New guy here, my name is Scott...

I am utterly fascinated with this sight, and plan on starting my projector in a month or so after i move to Tampa into my new apt...

here's my first question...my girlfriend (who is already in the apt.) tells me the length of the front room we plan to use the projector in is about 11 feet from front to back wall. she has a couch that is about 3 feet deep sitting against the back wall. if we put a basic enclose, say an HJS size box (28 inches deep) BEHIND the couch, then that pushes the couch up about 2 feet, reducing viewing distance from the front wall to about 9 feet or less.

What kind of projector is recommended for an application like this, say for an apt., where there isnt a very deep front room, and space is limited? hanging from the ceiling is pretty much out of the question, due to it being an apartment, and my g/f is also a little obsessive/compulsive when it comes to things being in a weird position in a room, or just plain "looking out of place". Is there a very uncomplicated system to build that will reduce enclosure size to like 15 inches or less? i wanna say that money is no object in a way, because I can afford to spend around 700-1000 or so for one to build.

I would be willing to use a smaller lcd/display, say an 8" or so, as long as if I moved to a bigger apt. or house with more space, I could make up for the new longer viewing distance and still have it look good...I dont need a 7-10 foot screen on the wall to watch a movie, 4-6 feet is great for me.

If someone wanted to build one that would work for this application, I would perhaps be willing to buy it as long as I knew what i was getting. There would be pay also for building one, i don't want to just take your time and not offer you anything for building it, of course. i KNOW it's a DIY site, but i am in the middle of moving to FL, and things will be hectic for a couple of months and I think it would just be easier to buy one perhaps...since I am in an apt. complex, i am not sure if use of powertools (elec. saw, etc.) are allowed or not.

Thoughts? Opinions? Comments?

thanks for reading...

Scott (sorry for the long post!)

I would suggest looking at the section on folded designs. It is a bit more complicated but it might help your situation. From your post I am thinking that you are planning to use the standard lenses, correct? It might be harder to work in a fold with them but if you can do it then the projector can sit lenghtwise against the wall.

Hope this helps.

David.

Edit: Sorry. I did not read the end of your post carefully. But still maybe an idea if you can find someone to build it for you.

Hi Scott. I live in Ft. Lauderdale. My room isn't that big. As a matter of fact...I jsut went and measured it now....My room is around 16 feet X 11 feet. The immage that my projector produces is around 90 inches diagonally. I have my projector hanging from the ceiling at one endof the room and the screen is about 2 feet from the other end of the room. I would have it no other way. I would suggest to you to hang it from the ceiling if you decided to build it. Thats what I did and it works great! you should talk your girlfreind into letting you do that. If you don't have access to the attic in the place that your moving to....I would suggest using a stud finder.....screw like metal loop-like things into the studs....and hang it form those. Hope I was of help.