Looking to buy a Projector for my Room.. which one?

[trend]

My new room is going to be about 12 feet wide.. and I am hoping to put the projector on the far side.. and project a screen 12 feet away on the other wall.

A) will this be enough space?
B) How many lumens is enough?.. becasue my room has 2 windows, and I will be using this as my TV all day.. The room has decent lighting (not sure how to measure that )
C) Any brands to stay away from? Because I was thinking about spending 300-500$ on ebay for one with -very- low usage.
D) Any place where I can readup on projectors for my situation? I am at a lost on google


thanks!
Lee

 

[JMoore]

I have no clue about projectors, but why not just get a nice plasma or lcd tv?

 

[trend]

Price. And, my friends just moved into a loft.. and they have no TV.. and have a HUGE wall where I can use this.

I mean.. if I can get a 30inch+ plasma/lcd for ~$400, I might would rather do that

 

[n7]

12 ft. away is certainly enough distance.
I have my projector about 9 ft. away, & i get a ~ 70" display

High lumens would be better if you have ambient lighting happening.
Honestly though, light is the enemy of projectors.
So you'll want some heavy curtains.
The darker inside, the better the picture will be.

Brands? I like Optoma for cheaper data-projector use.
I don't think eBay makes sense for a projector, since the bulbs are worth a few hundred, & buying used means used bulbs.
Buying new isn't that much more, & you get a new bulb.

www.projectorcentral.com

Now some things you need to decide on, or tell us what you planned:
You want to hook this up to what?
PC? DVD player? Receiver? Cable box? And what interface then?
Widescreen, or just normal 4:3 with WS option?

I'm thinking your budget would work well with a cheaper SVGA 4:3 model which is good for TV stuff (unless you have high-def TV in WS).

http://www.optomausa.com/Product_detail...ory=Professional+Series&product_id=218

Look for that one for less though.
I've seen it less in CND, nevermind USD.

Or see what they recommend for your use at projectorcentral.com

 

[trend]

Ahh yes, I have been looking around projectorcentral a good bit today.

Wow, that projector has 2000 lumens yumm.

I am thinking this projector should be optimised for DVD playback.. I do want to watch tv on this.. but tv will mainly be on when I am using my computer (okl. which is 8 or so hours a day since I work from home).

Wide SCREEN!!! I have always bought widescreen dvds in hopes of one day getting a widescreen tv/projector

I guess I could hook this up to my apple computer.. and have my apple computer feed it a high level input.. and the feed be TV( from coax in)

Then have my Xbox play dvds and games via s video cable perhaps??

thanks for any help!!

 

[trend]

Yes.. after looking.. I really like the ep716

http://www.optomausa.com/Product_detail...ory=Professional+Series&product_id=218

Mainly because:
-price
-2000 lumens
-2000:1 contrast ratio
-resolution (1080p max)


And now, I think about it.. I don't care about COAX input.. I will watch tv on something else.. and save my bulb


What do you'll think? best projector for the money?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Do you have a receiver / sound system already?

You shouldn't have to worry about projector inputs too much if you have a receiver that does input switching.

You just need composite input and a VCR to watch TV on a projector. Use the VCR as the tuner.

1080p is 1920x1080.

A lot of manufacturers will lie on specs / measure them differently, so don't base your decision on specs alone as far as contrast / lumens.

Research models on avsforum.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Do you have a receiver / sound system already?

You shouldn't have to worry about projector inputs too much if you have a receiver that does input switching.

You just need composite input and a VCR to watch TV on a projector. Use the VCR as the tuner.

1080p is 1920x1080.

A lot of manufacturers will lie on specs / measure them differently, so don't base your decision on specs alone as far as contrast / lumens.

Research models on avsforum.

:shocked: he LIVES!

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: trend
Yes.. after looking.. I really like the ep716

http://www.optomausa.com/Product_detail...ory=Professional+Series&product_id=218

Mainly because:
-price
-2000 lumens
-2000:1 contrast ratio
-resolution (1080p max)


And now, I think about it.. I don't care about COAX input.. I will watch tv on something else.. and save my bulb


What do you'll think? best projector for the money?

1080p max resolution for that one?
Not really.
Native resolution is 800x600.
You can do up to 1400x1050 upscaled, but it won't look quite as sharp since it's well over the native resolution.

I'd recommend something of a higher resolution TBH, but your budget isn't going to really allow it.

For watching TV, as YOyo mentioned, you can use a VCR, or better, a digital cable box to out to the projector.
Projectors don't have TV tuners built in, so you won't find one with a coax input AFAIK.

Just so you know also, you can use the 4:3 pojectors in widescreen 16:9 mode, you just have to select that mode.

I think you'll find just leaving it set as 4:3 looks fine, as widescreen content will just play with black bars (which you don't really even see), & normal content fills the entire screen.

WS projectors are in abundance, just not for really cheap.

Myself & a number of my buddies use the cheaper 4:3 models for watching TV/movies/multimedia, & we find them more than fine unless one is really picky.

 

[mshan]

Calculator at Projector Central:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus...Big_IN72-projection-calculator-pro.htm

It is usually linked after you click on the summary box on the left for any review.

That being said, if you are going to be using it all day, and in a well lit room, a regular tv might be a smarter idea (replacement bulbs are very expensive).

For your price range and uses, I think you might be able to get the biggest picture via a CRT rear projection tv, especially if it's a closeout 4:3 model.

 

[RedCOMET]

Originally posted by: trend
Price. And, my friends just moved into a loft.. and they have no TV.. and have a HUGE wall where I can use this.

I mean.. if I can get a 30inch+ plasma/lcd for ~$400, I might would rather do that

I know its a little off topic from this thread, but my cousin was telling me that he bought an damaged floor model of a Samsung 50 inch HDTV at Costco( Or maybe it was Sams Club) for $500. I think it was a Plasma, but i don't remember. My cousin a Sales Man by trade.

He we to the floor manager with the ticket and was like, the model has beeng sitting here for almost 60 ( or maybe it was 90 ) days and its not moving cuased its broken. My cousing was like what can you do for me? The manager was like i can take it down to $1000. it was oringinally 1500 or so. My cousin tells the man, Look, i can take it off your hands for 500 dollars CASH. So, he got it for 500 dollars.

Heres the important part, before buying he made sure it was still under warranty by Samsung. He called them to confirm that it was before buying it. He got home, faxed the reciept to Samsung and with in a few days a tech came out to fix the tv free of charge.

So, it is possible to get a good tv forc heap.

 

[pcman83]

I would get an EIKI-XT3,

I just set one of these up last week at my job.

10,000 lumens, 4 bulbs,

Only around 25grand

 

[zephyrprime]

Projectors suck in well lit rooms. They're only good in dark rooms. Get a regular TV if you are going to use this in a well lit room.

 

[7337user]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Projectors suck in well lit rooms. They're only good in dark rooms. Get a regular TV if you are going to use this in a well lit room.

This is not true at all, I have a projector in my den and my basement....now granted the one in the basement looks a little better cause of the low light, but the one in the den also looks great. I have multiple friends that have seen the one in my den with natural light from a window and recessed ceiling lights on at the time....4 of my friends that have seen if now own a projector.

I would go with the InFocus 7205, this is the projector that I own in both rooms of my house....it's flat out awesome.

 

[Tostada]

You'd really be better off looking for specific info on http://www.avsforum.com/

You mentioned you're getting a projector to save money. Don't forget how much bulbs cost. Bulbs are so expensive that your sub-$1000 projectors are often disposable since the cost of the bulb is about half as much as upgrading the whole projector.

Of course, if you're actually sitting 12 feet away from the screen, a projector is probably the most practical option.

Also, don't forget a decent screen for your projector. It's not like you're going to get some amazing picture just pointing it at the wall.

 

[Tostada]

Originally posted by: 7337user

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Projectors suck in well lit rooms. They're only good in dark rooms. Get a regular TV if you are going to use this in a well lit room.

This is not true at all, I have a projector in my den and my basement....now granted the one in the basement looks a little better cause of the low light, but the one in the den also looks great. I have multiple friends that have seen the one in my den with natural light from a window and recessed ceiling lights on at the time....4 of my friends that have seen if now own a projector.

I would go with the InFocus 7205, this is the projector that I own in both rooms of my house....it's flat out awesome.

Come on, now. That's a prefectly legitimate criticism. Projectors just suck in well lit rooms.

My dad, my brother, and my best friend each have projectors. Two of them are newer InFocus models. They're definitely nice, but most people I know are more impressed by my 32" Samsung panel.

Projectors are great in certain situations. They're great if you're mostly watching DVDs in a dark room and you want a big picture for cheap. You can't deny their downsides, though.

 

[7337user]

Originally posted by: Tostada
You'd really be better off looking for specific info on http://www.avsforum.com/

You mentioned you're getting a projector to save money. Don't forget how much bulbs cost. Bulbs are so expensive that your sub-$1000 projectors are often disposable since the cost of the bulb is about half as much as upgrading the whole projector.

Of course, if you're actually sitting 12 feet away from the screen, a projector is probably the most practical option.

Also, don't forget a decent screen for your projector. It's not like you're going to get some amazing picture just pointing it at the wall.

Actually i disagree with this....The screen isn't necesary, I have a nice screen in my basement and no screen in my den. The setup in my den looks just about as good without the cost of a $700 dollar screen. Just paint the wall you are pointing the screen at then use some framing with wood molding, it looks awesome. Use a Flat matte fininsh with a hint of metalic silver mixed in, and paint your molding black for the borders....looks awesome.

 

[7337user]

Originally posted by: Tostada

Originally posted by: 7337user

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Projectors suck in well lit rooms. They're only good in dark rooms. Get a regular TV if you are going to use this in a well lit room.

This is not true at all, I have a projector in my den and my basement....now granted the one in the basement looks a little better cause of the low light, but the one in the den also looks great. I have multiple friends that have seen the one in my den with natural light from a window and recessed ceiling lights on at the time....4 of my friends that have seen if now own a projector.

I would go with the InFocus 7205, this is the projector that I own in both rooms of my house....it's flat out awesome.

Come on, now. That's a prefectly legitimate criticism. Projectors just suck in well lit rooms.

My dad, my brother, and my best friend each have projectors. Two of them are newer InFocus models. They're definitely nice, but most people I know are more impressed by my 32" Samsung panel.

Projectors are great in certain situations. They're great if you're mostly watching DVDs in a dark room and you want a big picture for cheap. You can't deny their downsides, though.

Hey I am just speaking from personal experience, my setup looks awesome....nicer then any TV i have seen in a well lit room except maybe a CRT TV.

 

[Tostada]

Originally posted by: 7337user

Originally posted by: Tostada
...
Also, don't forget a decent screen for your projector. It's not like you're going to get some amazing picture just pointing it at the wall.

Actually i disagree with this....The screen isn't necesary, I have a nice screen in my basement and no screen in my den. The setup in my den looks just about as good without the cost of a $700 dollar screen. Just paint the wall you are pointing the screen at then use some framing with wood molding, it looks awesome. Use a Flat matte fininsh with a hint of metalic silver mixed in, and paint your molding black for the borders....looks awesome.

I would consider that a "decent screen," actually. I'm just saying it's worth putting more effort into it than pointing it at a random beige wall.

A friend of mine has his projector aimed at a $100 overhead projector screen, and I have to say it's hard for me to tell the difference between that and the much more expensive screens. It's a little tacky having to do that cheap-blind-yank thing to roll up the screen, though.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Do you have a receiver / sound system already?

You shouldn't have to worry about projector inputs too much if you have a receiver that does input switching.

You just need composite input and a VCR to watch TV on a projector. Use the VCR as the tuner.

1080p is 1920x1080.

A lot of manufacturers will lie on specs / measure them differently, so don't base your decision on specs alone as far as contrast / lumens.

Research models on avsforum.

:shocked: he LIVES!

Son of a...

I thought I was sending another PM this morning. Guess that's what I get for having to get up at 5am for work.

Might as well just paste in my first PM for the heck of it:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=68

12 foot throw is plenty depending on the projector.

If you find a model you like, check out projector central's page on it and check out the viewing distance calculator.

Example:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus_Home-ScreenPlay_4805.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus...lay_4805-projection-calculator-pro.htm


I had an infocus 4805 projecting a ~80" screen in a 10x12 foot room and it looked great.

If you can get some light control in the room, that will make any projector look better. Removable cardboard in the window does wonders.

Is this for HT usage or PC usage?

It's going to be hard to find one with decent resolution for PC gaming and browsing, but if it's just movies, then a 480p would be good.

 

[knght990]

If you are buying off the internet, expect the blub to be at the end of its useful life and have to replace it. blubs that we buy here for the school range between $250 and $500.Also find out the integrity of the image, we only get rid of projectors when the alignment on the LCDs has been lost.
Generally the higher the lums the better.
Screens are not nessary, but if you use one they are more reflective then white paint and will give a better image. There is also screen paint goosystems.com you can put on the wall that will increase the reflectivity.
If the room is well lit, and you dont want to give up the windows but want to prevent the washed out effect of the image from bright light, Screen Innovations makes a filter you put ontop of a screen or wall that fliters out ambient room light. it works very well.
-TL