Optoma H31 16:9 Home theater Front Projector $499 AR FREE S&H! Review with screen shots inside

[funboy6942]

Linkage to PJ
The projector itself has a 2 year warranty on it and the bulb has a 90 day. BTW the projector is Native 16:9 but will do 4:3 as well.
At check out they offer a 3 year warranty for $99 with 2 bulb replacements (Each bulb would of cost you $275 a pop) and a 106" High contrast grey screen for $79+ shipping.

This on top of the rebate is an outstanding savings if you ever need to use the bulb replacement and a kick ass price on a 106" screen. Out the door shipped with the Warranty is $807 Shipped -$100 rebate is $707 Shipped and if you use the warranty in the 3 years brings it to $257 Shipped

Say you get the 106" screen for $79. Shipped will be around $100 so total with screen will be $357 in 3 years time. Thats 3 years of un-interupted hometheater goodness on a 106" screen for $357. Im am sooooo pissed I didnt find this when I bought mine :|

EDIT:Even cheaper now that the price has gone down another $100 from when I wrote all the above out!

Bulbs for the H31 are $280 and rated for 3000 hours in eco mode.
I can barely see a diff between Light and eco mode so I keep mine in Eco all the time. No problems with a few lights on or some light coming through. Picture is still very bright and not washed out.

avsforum Linkage to review and screenshots
So you dont have to take my word on it. I believe I read in there when it first came out this was a $2K projector

The review was done a while ago. It made mention of hues and tinting. Something I didnt have a problem with mine about. Came out of the box IMO perfect. Blacks were black, greys were grey, and color was spot eye to my naked eye. I think the newer ones may be better calibrated then the older ones where I am assuming.

If your thinking of doing DLP in a box why bother???? You still have to change a light bulb in a DLP or a LCD in a box and it takes up room. If you have to change a bulb you may as well enjoy your time watching or playing on your set. Get a H31 or if you want HD get the Optoma H70 for $999. Why settle for 50 inches and pay $2000 for under $1200 you can have HD and for under $700 you can go SD with a 100 inch screen (or larger if you want) and it can all be put away freeing up your living room space without that huge box getting in the way. Just food for thought.

I should mention space. It takes up a load less space then my Toshiba 65" CRT HD TV in a box did. The screen goes on a blank wall so if you have one of them no worries, it doesnt even stick out and pulls up into the can as well. The projector sits 12.4 feet away from the screen on a coffee table which almost everyone has anyway and it is tiny (12.4" away to project 100 inches BTW). The unit is slightly smaller then a xbox for comparison. It also comes with a storage bag so when your done can put it away. Something I could never do with my old toshiba. This gives me a bigger picture, really feels like we're at the theater, and can all be put away and set up in less then 2 minutes.

 

[funboy6942]

Bumping it for the deal is still going on

 

[Budarow]

I would seriously consider going with a projector/screen setup; however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room. We ususally have a single bulb (60w) lamp turned on which rests on top of the entertainment center (i.e., over the top and behind the tv).

Maybe I should see what Circuit City's return policy is regarding projectors and screens and if I don't have anything to risk, I could give a go?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Budarow
I would seriously consider going with a projector/screen setup; however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room. We ususally have a single bulb (60w) lamp turned on which rests on top of the entertainment center (i.e., over the top and behind the tv).

Maybe I should see what Circuit City's return policy is regarding projectors and screens and if I don't have anything to risk, I could give a go?

Bummer on the lack of a dark room.

A 60 watt bulb on in the room is going to make it look like crap.

 

[severtki]

Originally posted by: Budarow
however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room.

Does that tell you anything that your wife refuses to be in a dark room with you?

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Budarow
I would seriously consider going with a projector/screen setup; however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room. We ususally have a single bulb (60w) lamp turned on which rests on top of the entertainment center (i.e., over the top and behind the tv).

Maybe I should see what Circuit City's return policy is regarding projectors and screens and if I don't have anything to risk, I could give a go?

The room I use mine in has light that comes in in the morning and afternoon and also has a overhead floresent light that can stay on without washing out this projector. It really is a light cannon and do not need a completly dark room to have a great picture. Tomorrw afternoon If I can remember I will take a picture of it so you can see. If you like me to of course

 

[SpanishFry]

how far from the wall does this need to be?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: kmr1212
how far from the wall does this need to be?

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-H31.htm

click on "Throw Dist"

EDIT: Actually

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-H31-projection-calculator-pro.htm

 

[abaez]

Can you use this to watch tv?

 

[bash125]

If you need a brighter projector look into one of these. 1300 Lumens vs 850
(only has 1 year warranty)


http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manufacturers/benq/W100/index.asp

$599 No rebate free shipping
http://www.tvauthority.com/Home-Theater-Projectors/BENQ-W100.asp

$605 Shipped No reabte Good ebay feedback.
http://www.thecamerabox.com/product.asp?tabno=3&id=bew100

If you only are watching standard DVD or standard defination TV no reason to buy something more expensive.

Does the H31 have a 3 year warranty I can only find a 2 year (and nothing on visual apex's page about the warranty.)

 

[ShadoWing]

wow how does that projector do 100" from 12 inches away? thas prety insane, unless you mean 12 feet

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: abaez
Can you use this to watch tv?

Why yes, yes you can

It's just like a TV except it doesn't have a tuner. You could use a VCR to pick up regular channels with an antenna of hook up a cable box to it.

It also lacks speakers so you'd need a sound system to go with it.

My projector (a different model) is the only "TV" I have.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: abaez
Can you use this to watch tv?

I do with mine. I watch the tv off the internerd and I have a ATI AIW X1900 video card as well. The H31 Has a DVI (VS a VGA Input) so you will get the best picture possible from a digital source like a HDMI dvd player via a HDMI to DVI adapter, some sat boxes have DVI outputs as well so that can be your tv source, or your pc with a AIW card or a tv tuner that can be had as cheap as $20, or even less, OR more if you want to get the ATI HD Wonder card and pump HD OTA signal to it .

BASH thanks for correcting me. I am sorry I had another model on the mind I guess. It is a 2 year WHICH btw is alot more then a DLP in a box will give you. Most cases you only get 90 days-a year. 2 years on this thing is outstanding IMO for worry free fun time. Just bulbs and really the more I mull it over $280 for 3000 hours isnt all that bad. We sure will save that much in movie tickets and popcorn by not going to an actual theater. Which because of my condition cant go to one anymore, and got this as one of many reasons, so the family wont be without that experience. It truly brings the theater home when coupled with home theater sound as well and a good pop corn maker

And shadow of course I ment feet Thanks for the heads up. Fixed it

And Like yoyo it is my only "tv" in my room as well. It has a Xbox, PS2, Game Cube, 3do, Dreamcast, DVD player, and PC all hooked up to it thanks to a switch box that can be had at wally world for $20. Has Composite, componant, and s-video. For sound I use a Logitech Z5500 set up (the head unit is small so no room taken on the table and the sub sits under the table) and a 3 in 1 out Toslink splitter. For non digital sound (3do, game cube dreamcast) this is where the Z5500 comes in handy, yet again, because I use a composite to din splitter and use the front jack in the back of the Logitech head unit and set the sound to Dolby Prologic II.

Ill get pics of all of this later.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: Budarow
I would seriously consider going with a projector/screen setup; however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room. We ususally have a single bulb (60w) lamp turned on which rests on top of the entertainment center (i.e., over the top and behind the tv).

Maybe I should see what Circuit City's return policy is regarding projectors and screens and if I don't have anything to risk, I could give a go?

The room I use mine in has light that comes in in the morning and afternoon and also has a overhead floresent light that can stay on without washing out this projector. It really is a light cannon and do not need a completly dark room to have a great picture. Tomorrw afternoon If I can remember I will take a picture of it so you can see. If you like me to of course

Sure would. I'm considering the HD70 for the HD properties. I'd like to mount the unit to the ceiling of my family room (which has a loft above and an electrical box). If I mount the unit to the ceiling (~12' from the screen) am I stuck with the screen size indicated in the chart (~87")?

I'm not quite sure a picture size 87" will work since my seating areas are only ~10' to 13' from the screen (i.e., it's closer than the "2 to 1 ratio"). I see the recommended seating distance is 9'-14' at the above setting. I realize seating distances and image size is personal preference, but would you peeps generally recommend the "2 to 1" ratio. We've never been the types to sit in the closest ~1/2 of the rows at the theater (more like right at the 1/2 point if the seats are available. The above is another reason to go with the HD70 (i.e., better image for sitting closer to the screen).

Also, what do you peeps think about this screen/price?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat95100050010&id=1149207118370

Here's a seemingly great place for inexpensive cables (from SimMike in FW thread):

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

The HD70 does not appear to have a DVI port so I'm thinking of going with a S-Video cable so I can run an HTPC for gaming purposes. Is the lesser picture quality going to be REALLY noticeable compared to component or HDMI?

Also, I need to mount the screen to the ceiling. Will I encounter any problems mounting the projector and/or the screen to my ceiling which is pitched (i.e., if there's 2 of more mounts for the screen or projector, they most likely will not be at the same elevation due to the pitched ceiling)?

Thanks.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: severtki

Originally posted by: Budarow
however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room.

Does that tell you anything that your wife refuses to be in a dark room with you?

You're right on the money...not many women would want the lights off when I'm in their presence

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Budarow, you should get a DVI to HDMI cable to run to the HD70 rather than 480i limited s-video.

I'm at a 40 degree viewing angle with my 720p LCD projector which is closer than a 2:1 ratio. I like to sit about 1/3 from the front of movie theaters if that's any indication

Certainly the sharpness and such of a movie theater is going to be better than the source material you'd get at home, but as far as screen size is concerned, I don't have to jerk my head around at this distance to figure out what's going on in the movie.

Not sure on the ceiling mounting issue. I haven't tried that with my own stuff.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: abaez
Can you use this to watch tv?

I do with mine. I watch the tv off the internerd and I have a ATI AIW X1900 video card as well. The H31 Has a DVI (VS a VGA Input) so you will get the best picture possible from a digital source like a HDMI dvd player via a HDMI to DVI adapter, some sat boxes have DVI outputs as well so that can be your tv source, or your pc with a AIW card or a tv tuner that can be had as cheap as $20, or even less, OR more if you want to get the ATI HD Wonder card and pump HD OTA signal to it .

BASH thanks for correcting me. I am sorry I had another model on the mind I guess. It is a 2 year WHICH btw is alot more then a DLP in a box will give you. Most cases you only get 90 days-a year. 2 years on this thing is outstanding IMO for worry free fun time. Just bulbs and really the more I mull it over $280 for 3000 hours isnt all that bad. We sure will save that much in movie tickets and popcorn by not going to an actual theater. Which because of my condition cant go to one anymore, and got this as one of many reasons, so the family wont be without that experience. It truly brings the theater home when coupled with home theater sound as well and a good pop corn maker

And shadow of course I ment feet Thanks for the heads up. Fixed it

And Like yoyo it is my only "tv" in my room as well. It has a Xbox, PS2, Game Cube, 3do, Dreamcast, DVD player, and PC all hooked up to it thanks to a switch box that can be had at wally world for $20. Has Composite, componant, and s-video. For sound I use a Logitech Z5500 set up (the head unit is small so no room taken on the table and the sub sits under the table) and a 3 in 1 out Toslink splitter. For non digital sound (3do, game cube dreamcast) this is where the Z5500 comes in handy, yet again, because I use a composite to din splitter and use the front jack in the back of the Logitech head unit and set the sound to Dolby Prologic II.

Ill get pics of all of this later.

Yeah that is basically what my brother has setup - the Optoma H31 projector and 92" screen, a couple switchboxes, and then his Xbox 360, PS2, GameCube, DVD player, and laptop computer. He also uses a set of Logitech speakers. Works out real nicely, he loves it. Great price and can also run HD stuff (like 360 games) compressed. I would recommend either the Logitech 5500's or the 5450's (those have wireless rear speakers, ideal if you don't want to run speaker wire all over the room).

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Budarow

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: Budarow
I would seriously consider going with a projector/screen setup; however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room. We ususally have a single bulb (60w) lamp turned on which rests on top of the entertainment center (i.e., over the top and behind the tv).

Maybe I should see what Circuit City's return policy is regarding projectors and screens and if I don't have anything to risk, I could give a go?

The room I use mine in has light that comes in in the morning and afternoon and also has a overhead floresent light that can stay on without washing out this projector. It really is a light cannon and do not need a completly dark room to have a great picture. Tomorrw afternoon If I can remember I will take a picture of it so you can see. If you like me to of course

Sure would. I'm considering the HD70 for the HD properties. I'd like to mount the unit to the ceiling of my family room (which has a loft above and an electrical box). If I mount the unit to the ceiling (~12' from the screen) am I stuck with the screen size indicated in the chart (~87")?

I'm not quite sure a picture size 87" will work since my seating areas are only ~10' to 13' from the screen (i.e., it's closer than the "2 to 1 ratio"). I see the recommended seating distance is 9'-14' at the above setting. I realize seating distances and image size is personal preference, but would you peeps generally recommend the "2 to 1" ratio. We've never been the types to sit in the closest ~1/2 of the rows at the theater (more like right at the 1/2 point if the seats are available. The above is another reason to go with the HD70 (i.e., better image for sitting closer to the screen).

Also, what do you peeps think about this screen/price?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat95100050010&id=1149207118370

Here's a seemingly great place for inexpensive cables (from SimMike in FW thread):

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

The HD70 does not appear to have a DVI port so I'm thinking of going with a S-Video cable so I can run an HTPC for gaming purposes. Is the lesser picture quality going to be REALLY noticeable compared to component or HDMI?

Also, I need to mount the screen to the ceiling. Will I encounter any problems mounting the projector and/or the screen to my ceiling which is pitched (i.e., if there's 2 of more mounts for the screen or projector, they most likely will not be at the same elevation due to the pitched ceiling)?

Thanks.

OK as for the screen I checked the distance with optoma's thingy and it is 87 inches wide BUT it is the standard 100 inches diagonal like I have it. It needs a min of 11.4 inches away to a max of 13.8 if you used the zoom. So you can go the full 100Inch 16:9 screen and not stuck with the 92" if that was what you were thinking.

Now as far as screen prices go. Let me start with do not but t from best buy anless your really that hard up for a screen.
For one. The same screen can be had here:
Under the Optoma Name but it is a Grey wolf for almost $50 less.

For 2 Tigerdirect has the best selection of screens that I found in the 3 months of searching. For $200 you can get an electric 100" pull down. But check out their selection. I bought mine here for less then $100.. Stay away from the Elite 100" for it is garbage acording to all the reviews and I bought it. Not Tigers fault and the refunded me all my money back and let me keep it but if you can stay away from Elite.

Now lets review a sec on your wanting the HD70 over the H31. Are you planning on watching a but load of HD all the time. HD sat or cable or picking up a HD dvd player soon and alot of HD movies or are you doing an occasional HD movie watching now and then with 90% of the rest of the time standard tv and console gaming with some pc stuff? If you have deep pockets and going hd with a hd dvd player and buying a xbox 360 with hd blah blah blha go for the HD70. If you like me and 95 % of your viewing is going to be standard tv, dvds and console gaming dont waster your money yet going to hd. Dont pay $400 more for somethign your barly going to use. Save it and buy the H31 and in 2-3 years when the HD projector prices are crazy cheap and HD is the mainstream then go for it. Right now HD is not the main stream and there is way too much stuff out there IMO that is still Standard to make the HD jump. Just food for thought. I will give you screens later of HD and Standard. Sorry I havent gotten to it yet. I did some work on my car 2 days ago because I was feeling good and I meesed myself up and been hurting and paying for it for the last 2 days can cant move. Doing better today and said I would get them so after lunch I will get you a crap load of stuff to look at from pc, xbox, gamecube going through the s-video, PS2, HD, and PC gaming. Any games or movies you want to see? Movies I got a ton of for I love movies. Games, im mainly a racer but have a few others. Just let me know and I will get you pics of what ever you want to see.

I guess that would go for anyone else. Sorry I dont own a Xbox 360 so I cant give you screen shots of that but I have:
3DO
Dreamcast
Xbox (I use this most of the time for movie watching)
PS2
Gamecube
Upcoverting DVD player
My PC for games, movies, internet
And yes all of this is pumped into my H31

So just let me know what you want to see on what system and I will take screen shots of it .

OH yeah as far as seating goes. We sit as far as the projector (12.5 feet away most of the time for thats where the recliners are at. When Im alone I watch from about 18-20 feet away for thats where my office is at too. The room is 35 feet long by 18 feet wide so its a HT room, my office, and a work shop ) At first yes I saw the screen door effect on bright areas, wife didnt, now after having it for about 2 months I dont see it at all unless I really look for it. Your eyes will become adjusted so if you went H31 you may or may not see it and if you do it will go away to the point you wont even remember or notice its there anymore.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: Budarow

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: Budarow
I would seriously consider going with a projector/screen setup; however, my wife refuses to watch movies/tv in a "dark" room. We ususally have a single bulb (60w) lamp turned on which rests on top of the entertainment center (i.e., over the top and behind the tv).

Maybe I should see what Circuit City's return policy is regarding projectors and screens and if I don't have anything to risk, I could give a go?

The room I use mine in has light that comes in in the morning and afternoon and also has a overhead floresent light that can stay on without washing out this projector. It really is a light cannon and do not need a completly dark room to have a great picture. Tomorrw afternoon If I can remember I will take a picture of it so you can see. If you like me to of course

Sure would. I'm considering the HD70 for the HD properties. I'd like to mount the unit to the ceiling of my family room (which has a loft above and an electrical box). If I mount the unit to the ceiling (~12' from the screen) am I stuck with the screen size indicated in the chart (~87")?

I'm not quite sure a picture size 87" will work since my seating areas are only ~10' to 13' from the screen (i.e., it's closer than the "2 to 1 ratio"). I see the recommended seating distance is 9'-14' at the above setting. I realize seating distances and image size is personal preference, but would you peeps generally recommend the "2 to 1" ratio. We've never been the types to sit in the closest ~1/2 of the rows at the theater (more like right at the 1/2 point if the seats are available. The above is another reason to go with the HD70 (i.e., better image for sitting closer to the screen).

Also, what do you peeps think about this screen/price?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...yId=pcmcat95100050010&id=1149207118370

Here's a seemingly great place for inexpensive cables (from SimMike in FW thread):

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

The HD70 does not appear to have a DVI port so I'm thinking of going with a S-Video cable so I can run an HTPC for gaming purposes. Is the lesser picture quality going to be REALLY noticeable compared to component or HDMI?

Also, I need to mount the screen to the ceiling. Will I encounter any problems mounting the projector and/or the screen to my ceiling which is pitched (i.e., if there's 2 of more mounts for the screen or projector, they most likely will not be at the same elevation due to the pitched ceiling)?

Thanks.

OK as for the screen I checked the distance with optoma's thingy and it is 87 inches wide BUT it is the standard 100 inches diagonal like I have it. It needs a min of 11.4 inches away to a max of 13.8 if you used the zoom. So you can go the full 100Inch 16:9 screen and not stuck with the 92" if that was what you were thinking.

Now as far as screen prices go. Let me start with do not but t from best buy anless your really that hard up for a screen.
For one. The same screen can be had here:
Under the Optoma Name but it is a Grey wolf for almost $50 less.

For 2 Tigerdirect has the best selection of screens that I found in the 3 months of searching. For $200 you can get an electric 100" pull down. But check out their selection. I bought mine here for less then $100.. Stay away from the Elite 100" for it is garbage acording to all the reviews and I bought it. Not Tigers fault and the refunded me all my money back and let me keep it but if you can stay away from Elite.

Now lets review a sec on your wanting the HD70 over the H31. Are you planning on watching a but load of HD all the time. HD sat or cable or picking up a HD dvd player soon and alot of HD movies or are you doing an occasional HD movie watching now and then with 90% of the rest of the time standard tv and console gaming with some pc stuff? If you have deep pockets and going hd with a hd dvd player and buying a xbox 360 with hd blah blah blha go for the HD70. If you like me and 95 % of your viewing is going to be standard tv, dvds and console gaming dont waster your money yet going to hd. Dont pay $400 more for somethign your barly going to use. Save it and buy the H31 and in 2-3 years when the HD projector prices are crazy cheap and HD is the mainstream then go for it. Right now HD is not the main stream and there is way too much stuff out there IMO that is still Standard to make the HD jump. Just food for thought. I will give you screens later of HD and Standard. Sorry I havent gotten to it yet. I did some work on my car 2 days ago because I was feeling good and I meesed myself up and been hurting and paying for it for the last 2 days can cant move. Doing better today and said I would get them so after lunch I will get you a crap load of stuff to look at from pc, xbox, gamecube going through the s-video, PS2, HD, and PC gaming. Any games or movies you want to see? Movies I got a ton of for I love movies. Games, im mainly a racer but have a few others. Just let me know and I will get you pics of what ever you want to see.

I guess that would go for anyone else. Sorry I dont own a Xbox 360 so I cant give you screen shots of that but I have:
3DO
Dreamcast
Xbox (I use this most of the time for movie watching)
PS2
Gamecube
Upcoverting DVD player
My PC for games, movies, internet
And yes all of this is pumped into my H31

So just let me know what you want to see on what system and I will take screen shots of it .

OH yeah as far as seating goes. We sit as far as the projector (12.5 feet away most of the time for thats where the recliners are at. When Im alone I watch from about 18-20 feet away for thats where my office is at too. The room is 35 feet long by 18 feet wide so its a HT room, my office, and a work shop ) At first yes I saw the screen door effect on bright areas, wife didnt, now after having it for about 2 months I dont see it at all unless I really look for it. Your eyes will become adjusted so if you went H31 you may or may not see it and if you do it will go away to the point you wont even remember or notice its there anymore.

Thanks for all the information...I might go with the HD31. Although I can get an employee discount on the HD70 at BestBuy. I plan to watch mostly standard DVDs and do some PC/GameCube gaming as well.

Anyone know if projector screens can be hung in a corner (i.e., 1 standard "L" shaped bracket on each wall which forms a 90 deg. angle)? If I hang the screen from the ceiling, I don't plan on removing it and I'm not quite sure how it will look hanging above the top of my current entertainment center. It will be rolled up of course when not in use.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Hanging it in a corner shouldn't be a problem. Depending on the screen size though, you might have to keep it a decent distance away from the corner though due to the width of it.

If you can get a good deal on the HD70 though, I think it would be tough to turn that down.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Hanging it in a corner shouldn't be a problem. Depending on the screen size though, you might have to keep it a decent distance away from the corner though due to the width of it.

If you can get a good deal on the HD70 though, I think it would be tough to turn that down.

I agree with the YoYo on the Super cheap part BUT I read alot of reviews where the the majority of the HD projectors cannot upscale SD content right. This goes for High dollar and low cost HD projectors where it is a trade off. HD where hd look the best but SD looks bad or a SD projector where SD looks great and HD looks great but HD isnt true HD.

I would suggest you do as much reading as you can between the HD70 and the H31. I did this for 3 months on every projector in the $1200 range and below in SD and HD. I was looking at buying used HD off the forums and EBAY along with new and used off ebay aso I read up on pretty much every projector know to man in the native 16:9 format. I did this till I was sure the H31 was the right choice for price and features for me. I highly suggest you do the same thing for it is a big purchase and will be with you for a bit. There are a ton of review on both on the Avsforums or just googling them

As for screen. I know my cheap old 100" I got has hook rings and could be hung in a corner if it needs to be. Cant say if all will have this or not for this is my first screen. I would look in the description and see if it says it can be wall or celing hung.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Hanging it in a corner shouldn't be a problem. Depending on the screen size though, you might have to keep it a decent distance away from the corner though due to the width of it.

If you can get a good deal on the HD70 though, I think it would be tough to turn that down.

My plan is to hang the projector screen so it drops down in front of my existing entertainment center (that's 65" wide and houses a 4:3 32-inch TV along with a stereo) and is placed diagonnally in a corner of the room (opposite 2 full sized sofas) measuring 20 feet long by 17 feet wide.

How far from the floor do you peeps suggest the bottom of the screen should be? 3 feet or so?

The more I think about using a projector and a BIG screen, the more excited I get Having a "theater" in the house seems like Da Bomb And for FAR less than a "big screen" television.

Funboy42...thanks a lot for all the helpful advice all layed out in simple language for "home theater" noobs like myself. I will read up on the HD70 some more. I was also thinking since the HD70 is rated at 1000 ANSI lumens and the HD31 at 850 ANSI lumens, I'd get a brighter picture from the HD70 (which may help out for daytime viewing)? Perhaps the difference still doesn't warrant the extra ~$250 for the HD70.

 

[faZZter]

I have an H31 I bought from Costco with the 92" grey wolf screen. Here are some thoughts on it.....

First off, I have to say for watching sports/movies this thing is awesome. It may be a 480P projector but if you feed it an HD signal (Like I watch ESPN HD alot) it does look better than regular resolution, however to me there is some screen door effect visible. Doesnt bother me much unless you get too close to the screen or if you are running a PC desktop on the projector. I also use it with an XBOX 360 and it looks awesome on it.

Another thing to consider is the projector's offset. I think it was 55% or so. In other words if you have the projector ceiling mounted in a normal or low ceiling room the picture (without keystoning/tilting the projector to correct) will be pretty close to the floor. The HD 70 has less offset, not as extreme as the H31. This is something to definitely consider as I almost had to return mine due to the high offset. Also the H31 has a tripod style mounting hole that you can get some fairly cheap mounts for. I think I paid 30 bucks or so for one.

The HD70 will have less screen door effect, since it is a 720P projector. This is important if you are sitting close to the screen, maximizing the theatre like effect.

I run regular DirecTV, HD direcTV, play TV shows from the PC (Xvid or whatever) and also have a gamecube/playstation 2 hooked up through SVID. The problem I had with the PS2 though, was it seemes the projector won't scale the input to the whole screen so it is boxed in in the middle part. I may be doing something wrong here, nit sure. However the XBOX 360 works perfectly with it and looks great.

So anyway, if you are on a budget and the offset works for you're setup, then the H31 is a very nice 480P projector. DVD's look great with nice black levels but if you are too close you may notice the screen door effect. Stil, for 600 bucks plus a basic home theatre receiver/setup, it works pretty damn well.
That being said, if I were in the market for another projector I would most definitely pay a little more and go with the HD70. The future is HD (now as far as I am concerned) and the offset isn't so extreme. For me it is a more future proof purchase also.

If you have any questions about my setup ask away.

Hope this helps you make a decision.

 

[funboy6942]

The Black bar issue you speak of I get as well with mine running MY ps2 and xbox through the componant inputs. I used to have it through the s-video and I can tell you it makes a HUGE world of diff if you go buy the componant (red, green, blue) cable. It is tottaly like night and day and will look as good as your 360 almost. Now back to the bars. I love the PJ because it can sense, I believe, if it is being fed 4:3 or 16:9 widescreen video. I notice it when I play a game and it has a 16:6 setting it fills up the screen. If it is 4:3 it wont without touching anything on the projector leaving it at the 16:9 setting. To reduce the bars on the side go into the projector setting and hit the zoom setting
If you want it to fill the screen you do so using thoes zoom settings.

It also has the digital lens shift. So if your watching a widescreen with the top and bottom black bars hit the digital lens shift to upper and raise your screen up and whala no more annoying black bars on the top and bottom

Also play around with your ps2 settings. There should be settings for widescreen 4:3 and full. Between that and the zoom you should be able to come up with a happy picture and again I cant stress enough to go get the composite (progressive red, green, blue) cables for your ps2 and your gamecube. It will make your gaming experience a ton more enjoyable using it on that pj and wont look so out of focus

Budrow ad far and the brightness level they claim they do I would take it with a grain of salt because NONE of the projectors even come close to what they claim to say they do. Check out some reviews like I said and you will see

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

That's a good idea for having it drop down in front of your current stuff. You wont have issues with the speakers being in goofy places then. Have you thought about your center channel situation?

I have mine below my screen. I don't remember if I liked to my other thread in this one yet, but
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1959097&enterthread=y

After a couple years of using projectors, the great cinematic experience hasn't worn out for me and I don't think it will. I still get excited when it's time to watch a movie

On the brightness issue, I've kind of come to the conclusion that it's not that big of a deal as long as you can get your room dark. If you're working in a room that has some ambient light, then it could certainly be a big factor.

My old Infocus 4805 was rated at 600 ANSI in eco-mode, and in a dark room on a 76" screen size I was able to get a picture that was plenty bright. It was bright to the point where I'd have to squint in bright sceens once my eyes adjusted a bit to the darkened room.

It would really be a good idea to try to get the room as dark as possible. That's the one huge disadvantage to a front projection setup. We got some room darkening curtains and even in the middle of the day we can get it almost totally dark in here. Once you see how good a projector looks in a dark room, you wont want to watch it any other way

faZZter

Just a random comment about offset: One of the best features I got from upgrading to my AE900U was the lense shift. I really hope that starts to become a standard feature on most projectors soon.

For the ps2, some games have a widescreen mode and then you should be able to set your projector to widescreen and things will look right. Some games only have a 4:3 option and then only way to fill up your whole screen is by stretching it out and distorting it. I would recommend just sticking with 4:3 mode in these cases.