Have a chance to get a projector..

[crispy2010]

Any one have any experiance with it. Are these nice projectors? Do they last and do they have a nice pic? Should I get it, thanx

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Dell's projectors are geared more towards conference room presentation kind of stuff vs. Home Theaters.

If it's super cheap though, might be worth it.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/
What are you looking to do with this projector and what's your budget?

Do you have a totally light controlled room for it?

 

[crispy2010]

Well I have a 42" lcd tv but me and the lady are splitting and she is taking the tv:brokenheart:. I was thinking of using this to replace the lcd. I use it for tv, movies and pc. I have decent control of lighting, how dark does it need to be?

I would be trading one of my 19" lcd monitors and a pentium 4 920d pc for it. It is said to have 4 hours on it.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The darker it is, the better it's going to look. The color of your surface that you're projecting on is going to be the darkest black a projector can produce since it can only add light to the surface that's already there, not take it away.

For best results, you'll want it as dark as you can get it. That might mean waiting until night time to watch stuff or you could get room darkening curtains if there aren't too many windows that let light into the room. Basements work best.

I don't know how much that computer equipment is worth used.

Too bad she's getting the PC. All the HT stuff was mine during my breakup so I didn't lose anything.

If you can't get your room really dark, then I would look elsewhere for a display.

For example, this is what a Finding Nemo shot looked like with lights off
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG

This is a shot with a light way off in a different room on that leaked a bit onto the lower left corner of the shot
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...2C%20light%20on%29.JPG

It was still way to dark to read in that room for a reference point for how bright it was.

My previous projector:
Lights off
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...%27s%20Room/jello1.jpg
Light on in the room
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...%27s%20Room/jello2.jpg

The degree to which this will happen will depend on the brightness of your projector, but in general you're looking for as dark as possible.

 

[crispy2010]

Shes getting the 42"lcd tv, I will be trading my friend a pc and 19"lcd monitor for the projector. Thanx for all the help.

Would painting the wall black help, or is there a special paint? Also the projector says 100" can the screen size be made smaller, would lowering the size make the pic sharper or brighter?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Sorry I meant to say sorry she's getting the TV

There are some specially designed projector screen paints, but you're still going to want to have a dark room to use them. If you paint the wall black, you're going to have a hard time getting a projector bright enough for it to look white again when you want something bright.

Check out the screen size calculator function here
(The little calculator button next to Throw Dist)

Making the image smaller will increase the brightness since it only has to light up a smaller more concentrated area of the wall.
With a smaller screen, artifacts, screen pixel structure, etc. will be less noticeable, but you'll be giving up size which is the primary reason to get a projector with its cinematic feel.

 

[crispy2010]

Cool thanx for the info. I only need like 60" to be happy, I guess the ex need more than I have, lol!

Going to get it. Getting it for 200$ and one of my hp l1925 monitors. Having to split up the twins (monitors) is going to kill me, going to miss the exs twins too. Thanx for the help again!

 

[crispy2010]

BTW I dont get it.

Check out the screen size calculator function here

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: crispy2010
BTW I dont get it.

Check out the screen size calculator function here

Sorry, projector central link
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Dell-2400MP.htm

 

[crispy2010]

Man this thing puts off lotta heat. It is nice, me and son watching now, I like!!!!


Thanx a million for help!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm glad it's working well for you.

You may want to invest in a calibration disc to try to get the brightness, contrast, colors, sharpness, etc. dialed in. Are there different modes for the picture at all? I would hope that they have some that are more conference room oriented while others might be better suited for Home Theater use.

 

[crispy2010]

Ehh just hooked up to see what it does. Not full speed yet! Thanx for the help!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

No problem.

Good luck