[shadowlight]

I am working on finishing the basement and would like to put up a projector on one side of the basement.  The problem that I am having is deciding on screen size.  Currently, I am thinking about a 110" 16x9 diagonal acoustically transparent screen but would like some input.
The projectors that I am thinking about are the Panasonic 4000, Epson 8700, Epson 8350 or the Sanyo 4000 from LCD perspective and Mitsubishi 4000, Optoma HD20/180 and Viewsonic pro8200.Room Dimensions:

Width - 13'
Length - 32'
Height - 7'

Sitting Distance:

1st Row - 12 to 13'
2nd Row - 15' to 16'

I ran the projector central calculator and it is telling me that screen height will be 54". Will the second row have issues seeing the bottom half of the screen. I do plan to raise the 2n row by 6" or so using platform. The other question is how low do I need to mount the project and screen from the ceiling.[font=verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Any recommendation on place to by the AT screen from.  I checked out SeymourAV already and found some screens based on sheerweave 4500/4550 on av-outlet.com[/font][font=verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif]TIA[/font]

[NekoAudio]

If the second row is only about 6" higher than the first row, then it's likely they will have trouble seeing the bottom of the screen over the heads of the first row unless there isn't much leg room for the second row. Assuming the screen is vertically placed for the first row. Especially as some people slouch.

I would recommend doing some actual placement experimenting to figure out what solution is ideal for you. You'll have to raise the second row height more so the screen won't be blocked by anyone sitting in the first row, or raise the screen which might require the people in the first row to look higher than they'd like.

I would guess you should have the second row at least 12" above the first row. 18" is probably ideal. But that's just a guess as your actual seating and seat positions will influence those numbers.

The projector and screen can be mounted flush with the ceiling at the most extreme case, unless the projector has limitations on its vertical positioning. I'd recommend positioning the screen at the ideal height for your primary seat. The physical placement of your projector isn't as important, other than farther away from your head being better to reduce the fan noise.

[poseidonsvoice]

If the second row is only about 6" higher than the first row, then it's likely they will have trouble seeing the bottom of the screen over the heads of the first row unless there isn't much leg room for the second row. Assuming the screen is vertically placed for the first row. Especially as some people slouch.

I would recommend doing some actual placement experimenting to figure out what solution is ideal for you. You'll have to raise the second row height more so the screen won't be blocked by anyone sitting in the first row, or raise the screen which might require the people in the first row to look higher than they'd like.

I would guess you should have the second row at least 12" above the first row. 18" is probably ideal. But that's just a guess as your actual seating and seat positions will influence those numbers.

The projector and screen can be mounted flush with the ceiling at the most extreme case, unless the projector has limitations on its vertical positioning. I'd recommend positioning the screen at the ideal height for your primary seat. The physical placement of your projector isn't as important, other than farther away from your head being better to reduce the fan noise.

Neko is right, but please be careful that you don't raise the rear seating too much...18 inches sounds like a lot and many speakers are not optimized for vertical off axis response very well. I would raise the screen a little instead and prioritize sonics and viewing distance to your 1st row, especially if most of your enjoyment will be from that row. You will not be able to optimize for both rows.


Anand.

[shadowlight]

Thanks Neko, Anand. 
Will keep your comments in mind as I get closer.  The speakers in question are av123/gr-research ls6.

[NekoAudio]

Vertical off-axis response isn't as much of an issue with a line array. So the LS6's might help you out there.