To hell with a tiny 60" tv, try up to 300" for $399!

[MonkeyK]

My only argument would be, for $400, why not just get a 1080p LED projector that'll last 20,000 hours.

Where are you finding a 1080p projector for $400?

Also, regarding the screen, blackout cloth works really well. You can get all that you need at Jo-Ann Fabric for <$20 (I think that I got away with a 50% coupon to and bought mine for $10). Add a couple of pieces of mdf to hold the screen straight at the top and bottom and you can have a nice screen for $25

 

[TwiceOver]

Damnit Funboy you always get me thinking about projectors when I shouldn't be.

My reason for not going LED is simply brightness. I don't want to watch everything in a pitch black room.

 

[Spelvin]

I'll just leave these here:
http://www.provantage.com/draper-accuscreens-800008~7ASCR009.htm
119" screen for $85

http://www.amazon.com/Aurum-Ultra-Se...rds=40%27+HDMI
40' HDMI for $20

and

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3500...eater+in+a+box

Onkyo DTS-HD 5.1 Home theater in a box $300

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmo...ywords=Harmony

Harmony 650 remote for $63

Just add a PS3, PS4, Xbone or even just a plain old Blu-Ray player and be crazy happy for under a grand!

 

[TwiceOver]

I'll just leave these here:
http://www.provantage.com/draper-accuscreens-800008~7ASCR009.htm
119" screen for $85

http://www.amazon.com/Aurum-Ultra-Se...rds=40%27+HDMI
40' HDMI for $20

and

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3500...eater+in+a+box

Onkyo DTS-HD 5.1 Home theater in a box $300

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmo...ywords=Harmony

Harmony 650 remote for $63

Just add a PS3, PS4, Xbone or even just a plain old Blu-Ray player and be crazy happy for under a grand!

Heh... My wife said "Make it so number one"

Tempting.

 

[Kaido]

My reason for not going LED is simply brightness. I don't want to watch everything in a pitch black room.

They are getting there...I do feel my 500-lumen LED projector is too dim, even in a pitch-black room. However, the contrast ratio is incredible and just gives a phenomenal picture, so I deal with it. They have 1000-lumen models out now. I'm hoping we will see a 1080p or 4K model with at least 1500 lumens of brightness sometime in 2014.

However, I've found that I really enjoy 720p. I can really crank the settings in games since it's pushing out less pixels. Youtube looks decent full-screen. Old movies (SDTV shows, DVD movies, etc.) look fine upscaled to 720p (whereas they start getting pretty pixely at 1080p). Internet streaming content like Vudu & Netflix look great. I am a quality freak when it comes to video, but I am apparently not a resolution freak.

 

[cbn]

I know I got my eyes on this one, but for its price you can buy 2 of the ones I posted, and yes in 4 years from now when its bulb blows, Ill buy another one for the same price and get this years advancements on the cheap.

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/acer-h6...-59-2-87-ntsc-pal/248662674.html?listingId=-1

Yes, I noticed that Acer has got some really good ratings on Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...86&amp;ignorebbr=1

 

[boomhower]

Also I was at Target today, and they still have the Eclipse brand of thermal curtains, which are great for using as blackout curtains to kill light during the daytime. Very good prices too!

I work nights and those work great. You will still get leakage around the top so you'll a bit of work if your wanting night inside in the afternoon.

 

[NeonFlak]

My only argument would be, for $400, why not just get a 1080p LED projector that'll last 20,000 hours. It won't do 300" (because it'll be like 1000 lumens) but considering this thing is 720p (and 16:10) I doubt anybody will want to do go larger than 100" and DLP isn't really a selling point (IMHO) because even 3 chip solutions have the color-wheel effect.

The power consumption is also pretty high.

I just don't know. I haven't kept up with it lately, but it's hard to ignore an LED projector. It's almost 2014 why are we still using Halogen lamps in anything but automobiles?

The projector in the OP is a 3lcd projector, not a dlp.

 

[funboy6942]

Still $399

 

[killster1]

ya and everyday im fighting buying it.. i just tell myself.. 90day warranty on 200$ bulb and the heat it will produce in teh summer (well above 110 here) but im really tempted. gah

 

[Spelvin]

Aftermarket replacement lamp assembly $55
http://www.amazon.com/Electrified-V1...ywords=ELPLP67

Now, when looking for a replacement lamp, READ THE REVIEWS! When I replaced the lamp and housing in my Epson I spent some time finding a reputable aftermarket lamp. I got only 1896 hours on the OEM lamp that came in a refurbed from Epson projector. I am well over 600 hours on the replacement lamp and still very pleased with it.

As for heat, I have never had a noticeable issue, but if you use more than (4) 60Watt incandescent bulbs in your living room you are technically creating just as much heat. The Lamp in this unit is rated at 200watts.

 

[Mitch101]

If you have a clean wall you can use screen paint.

Get two of these 8oz samples just enough to make a 100" screen.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Pre...rior-Exterior-Paint-Sample-770E-2U/202182565#

I will also add that Epson has an incredible warranty if the bulb dies prematurely Epson will most likely replace it at no charge. So $400.00 is a steal. If I didnt have a backup projector I would jump on this.

 

[Muse]

I have this projector and works great with everything. And at $399 for big screen goodness you cant go wrong. Hell that cheaper then most 32 inch tvs. Dont need the lights off to see the picture. Comes with a FULL manufactures warranty even though its a refurb.

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=Home-Cinema-710HD-R

I paid more than that for my projector from Visual Apex (Epson 8700ub projector refurbished from Visual Apex $1599 shipped, in April 2012), but it's absolutely beautiful, is 1080p instead of 720p (I got a couple of blu-ray players since), it has stunning contrast (my biggest complaint with my old Sanyo PLV-Z2 projector, my first). It sits on a shelf behind my viewing position. I have the room virtually dark when I use it, but you could have some ambient lighting and it would look OK. It's really a movie theater type experience. Very big picture, stunning. I use it for movies and HDTV. I have a gatorboard screen hung on the opposite wall, a very cheap but beautiful white screen. I bought some misty evening Behr paint to paint the screen back when I was using the Sanyo projector, but never got around to painting one side and trying it out to improve the contrast. The contrast using the Epson is terrific, generally blacks appear utterly black. There were films I just could not watch using the Sanyo.

I use venetian blinds and made black velvet curtains to pull across them to get very near darkness, the theater experience. Also painted my ceiling black, which helped a lot. l have a can of dark maroon paint that I intend to slather on one side wall to get the vintage theater ambience, but it's on the back burner. It won't have a noticeable effect on my contrast, IMO.

I'm still on the original lamp on the Epson (and never replaced the lamp on the Sanyo!). So far so good. I view from ~10, a bit less actually, so use Eco mode exclusively, which I think helps a lot on lamp life.
- - - -
There are two ways to perceive the world; as if nothing is miraculous or as if everything is miraculous. - Albert Einstein

 

[Samus]

2 coats of chalkboard paint work great. the plus is the kids can have fun with it when you're not.

 

[craftech]

I have a home theater setup with a $2000 LCD projector and while it does create a very nice movie atmosphere and looks great with a lot of content there is no comparison between it and my Plasma. A decent active display will win out every time. I spent a lot of time experimenting with screens, both commercial and DIY and even in a pitch black room the Plasma blows it out of the water. Just a thought.

John

 

[funboy6942]

I have a home theater setup with a $2000 LCD projector and while it does create a very nice movie atmosphere and looks great with a lot of content there is no comparison between it and my Plasma. A decent active display will win out every time. I spent a lot of time experimenting with screens, both commercial and DIY and even in a pitch black room the Plasma blows it out of the water. Just a thought.

John

Can it go to 300 inches though.........

 

[Cardio]

I have a home theater setup with a $2000 LCD projector and while it does create a very nice movie atmosphere and looks great with a lot of content there is no comparison between it and my Plasma. A decent active display will win out every time. I spent a lot of time experimenting with screens, both commercial and DIY and even in a pitch black room the Plasma blows it out of the water. Just a thought.

John

Couldn't agree more.....

 

[Muse]

I have a home theater setup with a $2000 LCD projector and while it does create a very nice movie atmosphere and looks great with a lot of content there is no comparison between it and my Plasma. A decent active display will win out every time. I spent a lot of time experimenting with screens, both commercial and DIY and even in a pitch black room the Plasma blows it out of the water. Just a thought.

John

Alright, this (or similar) thought has crossed my mind a time or two when looking at a big plasma or LED, but what dominates (in my mind) is the fact that it seems like every time I visit someone who has one, everybody is watching from at least 2x the distance they needed to be to get the best experience, usually 3x or more. I'm viewing my projector's image on an effective 6 foot x 3 3/4 foot white Gatorboard screen from a distance of 9 feet. The angle subtended by the screen is just mega-huge compared to all these people watching their plasmas/LCD's.

For some time I've been thinking of getting a pretty big plasma for my bedroom. The viewing position from bed would make for a pretty big viewing angle. For movies it would be simple to set up, but for HDTV, I'm thinking, not so simple, because my HTPC is in my media room. So many projects...
- - - -
To be pleased with one's limits is a wretched state. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

[craftech]

The projectors definitely show more detail if you move them closer to the screen, but that is not always possible. It depends upon your room and the throw distance of the projector in addition to the contrast ratio, screen material, angle of viewing, type of projector, room light, resolution, and a host of other factors. My latest screen needs to be viewed dead on for best image.

Since I shoot video I have used it in an auditorium to show productions I shot. Looks good.

The shadow details is where the projector falls short every time. The active display will show details in dark areas that are not possible with a projected image. Some movies (as you all know) are really really dark. I would never watch them on my projector, only the plasma.

John

 

[Kaido]

The shadow details is where the projector falls short every time. The active display will show details in dark areas that are not possible with a projected image. Some movies (as you all know) are really really dark. I would never watch them on my projector, only the plasma.

That's why I'm sticking with my LED projector. It has limitations (low 500-lumens & only 720p, not Full HD 1080p), but the contrast is crazy-good (6000:1). The new LED projectors have like double the contrast & more lumens, so they're getting there!

 

[Muse]

The projectors definitely show more detail if you move them closer to the screen, but that is not always possible. It depends upon your room and the throw distance of the projector in addition to the contrast ratio, screen material, angle of viewing, type of projector, room light, resolution, and a host of other factors. My latest screen needs to be viewed dead on for best image.

Since I shoot video I have used it in an auditorium to show productions I shot. Looks good.

The shadow details is where the projector falls short every time. The active display will show details in dark areas that are not possible with a projected image. Some movies (as you all know) are really really dark. I would never watch them on my projector, only the plasma.

John

Dark movies is where my Epson 8700UB really excels. For instance, I just couldn't watch Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon on my Sany PLV-Z2. I hit eject, disgusted. After I got the Epson I tried that movie again, no problem. I have yet to find a movie the Epson wasn't up to. The deciding factor in my getting it was the prevailing opinion that it is a PJ that's got stunning contrast. I have been utterly pleased. Is it as good as a great plasma? I can't say. I suppose it isn't, but so far I find everything quite watchable. Epson advertises the contrast ration as 200,000:1

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=V11H419020

 

[blackrain]

Aftermarket replacement lamp assembly $55
http://www.amazon.com/Electrified-V1...ywords=ELPLP67

Now, when looking for a replacement lamp, READ THE REVIEWS! When I replaced the lamp and housing in my Epson I spent some time finding a reputable aftermarket lamp. I got only 1896 hours on the OEM lamp that came in a refurbed from Epson projector. I am well over 600 hours on the replacement lamp and still very pleased with it.

As for heat, I have never had a noticeable issue, but if you use more than (4) 60Watt incandescent bulbs in your living room you are technically creating just as much heat. The Lamp in this unit is rated at 200watts.

Did you go with the replacement that you linked to? That seems to make this a better deal due to longevity. I need a cheap projector for outdoors, but the $400 is a bit too much. But a $55 replacement bulb is making me think twice.

 

[Spelvin]

Did you go with the replacement that you linked to? That seems to make this a better deal due to longevity. I need a cheap projector for outdoors, but the $400 is a bit too much. But a $55 replacement bulb is making me think twice.

I do not own this Epson projector, so no that is not the unit I went with. That was simply an example of a well rated seller of the proper lamp for the projector in this thread.

That one should keep you covered well.

 

[gamerboy]

I've had a PJ in a dedicated home theater room for over 5 years now.

Yes, the large screen is nice but there are several important downsides:

1. Sitting in a dark room. This gets annoying after a while (inviting people over for sports, etc)

2. Need lots of room. You need a good distance from the PJ to the screen to get a big image. I can't go any bigger than 100 inches in my place. 300 inches? Yeah, if you live in a warehouse.

3. It takes up space. My fixed frame screen (I would never go with a pull down because of lack of perceived contrast due to no velvet border) takes up one of my walls. So you kinda need a dedicated HT room.

4. Moving sucks. If you move to a new apartment or in with your GF or whatever, then you have to plan on how to set it up again. A TV is way easier to move to a new place since it doesn't require a dedicated room.

 

[Doomer]

I have 2 Optima projectors. One is a HD20 (1080p) and the other is a HD66 (720p). I prefer the HD66 because it's much brighter. To my old eyes, there's not much difference between 1080p and 720p unless you're looking hard for it.

I bought the second Optima because they fixed the first one 6 months out of warranty. I'm happy with both of them.