Mini Home Theater

Home Theater Projector Placement

Home Theater Projector Placement

How do I plan a home theater system.?

Placement of DLP projector, screen, and audio equipment

See the responses to a related question (First link) since it provides an excellent site on HT design (and also projectors, screens, etc). I've also included links below re speaker setup (including one on subwoofer setup), screen distance and height calculation and projector throw distance calculator. Collectively these links provide most of what you need.

You may be designing a dedicated HT or simply fitting into an existing room. If the latter, read on. If the former, much of the following may not apply.

If you want to take on a true HT project (and it can be rewarding), you will have to read extensively and decide answers to many questions.

I designed my own theatre and found that almost everything interrelates.

For example, I had to know where and how many people would be accommodated to know where the projector would be (I wanted it shelf mounted not over the prime seating position). This defined distance to the screen, which eliminated some projectors. It also dictated screen size and placement (See distance calculator link). I wanted the electronics at the back of the room, but this meant the remotes had to be able to control the equipment by bouncing the signal off the screen (not all remotes have the range). In general, you will save money if you shelf mount the projector (shorter cables, no projector mount), but this requires a projector that has suitable flexibility of placement. I knew I wanted a light controlled room, but you may not, in which case your projector brightness requirements may differ from mine.

Some other things to consider, include:
- what type of home theatre and where (a dedicated room is different than fitting into a living or family room)?
- aesthetics (e.g. finish, wall and ceiling colour, seating style, extras)
- speaker placement to define wiring. How many? Where will the subwoofer be?
- Lighting? Electrical outlets?
- ventilation (heat and A/C vents, cold air return)?
- cable runs for satellite or cable (my HD PVR requires two leads for dual tuners plus a third to a second TV elsewhere in the house).
- computer connections (LAN or WiFi)?.
- acoustics, both containing the sound (soundproofing) and optimizing it (you will need carpeting, acoustic baffles, etc)?
- seating? Number, location, sight lines / angle to screen of outside seats?
- type (DIY, fixed, electric, manual, etc), material, shape and size of screen?
- media and equipment storage?

So ... quite a list (and I probably forgot a few!). And, as stated, almost every decision relates to others.

Some suggestions that worked for me:
- consider the room first in terms of location, size and expected seating
- decide on projector and equipment placement
- develop a short list of projectors that will "fit"
- decide on the screen to fit the room and projector.

On the last point I eventually built my own screen following a process defined on the AVS forum DIY screen forum. It cost me about $50, and it worked out so well I may never buy a screen. But this required planning as to when I did the install.

I shelf mounted my projector on a back wall, but inverted to accommodate the lack of lens shift. This meant I had to make my own adapter.

Hope this all helps. Good luck!

Denver Home Media Rooms: What To Know

Although you as a Denver homeowner may consider installing your own home theater, it's worth having a professional Denver media room installation expert do the job for you. When done correctly, Denver luxury media rooms greatly enhance the value of the homes in which they are installed. Not only that, but for film buffs, they can be a great money saver when you consider the cost of movie tickets these days.

Where To Begin

Denver media room installation professionals usually start out by examining and analyzing your site, which is where homeowners intend make their Denver home media rooms, and determine which components will be required for the optimal Denver media room setup. In some cases, Denver media room installations are not demanding, particularly in homes in which many of the elements are already in place. Such elements, such as a projector or a big-screen TV, can be incorporated in to an existing Denver media room setup.
If this is not the case, Denver media room installation technicians can make recommendations on the type of equipment that might be appropriate for a given room. This  will include sound equipment and speakers as well as optimal placement of audio elements. A great deal will depend on the homeowner's preferences.  
The exact nature of Denver home media room installations can vary a great deal from one home to another, and not every Denver media room setup is appropriate for every room or structure. Ideally, the homeowner is thinking about a theater or media room at the time the home is built. This does not preclude the inclusion of such an amenity in an existing home, however.

The Technology

Another thing to keep in mind is that not all homes in the area were built with Denver home media rooms in mind; installation may require some new wiring. On the other hand, with new types of wireless technology, Denver media room installations are much easier and do not require a great deal of remodeling work.

Why Wait?

Movie tickets are not getting any cheaper, and Denver home media rooms make it possible to bring the big-screen experience into the comfort of your own home. Done professionally, Denver media room installations do not take long and cost less than you may think. Homeowners owe it to themselves to find out more about Denver media room installations and how they can enhance the value and enjoyment of their homes.

DefaultFeatured itemsBestsellingAverage customer review: high to lowPrice: low to highPrice: high to lowAlphabetical: A to Z

Panasonic PT-AX200U 720p 3LCD Home Theater Projector List Price: $1,099.99 Sale Price: Too low to display   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The PT-AX200 is ideal for watching sports events or playing video games in daylight conditions and surely for viewing movies in a dark room. Features 1280 x 720, 720p HD Resolution and 6,000:1 Contrast Ratio 2000 Lumens Brightness via a 220 W UHM lamp LCD x 3 R, G, B 2 HDMI, 1 Component, 1 S-Video, 1 Video Inputs Comes with power cord, wireless remote control and batteries for remote

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 1080p 3LCD Home Theater Projector List Price: $1,599.99 See Reviews For This Product Description Experience home entertainment in a whole new way with the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6100. This affordable projector puts you in the middle of the action with blockbuster brightness and contrast. Whether you enjoy movies, games or sporting events, every image is sure to pop off the screen thanks to Epson’s new D7 panel and an impressive 18,000:1 contrast ratio. It’s easy with Epson’s 3LCD, 3-chip optical engine and 1800 lumens of color/ white light output* Best of all, with the Epson exclusive Cinema Filter and OptiCinema lens by Fujinon, you’re sure to experience movies like never before. (*Footnote: Light output varies depending on modes (color and white light output)) Features High-definition, native 1080p home theater experience (1920 x 1080 resolution) Brilliant images with 1800 lumens color/white light output* (*Footnote: Light output varies depending on modes (color and white light output)) Bright, crystal clear detail with new D7 3-chip technology and 18,000:1 contrast ratio Astonishing placement flexibility with vertical and horizontal lens shift without image distortion Cutting edge connectivity with two HDMI 1.3a ports for maximum flexibility

Optoma HD80 1080p Home Theater Projector List Price: $2,999.00 Sale Price: $2,000.00 See Reviews For This Product Description Thje Optoma HD80 is a true 1080p DLP home theater projector with studio-grade resolution and best all-around high-quality display experience for home theater enthusiasts. The HD80 delivers higher brightness and provides truer more vibrant colors to the projected picture, and features BrilliantColor, Texas Instruments' color processing technology. With an amazing 10,000:1 contrast ratio, the Optoma HD80 delivers great color saturation and subtle color details for the best image quality. Features 1080p DMD DLP by Texas Instruments. Native 1080p (1920x1080) resolution. 1300 lumens and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Advanced three stage video processing system offers powerful and personalized adjustment options at each stage

Da-Lite Tensioned 150" Diagonal Video Format Home Theater Electric Wall Screen with High Contrast Cinema Perf Fabric Sale Price: $3,578.00 See Reviews For This Product Description Da-Lite's Contour electric screen was designed with the home theater in mind. With its stylish curved aluminum extruded case, available in either black or white finish, the Contour is a handsome addition to any installation. Seven veneer finishes for the front cover of the screen case create a warm and elegant look or choose the optional speaker system, unique to the Contour, that flank the ends of the case. Choose from tensioned or non-tensioned models that retract completely into case for a clean, modern appearance when screen is not in use. Control options distinguish the Contour: third party control is achieved with the optional low voltage control unit, the optional video projector interface links screen and projector and can be built into the case and optional RS-232 networking capabilities create endless automation options. The Contour and Tensioned Contour are available in square, video and HDTV formats with maximum dimensions of 12' x 12', 200" diagonal and 159" respectively. Features Tensioned Contour with High Contrast Cinema Perf fabric, 110 volt motor and Integrated Video Projector Interface. Electric Screen that Mounts on Wall or Ceiling. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension. Stylish curved aluminum extruded case. Adjustable mounting brackets make installation quick and easy. Built-in SCB-100 (RS-232 control), low voltage control or video projector interface are available options. High Contrast Cinema Perf has the same optical characteristics as High Contrast Cinema Vision, and is perforated to allow placement of a center channel speaker behind the screen surface while allowing the sound to transmit through the material. Ideal for use in environments with moderate control of ambient light. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

Da-Lite 159" Diagonal HDTV Format Home Theater Fixed Frame Screen with High Contrast Cinema Perf Fabric and Pro-Trim Sale Price: $2,087.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days See Reviews For This Product Description 93091V Size: 78" x 139" The Cinema Contour has a 45-degree angle cut frame for a sleek, modern appearance.This screen provides a perfectly flat viewing surface for video projection applications. Additionally, the surface mounts to the back of a black powder coated frame that provides a masking border. Features Cinema Contour with High Contrast Cinema Perf fabric and Pro-Trim finish. Available in sizes from 60" to 240" diagonal in video format and 92" to 159" diagonal in HDTV format. Cinema Contour has a 45-degree angle cut frame for a sleek, modern appearance. Provides a perfectly flat viewing surface for video projection applications. Surface mounts to back of black powder coated frame that provides a masking border. Permanently Mounted Wall Screen. Frame available with Pro-Trim finish. Pro-Trim is a fabric frame covering that aesthetically enhances the appearance of the installation while absorbing light that surrounds the viewing area. High Contrast Cinema Perf has the same optical characteristics as High Contrast Cinema Vision, and is perforated to allow placement of a center channel speaker behind the screen surface while allowing the sound to transmit through the material. Ideal for use in environments with moderate control of ambient light. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

Da-Lite 110" Diagonal HDTV Format Home Theater Fixed Frame Screen with High Contrast Cinema Perf Fabric and Pro-Trim Sale Price: $1,541.33   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days See Reviews For This Product Description 94314V Size: 54" x 96" The Cinema Contour has a 45-degree angle cut frame for a sleek, modern appearance.This screen provides a perfectly flat viewing surface for video projection applications. Additionally, the surface mounts to the back of a black powder coated frame that provides a masking border. Features Cinema Contour with High Contrast Cinema Perf fabric and Pro-Trim finish. Available in sizes from 60" to 240" diagonal in video format and 92" to 159" diagonal in HDTV format. Cinema Contour has a 45-degree angle cut frame for a sleek, modern appearance. Provides a perfectly flat viewing surface for video projection applications. Surface mounts to back of black powder coated frame that provides a masking border. Permanently Mounted Wall Screen. Frame available with Pro-Trim finish. Pro-Trim is a fabric frame covering that aesthetically enhances the appearance of the installation while absorbing light that surrounds the viewing area. High Contrast Cinema Perf has the same optical characteristics as High Contrast Cinema Vision, and is perforated to allow placement of a center channel speaker behind the screen surface while allowing the sound to transmit through the material. Ideal for use in environments with moderate control of ambient light. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

Da-Lite Tensioned 92" Diagonal HDTV Format Home Theater Electric Wall Screen with High Contrast Cinema Perf Fabric Sale Price: $3,103.00 See Reviews For This Product Description Da-Lite's Contour electric screen was designed with the home theater in mind. With its stylish curved aluminum extruded case, available in either black or white finish, the Contour is a handsome addition to any installation. Seven veneer finishes for the front cover of the screen case create a warm and elegant look or choose the optional speaker system, unique to the Contour, that flank the ends of the case. Choose from tensioned or non-tensioned models that retract completely into case for a clean, modern appearance when screen is not in use. Control options distinguish the Contour: third party control is achieved with the optional low voltage control unit, the optional video projector interface links screen and projector and can be built into the case and optional RS-232 networking capabilities create endless automation options. The Contour and Tensioned Contour are available in square, video and HDTV formats with maximum dimensions of 12' x 12', 200" diagonal and 159" respectively. Features Tensioned Contour with High Contrast Cinema Perf fabric, 110 volt motor and Integrated Video Projector Interface. Electric Screen that Mounts on Wall or Ceiling. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension. Stylish curved aluminum extruded case. Adjustable mounting brackets make installation quick and easy. Built-in SCB-100 (RS-232 control), low voltage control or video projector interface are available options. High Contrast Cinema Perf has the same optical characteristics as High Contrast Cinema Vision, and is perforated to allow placement of a center channel speaker behind the screen surface while allowing the sound to transmit through the material. Ideal for use in environments with moderate control of ambient light. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

Da-Lite Tensioned 110" Diagonal HDTV Format Home Theater Electric Wall Screen with High Contrast Cinema Perf Fabric Sale Price: $3,190.00 See Reviews For This Product Description Da-Lite's Contour electric screen was designed with the home theater in mind. With its stylish curved aluminum extruded case, available in either black or white finish, the Contour is a handsome addition to any installation. Seven veneer finishes for the front cover of the screen case create a warm and elegant look or choose the optional speaker system, unique to the Contour, that flank the ends of the case. Choose from tensioned or non-tensioned models that retract completely into case for a clean, modern appearance when screen is not in use. Control options distinguish the Contour: third party control is achieved with the optional low voltage control unit, the optional video projector interface links screen and projector and can be built into the case and optional RS-232 networking capabilities create endless automation options. The Contour and Tensioned Contour are available in square, video and HDTV formats with maximum dimensions of 12' x 12', 200" diagonal and 159" respectively. Features Tensioned Contour with High Contrast Cinema Perf fabric, 110 volt motor and Integrated Video Projector Interface. Electric Screen that Mounts on Wall or Ceiling. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension. Stylish curved aluminum extruded case. Adjustable mounting brackets make installation quick and easy. Built-in SCB-100 (RS-232 control), low voltage control or video projector interface are available options. High Contrast Cinema Perf has the same optical characteristics as High Contrast Cinema Vision, and is perforated to allow placement of a center channel speaker behind the screen surface while allowing the sound to transmit through the material. Ideal for use in environments with moderate control of ambient light. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

Da-Lite Tensioned 84" Diagonal Video Format Home Theater Electric Wall Screen with High Contrast Cinema Perf Fabric Sale Price: $2,823.00 See Reviews For This Product Description Da-Lite's Contour electric screen was designed with the home theater in mind. With its stylish curved aluminum extruded case, available in either black or white finish, the Contour is a handsome addition to any installation. Seven veneer finishes for the front cover of the screen case create a warm and elegant look or choose the optional speaker system, unique to the Contour, that flank the ends of the case. Choose from tensioned or non-tensioned models that retract completely into case for a clean, modern appearance when screen is not in use. Control options distinguish the Contour: third party control is achieved with the optional low voltage control unit, the optional video projector interface links screen and projector and can be built into the case and optional RS-232 networking capabilities create endless automation options. The Contour and Tensioned Contour are available in square, video and HDTV formats with maximum dimensions of 12' x 12', 200" diagonal and 159" respectively. Features Tensioned Contour with High Contrast Cinema Perf fabric, 110 volt motor and Integrated Video Projector Interface. Electric Screen that Mounts on Wall or Ceiling. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension. Stylish curved aluminum extruded case. Adjustable mounting brackets make installation quick and easy. Built-in SCB-100 (RS-232 control), low voltage control or video projector interface are available options. High Contrast Cinema Perf has the same optical characteristics as High Contrast Cinema Vision, and is perforated to allow placement of a center channel speaker behind the screen surface while allowing the sound to transmit through the material. Ideal for use in environments with moderate control of ambient light. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

Da-Lite Tensioned 119" Diagonal HDTV Format Home Theater Electric Wall Screen with High Contrast Cinema Perf Fabric Sale Price: $3,375.00 See Reviews For This Product Description Da-Lite's Contour electric screen was designed with the home theater in mind. With its stylish curved aluminum extruded case, available in either black or white finish, the Contour is a handsome addition to any installation. Seven veneer finishes for the front cover of the screen case create a warm and elegant look or choose the optional speaker system, unique to the Contour, that flank the ends of the case. Choose from tensioned or non-tensioned models that retract completely into case for a clean, modern appearance when screen is not in use. Control options distinguish the Contour: third party control is achieved with the optional low voltage control unit, the optional video projector interface links screen and projector and can be built into the case and optional RS-232 networking capabilities create endless automation options. The Contour and Tensioned Contour are available in square, video and HDTV formats with maximum dimensions of 12' x 12', 200" diagonal and 159" respectively. Features Tensioned Contour with High Contrast Cinema Perf fabric, 110 volt motor and Integrated Video Projector Interface. Electric Screen that Mounts on Wall or Ceiling. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension. Stylish curved aluminum extruded case. Adjustable mounting brackets make installation quick and easy. Built-in SCB-100 (RS-232 control), low voltage control or video projector interface are available options. High Contrast Cinema Perf has the same optical characteristics as High Contrast Cinema Vision, and is perforated to allow placement of a center channel speaker behind the screen surface while allowing the sound to transmit through the material. Ideal for use in environments with moderate control of ambient light. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

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