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advice on projectors and screens

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I want to add video to my system for concert/music videos and know very little about it. I am looking for 2 channel for now so not really looking for audio advice, just video. I envision a ceiling mounted retractable screen of 80-100 inches and a projector. If you look at my system I see a screen hanging down in front of the speakers. I can make the room completely dark if needed.

I don't want to invest a lot of money but have no idea how much I need to get decent performance. My priority is sound quality which I already have but what will suffice for video?

How much do I need to spend on a projector and what are the specs that are most important for music videos?

Same question for screens.

Thanks.

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herman
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I'd suggest SeymourAV - they have attractively priced acoustically transparent screens. I did plenty of research and for a projector the Panasonic AE4000 was the best I could find (at a reasonable price, Sept 2010). It has great black levels and was far superior to my LCD HDTV. You need to be able to completely darken the room to get the best out of a projector setup.

Here is a link to what I installed

Shadorne
herman OP
2,273 posts
 
It will be about 20 feet from projector to screen. Thanks for the advice so far.

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sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Take a look at the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350 Projector for around $1,200 street price.

It should be alright at 20' as long as you use a screen with some gain (1.3-1.4).

Of course if your budget is a lot higher?....you didn't really say?

Dave
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
A link:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home-theater-multimedia-projectors.htm

Dave
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Man 20ft is far and your gonna lose some image pop, if its on the ceiling why cant you mount it closer? I would mount (from my 4 projectors of my own and many others done for friends) around 12-15 ft from screen but thats me.
If you are going to get a roll up screen do make sure it is a "Tab Tensioned" model or in short time your likely to get a wave in your screen............not pleasing to the eyes.
Go to Projectorcentral.com or google that along with "throw calculator" and examine those specs for any model you may want to buy.
You can get a Panasonic 4000 (great buget unit for around $2000) but if you just want to enjoy occasional music and such even a used 720p model will work perfectly and can be had for way under $1000. Dont let anyone convince you 1080 is this vast jump over 720p, its just not true. And this is from a guy who owns a $10,000 1080p LcOS unit. 720 will do wonders for you and you got tons of cash for concert videos or music.
I am glad to help if you want to shoot me a mail. Cheers
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