I am buying a new projector but I cant decide which one to get.?

tjs323

I am buying a new projector but I cant decide which one to get. I have looked at tons of them. I see a good one and then the next one I see its either better or worse. I want one with a GREAT picture, it has to be quiet, it has to be able to connect to my computer, it cant be more than 600 dollars, It has to be able to project a picture close up, and it has to be a nice projector. What would you recomend I get?

Answer
I hate to dissapoint you, but at $600 you have limited choice if your intent is games, HDTV or DVDs ... but you didn't specify.

Projectors fall into three resolution classes: 480p ($500+); 720p ($900+); and, 1080p ($1900+) ... all US prices. Unfortunately the bulk of under $7-800 projectors (and many more expensive) are aimed at business users.

They will work for home use, BUT generally have poor contrast ratio, relatively low resolution, poor video processing, and (often) noisy fans and poor colour accuracy.

Inexpensive projectors are usually DLP based models (rather than LCD), which means they have a spinning colour wheel which -- unless fairly fast (>4X) -- will cause "rainbow effect" (headaches/visual field issues) in susceptible viewers (a small but not insignificant portion of the population). DLP does give a better contrast ratio than LCD though.

You can read more at the projectorcentral.com site you were directed to by another respondent, but the bottom line is at that price range -- unless you want a projector for business presentation type use -- you would be advised to look for an end-of-line, refurbished or used Home Theatre projector.

For example, I came across an ad for a BenQ 8700+ projector for $800 the other day. New, that projector cost over $5000 ... and it even came with a spare lamp. That raises the main issue with used projectors ... the lamps are $300+ so unless you know the lamp is in good shape you could be in for an expensive surprise not long after you buy.

Or, try the InFocus store ... they often have refurbished projectors at very reasonable prices.

I'm not going to suggest a specific projector, but (assuming you are after one for game and movie watching) look for the following characteristics:
- 1000-1500 ANSI Lumens
- fan noise: <28 dB
- VGA, composite, S-video, component (sometimes it's via an adapter to the VGA input) ... and if possible DVI or HDMI (HDCP compliant).
- 800x600 resolution (4:3) or 854x480 (16:9) or better

Read reviews and specs at projectorcentral.com or projectorreviews.com (See link). Projectorcentral.com has a handy calculator to help you determine how big the image will be at a specific distance (2nd link).

Finally, see the last link for a list of used projectors that may be of interest.

Hope this helps.

Looking for a good projector?

Hollywould

under $500 dollars. Just for something cool to put in the mancave im building.

Answer
Wow, this is on sale for $346 (regular $549) I pretty much trust anything ViewSonic.

http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-PJD5134-Projectorwith-Blu-Ray-Integrated/dp/B00A9S3OOC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1376412877&sr=1-2&keywords=projector

If link doesn't work it's the ViewSonic-PJD5134 at Amazon.

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PROJECTOR.... Whats a good projector? List......?

Joshua

Something for 200 or under on ebay? Something that I'm going to be useing in a dark room for watching movies on. It don't have to be a great image but not crappy like a view finder either....

I have a list

1.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-LCD-HOME-THEATER-VIDEO-PROJECTOR-TV-DVD-PC-GAME-/250648208141?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5bcc230d

2.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Optoma-Pico-PK101-DLP-Cell-Phone-Video-Pocket-Projector-/310223559534?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483ac3db6e

3.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Cinemin-Swivel-Pico-Projector-use-w-ipod-8410-/250628927074?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5aa5ee62


I'm Just lost, I don't wanna spend no more then 200-250. I Just want to know which one would be best and if there is anything cheaper out there that is about the same, Please don't tell me about models that are like 100-500 dollars more. I need something within my budget.

Thanks

Answer
Hi

Check the videos on utube just key in projector or a brand name or Chinese projector will usually work and you may find use full addresses in your country to get one.

when i buy an hd projector what kind of specs do i look for?

Diabs

there are 200 dollar projector and then there are 5000 dollar projector...so what should i look into when i buy one?

Answer
You underestimate. Projectors go to well over $50,000. But I get your point. In general you won't get a reasonable projector for HT use for under $500-$600 and $1000 is a better bet. On the other hand there is little need to look beyond $3000. As with most things beyond that small performance gains cost $$$.

See the link for a good starting place. Read the various articles and then think about what you need/want. Every projector is a bit different in terms of specs, strengths and weaknesses and each represents a different benefit-cost point. You can reduce the choices quickly if you know, for example, what light conditions you intend, room size and height, where you want to put the projector (e.g. rear shelf, ceiling) and whether it will be a fixed installation or not.

I spent over 6 months reading about projectors and reviews of specific models before buying my first projector, and it was time well spent.

In general you want the highest resolution you can afford, but you also want adequate brightness (1000-1500 lumens is fine for HT use), contrast ratio (although specs on this are very misleading, so are a guide at best), excellent colour accuracy, and good flexibility to calibrate the image. Features like zoom lens range and lens offset are important for initial setup but usually add cost without impacting performance.

Finally, consider warranty period and cost of replacement lamps. A 2-3 yr warranty and a $250 lamp price can be very attractive relative to 1year and $700!

Good luck.

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Looking for a good projector?

Hollywould

under $500 dollars. Just for something cool to put in the mancave im building.

Answer
Wow, this is on sale for $346 (regular $549) I pretty much trust anything ViewSonic.

http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-PJD5134-Projectorwith-Blu-Ray-Integrated/dp/B00A9S3OOC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1376412877&sr=1-2&keywords=projector

If link doesn't work it's the ViewSonic-PJD5134 at Amazon.

Help me find a Home Theater Projector for me!!???

Lostman24

I want to watch my HDTV and play DVDs, Xbox 360, Wii, and normal TV on the projector, as well as hook up surround sound. I have no idea what all this 480i,1080p blah blah mess is so can someone tell me if that all really matters and which projector is right for me? I was looking at this Dell:

http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-projectors/dell-2400mp-projector/4505-7858_7-31878925.html?tag=prod.txt.5

But I was not sure if it was for Home theater or for presentations...I also looked at the Infocus IN models like the IN1, IN74, ETC...
http://www.infocus.com/Segments/Entertainment/Home%20Entertainment.aspx

I want to spend under $1,000...please help!

Answer
Forget the Dell.

Buying a projector is at least as complicated as buying and HDTV, so before you buy do some reading. I've provided links to two good review sites. They tend to complement each other in terms of observations/focus so it's worth looking at both. The first link also includes a link to a "projector caclulator" that allows you to determine the range of mounting distances to get certain screen sizes (and acceptable brightness) from a particular projector... very useful.

You want to use a projector for all your A/V needs, so consider a couple few issues.

- projectors use expensive lamps ($300-$500/each) that need to be replaced every 2-4000 hr (depending on projector and how used)
- you need a dim/dark room to get the best picture (projectors, unless they are very bright, get washed out by bright lights/windows).
- you need a screen. While this can be as simple as a white wall, for best results you need a dedicated screen. This can be a DIY painted screen (~$100) or as complex as a multi-thousand dollar motorized sreen/masking system.
- Projectors fall into basically two classes (based on use) and three categories (based on resolution):

By Use:
1) Business -- tend to be portable, bright, low contrast, may be 4:3 aspect ratio, poorer video processing, may have fan noise, and
2) home theatre projectors -- tend to be less portable, lower brightness, high contrast, Usually 16:9 aspect, good video processing, quieter

By resolution:
1) 480p (~$500) - SDTV/DVD resolution, best used on screens up to 80-90" maximum,
2) 720p (~$900 and up) - HDTV level resolution, can look good on 100"+ screens
3) 1080p (~$2000 and up) - Analogous to 1080p HDTV. Best picture.

On the basis of your intended use and budget, I'd suggest focussing on 720p HT projectors.

See the listing for "highly rated" HT projectors at the third link ... they are organized by resolution, so you should come down to the 720p (1280x768 or 1280x720) models.

I hope this helps.

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