My First Projector & Screen

[JStewart]

Should max zoom be avoided on JVC models? I’ve heard that zooming can cause artifacts.

News to me. Do you know where you might have seen that? My JVC RS400 is 10.5ft from 92" Diagonal and almost at max. No artifacts, beautiful pic. Same for prior Panasonics.

How do I determine the actual throw ratio—or equivalent screen distances? The manual is at odds with distance calculator.

I guess you would have to default to what's in manual? I noticed it does say "approximate" or something approximating that in the manual. That said they're really close and Projector central is slightly less forgiving (requiring more distance than the manual) and you're still within it's recommendation. I can't picture it (hey, a pun!) being a problem.

Leaving one foot clearance to the back wall for cabling, ventilation, & curtains puts the lens face another 18.8” away. The maximum distance from screen to lens would then be:
Throw Distance = Lroom(max) - Screen Offset(min) - Lens Offset(min)

IIRC the manual spec is just over 6" of clearance required behind and the projector is 1"6" from lens to rear. A 2ft wide shelf on the rear wall with the lens at or just overhanging the front of the shelf should work fine. That's actually good news because a shelf is going to be much less expensive and an easier install than a projector ceiling mount. Just check the weight of the PJ. Don't want that bad boy coming down.

I have about 6" clearance behind and no issue with power cord and HDMI connections. Extra power cord is zip tied behind the PJ. Have a jbox on wall just to the left of the PJ for the hdmi pass-through and electrical outlet on the wall near it.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

There is no decline in picture quality by having the projector closer to the screen. There is an increase of available light though, which is a good thing.

That’s especially true for the X70R—I’m guessing even in a light-controlled room.

• Doesn’t moving the projector closer reduce the image size?
• You compensate for that (up to a point) using its zoom, correct?

 

[JStewart]

That’s especially true for the X70R—I’m guessing even in a light-controlled room.

Unless you're planning on watching 3D with active glasses, this PJ is going to throw more light than you'll need for viewing in a light controlled room. Not challenged at all for the task you have for it.

Doesn’t moving the projector closer reduce the image size?

Yes

You compensate for that (up to a point) using its zoom, correct?

Yes.

My screen is only 13’ from the back wall,

Allowing 2ft from the back wall to projector lens leaves 11' throw. 100" diag 16:9 works at that throw distance.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

You set my mind at ease. Thank you!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Picked up the PJ near Chicago last weekend, but put off posting pics until I could check it out. Since I don’t have a screen yet, I just used a convenient spot opposite a blank wall and ran it through a few paces. Menu items functioned properly, the motorized lens whirred from one setting to another, and the lamp seemed to give off enough brightness even without completely dim lights. The picture quality looked great as far as I could tell from the tan wall, lol.

 

[JStewart]

You picked up a mount with it too. Nice!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

I know, right! Those aren’t pocket change. It looks like it’s the manufacturer’s model to me. It’s a dual system with rails bolted to the projector chassis (for horizontal movement?), and a curved, adjustable bracket on the mount (for pitch, roll, yaw?).

Im guessing it’ll be a multi-person project to hoist 35 some-odd pounds of projector and mounting hardware up to the ceiling and hold it here to be fastened down (or up as would be he case here, hahahahaha, I made a funny)!

 

[NBPK402]

When I have done it in the past... I attach one side to the projector, and then attach the other end of the mount assembly to the ceiling. Then you just lift the projector up, and slide the screws (which are attached to the part of the mount that is on the projector) into the slots (on the ceiling mount)...tighten, and you are ready for fine tuning the projector.

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Easy peasy!

 

[Todd Anderson]

The projector looks GREAT!!!!! Awesome! Really excited for you. I think you made a great choice. JVC is killer gear!!!

I agree with @Negatron on the ease of installing the mount. Your biggest issue will be making sure the mount is anchored directly into a joist or held in place using another strong method.

The threaded pipe on the mount almost looks like that was made/incorporated aftermarket. Doesn't look factory?

 

[Todd Anderson]

For your questions about throw distance/screen size... parameters will all be detailed in your JVC manual. They're fairly forgiving!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

In North America, you order via www.seymourav.com. It is a partnership, Seymour/Screen Excellence. US distribution is Seymour.

Sorry Todd. Thrillcat already answered it earlier.

The projector looks GREAT!!!!! Awesome! Really excited for you. I think you made a great choice. JVC is killer gear!!!

Most of the credit goes to the guys who made the suggestion and rallied for the brand! Thanks just the same. I’m getting psyched!

I agree with @Negatron on the ease of installing the mount. Your biggest issue will be making sure the mount is anchored directly into a joist or held in place using another strong method.

When I get in the attic above the room I’ll be able to see which way the joists run. With any luck, I won’t need to build anything.

The threaded pipe on the mount almost looks like that was made/incorporated aftermarket. Doesn't look factory?

You raised my curiosity, so I looked at it more carefully. It’s not a JVC mount that I can tell. It’s a kit made by Chief. Here’s a closer look.

 

[JStewart]

When I get in the attic above the room I’ll be able to see which way the joists run. With any luck, I won’t need to build anything

If a joist isn’t centered to the room (or screen center actually) be sure to check the lens shift specs. I doubt there would be any issue but always worth a check to be sure.
A rear shelf is a good option for your setup too if that’s easier. You might be able to sell the mount separately as it should fit any jvc projector.

 

[NBPK402]

if the joists are not where you want them it should be easy to fix from the attic. I would put a small hole in the ceiling where you want the projector, and then go in the attic and find it. Once you find it measure between the joists, then go to your local hardware store and get a pair if U shaped joist hangers, and a piece if wood cut to length. I would also get a piece of wood that is bigger than the projector mount, and some L brackets. Also get some joist hanger screws.
Then i would center the piece of wood (that is the big square piece you bought on the piece of wood you had cut to length. Then look at the joist hanger and determine if the hangers must be on first or not. If the hangers need to be on first use the large square piece to space the hanger from the ceiling (this is all in the attic) Then take the wood you had cut to length, and attach the square piece of wood to it with the L brackets. Once this is done you can install it on the joist hangers with the screws you bought.
Once you have these pieces, and have installed the wood it should be easy for you to mount the projector to the ceiling.

 

[gatestick]

Sorry to comment on a post that is more than a year old. I am wanting to update my screen and found this. This is all great info in general terms for installation and other such things. I wanted to put in my 2 cents on what I did. I had not done anything with projectors before this and was worried about investing a lot of cash into something that may not work. I spent the bulk of the money on what I think is a decent projector and purchased an inexpensive screen. I also had an electrician come in and add 3 twenty amp circuits to the theater room. 1 in the projector location in the ceiling and the other 2 at the equipment rack. I knew I could re-sell the projector for a small loss if it didn't work out. I couldn't find a market for used screens. I am very happy with both, but honestly cant see a difference between 1080, and 4k. Both look great from the seated position if I am within a couple of feet of the screen I can see the weave of it, and am wondering if this is why I cant see a difference at 4k? Epson 5040ub, 100 inch Visual Apex screen in 16x9. On a second note has anyone had any luck or experience with converting a bulb over to LED's. I go through about 1 a year. 950 hours or so.

 

[Sittler27]

Fixed frame is the best way to go if you can have it up all the time.

 

[JStewart]

I am very happy with both, but honestly cant see a difference between 1080, and 4k. Both look great from the seated position if I am within a couple of feet of the screen I can see the weave of it, and am wondering if this is why I cant see a difference at 4k?

My experience with a professionally calibrated pixel shifting JVC and 92” screen is similar. There’s a difference, just not much.
IMHO the real promise of UHD is HDR and projectors lack the lumens to convincingly pull it off.
That said, the 5040 is also a pixel shifter as opposed to true 4K which can make a difference depending on screen size and seating distance.

Here’s a recent projector resolution comparison:

Projector Resolution Shoot-Out Part 2: The Results

In Part 1 of our Projector Resolution Shoot-Out, Mike McNamara described how pixel-shifting and other factors affect perceived resolution. Here in Part 2, he shares his photographic test results from six projectors.

www.projectorcentral.com

Here’s a chart showing at what screen size and distance resolution should matter. Scroll to the 3rd chart.

TV Size to Distance Calculator and Science

Our TV Sizes to Distance Calculator helps you choose the right size TV for your space. The optimal viewing distance is about 1.6 times the diagonal length of the television. For example, for a 55” TV, the best distance is 7 feet.

www.rtings.com

 

[UKSPAWN]

i built my own tension sytem for my cheap manual screen, it worked fairly well. but IMO go for a fixed frame wherever possible.

 

[ProjectorScreen-co]

Screens are always going to look better than paint. A good quality 4K screen is 100% worth the investment.