What would you choose and why?

[mojo1978]

I'm getting ready to move into this house and I was going to turn the loft into a theater room. The loft is 30' x 22'. My question is should I buy a front projector or the 82" Mitsubishi dlp 82837 or the 72" vizio led lcd. The problem I might have with a front projector would be the light coming from downstairs and with the room being 30' long will that be to long.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by mojo1978

I'm getting ready to move into this house and I was going to turn the loft into a theater room. The loft is 30' x 22'. My question is should I buy a front projector or the 82" Mitsubishi dlp 82837 or the 72" vizio led lcd. The problem I might have with a front projector would be the light coming from downstairs and with the room being 30' long will that be to long.

Easy one for me. I have had the 72" DLP, I currently have a Samsung 52" LCD in one room and a Epson HD projector with 106" Elite Screens Screen in the other and I watch ALL movies on my projector.

Best purchase I have ever made for home theater that the whole family loves.

You can mount the projector 12-18 feet from the screen. Light conditions are another issue.

[ditch-digger]

i would bypass the dlp, 72" led lcd big bling..???? but if you have it..


i went from a 61" dlp, to a 50" lcd to my new baby a epson 1080p projector and a 9' screen..( i dont measure my display in inches anymore...)

[reanimator]

mojo -- depends on what your viewing habits are (movies, TV, gaming). If you love movies, a projector and screen is the only way to go.

Even if the room in 30ft deep, you can still hang the projector closer to your screen wall (depending on the room build, of course).

[ak808]

There are ways to work around ambient light. Higher gain screens, brighter projector, etc... I say go for the front projection, anamorphic lens, and curved screen. Could get a bit pricey but you were planning on a 72" lcd .

[HyperRealist]

Originally Posted by mojo1978

The problem I might have with a front projector would be the light coming from downstairs and with the room being 30' long will that be to long.

The LG CF181D is just hitting the market. It a is super bright 1080p LCoS. Ambient light and long distance shouldn't be a problem.

[crazyBLUE]

I would choose the PJ because it is the best thing I have done for my HT . Along with my amps of course

[Buddy Christ]

I concur...PROJECTOR!!

OH and because bigger is better

[Big Daddy]

Having had 5 LCD projectors since the mid 1990's, three 8 mm and one 16mm film projectors before that, and countless slide projectors over the years, I can tell you with full confidence that a TV is much more convient than a projector. A projector is for casual movie watching in a dedicated dark home theater room and it only makes sense if you already own a nice TV for casual programs on TV and news. Besides that, most projector lamps last 2000-4,000 hours and cost several hundered dollors to replace. Finally, a TV has its own speakers and does not require that you turn on the entire system to watch a program.

[Fors*]

I use both....watch TV for regular viewing and pull down the screen in front of it, and use my projector for movies. I made my room a nice family room/HT, and it works out very well. It's the best of both worlds.....if you can pull it off.

[Blown 4.3]

no doubt = projector.

if you have ambient light that does not directly hit the screen wall. then a da-lite high power is good.

[Trogdor2010]

The real question is how do you use it, what size of screen you are using, how bright is the projector, are you using it in ambient light or in a dark light controlled theater, how good of contrast will you achieve with it, are you considering a 4:3, 16:9 or a 2.35:1 screen, and if you are considering a Constant image height theater with an Anamorphic lens. You need to understand what you give to benefit, and I can tell you from my prespective, I would just use a projector and watch what I want, but I would want to watch for how much I watch, which many seem to forget when they use it. If you use a small screen (say less than 80 inches) and are willing to spend alot of money, it's almost pointless to take the projection route, since you can be more casual with a television and it wouldn't be as much of a bad thing to leave it on all the time. Being more conservative with projection use, I would definately go with a projector anyday . I made a room for my projector and have the screen design for it, and I could tell you it would cost between $2000 to $3000, and I bought most of it seperately.

[mojo1978]

So what's better a white or gray screen for a projector.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by mojo1978

So what's better a white or gray screen for a projector.

That really depends on 2 things. The room setup (ambient light) & the projector you choose to go with. Ultimately, if your projector or room has trouble with blacks, a gray screen is preferred. But you due tend to sacrifice whites because of this. If you are going with a total light controlled environment and the projector is good with blacks then a white screen is preferred.

[720pDude]

Projector..ALL THE WAY...maybe even an all in like mine would be good for that type of room. TVs that size are a WASTE OF MONEY,imo

[Suntory_Times]

I would go with front projector, better is bigger. Bulb costs really is negligible given how much more you enjoy your films. That bieng said I don't watch normal tv at all so if you do you may want to consider a normal plasma/lcd set.

Personally if I where you i'd get a cheap propjector (for around $600 you can get a descent projector in Ameirca) and see if you like ti, and if you do latyer look to upgrade.

[mojo1978]

So what's up with the lampless projectors are they supposed to be available anytime soon. I saw some led projectors but I didn't see any 1080p. I'll more than likely go with a dlp projector because I don't want to have buy filters too along with bulbs.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by mojo1978

So what's up with the lampless projectors are they supposed to be available anytime soon. I saw some led projectors but I didn't see any 1080p. I'll more than likely go with a dlp projector because I don't want to have buy filters too along with bulbs.

LCD doesn't require you to buy filters. Output of led style projectors are still very dim. The cost for a lamp isn't that bad anyway. All projectors have a bulb or bulbs in some form or another.

[720pDude]

The bulb replacement for mine is $199

These last with a decent amount of viewing for about 2.5-3 years. Thats like less than $70 a year. $35 every six months, $17.50 every three months...etc..in other words..INEXPENSIVE. I laugh when I read people who say they ONLY buy NEW Blu Rays try to complain about the price of running a projector due to bulb price.

[Hoser59]

Originally Posted by 720pDude

The bulb replacement for mine is $199

These last with a decent amount of viewing for about 2.5-3 years. Thats like less than $70 a year. $35 every six months, $17.50 every three months...etc..in other words..INEXPENSIVE. I laugh when I read people who say they ONLY buy NEW Blu Rays try to complain about the price of running a projector due to bulb price.

They say if you put a quarter in a jar everytime you watch a movie you would have enough to buy a new bulb when it blows...that's pretty cheap entertainment. I have a tv behind my screen and to be honest it isn't getting any use