Business use projector - which one do i get?

bmofo

I need to purchase a replacement projector for one of our conference rooms. The current one is ok, but the colours seem washed out/faded - especially the blues, even with a new bulb fitted.

So I figrue I need to get a better spec projector. The throw is about 5 meters to a 100" screen.

What attributes do i need to concentrate on to get the best colours in my projected image? What make/model do you reccomend for GREAT colours and brightness for a business use? Budget is not an issue.

Answer
Well you must have some budget. You can spend tens of thousand of dollars, depending on how much resolution and brightness you want.

The site Projector Central has a great search engine for choosing features:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm

These are some popular conference room projectors:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/conference-video-projectors.htm

I would personally suggest the Dell 7609WU (about $4500):
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Dell-7609WU.htm
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/25/dell-quietly-introduces-7609wu-dlp-wuxga-projector/
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS291US303&sourceid=chrome&q=7609WU&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16802969654770541177&ei=o3iFSoqSCoSEtge345CvCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4#ps-sellers

which data projector?

Andrew G

Tossing up between the Dell 1209s and the Benq MP620 but not sure which would be the best. Does the Dell allow switching between 4:3 native and 16:9 modes. Anyone have any info or reviews of the above, what would you buy. Mainly to be used for home theater/tv viewing in medium sized room.

Answer
First, you don't want a "data projector", you want one designed for video.

Projectors fall into several broad classes (based on use). In general for the use you specify you want a projector designed for home theatre use ... not business (like the Dell and Benq).

The differences can be subtle, but basically HT projectors put more emphasis on colour accuracy and video processing. In addition the fan noise level is usually lower. There is less emphasis on brightness (since it will be assumed the projector will be used in a light controlled room).

That all said, most projectors can be switched between 16:9 and 4:3. The difference is really in whether the NATIVE resolution is 4:3 or 16:9 (or similar). If 4:3, widescreen images use a subset of the available vertical resolution, while a 16:9 projector will use a higher proportion of the vertical resolution for widescreen images (in the case of a 16:9 image, 100%).

Either the Dell or the Benq will work for HT use, but neither are really designed for that.

See the 1st link for an overview of recommended projectors (a bit dated, but still valid) at various price points. The second link is to another projector review site, and an article on the best HT projectors (probably all too expensive for you .. but there's lot's of other info on this site too).

You would be advised to do some reading and think about your needs/preferences/budget ... then identify some candidates.

A projector is a great idea (I watch HDTV and movies on mine and wouldn't go back to a "normal" TV), but it requires some RESEARCH o find the best one for yours particular needs.

Hope this helps.

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projector for home theater?

WANNA FLY

I'm thinking of getting a projector for my laptop to project movies on the wall of a small apartment. Epson powerlite S5 seems reasonable. any inputs?
Also, am concerned about the electricity bill. is using a projector costly on the utility bills?

Answer
I wouldn't recommend the powerlite or any multimedia\presentation projector for home theater. You will be much better off buying a home theater projector. Multimedia projectors are very bright, but they typically have terrible blacks and sub par video processing. The end result is a washed out picture with tons of motion artifacts. Home theater projectors are designed for watching movies. You can spend a similar amount of money and get a nice home theater projector. I'd personally recommend the Panasonic PT-AX100U. It's very bright, and it has very good video processing and solid blacks. The Panasonic models also eliminate the screen door effect that is the achilles heel of most LCD projectors. Epson makes nice home-theater projectors as well if you are partial to Epson.

Before you buy anything take a look at the following sites:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home-theater-multimedia-projectors.htm
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Read up on some of the projectors in your price range and enjoy.

what are the best qualities to look for when buying a video projector for home theater?

bmystifyin

Answer
Here's a must have list for a home projector:

1. Native contrast level of at least 2000:1; not a dynamic rating;
2. Have a history of long bulb life, exceeding or meeting 3,000 hours;
3. Must be bright enough in a semi-lit room;
4. Should have a built-in speaker so you can play and hear it anywhere without relying on attachment speakers;
5. Must be light, no more than 7 pounds max so it can be taken and moved as a portable projector;
6. The manufacturer must have a track record of good customer service, especially in quickness in acquiring a replacement bulb.
7. Must have built-in deinterlacer and not rely on progressive processing of DVD players. A built-in deinterlacer means that any incoming signals can be processed by the project alone.

Recommendations: Check out the current and older Viewsonic and Infocus models. A used refurbished Infocus SP4805 for $600 from Amazon.com is the best deal in town.

Good luck!

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