[Audioclyde]

We are purchasing a new home; moving in next month. The home has a dedicated theater room, which will be my audio room as well. The room is perfect size wise for my audio setup, has very good controlled lighting (no windows, etc.). I haven't been in the HT game for over 15 years, so I'm excited about the possibilities but also a bit apprehensive. I currently have a 55" Sony Bravia 4k TV integrated into my audio setup and love it's picture, etc.

The new theater room has a Sony VPL-HS51A installed as well as a very nice relatively high end screen (I forget the brand, etc of the screen)--all of this is staying with the house, so I will for the first time have projector based video system.  The system currently is connected to a computer for video output (the computer equipment, etc. is staying as well), so I have seen a movie being displayed over the system and was mightily impressed.

The projector only has 1 HDMI input, and I know that I will want my cable box and blu-Ray player connected this way if possible. Is there any switcher type product available that I can add (at a reasonable cost, i.e. I don't want to spend a thousand bucks for such a product) the ability to have multiple sources connected via HDMI?

Most of my use will actually be cable TV watching, especially sports like golf & football. Given that I can have the room virtually dark for this, am I going to be significantly disappointed watching such material via the projector vs my Bravia 4K TV?  I'm still wondering if I will want/need to somehow incorporate my TV into the room for this reason (although I really don't want to spend the $ to put the TV into a stand with motorized function to lift it up and down, plus I am excited to hopefully not have any furniture between my front speakers).

I realize the above kind of rambles but I welcome any thoughts and input!

Thanks,

Randy

[DaveC113]

Hi Randy, congrats on the new place!

If you're planning on installing an AV processor it will do the HDMI switching for you. If not you can get a HDMI switcher from Monoprice, etc, but I'm not sure if there are any issues with them or not.

[John Casler]

True, probably no need for an HDMI Switcher.

As mentioned earlier, your AVR, or PrePro should have switching, and or you could also go with an OPPO player, which has a couple HDMI inputs and an on-board switcher.

Sounds like you will be having some fun.

[Audioclyde]

Thanks guys; I had no idea that players with HDMI inputs were available  !  From a quick look the Oppo and the Cambridge look like real candidates. As I plan to just run the sound thru my 2 channel setup, at this point I'm leaning that route vs a receiver.

[Audioclyde]

I got a better look at the associated electronics today during inspections.  Current setup has a mid level Sony A/V receiver apparently doing the video switching and powering the speaker setup. I was surprised to see that all the speakers (except sub of course) are mounted in the ceiling--even the center channel and main fronts. I've been out of the HT arena for a while but that surprised me!  As mentioned above the setup also has some sort of computer in place/involved--I'm not sure what for and the seller is no longer around as a potential source of info. I may have to get a local AV 'expert' out to look at the setup and help me figure it out.

I have some quality HT pieces left over from a former life (and former wife  ) that I'm thinking of using as I think I definitely improve the SQ (my 2 channel audio rig will basically be a separate system; lots of tubes involved and won't want to run it all the time for just TV watching).

I have a great Proac CC2 center channel (as well as potential monitors to use as main fronts in the HT setup if I decide to have 2 sets of 'front' speakers in the room). I also have a fabulous Enlightened Audio Design Powermaster 500 (100x5 wpc) I can use to power the HT speakers.

I'm thinking of adding an Oppo 105D to handle switching the HDMI input to the projector (for now I only foresee the cable box, Apple TV and the Oppo disc player as video sources), feeding the Oppo's analog audio outs to the EAD amp, and thus using the Oppo for volume control.   I'm thinking that would have better sound than using the Sony receiver, plus I'm guessing that using the Oppo as my HDMI switcher would likely result in better video quality compared to using the Sony as the video switcher.

As mentioned before, I welcome thoughts and comments, especially if there is any problems with what I'm thinking of doing!

Thanks,

Randy

[kingdeezie]

Quality against a new 4K TV is hard to assess.

Honestly, in terms of sheer PQ, the projector won't compete. Most people that scream how amazing projection (who don't own some 20K projector) is, are really more bowled over by the size and immersion. A 65 inch TV, next to a 120 inch screen (four times the surface area), is really a staggering difference.

I have a JVC RS40, which while 4-5 years old at this point, is still a good projector. It does a great job of trying to compete with my Plasma TVs, but honestly, I have to give the nod to the plasma for sheer PQ.

From what I can tell, that model is around 9-10 years old. Its also only 720P, and I think it was a upper-low end projector at the time. I think I saw that it retailed for 2K or so (I could be wrong here).

The image won't look bad, and you will be amazed at the size, depending on what screen is mounted. There is something awesome about a 90+ inch image.

The problem is, even though LCD/LED still pales against a quality plasma/OLED, against a projector, it will still get brighter, be easier to calibrate for the average consumer, and at 4K have the advantage of much higher resolution, and depending on the model, be future HDR compatible.

I think the projector market is going to be playing catch up for a few years.

HDR, I think is going to be popular, and I can't see Projectors being able to use the feature.

For reference, the TV standard for HDR is 800 nits maximum output I believe. That equates to 233 Ft. Lamberts.

You are lucky to get 20 Ft. Lamberts with projection.

Only way to know if you will like the projector, is to try it.

Let us know how you like it!

[Audioclyde]

I was pretty much already to that same conclusion re the projector setup not really satisfying me for typical TV viewing. Since the projector setup is pretty much a 'freebie' as far as we are concerned, I'm thinking I'm going to just put a TV lift stand with my Sony on it and use that most of the time--that way I can lower the TV when we want to do the big screen projector thing for movies, etc.

[LadyDog]

Yes the current projector is old.  And yes the 4k tv will have a better picture.  But some of that would be based on seating distance.  Not sure what your viewing distance is, but maybe 10' back and it will be about a wash.

Not sure I wouldn't take a 100" 720 picture over a 55" 4k tv most days being that far back.  To each his own though. 

Might want to think about replacing with a 1080 projector.  You can get really nice stuff for not much coin now days.

[John Casler]

I was pretty much already to that same conclusion re the projector setup not really satisfying me for typical TV viewing. Since the projector setup is pretty much a 'freebie' as far as we are concerned, I'm thinking I'm going to just put a TV lift stand with my Sony on it and use that most of the time--that way I can lower the TV when we want to do the big screen projector thing for movies, etc.

I would "weigh" the cost of a retractable screen (rolling down or up) in front of the Flat Screen, over the cost of a lift.

[Audioclyde]

John,

Thanks; great suggestion that I had not thought of. I'll explore this for sure; and maybe even consider reducing the screen size a bit (I stupidly failed to measure the existing wall mounted screen) for perhaps better PQ.

As a complete newbie to projectors, I welcome recommendations for a high quality pull down screen. The lift I've located that would work for me and not mess up my audio setup is just under $1,000, so I'm guessing I could get a very good pull down screen somewhere under that price.....

I'm kind of going into this with the mindset that if we indeed like using the projector setup more than I expect, at some point down the road I'll likely be upgrading the projector.....

Thanks again to everyone for their insight; truly appreciated.

Randy

[Atlplasma]

John,

Thanks; great suggestion that I had not thought of. I'll explore this for sure; and maybe even consider reducing the screen size a bit (I stupidly failed to measure the existing wall mounted screen) for perhaps better PQ.

As a complete newbie to projectors, I welcome recommendations for a high quality pull down screen. The lift I've located that would work for me and not mess up my audio setup is just under $1,000, so I'm guessing I could get a very good pull down screen somewhere under that price.....

I'm kind of going into this with the mindset that if we indeed like using the projector setup more than I expect, at some point down the road I'll likely be upgrading the projector.....

Thanks again to everyone for their insight; truly appreciated.

Randy

Silver Ticket Screens are very good for the money. (That is, cheap.)

[youravhandyman]

I second John's suggestion.  If you can find a good deal on the pull down screen locally you may save on shipping costs.  The very large screens, 110" and up tend to have to be shipped freight so watch your shipping costs.  Just a suggestion if you follow this route.

Matt