Infocus 4805 misc questions...

[Marzen]

I finally decided to get a pj and I think I've settled on this one based on available funds, and the pj central review among others. The only real detriment to this model for me is the 27% offest which equates to ~1ft for a 4ft high image. I was a little surprised & somewhat dismayed when I realized my basement theater would have so many compromises. I have a 28'W x 32'L x 7'H area to use. It looked big at first, until I realized that there didn't appear to be a way to have optimum speaker placement AND projector location AND still have some flow to the room. There always seemed to be a support column in the way, or a speaker next to a side wall, or some hvac trunk line blocking the pj.
I guess my first question is on where to buy the pj? I found out to late about the Staple's $500 offer and was wondering if anyone knew of any similar deals. I see them going for around $700 (refurb) from store names I recognize.
My second question would be about a screen. I think a 92" 16:9 would be a good compromise of size vs throw. Not sure about gain factor or white matte vs grey. Any opinions/suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks -
Ward

[George Bellefontaine]

Hi, Ward. I don't know how bright the 4805 is lumen-wise, but gray screens require plenty of light. I have always used a 1 gain white matte screen for everything I have owned from crt to lcd to dlp and it seems to work just fine for me. But everyone sees things differently so I'm sure others here will have other opinions.

Sorry,I can't help you on where to find a 4805 refurb deal.

[DelRay]

Hi Ward. I was going to get the 4805 for my basement HT. My ceilings are about 7'4". After alot of questions about this unit, I felt it necessary to go with a projector that has a lens shift option.

[RobP]

Ward, do you have any pics or drawings of your area? I am using the same setup (4805 with a 96" white screen) in my basement, my projector is 12 ft away from the screen with no keystone correction used. I have some challenges as well, I have a 8ft ceiling but my projector had to be mounted 14" down behind a huge 4ft soffit. but it works well with some light scattering off of the ceiling.

[Marzen]

Thanks for the responses, here are a few things I mulled over at work today:
1) Lumens w/ 100 IRE = 467 low pwr / 614 hi pwr using a unity gain screen. This is lower than published specs and measured by a reviewer (no surprise here).
2) I was initally thrown off by marketing terms used for screens. I see matte white and grey, the latter also being called HDTV or digital. Seems to be a balancing act of sorts for computing gain. Someone here was nice enough to mention you can order sample swatches of screen material. Sounds like a plan.
3) I do have a Visio drawing of my basement, I'll post it on my web & add a link.
4) I was a little bummed about the offset of 27%. This equates to 4ft H screen + 1 ft offset from ceiling = 2 ft left on the floor for a center channel. I hope when Jon mentioned a 'squat tower' center he REALLY meant squat! :rofl: Although lately I've had the cc disabled and enjoyed it more.
I think I'll just have to play around with positioning the pj and see what I can live with and what I can't. The ~5 meter rule on DVI cables looks like a problem. Although that max length varies with the source output level. I wonder if you can mod the cable with a pull up resistor to increase the length? All great winter time endeavors.
Cheers,
Ward

[Marzen]

Hi Ward. I was going to get the 4805 for my basement HT. My ceilings are about 7'4". After alot of questions about this unit, I felt it necessary to go with a projector that has a lens shift option.

I meant to ask you, what kind of questions, and what did you end up choosing? I have a minor concern about not being able to use this with a ceiling mount due to the projected angle going down to the bottom edge of the screen. I'm afraid my head may be in the light path. If so, I may have to forego a permanent install and opt for a movable table.

Ward

[DelRay]

I meant to ask you, what kind of questions, and what did you end up choosing? I have a minor concern about not being able to use this with a ceiling mount due to the projected angle going down to the bottom edge of the screen. I'm afraid my head may be in the light path. If so, I may have to forego a permanent install and opt for a movable table.

Ward

I would have had a problem with image offset. Using a 92" screen with the top of the screen at 6'5". (Soffit) I also wanted to use the ceiling mount option. The bottom of the screen would have been a little too low. I didn't want to have my feet in the way when reclining in my chair. My rear seating is on a riser but the low screen still could have been a problem. I ended up going with the Sanyo Z3. I know it's LCD, but no fear of the RE. My wife is slightly succeptable to it. Doesn't bother me though. I really love the lens shift option. That way, you can mount the projector close to the ceiling.
I really don't have alot of answers since I'm a noob with front projectors. I do know one thing though. Front projectors rock! FWIW I posted a couple of pics of the screen and ceiling mounted projector. It's in my homepage.

[Marzen]

Robert, I found that Visio drawing. Here's a pic:

[mante]

Hi Ward,

Here is what I have done with my "new" Staples' 4805 PJ. Since I'm a nob, had nowhere to view many projectors, and watch one or two DVDs per week, I decided to start inexpensive and combine a lot of DIY to the room.

I have a light controlled 19'x13' finished basement room with a 6'5'' drop ceiling. I picked up a 4'x8" sheet of Parkland’s Polywallfrom Home Depot, as my diy screen and used Burke's suggestion to surrounded the screen, front ceiling, front side walls and front floor, with black felt. As a start, I placed the 4805 on top of a new 6' wooden step ladder (yes, I have two young children and a dog 8O ) and placed the equipment below on the ladder's steps. 4’x4’ sound absorption panels are located on each side of the ladder. The screen is positioned 20" above the floor. There is room for a center channel on incline, yet since my speakers are very good at imaging (imho), I've opted not to go five way. A couch is located 14' from the screen, with the pj at 16' from the screen. The projection fills the entire 4'x8' screen. My front speakers are located 3' from the front and sidewalls for better imaging. So far, everything has exceeded my expecttions.

Regarding your layout, it’s hard to know where all of your walls are, but can you shift your theatre clockwise 90 degrees? This would put your left speaker in the corner next to your stairs, with the right speaker in the outside wall corner. At least for my ears, sound bouncing off one close wall combined with sound bouncing off a furnace never quite sounded that good.

BTW, it has been a long time since a piece of equipment has put such a big smile on my face. I can’t imagine what a high end projector looks like. OTOH, you can already see filming flaws on the 4805: kind of like very good speakers and poor recordings.

Good luck,

Craig

[Marzen]

...I have a minor concern about not being able to use this with a ceiling mount due to the projected angle going down to the bottom edge of the screen. I'm afraid my head may be in the light path. If so, I may have to forego a permanent install and opt for a movable table. Ward

Well, that problem is solved. I looked at several mounting systems and decided to just make one at work out of aluminum plate. Any pitch or roll can be shimmed with washers and it should be completely flush to the joists.
Thanks for the feedback Craig, that's an ingenious way around your problems. I don't think I'll be able to use the north eastern corner of my basement for numerous reasons, mainly due to the hvac extended plenum I'm installing down the center of the basement parallel to the I beam support.

Ward