Projector v. LCD/Plasma Question

[aouimet]

Hey, i have been searching the market for a projector, because i am pretty sure that this is the route i want to go, but i have recently become hesitant. Every time i see a blu-ray on display at BB or CC, i am blown away, as i am currently running it through my old (2001) HDTV which looks ok, but no where in comparison to the 1080p these plasmas and LCDs that they have on display in those stores output. Is the PQ very close with 1080p projectors compared with flat screens (or even DLP's)? I want to go 100", which i think would benefit me more than a 55" or so flat screen (and at a much better price), but i am having second thoughts about the actual PQ projectors give. What is the comparison? Thank you,

[edit]- i realize there is a similar topic near this, which just got bumped as i posted this, sorry

[The_Snowman]

Two things have changed so much in the last 2 years - picture quality has gone up with HD Blu-ray, while price has come down. You really need to get an expert opinion on this as you require so much information - have a look at this site first; then come back here see what people are saying because you will understand it so much better.......... oh, and have a look at my pictures, we are very, very happy with our set up

www.projectorreviews.com/

And read this thread also, some great advice there........

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=39987

[Deadset]

Nice links...I face an issue on whether to put a projector or TV in my basement after it's complete. The main issues I see is that this won't be a dedicated theater, there are egress windows near the viewing area, and amount of inputs.

Having a digital cable box, 360, ps3, wii, HD camcorder, DVD recorder...I tend to run out on inputs.

[amtctt]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Nice links...I face an issue on whether to put a projector or TV in my basement after it's complete. The main issues I see is that this won't be a dedicated theater, there are egress windows near the viewing area, and amount of inputs.

Having a digital cable box, 360, ps3, wii, HD camcorder, DVD recorder...I tend to run out on inputs.

i have two arcadia doors and use a projector. you just need to get some good blinds, preferably with black out cloth in them. As far as inputs, you need a good av receiver and you'll be all set. i only run 1 cable into my PJ. i think some PJ's have too many. You only need 1.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by amtctt

i have two arcadia doors and use a projector. you just need to get some good blinds, preferably with black out cloth in them. As far as inputs, you need a good av receiver and you'll be all set. i only run 1 cable into my PJ. i think some PJ's have too many. You only need 1.

Yeah, now the receivers have HDMI, but right now, I route my video signal to my TV b/c my receiver doesn't have the required ports. I run optical audio from the receiver to the box. All of this could change if I get a better receiver. I've read in these forums that the Onkyo 605 seems to be pretty good.

I've always thought about a projector, but am very skeptical about the picture quality of movies.

[TAPman]

My buddy has the 52" sony bravia lcd and brother has a tosheba 50 plasma and they both look great. But my 92" epson 1080 ub looks exceptional.
You can see so much more detail in sceens (including the film grain as you can see in the theatre). it's as close as you can get to the movies without going to the theater. and it's always in focus. Seems like every other time i go to the movies the camera is out of focus. One other benifits to FPS gamers is it's much easier to see your target with such a large screen. Any question i'm more then willing to help...

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Nice links...I face an issue on whether to put a projector or TV in my basement after it's complete. The main issues I see is that this won't be a dedicated theater, there are egress windows near the viewing area, and amount of inputs.

Having a digital cable box, 360, ps3, wii, HD camcorder, DVD recorder...I tend to run out on inputs.

I recently completed my basement and built a 'theater area' in the main part of the basement. My wife was insistent that it not be a separate enclosed room. The multi-use plan worked out great. I had debated getting a 70" Sony SXRD and instead went with an Epson Powerlite Home 1080P and 102" screen. From my experiences the last few months, I would say DON'T THINK TWICE! Go with the projector. NOW!

You'll get much more bang for your buck with a projector, especially in a basement where you can control the lighting. Projectors are much cheaper per square inch and you can use the money you save to pay for the screen, receiver, and maybe even speakers too. Believe me as someone who's been there, you won't regret it!

My wife was totally against the idea until we went to our friends for 'movie night'. They have a cheaper projector (720P) and a 100" homemade paper screen (white photographer's background). Even with that- it was awesome. After that day, she was totally on board to do it. Now the whole family can enjoy movies like never before.

You can easily find something to 'black out' the egress window, so don't let that scare you. I only have a regular glass block window in the theater area, but I've covered it (temporarily) with two extra carpet samples.

Check out my home theater gallery for a look at the results, and my basement site if you still need any tips or ideas as you finish yours.

Hope this helps.

[Lucy Diamond]

I have an LCD screen that I am very happy with.

If you have the room, go with a projector, but do your research, because when projetors are done badly, they are REALLY bad and that is something you will have to live with for a GREAT while.

Enjoy,

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by rogman

My wife was totally against the idea until we went to our friends for 'movie night'. They have a cheaper projector (720P) and a 100" homemade paper screen (white photographer's background). Even with that- it was awesome. After that day, she was totally on board to do it. Now the whole family can enjoy movies like never before.

You can easily find something to 'black out' the egress window, so don't let that scare you. I only have a regular glass block window in the theater area, but I've covered it (temporarily) with two extra carpet samples.

Check out my home theater gallery for a look at the results, and my basement site if you still need any tips or ideas as you finish yours.

Hope this helps.

Congratulations. I expect you would end up with a very nice theatre. The commitment is the key to success in home theaters.

[Deadset]

Originally Posted by rogman

I recently completed my basement and built a 'theater area' in the main part of the basement. My wife was insistent that it not be a separate enclosed room. The multi-use plan worked out great. I had debated getting a 70" Sony SXRD and instead went with an Epson Powerlite Home 1080P and 102" screen. From my experiences the last few months, I would say DON'T THINK TWICE! Go with the projector. NOW!

You'll get much more bang for your buck with a projector, especially in a basement where you can control the lighting. Projectors are much cheaper per square inch and you can use the money you save to pay for the screen, receiver, and maybe even speakers too. Believe me as someone who's been there, you won't regret it!

My wife was totally against the idea until we went to our friends for 'movie night'. They have a cheaper projector (720P) and a 100" homemade paper screen (white photographer's background). Even with that- it was awesome. After that day, she was totally on board to do it. Now the whole family can enjoy movies like never before.

You can easily find something to 'black out' the egress window, so don't let that scare you. I only have a regular glass block window in the theater area, but I've covered it (temporarily) with two extra carpet samples.

Check out my home theater gallery for a look at the results, and my basement site if you still need any tips or ideas as you finish yours.

Hope this helps.

Hey, I just checked out your basement media room / theater and it looks fantastic! I know it was alot of work, anyone who has done a basement or is doing one can relate. With that said, I'm just about done with wiring, got all the breakers and lights working, the last thing I'm going to do is put an outlet box in the ceiling just for the projector. I can't really see how your's connects to a power source, assuming there's a plug in behind the drop ceiling. Having an outlet up there just in case won't hurt, I have the extra 12/2....

All my other outlets are run on the main wall, was expecting to do a standard TV wall. I'm thinking about building a custom shelf for the components and have a pull down or fixed screen on the main wall. I think I have enough room. When you check your messages, send me your email and you can take a look, feel free to give me any pointers. I can still make changes until I drywall.

Another question for you, do you have a cable connection down there? Do you connect the RF to the receiver? or to the projector? I may have to move my RF connection if that's the case...

Are those in wall or surface mount surrounds?

ps...by the way, your couch looks awesome. exactly what I'm looking at too

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Deads3t

Hey, I just checked out your basement media room / theater and it looks fantastic! I know it was alot of work, anyone who has done a basement or is doing one can relate. With that said, I'm just about done with wiring, got all the breakers and lights working, the last thing I'm going to do is put an outlet box in the ceiling just for the projector. I can't really see how your's connects to a power source, assuming there's a plug in behind the drop ceiling. Having an outlet up there just in case won't hurt, I have the extra 12/2....

All my other outlets are run on the main wall, was expecting to do a standard TV wall. I'm thinking about building a custom shelf for the components and have a pull down or fixed screen on the main wall. I think I have enough room. When you check your messages, send me your email and you can take a look, feel free to give me any pointers. I can still make changes until I drywall.

Another question for you, do you have a cable connection down there? Do you connect the RF to the receiver? or to the projector? I may have to move my RF connection if that's the case...

Are those in wall or surface mount surrounds?

ps...by the way, your couch looks awesome. exactly what I'm looking at too

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to provide some 'inspiration'!

I had the electrician put an outlet in the ceiling for the projector, and run a coax cable across the ceiling and down the wall for the cable box. There's just one cable (HDMI) to the projector, and everything else goes thru the receiver.

The surrounds are surface mount switchable bipole/dipole surrounds from Aperion. It's my first experience with bipoles and they're great! The surround effect is VERY realistic! I was watching "Flight of the Phoenix" over the weekend, and kept looking behind me thinking there was something there. The plane was creaking, etc. and I though it was my furnace or something making noises. In the 'rainy scene' at the beginning of Ratatoulle, we thought it was really raining outside, and the Mrs. went to check.

You may have noticed that the fronts are piano black and the surrounds are cherry. When I ordered the system last November, the piano black surrounds were on back order until Feb. Since I didn't want to wait to complete the system, I ordered both sets. I ended up thinking the cherry looked better on the wall than the black would have. It gave me a chance to test Aperion's "no risk" return policy. Sure enough, they really mean it. They e-mailed me the FedEx shipper and I dropped the package off. About a week later, the amount was credited to my charge.

I wired for 7.1 just in case I decide to upgrade later....

[amtctt]

Originally Posted by aouimet

Hey, i have been searching the market for a projector, because i am pretty sure that this is the route i want to go, but i have recently become hesitant. Every time i see a blu-ray on display at BB or CC, i am blown away, as i am currently running it through my old (2001) HDTV which looks ok, but no where in comparison to the 1080p these plasmas and LCDs that they have on display in those stores output. Is the PQ very close with 1080p projectors compared with flat screens (or even DLP's)? I want to go 100", which i think would benefit me more than a 55" or so flat screen (and at a much better price), but i am having second thoughts about the actual PQ projectors give. What is the comparison? Thank you,

[edit]- i realize there is a similar topic near this, which just got bumped as i posted this, sorry

Once you go PJ, you never go back. I don't actually know if that's true, but i absolutely love having a projector. Mine is only 720p, so i'd love to get a 1080p one, but i'd rather have my 720p PJ than a 50" 1080p LCD. that's personal preference though. I just like the experience of watching a nice blu-ray in a theatre environment.

[tonydicenso]

any quality HDTV is good. even if it's not 1080P. projectors are great cause you can get a larger screen for less money. plus they use less power and are easier on your eyes. I have a 32" samsung LCD that I love!!! I also have a 61" samsung DLP that I love!!!!!!! my parents have a 42" pioneer elite plasma that I love!!!! just stay away from throw away brands ( vizeo, dynex, westinghouse, insignia) and you'll be ok. by throw away i mean that after warranty these tv's cannot be fixed because parts are not available. actually they won't be fixed under warranty just replaced. if you want to disagree or say i am full of it then find out the hard way( i am in the electronics industry). one thing worth noting though is viewing angles. any decent LCD or plasma has a full 178 degree viewing angle so you can see a clear picture from any angle (above/below/sides). projectors start to lose picture at approximitely 155-160 degrees. i got my samsung DLP for a steal at $1085 bucks (employee discount)and I absolutely love it! especially for video games, movies and HD cable and sports it really does the trick at a great value.