Hi, sorry for the delay – just back from vacation. You probably can use the Mitsubishi, but you would have to lower your screen, no way you can mount the HC4000 and hit a screen 8″ from the ceiling with all the lens shift (the Epson can handle no problem. You would seem to be the type of person who would prefer the DLP, however. With your 9 foot ceilings you still should have the room to use the Mits with the screen lowered by 15 or more inches (off the top of my head – I’ll leave the calculations to you… -art

Thank you for all your work it is much appreciated.

Projector Choice:

- Mitsubishi HC400 or Epson 8350

Application:

- Pitch dark theater no ambient light
- Movies and occasional sports

Details:

- Stewart Screen 123″ about 12 years old
Screen Material: Videomatte 200
Model Number: 123HD
Mounted 8″ from ceiling

- Current Runco 933 projector mounted flush against ceiling
142 1/4 in from front of lens
154 3/4 in to center of mount

Thoughts:

It is my understanding that a DLP gives a more filmlike natural quality than LCD. Is this true?
Several reviews seem to suggest that the Mitsubishi has better color saturation and contrast. True?
As a photographer I am sensitive to color saturation.
Your review of the Mitsubishi HC4000 seems to be warmer than your review of the Epson 8350
I am leaning towards the Mitsubishi but am concerned that it does not have a tilt shift lens.
Given my details above, is the tilt shift lens benificial?
What is your choice if this was your theater?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Jasmer

Consider your lighting control, your wall / floor / ceiling color, and what you watch, add to that how close you would want to sit to a given sized screen. If you find 8 feet too close to a 100″ screen, then you’ll likely find 10 feet away, too close to a 125″ screen (same relative distance).

Since you will have a bar, try to make sure you have some extra lumens. Higher gain screens (but don’t go too high – or there are trade-offs), can help you move up a size or two (say from 100 to 110 – 120″ range. -art.

Well, as you know, I’m a big fan of lumens to spare. I really wish every HT projector could do at least 600 lumens in best mode (700 better still) and 2000 for “brightest”. If nothing else we’d be replacing our lamps less often! -art

In regards to the Epson 8350, does the basic rule of ratios apply for room sizing? 1H:1.3W:2.66D?

Will this rule work efficiently for the 8350 since it’s a 16:9 capable projector? I have a clean slate waiting for me in the basement of the house I’m moving into with dimensions of 56W x 30D with a 9’ ceiling. It is bare with no walls up as of yet. My question is, what is the largest image I can project with the 8350 clearly and what would be the ideal seating distance then?

I calculated the theater room to be around 9H x 14.4W x 20.97D (9x15x21) using the “rule of thumb” ratio. Is this size of room taking advantage of the 8350′s capability or can I go with a bigger room/bigger picture without sacrificing quality? I can make my Theater room as large as physically possible in my 56×30 basement…as long as I leave room for a bar.

Thanks! Darwyn

You route your audio from your sources to your AV receiver/speakers or whatever you are using for sound… Only the all-in-one type projectors, and an occasional low end HT projector who’s platform is used in biz projectors, “crossovers” and home, such as a couple of entry level Optoma’s etc.

I guess the era of component video is ending… Though I sure wish Epson and most others would put three HDMI input jacks on their machines instead of 2 (Panasonic offers 3). I’ll correct the review. Hope it didn’t cause any inconvenience. Thanks! -art