For a while now, I have wanted to get a video projector for home entertainment use. I have done some research on them and will soon be ready for a purchase. I am looking to spend somewhere between 1000 to 2000, so nothing really spectacular.
However, being the anal retentive consumer that I am, I am asking the opinions of my fellow forum members on this subject.
As of right now I am looking at the Infocus X1 (http://www.infocus.com/products/productview.asp?site_lang=1&site_region=1&prod=x1&c=4) . It has an excellent contrast ratio, has good brightness, and is an SVGA for only 1000. Another projector I am looking at is the Optoma EzPro 735 (http://www.optomausa.com/public/ezpro_735.asp) . It is a true XGA with good brightness and contrast, it only weighs 3 pounds, and is only 1700.

Now here are my questions/concerns.
1) I am primarily going to be using this for DVDs and video games. What is the best resolution for this?
2) Anyone have any experiance with the two above mentioned projectors directly? How are they?
3) My friends tell me not to waste my money and get a High def or plasma tv. My concern with that is that they are heavier and generally more expensive. What is better about a TV than a projector?
4) Is there anywhere I can get discount prices(used, refurbished, etc. projectors)? Or should I not be a cheap ass and just buy a new one?
5) Can anyone suggest another projector that they particularly like or can recomend?

Pretty much I am just looking to gain more outside opinions and information. Am I making a good decision/bad decision? What are some things I should look out for?

Thanks for any information in advance.

-JiM

Projectors are my other passion. I love them but realize you have to watch in a dark environment- or else they are washed out. My solutiuon is a 20" tv for news, etc daytime viewing , but if I want to watch a movie, Sopranos, concert, nothing beats a projector. In the daytime, you'd just need good shades to darken the room.

Also realize the bulbs are generally $300 and last about 1500-2500 hours.

The Absolute best bag for the buck right now is the Sanyo Z2- new tech LCD projector- 1280x720 resolution and lens shift so it doesn't need to be in the perfect spot- it can be off axis.

Team this up with a DVD player that scales to HD resolutions (native 1280x720) via a DVI cable and DVDs will look very close to HD. The Momitsu V880 is the DVD player for about $275 shipped.

The z2 is about $1900. Paint your wall or something else with Goosystems.com paint and you will have the equivalnet of a $2000 screen.

www.avsforum.com is the place to research this stuff- but if you follow my hard earned suggestions, you will be extremely happy. The best other choice in projectors at the NEC 240k- for a few hundred more- its DLP so it has a punchier picture- but lower resolution(1024x768 and is 4:3- wheras the Z2 is a true 16:9 projector) The 240k has no DVI digital input - (older tech) or lens shift- but some people like the deeper blacks better- it is brighter as well.


Go for it if you watch alot of movies- much bgger than any plasma set, and cheaper as well.

I had a similar need and picked-up an Epson S1 for $850 and also a nice screen (86" I think) -- total was $1,000. I also use this at my office so it is a great dual purpose machine. My wife and kids love to watch movies and Playstation2 on it (hook into the surround sound in the basement) on the weekends and then I use at my business during the week. I am sure a total videophile would point out some weakness in resolution etc., but it really has a great picture and built-in modes for movies, videogames, or business presentions -- very portable and easy to install.

Thanks for the link and info, I'll have to check it out.

--JiM

I have been using an LCD projector for about 2 years that I bought via a grey market importer on Ebay. Teamed with a 104 inch powered screen I bought in Shanghai for <$200 and a better than average sound system, I never once think about colors, grey scale, brightness etc. once the bombs start bursting or footballs fly.

Like you, I did some research before I purchased and found a unit that fit my budget and offerred better than average performance at the time. I could only compare it to another projector in the same room, same conditions a few times. Seen alone, it looks great and I found that I had to spend 3 times as much to see a noticeable improvement. At the time, that was $6 to 7K versus $2K. But as I said above, once you have it and the bombs fly, you get lost in the movie and will not be thinking about the colors etc.

If you have an HD signal available to you, by all means by a projector with the highest resolution you can afford.

As "emailists" states, you, must be able to darken your room if you want to use it during the day.

One other random comment. My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you don't buy a screen that is too big for your room on the premise that bigger is better. IT IS NOT. Sitting closer than 12 feet to my 102" screen is not good. I find the optimum distance from my screen is 14 to 18 feet. That is bigger than the average room can accomodate. Scale your screen to your room. The avsforum mentioned by emaillist or projectorcentral (I think) or one of the screen makers such as DaLite or Stewart will give you guidelines for how to scale your screen.

Good luck and dive in the water is fine. Gotta go and watch a movie. One last thing, my system is totally portable. / stealth Screen is hidden behind a soffit and the projector is set up or taken down in less than 5 minutes - good WAF (wife acceptance factor) Now if I could just find a way to have my IRS IIa's disappear when I'm not using them...

One question... What is the difference between 4:3 and 16:9, shouldn't they be the same ratio?

btw: That z2 is super quiet i noticed.

---JiM

Originally posted by j1mb0x99
One question... What is the difference between 4:3 and 16:9, shouldn't they be the same ratio?

btw: That z2 is super quiet i noticed.

---JiM

4:3 is letterboxed, 16:9 is widescreen

I have the NEC LT260 which is basically the same as the aforementioned LT240K, but with different lens.
I love it when using the RGB input via the VGA connector.

Email me if you are interested in a projector. The company I work for sells all different brands. Just email me the make and model number and I will get back to you with a price.

Originally posted by j1mb0x99
One question... What is the difference between 4:3 and 16:9, shouldn't they be the same ratio?

btw: That z2 is super quiet i noticed.

---JiM


4:3 = 12:9

16:9 is wider

Here is where I know what I am talking about. I have been in this profession for 22 years and have to stay knowledgeable about what is new technology wise.

No, the LCD video data projector is not 22 years old. However, I have worked with everything from the first 3 tube CRT projectors to some of the latest models which utilize lens shifting and wireless image transmission. I have even recently witnessed some proto type, as yet to be released, one of four in the United States pre-released, certain un-named top manufacture brand projector and it is one sweet mid priced unit.

Anyway, back to the original post.

Originally posted by j1mb0x99
...I am looking to spend somewhere between 1000 to 2000, so nothing really spectacular.

There are some very affordable LCD/DLP projectors available in this price range that will provide you with a very nice good quality picture. Go to this link and see how a DLP projector works, it's very interesting. http://www.dlp.com/includes/demo_flash.asp?bhcp=1

Originally posted by j1mb0x99
However, being the anal retentive consumer that I am, I am asking the opinions of my fellow forum members on this subject.
As of right now I am looking at the Infocus X1 (http://www.infocus.com/products/productview.asp?site_lang=1&site_region=1&prod=x1&c=4) . It has an excellent contrast ratio, has good brightness, and is an SVGA for only 1000. Another projector I am looking at is the Optoma EzPro 735 (http://www.optomausa.com/public/ezpro_735.asp) . It is a true XGA with good brightness and contrast, it only weighs 3 pounds, and is only 1700.

The Infocus X1 is a decent projector and this company has a number of years in this business. For what you are planning on using it for, the viewing of DVDs and playing video games on, this would be your best choice of the two. Most consumers have reported that the video (not data such as from a computer generated image) image on a DLP projector is better than on an LCD projector, however, I have seen both and can only say the contrast ratio on DLP is a bit better than on an LCD projector. Avoid the Optoma, I know these projectors. They used to be produced by CTX which is one of those companies that produced cheap lousy computers at one time. We have a number of these projectors in use at work and the video image quality isn't as good as the Epson projectors that are of the majority of all we own. Our University has 50 or so projectors and I am responsible for maintaining them as well as a whole lot of other educational presentation equipment. I also am the technical advisor for all purchases for such equipment and we are currently purchasing an additional 40 projectors for a new building we will be opening in the Fall.

Don't worry about weight unless you are planning on lugging it all over cripe's creation. If you are setting up a home theater, this should be a permanent installation and mounted from the ceiling or placed on a shelf at the back of the room. I would do the ceiling mount because of the way they project. On a table top they project upward with a straight line out of the bottom of the lens and the top part of the lens projects the highest angle. When it is mounted from the ceiling the projector is upside down so you can reverse the bottom lens top lens analogy form above.

Originally posted by j1mb0x99
Now here are my questions/concerns.
1) I am primarily going to be using this for DVDs and video games. What is the best resolution for this?
2) Anyone have any experiance with the two above mentioned projectors directly? How are they?
3) My friends tell me not to waste my money and get a High def or plasma tv. My concern with that is that they are heavier and generally more expensive. What is better about a TV than a projector?
4) Is there anywhere I can get discount prices(used, refurbished, etc. projectors)? Or should I not be a cheap ass and just buy a new one?
5) Can anyone suggest another projector that they particularly like or can recomend?

Let's do this by the numbers...

1) An SVGA (800 X 600) resolution is just fine for watching a movie or playing video games on it. XVGA (1024 X 768) would be good for computer graphics and computer games. For brightness, it all depends on the room you are using. I use a basement room and I can control it to the point of pitch black. I can get away with a very low 1000 Ansi Lumens in this situation. However, every bit of ambient light can wash the image out. If you can block out light by heavy curtains, you would need something with the very least of 1300 - 2000 Lumens. You also need to think about screen material. A matte finish screen is better than a glass beaded screen because it looks more natural, that is my opinion. A decent sized screen ought to run you about $120 at the most.

2) Answered above

3) Your friends are right in a given situation such as not having this in a home theater set up. Plasma looses 10% of it's brightness per year. These are costly units at the present time. A video projector is actually an HD device. What qualifies a device to be HD has to deal with interlacing signals. A standard TV uses an NTSC (in the US) interlaced signal. Not to go into a research paper length explanation, what interlacing is is the signal is split into odd and even lines. Only half, the odd or the even) are displayed at any given moment while the other half is displayed on the next given moment. This all keeps time with the cycle (aka hertz) of our AC current which is 60. There are 30 frames of video per second and that means there are 60 half (interlaced) frames per second displayed. Ok, any LCD, DLP or computer screen is HD because HD means that the display signal is NOT interlaced, you see 30 whole frames per second instead of 60 half frames. So, any video projector such as the DLP or LCD is an HD device.

4) Buy a new one or a refirbished one. Never buy a used projector, as was pointed out by the guy with the passion for projectors, the lamps cost $300+ to replace and only last approx. 2000 - 4000 hours. Do the math, figure how many years that would last if you just use this for watching DVDs and playing games. I figured mine out to be about 4-5 years use.

5) Check out the many models of the many brands on this site, they have some good affordable prices and brands. http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=42&DEPA=1

Before I got the one I purchased, I was going to get one of the Viewsonics. Even though they were cheap, they have some very nice features.

There are a lot of factors that determine exactly what's best for your use, too many to go into in a short reply such as this posting. Other things you need to think about are sound. The sound system is most likely to be more costly than the Video portion, depending on your quality preference.

What do I have for a system? The projector I have is a Compaq model which is out of production because they were bought by Hewlit Packard. It is only 1000 Ansi Lumens but I use it in a 100% light controlable room. It is native XGA because I also have it hooked to my computer for displaying digital images and playing computer games big screen. It has a DVI input and a 15 pin VGA computer input along with the standard S and Composite inputs. I did have to buy an adapter cable to allow for Component input but that was Ok since the entire package cost me just at $1000. I ceiling mounted it for another $25 for the mount. I have some connections for cheaper prices on certain hardware items as such, mine was used and I adapted it to my projector, yours may cost $125 or so. My screen I got from work. It was being thrown out because the spring roller mechanism was shot. I used the material and stretched it over a wodden frame which I mounted to the wall and masked with some black foam core board. I also made my own masking for the different aspect ratios, the full screen 4:3, the wide screen 16:9 and the one no one talks about much which is a little larger than 16:9 in heighth. I makes a big difference if you do something like this because you block out all the white screen which enhances the contrast ratio. That's the video part. My Audio side is a Kenwood 6.1 THX certified receiver. Do a search and find the best price, I paid just under $300 for this and you can't touch it at Best Buy/Circuit City for $100 more. I put the most into the speakers. I have Klipsch Heresy speakers for left and right, a Klipsch Reference Center Channel speaker, a Klipsch 12" 600 watt RMS sub woofer, two Polk Audio bi polar/dipolar surounds and a Mission 3 way speaker for the rear center channel. I would estimate the speakers valued cumulatively at around $2000. Let me tell you, that sub rocks the concrete walls and floor of this basement room. If you are in another room and hear this system, you would swear there was a violent storm raging outside. That is exactly what it sounds like! Clear as a bell and you feel every action packed explosion.

Any way, if you have some questions please feel free to PM me and I can send you my e mail and help you get what you can afford and really need. This isn't a I've got the best issue, but the I'm very satisfied with what I have issue.

Just FYI-

The NEC 240K and 260K is a complete redesign of the optics /bulb/reflector from the 240 and 260 series. They are even more advanced and brighter than the HT1000- which is considered one of the best PJ's avaialble in terms of image quality- though there are higher res units.

The 240 series is short throw lens - meaning it can be close to the screen and throw a big image- while the 260 has a long throw lens- for projecting from the back of a room - far away.

Also DLPs have a rainbow effect (color flicker from it's spinning wheel- I had one and one friend hated it) that some people are sensitive to, so best to try and see one first or buy from someplace with a return policy. LCD's have no rainbow- but they have fixed pattern noise - kind of like stripes you see sometmes.
SOny is better at this - but is more expensive.

That's why I love the Sanyo Z2 right now- the one caveat is that LCD's optics are not sealed- so from time to time you may get small dust balls inside- requring you to take the cover off and blow it out with compressed air- whole think takes 5 minutes- but it is an issue with this unit.

Does anyone have any opinions on the Nec LT170?

As of now, I am leaning very heavy on the X1. All I have heard is that it is such a good projector for the money. I just really would like to step it up to XGA. I am gonna go shop around this weekend and see if I can compare some pjs hands on.

-=JiM

We are evaluating the NEC LT260K right now for possilbe use in some of our classrooms in the new building. This is a nice projector but I am unaware of it's current pricing since we do not pay consumer prices for equipment because of a grant offered to education by NEC.

Personally, I agree about DLP vs. LCD, I am a die hard LCD fan and think the colors are more vivid on an LCD projector. I have seen both side by side and I still prefer LCD but studies have shown just the oposite. It's a matter of opinion.

The specs on the Sanyo Z2, as mentioned by emailists, above are very nice with the only criticism being 800 lumen output. If you have the ability to limit light, this would be a fine projector with it's features. One of the nicest specs has to do with it's contrast ratio of 1300:1. That is impressive for an LCD which normally has a contrast ratio of 400 - 600:1. The input capability is superb in that it supports every format currently available to consumers without having to use an adapter cable of some sort. In controled lighting situations, I would highly recommend this projector for a Home Theater set up. There is a downside, however, as doing a quick search I couldn't find it for under $1900 which limits your budget for other Home Theater needs.

The key factor here is get what you can be satisfied with at the price you can afford.

Originally posted by j1mb0x99
Does anyone have any opinions on the Nec LT170?

As of now, I am leaning very heavy on the X1. All I have heard is that it is such a good projector for the money. I just really would like to step it up to XGA. I am gonna go shop around this weekend and see if I can compare some pjs hands on.

-=JiM

Minimal inputs, yet bright, high contrast and small. Different shape than most projectors.

Both the LT170 and the X1 are DLP projectors. Go to the site about DLP that I mentioned a few posts up and see how this technologyy works, it's fascinating yet frightening that so much can go on in such a given moment of time...thousands of tiny motorized mirrors...

Don't forget to post what you did and your honest opinion afterwards, I am interested in what people think of this technology.

I learned about the differences of LCD and DLP a while ago, but that site gives the best description of DLP I have seen yet (even though it made my internet explorer lock up half way through). I am leaning towards DLP since it is said that it is better for video than LCD. I learned most of what I know from projector-central.com.

edit: I found the Dell 3300MP (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/proj_3300mp?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=specstab) . It is dlp XGA, 1700:1 contrast, and 1500 lumens. Haven't found much about pricing. What are some opinions on this one?

=JiM

P.S. Magnesium, I sent you a couple of P.M.s since I couldn't find your email.

simplest way to understand the 16:9 is this: look straight ahead and hold your hands out as far to the left hand right as you can and still see them. then hold one hand above eye level and the other below as far as you can and still see them.

that's 16:9 it is the avg. size of the field of vision for a human

The X1 rocks.. it has a very short throw distance.. The image you see in this pic here is roughly 60 inches in diameter. The projector is exactly 8 feet from the projected image.

http://home.socal.rr.com/mozzy/racing/race4.jpg

Originally posted by zoom44
simplest way to understand the 16:9 is this: look straight ahead and hold your hands out as far to the left hand right as you can and still see them. then hold one hand above eye level and the other below as far as you can and still see them.

that's 16:9 it is the avg. size of the field of vision for a human

LOL.. I tried that and the "box" I got seems VERY VERY VERY wide.. I guess I must have excellent peripheral vision, cuz I can see both my hands almost spreaded completely (about 80 degrees from center each side).. Not exactly a good "analogy" for what 16:9 is.. everyone is different.

The simplest way I think is just to visualize two perfect squares next to each other, then shorten it a tad, cuz 16:9 is
almost 18:9, which is 2:1

hey, what is the highest resolution for projectors out there? how much do they cost? is it possible to get a second hand projector with around 500~600 bucks?

thanks

If you haven't already found it, another VERY good site for projector info is Projector Central (http://www.projectorcentral.com/). The InFocus X1 is one of this site's "highly recomended" home theatre projectors in the under $1500 range. The Optoma EzPro 735 is also "highly recomended" but as a mobile presentation projector. So I guess your choice may depend on your primary application. Someday I hope to switch to a home theatre projecter, but my current living sittuation isn't condusive to the low light and screen space requirements.

Just my two cents, but though I'm more of a music junkie than video junkie, I still like big pictures. Right now I'm using a Hitachi CP-S225. The price was fair, and it sure beats watching the 27" TV for movies. I do have a bit of a home theatre system, though nothing to bragg about. Like I said before, big pictures make me happy. This projector is also used as my computer monitor. I kick back with wireless keyboard and mouse in my Lazy Boy and surf away! As far as light goes, this projector is pretty bright and I can watch it all day as long as the drapes are closed. (BTW my window faces East)

Ok, after much research and alot of contemplation I am down to three models. All of them are DLP and XGA. My choices are the benq pb6200 (http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-PB6200.htm) , the dell 3300MP (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/proj_3300mp?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs) , and the NEC lt170 (http://www.necd.de/productfiles/359_LT170_e.pdf). They are all very similar performance wise. Does anyone have any experiance with any of these? I am really close to purchasing, I just need to decide between the three. Thanks again to all who have replied and given information.

=-JiM

I used to own the dell 3200 - I think almost identical to the 3300 except for the new Picture in picture feature. It was a really nice projector- my first- hopfeully rainbows don't bother you- becuase they are there in all DLP expecially lower cost unti with only 2X color wheels). But the Sanyo Z2 I mentioned is light years ahead of the dell in features and picture quality at only $1900. OK actually maybe the dell was better when looking at ratty old cable TV- but on good sources the Z2 can't be beat- no matter what you get, get a goo screen- rather paint yourself one.

Also in the DLP school the NEC 240k is the best though a little more.

I finally decided which projector to get and I decided on the BenQ PB6200 (http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-PB6200.htm) . These were my conditions and it met all of them.
1) XGA
2) DLP
3) 4:3
4) >1200 lumens
5) > 1000:1 c.r.

Plus, it has a 3x color wheel which will help with rainbows. Right now I have another decision. If I buy it before the 29th it comes with a free replacement bulb. On the other hand, I would like to save up a bit more before I make my purchase. There is also rumor that the free bulb offer may be extended. It would only take me a month to save up enough to get it but I also have zero balance on my Credit card and I want it now.
And I used to be so financially responsible before I got my job.
Anyone have any advice?

=--JiM

OK... time to revive a dead thread... but I got my projector!
To recap, I ordered the BenQ 6200. It is an XGA, DLP projector with 1700 lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. I have had it for about a week and let me tell you, it rocks! I absolutely love it.
Right now I have no permanent stand for it or a permanent screen. These are things I will eventually get to. I am thinking about using the Goo solutions to paint the wall, but since I am living in an apt. and my lease is up in july I think I will just repaint with a good quality matte white paint.
Concering rainbows, I still see them a little, but it is only when I try to and if I don't over do the screen size and sit too close it is not a problem.
Here is a couple of pictures... the first is the unit. Yes, it is sitting on top of a dish pan on top of a chair. It is the best I can do for now and I promise... I will work on a better mounting system in the weeks to come. I'm thinking of building a shelf to put it on as well as the progressive scan dvd player I am gonna buy.
My BenQ 6200 projector (sitting on a dish pan on a chair) (http://bobafettm.bobafettm.com/j1mx99/files/Pictures/P3260008.JPG)
next picture is of the screen with a fully lit room. It is pretty washed out, but this is on a poor quality white wall in full light. what more do you really want?
This is a picture of the screen (my wall) with the lights on (http://bobafettm.bobafettm.com/j1mx99/files/Pictures/P3260010.JPG)
next is with the lights fully off. the picture is skewed since I had to take the picture at an angle. It is also darker than it looks in person. By the way... this is at a 95" screen size. yeah, and I even contemplated buying a plasma.
Here is a picture of the screen (my wall again) with the lights off (http://bobafettm.bobafettm.com/j1mx99/files/Pictures/P3260001.JPG)
Either way, let me know what you think. I have many improvements on the way, namely proper mounting and a proper screen. These pictures are out of the box settings too so I have that to play with. I am VERY happy with this purchase. Thanks to everyone who gave ideas and opinions along the way.

=---JiM

I think you made the right decision because you are the happy one. So long as you satisfy yourself, other opinions are not valid. However, since you asked, I think it does look nice. I'd like to see a pic of a movie instead of just your desktop but, it looks good. :D

After looking at TVs I finally went ahead with a projector. For a little more you can make the screen as big as you want and it's 80% more efficient than a TV. In a few years bulbs will be a non issue with lazer technology and I predict more people will go with projectors. Here's my setup:

Screen: 100" fixed Stewart screen (best brand out there)

Projector: Mitsubishi 6500

Receiver: Pioneer VSX 1080

Speakers: Fluance AV-HTB

It's not fully setup yet, I still have to paint the room but so far I'm very satisfied. If you have the space do it. I'll post pics when complete.

Gud choice! Enjoy not having to deal with crying kids, whispering teens, at the movie theater now! Still remember in 2004 when they made this thread, people were talking vga projector resolutions!

How many feet from viewing surface is the lens, and how many inches is your image diagonal?

I don't know why people do "50 inch" tv anymore now that projector are so good. 50 inch is so tini!

How many feet from viewing surface is the lens, and how many inches is your image diagonal?

It's 15 ft lens to screen. 100" diagonal. My advice to anyone is don't skimp on the screen or projector. Stewart screens are the only way to go. I paid $1599 for my fixed 100" diagonal at BB. Don't worry about going electric either. I've heard horror stories of screens not rolling up properly and pinching the material (ask Tracy Mcgrady).

Projectors have gotten much better and cheaper in the past year alone. You can get a good one for under 2K. My wife and I are done with movie theatres. It's really amazing.

Sounds like a great setup. I went relatively budget with my system a couple years ago and I still get comments on the picture. While I agree that you should not skimp on your screen, it doesn't mean you need to spend a lot. I built a wilsonart laminate screen and its been great. Check avsforums for some really cool diy acoustical screens and paints if you don't have the means to get a professional screen. I'll have to dig out my "finished" basement. i hope to ride the storm with my current projector to see what should be coming out in terms of 3d and other technologies. I have been itching to go 2:35:1 though.

I went relatively budget with my system a couple years ago and I still get comments on the picture. While I agree that you should not skimp on your screen, it doesn't mean you need to spend a lot. I built a wilsonart laminate screen and its been great. Check avsforums for some really cool diy acoustical screens and paints if you don't have the means to get a professional screen. I'll have to dig out my "finished" basement.

I'm sure your screen looks good and there is nothing wrong with going budget.
I took that route with the speakers. I though Bose was top of the line but they really aren't. My Canadian Fluance speakers are dirt cheap and sound great. CNET gave them a good review as well.

I've never seen any other screens besides mine so I can't say if there is a substanial difference but I do know that mine is designed for HD. It's a good investment because it doesn't depreciate like electronics and I have the comfort of knowing I'm getting the best screen quality available.