Ryan G
I want to buy a projector for my basement and want the best picture possible. Any ideas what the best brand is? I keep reading about lumens. How many lumens should I be looking for? Thanks
My price range is from $500 to $850
Not really looking for used but would this be a nice projector? The native resolution is 800x600. I thought that seemed a little low. Is it a nice unit?
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/1250685771.html
Answer
As with many things you get what you pay for. There are cheap projectors and good video quality, but not from the same projector. That said, your budget can (probably) cover a budget 720p model, such as the Mitsubishi HD1600 (See 1st link). Note 1080p starts at about $2000 and goes up from there..
For video use in a dark room (recommended) as little as 600 lumens is sufficient ... but these days a 1500 lumen model is fairly average. Any more is for use in ambient light.
800x600 is a bit low resolution. OK for DVD on a smallish screen (say under 70"-80") in a dark room, but not adequate for a 100" screen or Blu-ray use.
See the last 2 links for further info and reviews/recommendations
Note that while a screen can cost $thousands, you can make your own screen for less than $100 (See last link)
Despite what the other respondent says, projectors can give as good a picture as a plasma and for the same price you will get at least 2x the picture size. They are not for everyone ... but my wife and I wouldn't go back to a "small" screen (i.e. 50"-60").
As with many things you get what you pay for. There are cheap projectors and good video quality, but not from the same projector. That said, your budget can (probably) cover a budget 720p model, such as the Mitsubishi HD1600 (See 1st link). Note 1080p starts at about $2000 and goes up from there..
For video use in a dark room (recommended) as little as 600 lumens is sufficient ... but these days a 1500 lumen model is fairly average. Any more is for use in ambient light.
800x600 is a bit low resolution. OK for DVD on a smallish screen (say under 70"-80") in a dark room, but not adequate for a 100" screen or Blu-ray use.
See the last 2 links for further info and reviews/recommendations
Note that while a screen can cost $thousands, you can make your own screen for less than $100 (See last link)
Despite what the other respondent says, projectors can give as good a picture as a plasma and for the same price you will get at least 2x the picture size. They are not for everyone ... but my wife and I wouldn't go back to a "small" screen (i.e. 50"-60").
What would be good for a projector movie screen?
Katie Byrd
Im having a bonfire/ movie party where a get a projector and and a big white thingy and hang it from two trees that are beside each other and project the movie of that. But the thing is I don't know what the white thing would be. I need something that is about 21 ft by 21 ft and it has to be cheap. I was thinking maybe a tarp but I don't know if they make them that big. And btw it is going to be outdoors.... for those people that are dumb LOL JK!
Answer
wow, thatâs pretty big.
You are at the point where a presentation projector or home projector just wonât cut it. You need to look into more professional units. A sheet might be disappointing but if your set on it you might be able to find large pieces of fabric from a textile company. One such place is www.rosebrand.com
I would recommend scaling back. A 10 x 14 foot screen is pretty huge and its a standard size in the pro area. (itâs also the right aspect ratio for HD which your going to want to do at that size.)
If youâre looking to buy this you should keep an eye on e-bay. Thereâs a lot of stuff there to fit the bill. Thereâs a company Called DaLite that makes screens in that size. They are usually on ebay all the time. You should be able to just get the screen and not have to waste the money on the frames and stuff. You want something thatâs White and "Front Projection". Thereâs rear mattes but they are more pricy and require a brighter projector. I took a quick look on e-bay and found a full kit. You just want the screen but this will give you an idea what im talking about. The kits are great BTW, if you want to drop the cash. EBay item #360124400726
As for the projector. I recommend renting if this is something youâre only going to use a few times a year. There are rental houses in most major areas. (If you in So Cali i can recommend one or two) If your going to wait till its fairly dark then you can get away with as little as 2200 ANSI. (Thatâs the measurement of brightness for a projector) i would suggest something closer to 3500 ANSI. These can set you back a few grand for a good used one and you always have to consider the bulbs (Which need replacing and are a few hundred dollars). Renting should only cost $150-250 a weekend and the bulbs and maintenance are someone elseâs problem. We could get into all the resolutions and all that but you should play with some rentals before you get into making that kind of investment.
To sum it up.... Buy the screen used and rent the projector. I have done this a few times and its awesome. Youâre going to love it. Have you considered how youâre going to play the audio? A screen that size tells me youâre going to have a few people watching. Computer speakers arenât going to cut it. If this is all still over your budget, you can rent the whole kit. Projector/Screen should set you back anywhere from 350/550 depending on area. It wont be 21'x21' but it will be big and get the job done.
Good Luck! Your going to have a blast.
wow, thatâs pretty big.
You are at the point where a presentation projector or home projector just wonât cut it. You need to look into more professional units. A sheet might be disappointing but if your set on it you might be able to find large pieces of fabric from a textile company. One such place is www.rosebrand.com
I would recommend scaling back. A 10 x 14 foot screen is pretty huge and its a standard size in the pro area. (itâs also the right aspect ratio for HD which your going to want to do at that size.)
If youâre looking to buy this you should keep an eye on e-bay. Thereâs a lot of stuff there to fit the bill. Thereâs a company Called DaLite that makes screens in that size. They are usually on ebay all the time. You should be able to just get the screen and not have to waste the money on the frames and stuff. You want something thatâs White and "Front Projection". Thereâs rear mattes but they are more pricy and require a brighter projector. I took a quick look on e-bay and found a full kit. You just want the screen but this will give you an idea what im talking about. The kits are great BTW, if you want to drop the cash. EBay item #360124400726
As for the projector. I recommend renting if this is something youâre only going to use a few times a year. There are rental houses in most major areas. (If you in So Cali i can recommend one or two) If your going to wait till its fairly dark then you can get away with as little as 2200 ANSI. (Thatâs the measurement of brightness for a projector) i would suggest something closer to 3500 ANSI. These can set you back a few grand for a good used one and you always have to consider the bulbs (Which need replacing and are a few hundred dollars). Renting should only cost $150-250 a weekend and the bulbs and maintenance are someone elseâs problem. We could get into all the resolutions and all that but you should play with some rentals before you get into making that kind of investment.
To sum it up.... Buy the screen used and rent the projector. I have done this a few times and its awesome. Youâre going to love it. Have you considered how youâre going to play the audio? A screen that size tells me youâre going to have a few people watching. Computer speakers arenât going to cut it. If this is all still over your budget, you can rent the whole kit. Projector/Screen should set you back anywhere from 350/550 depending on area. It wont be 21'x21' but it will be big and get the job done.
Good Luck! Your going to have a blast.
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