@Markswift2003 Mark I've noticed quite a few posts from you regarding projectors, whilst I can't go down that route, a good friend is exploring this option - so what he wrote to me. At the moment he has a TCL 75" TV Dolby Vision capable. Presently he does not have a Zidoo and I will check which media player he is using. Maybe some suggestions on a suitable screen? Thanks
All the installations I've ever done (and I've done a lot!) have been in dedicated darkened rooms with standard throw projectors. I've never installed a short throw (as they tend to be a grab it out the cupboard and slap it on the table job) and personally I'd certainly never entertain projection with ambient light. What I will say is that that contrast ratio is extremely important in projection and the darkest black a screen can produce is white which is why the room needs to be dark. There are so called specialist retro reflective materials for ambient light rooms, but they aren't really convincing but it depends what he wants and they need a really bright projector - if it's just a casual gaming/viewing thing then ok, maybe, but if he's after a cinema experience, ambient light just doesn't cut it. The other thing I always advise people is allow a budget for the screen in the same ballpark as the projector - I've seen so many people buy a £3 or £4K projector and then slap a £200 screen up!! And it shows. After all, it's the screen you're looking at, not the projector! I've used Screenline, Screen Research and Stewart screens - all are good, with Screenline being at the budget end and Stewart being at the barking end. Mine is a Screen Research - from memory it was £8000 maybe 10 years ago. And that was the trade price. Scary huh?
Thanks very much, I’ve passed on your comments. Maybe not the news my friend wants to hear! Ambient light is one of the reasons I’ve never gone down the projection road. I have diagnosed SAD and need lots of light everywhere! Skylights in nearly every room. No gloomy rooms for me! It will be interesting what his decision will be as so many new houses and apartments in Sydney are open plan full of light from every direction.
