Does Size Matter? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

avt1998 · 2012-08-18, 07:31 PM

Sorry, couldn't resist that one. I think this is a stupid question, but have to ask to be 100% sure ...

I'm buying an Epson 5010e home theater projector. I have seen theater screen sizes such as 92 inch, 100 inch, 106, etc.. Does it matter which one I buy, based on the projector I'm getting? In other words, should the only considerations be wall space, room size, etc., or do you need to get a screen size specific to your projector?

AMBIENT · 2012-08-20, 12:52 PM

Biggest factor would be your throw distance from the pj to the screen. But typicality just go with a screen the suits the room size and wall size. The smaller the screen the brighter your image will be but not by much. If you go too BIG then its a bigger issue.

eljay · 2012-08-20, 01:20 PM

Quote:

... should the only considerations be wall space, room size, etc., or do you need to get a screen size specific to your projector?

I've read that a bright projector in a light-controlled room may benefit from either a white screen with little or no gain, or a gray (rather than white) screen.

Also, IMO, seating position is a consideration: Your PJ may be able to throw a 160" image, but if you're sitting 10' away from it, you may find the resulting PQ less than optimal than, say, if you were viewing a 120" image from the same distance (or a 160" image from farther back).

supergenius · 2012-08-20, 01:48 PM

I just purchased the Espon 3010e and a 120" Elunevision Perlux Screen. Use the sizer app on the epson website to help for sizeing. You can input a few parameters (room dimensions, location of projector) and it will provide info on throw range and distances to floor/ceiling.

The epson projectors tend to be on the bright side and mine will be in a non light controlled room, so a white screen would not be ideal. For me, the perlux is a silver/gray colour with a 1.4 gain seemed to be the best option. Plus, it was available from a store where I get employee pricing.....

Going to be a couple of weeks before we move into the new house and have time to setup everything up. Going to be my first foray into a real home theatre.....can't wait.

tjl · 2012-08-20, 02:57 PM

Some really good advice I got when I got my projector was to order the screen after you've set up your projector. Set it up, project on a wall or sheet where the screen would be, and then decide what size screen you want. It would not be fun to get a screen and then decide that it's too big or small.

In addition (if you are getting a pulldown type screen), you can then meaure what type of drop you need (ie how much black material there is above the screen material). I had high ceilings in the house I originally was in, which meant I needed a custom screen with extra drop to get the actual screen material down to the height I wanted.

Stilgar · 2012-08-20, 03:11 PM

I guess the answer does boil down to: "It's how you use it" after all!

avt1998 · 2012-08-25, 11:07 AM

Thanks All. Very helpful info. Love that last post :-)

2012-08-18, 07:31 PM	#1
avt1998 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 28	Does Size Matter? Sorry, couldn't resist that one. I think this is a stupid question, but have to ask to be 100% sure ... I'm buying an Epson 5010e home theater projector. I have seen theater screen sizes such as 92 inch, 100 inch, 106, etc.. Does it matter which one I buy, based on the projector I'm getting? In other words, should the only considerations be wall space, room size, etc., or do you need to get a screen size specific to your projector?

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2012-08-20, 12:52 PM	#2
AMBIENT Join Date: May 2003 Location: CALGARY Posts: 14	Biggest factor would be your throw distance from the pj to the screen. But typicality just go with a screen the suits the room size and wall size. The smaller the screen the brighter your image will be but not by much. If you go too BIG then its a bigger issue.

2012-08-20, 01:48 PM	#4
supergenius Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 764	I just purchased the Espon 3010e and a 120" Elunevision Perlux Screen. Use the sizer app on the epson website to help for sizeing. You can input a few parameters (room dimensions, location of projector) and it will provide info on throw range and distances to floor/ceiling. The epson projectors tend to be on the bright side and mine will be in a non light controlled room, so a white screen would not be ideal. For me, the perlux is a silver/gray colour with a 1.4 gain seemed to be the best option. Plus, it was available from a store where I get employee pricing..... Going to be a couple of weeks before we move into the new house and have time to setup everything up. Going to be my first foray into a real home theatre.....can't wait.

2012-08-20, 02:57 PM	#5
tjl Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 68	Some really good advice I got when I got my projector was to order the screen after you've set up your projector. Set it up, project on a wall or sheet where the screen would be, and then decide what size screen you want. It would not be fun to get a screen and then decide that it's too big or small. In addition (if you are getting a pulldown type screen), you can then meaure what type of drop you need (ie how much black material there is above the screen material). I had high ceilings in the house I originally was in, which meant I needed a custom screen with extra drop to get the actual screen material down to the height I wanted.

2012-08-20, 03:11 PM	#6
Stilgar Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 260	I guess the answer does boil down to: "It's how you use it" after all!

2012-08-25, 11:07 AM	#7
avt1998 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 28	Thanks All. Very helpful info. Love that last post :-)