image which would work with many projectors (unless the projector is closer to the screen). Have you looked at Projector Central and specs and pricing?

With the projector, you need to do the following.
1) Determine where you want it
2) Determine the throw distance from where it is to be projected
3) Determine if you will need any lens shift
4) Determine how much of your budget is for the projector
5) Look at the specs to determine if your placement is something possible

The center speaker in your picture, unless it is something that will be wall mounted and angled down, is something that may not be optimum.

[Phil A]

Alonzo here is one example:

72 inch diagonal 16:9 screen:

Viewing Surface Dimensions 62.8 inches wide by 35.3 inches high


Sample entry level HT projector:

BenQ Projectors: BenQ W500 3LCD projector

projection calculator:

Projection Calculator - Throw Distance and Screen Size

If you play with the zoom settings on the above and the throw distance, you can get the range of the size of the projected image.

Obviously it won't fit with a 72 inch diagonal screen from 15 feet away

[zozoman]

1) Determine where you want it
I want it above my window.
2) Determine the throw distance from where it is to be projected
I used the tape measure and I have 13.5-14ft from wall to wall
3) Determine if you will need any lens shift
I just looked up lens shift and I may need a lens shift downward
4) Determine how much of your budget is for the projector
I am willing to spend $1,500 for the projector. I will go more if necessary
5) Look at the specs to determine if your placement is something possible
I just picked this projector to see what you are saying and from the specs I have it seems like it will work. This projector will work decently from 13 ft and has a vert + hort lens shift. If you know of a better projector, I am all ears.

Thanks again for helping me,

-Alonzo

[Phil A]

If you look at the link for the projection calculator in my last post (which is just for this one projector) and set the zoom at minimum at 12 ft. away (assuming the shelf sticks out a bit and it is 12 ft. from the lens to the wall) you come up with a 92 inch diag. image which is 45 inches high and 81 inches wide. So you want to figure out with spacing for speakers how much you have available and then you can go to Proj. Central and see what will work for you.

[Phil A]

As far as throw distance and screen (image) size, this might yield better results for your situation:

Projection Calculator - Throw Distance and Screen Size

As noted, you need to look at the all the factors, incl. lens shift

[zozoman]

I looked over the projector that you linked and it seems that it has good specs for my needs. It has a good screen size from 13 ft and has the ability to lens shift. I don't believe that I would have any problems putting speakers on both sides of the screen or one above it either.

I have noticed before that there are 2 types of projectors, DLP and LCD. Is there a significant difference from the 2?

[Phil A]

zozoman said:

I looked over the projector that you linked and it seems that it has good specs for my needs. It has a good screen size from 13 ft and has the ability to lens shift. I don't believe that I would have any problems putting speakers on both sides of the screen or one above it either.

I have noticed before that there are 2 types of projectors, DLP and LCD. Is there a significant difference from the 2?

2 completely different technologies. I'm sure Projector Central has good explanations or look at Wikipedia. DLP = Digital Light Projection. Basically tons of micro mirrors. Can have rainbow effects for some. I've never seen then. I have a DLP proj. in the main system and an LCD in the basement. LCD = Liquid Crystal Display. Basically LCD panels (same technology as an LCD watch). Some report a screen door effect if you sit too close. I've not seen it with mine. LCD could also be a bit more susceptible to dust blobs. In the basement, where I have mine on a shelf, it is not dusty and I cover it when not in use. In the main system the shelf is up high and the room gets lots of sun and dust so I ruled out an LCD for my needs and not wanting to deal with potential issues.

[zozoman]

Ok, I believe I have a good idea oh what is what now. I just want to make sure I understand this part correctly...

To have the projector use the video off the computer properly I should use a video switch box and to have the sound work properly I need a receiver and a sound card with digital out.

If I have any of those parts wrong, please let me know.

[Phil A]

You can also just swap cables with one the monitors. Projectors may also have a PC input too. If you don't envision needing both monitors and the projector being viewed at the same time then all you need is a cable that you can swap. Make sure you look at the sound card specs (E-Mail the manuf. technical support if not sure) that it can output to the rec'r. If get a rec'r that has HDMI and other video inputs you may also use that as a switcher. Some rec'rs have multiple HDMI inputs and/or multiple HDMI outputs.

[zozoman]

Before I go hunting for a receiver, do you know of any good ones that can do what I need or recommend a certain brand? Or do you know of a good receiver/speaker website like the other sites you have listed?

[Phil A]

If you're comfortable buying over the web vs. a std. store front, there are lots of good values that sell direct to customers. Cambridge SoundWorks: High Performance Speakers, Home Theater Systems, Table Radios, Multimedia Systems and More is one, Axiom Audio - Your Ultimate Audio Experience: cutting-edge research and buy is another, www.av123.com is another, SVS subwoofers sells subwoofers and speakers. Part***press.com also has deals from time to time. I'm looking at a bedroom rec'r sometime in the next couple of mos. and I may get a factory refurb. with an extended warranty from a place like Accessories4less. Check out those sites as starters. There are more like them.

[zozoman]

Thank you Phil for all of your help, I really appreciate it. When I get everything all set up I will surely post pictures of the setup.

Thanks!

-Alonzo

[Phil A]

zozoman said:

Thank you Phil for all of your help, I really appreciate it. When I get everything all set up I will surely post pictures of the setup.

Thanks!

-Alonzo

Looking forward to it!!!

[zozoman]

Ok, this might be a year late but I promised to put some pictures up eventually.

[Brian]

LOL - a year late?!? That's okay, we'll let you slide.

What's all the hardware you ended up using? And what does the cat think about it?