Projector, here I come..........maybe.

[Rustolem]

Well since Mitsubishi is shutting down there DLP production my current Mits 92" DLP will be the last. Sooo I thought I would start doing some research on maybe adding a projector or making a projector my permanent option.
For me my total hour usage is around minimum 65 hours (don't judge) a week. My question is can you really use a "projector" as much as you do a regular TV?
If was able to move forward to a projector it would mean moving up to at least a 106" to 120" screen as well.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Rustolem

[roar]

Originally Posted by Rustolem

Well since Mitsubishi is shutting down there DLP production my current Mits 92" DLP will be the last. Sooo I thought I would start doing some research on maybe adding a projector or making a projector my permanent option.
For me my total hour usage is around minimum 65 hours (don't judge) a week. My question is can you really use a "projector" as much as you do a regular TV?
If was able to move forward to a projector it would mean moving up to at least a 106" to 120" screen as well.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Rustolem

I've come up with the following:

- Bulb life... no reason you can't use a projector as much as a TV, but you will be replacing the bulb more frequently than others who use it less. I don't see this as a reason why you couldn't do it but it remains a consideration. 65 hours a week is 3,380 hours a year, which could mean annual bulb purchases for you if you want optimum quality.

- Room ambiance... with the majority of projectors giving their best performance in a nearly dark to completely dark room I could see that causing some long term eye fatigue, maybe that's the wrong word, but I would think there could be some draw backs to spending an average of 9 hours a day in a dark room.

Those are a couple of things I think could impact someone from not wanting a projector as a primary display.

[Trogdor2010]

You can, but you'll need to know the limitations of using it as a TV, notably the shorter bulb life (usually 2000, although some designs may go igher) due to the fact that many projectors are small boxes that produce a lot of light with little gain.

Your Mits DLP TV has similar issues, but since the mirrors in the TV increase the apparent light output, it doesn't need a higher wattage lamp like a projector, so it can have a longer bulb life as well as being cheaper than most front projector bulbs. What it does is actually similar to a high gain screen (used for reflecting and directing the light path to appear brighter), which is known for hotspotting (brightness is different based on seating).

If you are going for a projector, go with a screen close to neutral gain (1.0) screen if you intend on larger groups of people. High gain screens and rear projection TVs are okay with smaller groups of people that sit very close to the "sweet spot".

You may want to consider getting a LED projector in the future, which gets rid of most of the issues with bulbs, notably a lifespan that can outlast the projector itself, and lower heat emission. They are still expensive, with the cheapest one being the Viewsonic Pro9000, which can be had for about $3000 (despite lukewarm reviews, it's a good, if expensive option for a TV projector). However, there are even cheaper data projectors that are LED, and I would still wait to see what they are going to release.

[Rustolem]

Originally Posted by roar

I've come up with the following:

- Bulb life... no reason you can't use a projector as much as a TV, but you will be replacing the bulb more frequently than others who use it less. I don't see this as a reason why you couldn't do it but it remains a consideration. 65 hours a week is 3,380 hours a year, which could mean annual bulb purchases for you if you want optimum quality.

- Room ambiance... with the majority of projectors giving their best performance in a nearly dark to completely dark room I could see that causing some long term eye fatigue, maybe that's the wrong word, but I would think there could be some draw backs to spending an average of 9 hours a day in a dark room.

Those are a couple of things I think could impact someone from not wanting a projector as a primary display.

Hey thanks for the response,
As for the bulb I already have to usually replace 1 a year for the Mits anyway so big problem there.
I should have stated in me first post what I will be using the projector for, it will be DIrectv, PC, Blurays and Xbox gaming.
I spend alot of time on just the pc which is usually why its on so long on the weekends.
As for light control, I am currently using a 19x8x19 living room with only one open door, have 1 bay window that has black out shades on so when you turn the light out in here in the middle of the day its pitch black.
I am just curious about being able to leave it on for 12 to 17 continuous on Sat and Sun. Also what gaming and PC will look like on a 106+ screen.

Thanks

[Rustolem]

Originally Posted by Trogdor2010

You can, but you'll need to know the limitations of using it as a TV, notably the shorter bulb life (usually 2000, although some designs may go igher) due to the fact that many projectors are small boxes that produce a lot of light with little gain.

Your Mits DLP TV has similar issues, but since the mirrors in the TV increase the apparent light output, it doesn't need a higher wattage lamp like a projector, so it can have a longer bulb life as well as being cheaper than most front projector bulbs. What it does is actually similar to a high gain screen (used for reflecting and directing the light path to appear brighter), which is known for hotspotting (brightness is different based on seating).

If you are going for a projector, go with a screen close to neutral gain (1.0) screen if you intend on larger groups of people. High gain screens and rear projection TVs are okay with smaller groups of people that sit very close to the "sweet spot".

You may want to consider getting a LED projector in the future, which gets rid of most of the issues with bulbs, notably a lifespan that can outlast the projector itself, and lower heat emission. They are still expensive, with the cheapest one being the Viewsonic Pro9000, which can be had for about $3000 (despite lukewarm reviews, it's a good, if expensive option for a TV projector). However, there are even cheaper data projectors that are LED, and I would still wait to see what they are going to release.

Thanks, still very knew to the whole "projector" thing, will have to do alot of reading. As for me I am and will be the only one watching, so I the dead center spot and right now I am about 11' from my DLP for the projection screen it would be pushed back about another 4' away.
And also was prepared to invest at least what I paid for the DLP when I bought it new.

Thanks

[roar]

Originally Posted by Rustolem

Thanks, still very knew to the whole "projector" thing, will have to do alot of reading. As for me I am and will be the only one watching, so I the dead center spot and right now I am about 11' from my DLP for the projection screen it would be pushed back about another 4' away.
And also was prepared to invest at least what I paid for the DLP when I bought it new.

Thanks

Just checked out your gallery... MAN that's a big screen for a rear projection set, holy smokes! You first mentioned that Mits is shutting down that division, are they also shutting down parts for it? Is that why you are considering a move to projection? That TV looks pretty great, I'd keep that as long as you can.

[Rustolem]

Originally Posted by roar

Just checked out your gallery... MAN that's a big screen for a rear projection set, holy smokes! You first mentioned that Mits is shutting down that division, are they also shutting down parts for it? Is that why you are considering a move to projection? That TV looks pretty great, I'd keep that as long as you can.

Yeah its a 92", the biggest they make, I was hoping they would squeeze out at least a 100" in 2013. The only limitation I could see was the standard entry door sizes, but that ain't gonna happen now.
No not to worried about parts right now, although I will get another lamp next week, I think it would be at least a year before they become hard to get.
I was thinking about just getting a drop down screen in front of the DLP for movies but with this being the last one they will make, that has me thinking about moving to projection screen only.

[Rustolem]

Originally Posted by roar

Just checked out your gallery... MAN that's a big screen for a rear projection set, holy smokes! You first mentioned that Mits is shutting down that division, are they also shutting down parts for it? Is that why you are considering a move to projection? That TV looks pretty great, I'd keep that as long as you can.

What's the size of the screen you are using now in your gallery?
And where did you get the Iron Man 2 and Leon posters, really like that style over the plain old movie poster.

Thanks

[roar]

Originally Posted by Rustolem

What's the size of the screen you are using now in your gallery?
And where did you get the Iron Man 2 and Leon posters, really like that style over the plain old movie poster.

Thanks

My screen is 122" wide, 140" diagonal. I sit about 12ft - 13ft away from it.

The movie posters are commissioned screen prints done by a couple of different 'niche' theatres in the states.

The Iron Man 2 is done by an artist by the name of Tyler Stout who does a lot of work for The Alamo Drafthouse. The Alamo Drafthouse has art/t-shirt arm called Mondotees.com who do a lot of poster work.

The Leon poster is by an artist named James Rheem Davis and he does work for Cinema Overdrive.

There is a pretty active 'Poster' thread in the Home Theater General Discussion sub-forum that has lots of chatter on these types of prints:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=97777

[Rustolem]

Originally Posted by roar

My screen is 122" wide, 140" diagonal. I sit about 12ft - 13ft away from it.

The movie posters are commissioned screen prints done by a couple of different 'niche' theatres in the states.

The Iron Man 2 is done by an artist by the name of Tyler Stout who does a lot of work for The Alamo Drafthouse. The Alamo Drafthouse has art/t-shirt arm called Mondotees.com who do a lot of poster work.

The Leon poster is by an artist named James Rheem Davis and he does work for Cinema Overdrive.

There is a pretty active 'Poster' thread in the Home Theater General Discussion sub-forum that has lots of chatter on these types of prints:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=97777

As soon as I read the word "niche" I knew I couldn't afford those.
And you screen is what I would want but need to be able to make it my full time viewing room. Only have the living room to use.

Thanks

[roar]

Originally Posted by Rustolem

As soon as I read the word "niche" I knew I couldn't afford those.
And you screen is what I would want but need to be able to make it my full time viewing room. Only have the living room to use.

Thanks

They cost a little more than the ones you can buy at allposters.com for sure, but I like them If you can get them the day they are released they can be had for about $65... that is a real big IF though, there is a lot of demand for them, obtaining them is pretty much a sport.

I really like your current setup to be honest. 93" is nothing to sneeze at, your Axoim's look awesome! I aspire to owning 3 of those M80's across my front sound stage one day, bi-amped and the works

[Rustolem]

Originally Posted by roar

They cost a little more than the ones you can buy at allposters.com for sure, but I like them If you can get them the day they are released they can be had for about $65... that is a real big IF though, there is a lot of demand for them, obtaining them is pretty much a sport.

I really like your current setup to be honest. 93" is nothing to sneeze at, your Axoim's look awesome! I aspire to owning 3 of those M80's across my front sound stage one day, bi-amped and the works

Well I was thinking alot more than that, will have to check them out then.
Hate to say but I got rid of my Axiom L/C/R, but did keep my QS8's for the rears, they are the best I have ever heard. I have replaced my Axioms with Aperion Verus Grands and I couldn't be happier. The Axioms had a "loud" which is good but no clarity as far as what I heard. Putting an amp helped my center channel some but not enough. My Aperions especially the center channel is so much cleaner and better sound. But that's just my opinion on them, I am no "audiophile" its just what I felt when I listened to them.