Need a little advice Re my Budget 'cinema' :)
Discussion
So, I have finally decided to try out this projector thing. As usual i am operating on a budget so i have opted for a used ViewSonic pro8200 which atleast has a native resolution of 1080p so its a good place to start.
I got a 120 inch screen with it but my experience so far has been that shining the projector at the (currently magnolia) wall is actually preferable as the screen is showing some signs of age and you can see little creases and horizontal lines and humps that cause a 'wave; effect where it doesnt hang straight etc.
What i want is some advice about paining the wall. I am not going to go crazy, this is a rented house and i dont plan on being here more than 6 months but i want to brighten the image as best i can for as modest amount of money that i can get away with.
I only have issues when what is being shown is a dark scene. Well lit scenes look fantastic IMO:
I have looked around on you tube and there are many opinions about the myriad of products a dn colours available so i thought i would ask here before i made my next move.
Will painting the wall with bog standard Matt white paint be a noticeable improvement or do i need to splash out on some proper gear, and what colour? People are talking about using greys and blacks!
So, over to you guys!
I got a 120 inch screen with it but my experience so far has been that shining the projector at the (currently magnolia) wall is actually preferable as the screen is showing some signs of age and you can see little creases and horizontal lines and humps that cause a 'wave; effect where it doesnt hang straight etc.
What i want is some advice about paining the wall. I am not going to go crazy, this is a rented house and i dont plan on being here more than 6 months but i want to brighten the image as best i can for as modest amount of money that i can get away with.
I only have issues when what is being shown is a dark scene. Well lit scenes look fantastic IMO:
I have looked around on you tube and there are many opinions about the myriad of products a dn colours available so i thought i would ask here before i made my next move.
Will painting the wall with bog standard Matt white paint be a noticeable improvement or do i need to splash out on some proper gear, and what colour? People are talking about using greys and blacks!
So, over to you guys!
People tend to use grey paint if your image looks a bit too washed out, or in an attempt to darken the blacks.
What are you trying to improve? A brighter image on dark scenes?
I added cinema felt to around my picture to act as a border and it really helped focus the eye on the picture, and stops the edges Washing out. The misses hates it though as the room is now quite obviously a movie room
What are you trying to improve? A brighter image on dark scenes?
I added cinema felt to around my picture to act as a border and it really helped focus the eye on the picture, and stops the edges Washing out. The misses hates it though as the room is now quite obviously a movie room
justin220 said:
People tend to use grey paint if your image looks a bit too washed out, or in an attempt to darken the blacks.
What are you trying to improve? A brighter image on dark scenes?
I added cinema felt to around my picture to act as a border and it really helped focus the eye on the picture, and stops the edges Washing out. The misses hates it though as the room is now quite obviously a movie room
The Blacks do not need darkening. What are you trying to improve? A brighter image on dark scenes?
I added cinema felt to around my picture to act as a border and it really helped focus the eye on the picture, and stops the edges Washing out. The misses hates it though as the room is now quite obviously a movie room
I am sat here watching normal TV with the room fully lit and the image quality is totally watchable but I was watching the matrix a couple of hours ago with all the lights off and a lot of the scenes were way too gloomy!
If possible I would really like to replace my TV with a projector but i am already noticing that normal (low) definition Tv channels look a bit pants when blown up to even the smallest screen i can show from 14ft away.
I have just ordered a ceiling mount as the projector is currently just perched on the window sill behind the couch and firing straight over my head. Seeing as i only have an 8ft wide viewing area though , there is no benefit to having the projector that far back. plus i dont need the fan so close to my ears..Moving it a few feet closer will allow me to shrink the screen a bit more for low res channels and i will still be able to fill my viewing wall.
So, white paint and a black border?
That's odd, as you'd expect the darker the room the better the image.
Our if Interest why did you pick that specific projector? I've had a quick look at the specs and the contrast ratio seems low compared to others. Almost a quarter in some cases, 4000:1 compared to 15000:1 for a benq model
Our if Interest why did you pick that specific projector? I've had a quick look at the specs and the contrast ratio seems low compared to others. Almost a quarter in some cases, 4000:1 compared to 15000:1 for a benq model
justin220 said:
That's odd, as you'd expect the darker the room the better the image.
Our if Interest why did you pick that specific projector? I've had a quick look at the specs and the contrast ratio seems low compared to others. Almost a quarter in some cases, 4000:1 compared to 15000:1 for a benq model
Honestly I didn't do a great deal of research it was kind of a rash purchase but i saw it running and thought it looked fine for my purposes, the price was right and came from a place I can take it back too if i have issues or want to upgrade etc.Our if Interest why did you pick that specific projector? I've had a quick look at the specs and the contrast ratio seems low compared to others. Almost a quarter in some cases, 4000:1 compared to 15000:1 for a benq model
As far as the darkened room goes, the movie (The matrix) is very gloomy and dark in a lot of parts , if i was watching a brighter movie it is not an issue.
It seems that no matter what I do, I can not take a good picture of the screen , it looks A LOT sharper than it does in this picture but this gives you an indication of how bright it is in the middle of the day with the curtains open but with venetian blinds tilted to block out direct light on the wall.
My 135" screen curls at the sides causing a wave when there are planning shots. I just ignore it. I guess it helps I can hardly see the edges it's so big.
The black border is vital, either on the screen or stuck on a wall. The border greatly enhances your perception of contrast. Without is pj images tend to look washed out.
The black border is vital, either on the screen or stuck on a wall. The border greatly enhances your perception of contrast. Without is pj images tend to look washed out.
RogerDodger said:
My 135" screen curls at the sides causing a wave when there are planning shots. I just ignore it. I guess it helps I can hardly see the edges it's so big.
The black border is vital, either on the screen or stuck on a wall. The border greatly enhances your perception of contrast. Without is pj images tend to look washed out.
I simply could not handle a 'wave', it bugs me intensely The black border is vital, either on the screen or stuck on a wall. The border greatly enhances your perception of contrast. Without is pj images tend to look washed out.
Once i mount the projector in its permanent position i will be adding a black border.
Shuvi McTupya said:
I simply could not handle a 'wave', it bugs me intensely
Once i mount the projector in its permanent position i will be adding a black border.
Take your time with the mounting. Measure three times, then mount! Your goal is to need zero keystone correction. Makes a big difference in PQuality.Once i mount the projector in its permanent position i will be adding a black border.
If you’ve got a white room and a cheap projector you’ll get a better picture if you use a grey screen. To be honest I’d junk that projector and get a benq w1070 if you’re on a budget. They really kick out the light and are colourful. Black levels aren’t great but the picture will be way better than the thing you’re using.
Once you start down the projector trail you keep chasing the dream to improve the picture. I have a fully blacked out room, including carpets and ceiling and a decent projector. The picture looks amazing but it’s taken a lot of time, effort and money to get it there. Yours looks crap to be honest to my eyes but it doesn’t matter, you’ve made a start and simply having a big screen gives you the bug. Have a look on avforums. There’s a projector subforum with all kinds of advice.
Once you start down the projector trail you keep chasing the dream to improve the picture. I have a fully blacked out room, including carpets and ceiling and a decent projector. The picture looks amazing but it’s taken a lot of time, effort and money to get it there. Yours looks crap to be honest to my eyes but it doesn’t matter, you’ve made a start and simply having a big screen gives you the bug. Have a look on avforums. There’s a projector subforum with all kinds of advice.
Douglas Quaid said:
If you’ve got a white room and a cheap projector you’ll get a better picture if you use a grey screen. To be honest I’d junk that projector and get a benq w1070 if you’re on a budget. They really kick out the light and are colourful. Black levels aren’t great but the picture will be way better than the thing you’re using.
Once you start down the projector trail you keep chasing the dream to improve the picture. I have a fully blacked out room, including carpets and ceiling and a decent projector. The picture looks amazing but it’s taken a lot of time, effort and money to get it there. Yours looks crap to be honest to my eyes but it doesn’t matter, you’ve made a start and simply having a big screen gives you the bug. Have a look on avforums. There’s a projector subforum with all kinds of advice.
I will speak to my projector man and ask him to be on the look out for a BenQ, he will take this back off me so it is just a stepping stone. I just looked on Ebay and I suspect it would be about the same as I paid for this one anyway. The picture on this projector looks much better in real life than in the pictures I have posted up. It puts a smile on my face for the money I have spent!Once you start down the projector trail you keep chasing the dream to improve the picture. I have a fully blacked out room, including carpets and ceiling and a decent projector. The picture looks amazing but it’s taken a lot of time, effort and money to get it there. Yours looks crap to be honest to my eyes but it doesn’t matter, you’ve made a start and simply having a big screen gives you the bug. Have a look on avforums. There’s a projector subforum with all kinds of advice.
And, grey would be better? I will do some experimenting, I painted the wall matt white yesterday and it seems better but as you suggest , I think i will be chasing the perfect picture for the rest of my life
Douglas Quaid said:
If you’ve got a white room and a cheap projector you’ll get a better picture if you use a grey screen. To be honest I’d junk that projector and get a benq w1070 if you’re on a budget. They really kick out the light and are colourful. Black levels aren’t great but the picture will be way better than the thing you’re using.
Once you start down the projector trail you keep chasing the dream to improve the picture. I have a fully blacked out room, including carpets and ceiling and a decent projector. The picture looks amazing but it’s taken a lot of time, effort and money to get it there. Yours looks crap to be honest to my eyes but it doesn’t matter, you’ve made a start and simply having a big screen gives you the bug. Have a look on avforums. There’s a projector subforum with all kinds of advice.
Totally agree with all of that, it's never ending trying to get the room darker for a better picture Once you start down the projector trail you keep chasing the dream to improve the picture. I have a fully blacked out room, including carpets and ceiling and a decent projector. The picture looks amazing but it’s taken a lot of time, effort and money to get it there. Yours looks crap to be honest to my eyes but it doesn’t matter, you’ve made a start and simply having a big screen gives you the bug. Have a look on avforums. There’s a projector subforum with all kinds of advice.
RogerDodger said:
The most cinematic upgrade for me was going DLP. Optoma. HD141 xe or similar. Under £500 , astonishing, and still running perfectly years after purchase with no motivation to upgrade.
The one I have bought is DLP. It really does give a good picture when you feed a decent source into it.justin220 said:
Totally agree with all of that, it's never ending trying to get the room darker for a better picture
I don't want to start painting walls all different colours to test it out so i just hung a grey Sheet on the wall, covering half the screen area and the picture was terrible on that bit. Maybe it just doesn't work with thin fabric like that though?I am curious why it is that so many people are saying Grey screens are better yet the industry standard for screens is still white. I am not disagreeing, it is just weird.
Shuvi McTupya said:
I don't want to start painting walls all different colours to test it out so i just hung a grey Sheet on the wall, covering half the screen area and the picture was terrible on that bit. Maybe it just doesn't work with thin fabric like that though?
I am curious why it is that so many people are saying Grey screens are better yet the industry standard for screens is still white. I am not disagreeing, it is just weird.
Grey will help darken the blacks on your picture. But it sounds like you are having the opposite problem. I am curious why it is that so many people are saying Grey screens are better yet the industry standard for screens is still white. I am not disagreeing, it is just weird.
MY blacks on my white wall are ok, acceptable. If I could get the go ahead from the Mrs I'd paint the screen grey in a heart beat..
justin220 said:
Grey will help darken the blacks on your picture. But it sounds like you are having the opposite problem.
MY blacks on my white wall are ok, acceptable. If I could get the go ahead from the Mrs I'd paint the screen grey in a heart beat..
Have a quick read up on projector gain, that might help explain which way to go with paint / fabric etcMY blacks on my white wall are ok, acceptable. If I could get the go ahead from the Mrs I'd paint the screen grey in a heart beat..
Shuvi McTupya said:
I don't want to start painting walls all different colours to test it out so i just hung a grey Sheet on the wall, covering half the screen area and the picture was terrible on that bit. Maybe it just doesn't work with thin fabric like that though?
I am curious why it is that so many people are saying Grey screens are better yet the industry standard for screens is still white. I am not disagreeing, it is just weird.
How did you set up the image?I am curious why it is that so many people are saying Grey screens are better yet the industry standard for screens is still white. I am not disagreeing, it is just weird.
Also, which mode is the projector in please?
Forums | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff