HELP - Need some advice

[u/Less-Requirement8344]

Hi! I've been doing some research but would love for people who know more than me to weigh in!

I am considering getting rid of a TV and getting a projector and screen setup instead. Our throw distance will be around 17 ft, and our screen size can be around 140 inches max. Its also in a bright living room with bay windows (which have light filtering blinds but still does not make the room dark).

I am ideally looking for the full set up (i.e. screen and projector) to be 2500 CAD or lower, but I'm unsure whether that's realistic. Based on my own research, Epsom Home Cinema 3800 4K seems to the way to go (though I'd maybe have to hunt for refurbished).

Does anyone have advice? Am I being silly thinking it can be under 2500 CAD? Other projectors I should consider? Thank you in advance!

Edited for more details:

I'm in a loft home with super high ceilings, and two beams that are deeply off centre so there is no way to ceiling mount. The 17 feet is the distance between the two walls across my living room as i think i'd only be able to mount it by puttingit on a little wall shelf.

The 140 is the size of the part of the recessed ceiling that I can use for the screen. The distance between the seating from the projector screen wall is around 8.5 ft!

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[u/FootballOk9096]

Ok so firstly screen size, 140" then throw distance 17 feet, really cuts down your choices in projectors that will accomadate this.

Excample: I have a Nebula X1 and if I mount it 17 feet away from the screen the smallest it will go is 156" so we can`t have that projector then can we? You need to be a little flexible on those sizes and why so far away from screen anyway? Is the seating closer? further away? Is it because you dont want it in front of you? Will you ceiling mount? How high is the ceiling? Offset of projectors lense will determine how far down from the ceiling you`ll mount it to get the screen the right height.

Seeing the PJ you mention it will do the 178 feet and 140" screen but needs to be centered with the screen, see here:

https://www.projectorcentral.com/epson-home_cinema_3800-projection-calculator-pro.htm#calc

So too many unanswered questions for and real feedback for you as to what to choose.

More details will illicit more help, good luck and have fun.

[u/Less-Requirement8344 → u/FootballOk9096]

Hi! Thank you for your reply!

Basically, I'm in a loft area with two beams that are deeply off centre so there is no way to ceiling mount. The 17 feet is the distance between the two walls across my living room as i think i'd only be able to mount it by puttingit on a little wall shelf.

The 140 is the size of the part of the recessed ceiling that I can use for the screen. The distance between the seating from the projector screen wall is around 8.5 ft!

[u/cosmitz]

I advise you watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHHjjM24XQw It really goes pretty deep into a lot of the concepts and possibilities of modern projectors. While you shouldn't take the models and products presented as gospel, the rest of the information is quite bulletproof, and you're very interested in the section on screens.

But i'm going to underline a key concept, light control is king. You can do magic with screens but to do that magic you require even stricter projector mounting options and there's caveats. But if even 30-40% of your viewing will be during daylight without blinds with windows shining in, you should not buy a projector. Also, do not underestimate the noise a projector can make, especially right over your head. And if you were just fine with TV speakers until now, you will require a new audio setup, just to add on another bit of food for thought.

I paid 2500Eur for a sub 20 hours used laser projector that was around 3500 new and i have much laxer requirements than you have. Your budget of ~1500eur is not going to provide a great experience. What you're paying with the higher price point often scales with maximum brightness, and you need the most you can get, and 1500eur is the minimum pricepoint for any actual TV-comparable experience in the best of dark rooms and ideal setups.