Q. I want to buy a projector, but I don't know what to buy. I need one to be reasonably priced or inexpensive. It just needs to play dvd's well.
Answer
It's not a simple answer.
But before going into more detail consider that projectors use expensive lamps which need to be replaced every 2-3000 hrs (3-4 yrs based on 2-3 hrs/day). Typical replacement costs are $300-$450. So ... projectors are not inexpensive to run.
You also need a screen (or at least a large white wall). However, you can make a screen for under $100 that will work as well as most commercial screens costing under $1000.
On a positive note, projectors are THE BEST WAY to see movies at home and the only way to reasonably approximate a movie theatre.
There are basically three classes of projectors based on resolution and two classes based on use.
The three resolution based classes are 480, 720 and 1080. Prices start at ~$500, ~$1000, and ~$2200, respectively.
The use classes are business and home theatre. business class projectors are less expensive, tend to be pretty bright, have low contrast ratio (CR) and poorer colour accuracy, and typically have poorer video processing than HT projectors -- which are more expensive, often somewhat less bright, but have better video processing, colour accuracy and CR. HT projectors are more suited to movies.
Given that lamps cost about the same for all projectors there is no advantage to buying a cheap projector.
If the above hasn't scared you off, for movies I would suggest you look at 720 class, HT projectors. See the 1st link for a number of recommended models (and a source of lots of info) and the 2 nd link for more info and reviews.
You can often find a good projector as a discontinued model, or refurbished. Used is not necessarily a good choice since the lamp is often nearly gone, and prices new were probably much higher than the equivalent today so owners often overprice.
Hope that helps.
It's not a simple answer.
But before going into more detail consider that projectors use expensive lamps which need to be replaced every 2-3000 hrs (3-4 yrs based on 2-3 hrs/day). Typical replacement costs are $300-$450. So ... projectors are not inexpensive to run.
You also need a screen (or at least a large white wall). However, you can make a screen for under $100 that will work as well as most commercial screens costing under $1000.
On a positive note, projectors are THE BEST WAY to see movies at home and the only way to reasonably approximate a movie theatre.
There are basically three classes of projectors based on resolution and two classes based on use.
The three resolution based classes are 480, 720 and 1080. Prices start at ~$500, ~$1000, and ~$2200, respectively.
The use classes are business and home theatre. business class projectors are less expensive, tend to be pretty bright, have low contrast ratio (CR) and poorer colour accuracy, and typically have poorer video processing than HT projectors -- which are more expensive, often somewhat less bright, but have better video processing, colour accuracy and CR. HT projectors are more suited to movies.
Given that lamps cost about the same for all projectors there is no advantage to buying a cheap projector.
If the above hasn't scared you off, for movies I would suggest you look at 720 class, HT projectors. See the 1st link for a number of recommended models (and a source of lots of info) and the 2 nd link for more info and reviews.
You can often find a good projector as a discontinued model, or refurbished. Used is not necessarily a good choice since the lamp is often nearly gone, and prices new were probably much higher than the equivalent today so owners often overprice.
Hope that helps.
What LED (portable) Projector?
Faddi A.
::::Someones Experience::::
Well Iâve concluded after a lot of search that LED projector should atleast be 60 lumens, 500-1 to 1000-1 contrast and should have USB or SD card slot. LED projectors brightness level is somewhat better than the conventional lamp based projectors so anything in the range of 100 lumens in enough. Also the biggest advantage of 20000 to 30000 life hours :-D I am now a happy owner of 'Samsungs sp-p410m' LED projector which is absolutely brilliant. Couldnât find it online in UK so ordered one from Korea :p yep i liked it that much :p it has SVGA 800 x 600 resolution, brightness 170ANSI, 1000-1 contrast ratio and 80 inch projection which looks stunningly bright, vivid and crisp on my not so white wall. oh and it has digital keystone correction too :-D inputs are VGA, composite & USB. its around 750$ but worth the money as it will last for 10 to 15 years. I recommend following in order, but plz give specs a LONG good look:
1-Samsung sp-p410m
2-Benq gp1
3-Toshiba TDP-F10
5-Samsung sp-400
4-Acer K10
Please give your suggestions or share your experience.
Thanks
Answer
Led projectors are very dim... the dimmest on the market. Only useful in a very dark room, & small screen. Resolution is no better than DVD resolution or worse on most of them, except the most expensive.
Led projectors are nowhere near as bright as the dimmest lamp-based projectors. Typical popular normal projectors boast 1600-4200 lumens with a contrast ratio of 2000:1.
LED projectors are 10-60 lumens... About the brightness of a very dim penlight flashlight, & very poor contrast ratios. Brighter ones are just now coming out, but still not good or bright enough to be practical.
For the price, you can get a 1600-2700 lumen DLP projector with a 2000:1 contast ratio. They're small enough to fit at least 2 in 1 backpack.
I typically fit 2 small DVD players, mixer, a laptop, & 1 of my DLP projectors in a backpack.
LED projectors are a portable novelty or toy for those with a disposable income, & not really very useful or practical yet. Wait a few years for the technology to get better.
From my experience with super bright LEDs, & the specs on them, is they grow dimmer with age long before their "lifetime" is up. How useful will that dim overpriced projector be if it's grown too dim to barely be seen after 3,000-5,000 hours?
Notice the LED display on your alarm clock, DVD player or VCR has grown too dim in just a few years?
Led projectors are very dim... the dimmest on the market. Only useful in a very dark room, & small screen. Resolution is no better than DVD resolution or worse on most of them, except the most expensive.
Led projectors are nowhere near as bright as the dimmest lamp-based projectors. Typical popular normal projectors boast 1600-4200 lumens with a contrast ratio of 2000:1.
LED projectors are 10-60 lumens... About the brightness of a very dim penlight flashlight, & very poor contrast ratios. Brighter ones are just now coming out, but still not good or bright enough to be practical.
For the price, you can get a 1600-2700 lumen DLP projector with a 2000:1 contast ratio. They're small enough to fit at least 2 in 1 backpack.
I typically fit 2 small DVD players, mixer, a laptop, & 1 of my DLP projectors in a backpack.
LED projectors are a portable novelty or toy for those with a disposable income, & not really very useful or practical yet. Wait a few years for the technology to get better.
From my experience with super bright LEDs, & the specs on them, is they grow dimmer with age long before their "lifetime" is up. How useful will that dim overpriced projector be if it's grown too dim to barely be seen after 3,000-5,000 hours?
Notice the LED display on your alarm clock, DVD player or VCR has grown too dim in just a few years?
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