Advice to decide a affordable Projector

[Thunderbird8k]

Hello Friends,

I am not a pro like most of you guys, so i need your advice to purchase my first projector. Firstly Dad has agreed to invest max 45k for this new toy. I won't be using it regularly. Only weekend movie or sometime after a week or two. I will be using mainly with PS3 to watch movies. Because of tight budget, i am having trouble to decide a decent project to fulfil my desire of having one. Fellow respected member, very good friend of mine crossbow explained and suggested to go for projector with DLP, optoma and above all go for a new one. So today i was checking various websites to learn (still learning) what is LCD, DLP, Lumens and all. I have shortlisted these two from Amazon:

-Hitachi CP-WX3041WN Projector
-Optoma X341 3300 Lumens XGA 3D DLP Projector with Superior Lamp Life and HDMI

-Optoma W331 3200 Lumen WXGA Widescreen 3D DLP Projector

Room Size is : 12'x20'

I have skipped some brands like Play projectors etc. And i don't have any source to import one from abroad.
I need your suggestion which model do you guys suggest in this price range, pro, cons and less lamp replacement cost. Many thanks guys for your valuable in suggestions

[ravenus]

Don't have a projector myself so this is not advice on what projector to buy, but...

Why buy a projector if you plan to use it as infrequently, as a couple times a week? If it's not used regularly, there is a chance that moisture/mildew may affect the lens.
Also, from what I understand, the lamp costs will over the projector's lifetime (assuming 8-10 years) reach almost as much as the projector itself, so your dad might get pissed if he finds that every couple years he has to pay 15-20% of the original cost for replacement. Are you earning or a student? If the latter, my advice would be to wait till you start earning so you can share the costs with dad

[Thunderbird8k]

I am earning but bro have (actually not really have to but i think its nice to take his advice) to ask dad first for this So he allowed me to not to invest more than this on the projector thing. I just don't want to shell out more money on big screen TV. Already have 40" but i want to experience bigger screen at home.
Occasionally, i meant that a movie at weekend but not everyday. How many married ppl with kid have time to watch movie everyday.

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by Thunderbird8k

Hello Friends,

I am not a pro like most of you guys, so i need your advice to purchase my first projector. Firstly Dad has agreed to invest max 45k for this new toy. I won't be using it regularly. Only weekend movie or sometime after a week or two. I will be using mainly with PS3 to watch movies. Because of tight budget, i am having trouble to decide a decent project to fulfil my desire of having one. Fellow respected member, very good friend of mine crossbow explained and suggested to go for projector with DLP, optoma and above all go for a new one. So today i was checking various websites to learn (still learning) what is LCD, DLP, Lumens and all. I have shortlisted these two from Amazon:

-Hitachi CP-WX3041WN Projector
-Optoma X341 3300 Lumens XGA 3D DLP Projector with Superior Lamp Life and HDMI

Room Size is : 12'x20'

I have skipped some brands like Play projectors etc. And i don't have any source to import one from abroad.
I need your suggestion which model do you guys suggest in this price range, pro, cons and less lamp replacement cost. Many thanks guys for your valuable in suggestions

$45,000????!!!!! And you're on a budget??? Did I miss something? Maybe you meant $4.5k, which, in my opinion is still a lot more than you should need... No matter what anyone says, you cannot beat the ability to watch a movie on a 100"+ screen! I have had my Benq W7000 3D DLP projector for several years and never looked back. I paid less than $2000 about 5 years ago and I still have the same lamp (knocks on wood). I do have a multi-purpose set-up though, with both a Plasma and the Projector. I use the Plasma for normal day viewing or non-movie viewing and my projector for movie time! My electric screen comes down, in front of the plasma, from the ceiling (concealed behind a velvet "valance" I built). You can check out my gallery for pictures and more details. Good luck!

[Thunderbird8k]

@vega2k: lol no bro i am talking about Indian rupee Rs.45000, not USD $45k. Will surely check your gallery. Very nice set up, I'm just a noob here

[crossbow]

Projectors which you have searched are all WXGA / XGA projectors.

They support a "source" which sends 1080p resolution image, but they will project that image on 1200 X 800 OR 1024 X 768 resolution.

For 45K, It will be very hard to get 3D, DLP, >2700 lumens, Full HD (with Indian warranty) projector. Unless you get any info on some shop in grey market.

Here are some models to get confuse with . (But again, you will need to opt for import)

Optoma HD27 / HD28
Optoma HD142x
BenQ BH3020

I do not have much knowledge on comparison between 3LCD and DLP, so I have not suggested any Epson model. But you can look for any Epson offering within your budget as well. And all above models are not short throw IIRC. So consider projection distance as well.

Indian prices are just foobar. So forget about it.

[Thunderbird8k]

Ok you mean to say xga or wxga both are almost same wxga just sort of upscale to 1200x800. It's not HD. Please correct me if I'm wrong bro.

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[crossbow]

Yes correct


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[Thunderbird8k]

Any suggestion on this:
Optoma W331 3200 Lumen WXGA Widescreen 3D DLP Projector
atleast it will upscale if full hd is out of budget.

Secondly, i visited local epson dealer and he recommended me this model: Epson EB-U32, he said it is 2k and recommended for home theatre usage. Price he quote: 57000 including taxes.
But he also said if i purchase this online from any store like amazon, epson will not give warranty aisa bhi hota hai kya?

[Ysvsr1]

Originally Posted by Thunderbird8k

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if you know any friend or relative in US, you can get a better projector with that budget. i recommend epson brand because their customer service is awesome. dont worry about occasional use..i also use projector only during weekend and some weekends don't..no moisture or no other issue. you will definitely love projector..so think twice and choose the better one.

i dont recommend 3d..it is not worth in my opinion. make sure you have good customer care and higher contrast ratio and better bulb life..avforums is the best source to learn about home theater setup starting from basics..all the best

[Thunderbird8k]

Thats the problem, I have no source abroad. So local dealer or Amazon is the option for me. Anyways Thanks bro, i will surely check avforums.

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[bugsnest]

The BenQ W1070 is a short throw projector and can be found for under $500 (approx 35K rupees) here in the US. I realize that's not where u r based but if you can source this thru someone or find someone in India who could sell this to you for a reasonable markup then it's worth it. I had used it briefly before I upgraded to a Sony and found it to be very decent. The lamp life is also good and I believe you can find replacement lamps for $100 usually.
And I second what someone else said above. If you have the space and the setting to watch films on a projector then it's an incredible experience. Go for it

[Thunderbird8k]

Just called the Optoma main dealer at bangalore and he also clarified that they will not give any warranty on projector purchased from Amazon or any other ecomerce website.

Any suggestions if dlp or 3lcd is good for home usage. In terms of clarity etc.

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[Ysvsr1]

Originally Posted by Thunderbird8k

Just called the Optoma main dealer at bangalore and he also clarified that they will not give any warranty on projector purchased from Amazon or any other ecomerce website.

Any suggestions if dlp or 3lcd is good for home usage. In terms of clarity etc.

Sent from my XT1562 using Tapatalk

my eposon is 3lcd and picture quality is awesome...read avforums..

[Thunderbird8k]

Finally made my mind to go for Epson's FullHD EBU32 (@INR55000). Because of local availability, on site warranty etc. Options left was Epson EBU32 or Optoma W331 (@INR44000) which was 3D but HDready only.
Guy at Optoma Delhi was very cooperative, but FullHD is out of my budget: INR73000
I have to compromise with 3D, but i hope Epson will serve the purpose.
Thanks to all fellow members for all your help, suggestions and @ Anurag1700 whose listings triggered all this

[Ysvsr1]

Originally Posted by Thunderbird8k

Finally made my mind to go for Epson's FullHD EBU32 (@INR55000). Because of local availability, on site warranty etc. Options left was Epson EBU32 or Optoma W331 (@INR44000) which was 3D but HDready only.
Guy at Optoma Delhi was very cooperative, but FullHD is out of my budget: INR73000
I have to compromise with 3D, but i hope Epson will serve the purpose.
Thanks to all fellow members for all your help, suggestions and @ Anurag1700 whose listings triggered all this

have fun...you will not be disappointed.share your experience.