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Confused... Projector or Plasma???????

I am in the middle of assembling components for a dedicated home theater room. It will have 2 rows of seating. 2nd row I gather would be about 16' from the screen. Don't know whether I should be looking at a projector set up or plasma set up. I would like the screen size to be between 5' ( i have been looking at the new pioneer elite 60") and 7' in width. (5' is probably a little too small at 16' away)I would assume the projector would be the way to go for anything above 60" at the moment(cost concerns). Which set up has the best picture quality? (if you were to compare 60" screens)What's the biggest bang for the buck?
byfo

Showing 6 responses by dbphd

dbphd
1,633 posts
 
Charles & Chad,

I don't know why you guys make universal statements like 1080p is unnecessary for smaller than 42" displays. Do you guys imagine you hear thunder when you speak? Obviously higher resolutions lets you sit closer to a display of given size for greater visual immersion, i.e. achieve a greater septended angle, In tight viewing circumstances, sitting close can be a boon to appreciation of a movie experience even with a small screen. Watching a movie on a 60" screen at 16' seems pointless to me. I'd rather watch a movie on a 42" screen at 5' or 6'; of course, I'd rather watch on a 92" screen at 10' to 12'.

db
dbphd
1,633 posts
 
Chad,

It's that you and too many others express your opinions in such absolute terms. Some readers of these boards may take them seriously, not recognizing the tendency for hyperbole. Things are rarely as black and white as some of your posts would lead us to believe. By the way, usually I don't pay attention. I've pretty much sorted out those whose advice I do attend to. If you had paid attention to my previous post, you might have noticed that I prefer a 92" screen at 10' for movies.

db
dbphd
1,633 posts
 
Chad,

Have you considered one of the paint-on screens? Some who post at AVS claim they're a pretty cost-effective solution. I've been thinking along the lines of a Sony VPL 50 (Ruby, I think) with a 92" Stewart GreyHawk SST screen, but that's about a $5K commitment. A lower cost way to introduce myself to the real world of projection might be a better way to go. I don't want to sit in a totally dark room, but I do want the immersion I've only seen with front projection. Not really sure how viable FP is in my application.

db
dbphd
1,633 posts
 
Mrjstark,

Thanks for the advice.

I'm at a disadvantage living in Santa Barbara unless I want to drive 30 miles or so, because the only serious effort to demo front projection is by a retailer who shows only $10K+ projectors. I saw a Sony VPL-50 with Stewart GreyHawk screen in Reno, and was amazed, but there are undoubtedly other great setups I just don't know about. I do read AVS.

We actually live in Montecito, a village adjacent to SB popular with movers and shakers in the entertainment industry. In suspect there are some grand home theaters in town, I just don't know of them.
dbphd
1,633 posts
 
Chad,

Let us know how it turns out. If it isn't too personal, you might also give us a ballpark idea of the cost of projector+screen. I'm a complete novice with front projection, and would like to get my feet wet with a setup that I'm likely to replace. At even $3-5K I'd feel more or less committed. OTOH, a too cheap trail setup might not be a good test.

db
dbphd
1,633 posts
 
Thanks for the info.

db
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