Cheap projector? - Blu-ray Forum

Driver_King · 12-01-2008, 08:17 PM

I need the best projector possible for under $500. It's for a friend who wants one and doesn't care about HD. It can be used too. Thanks.

kpkelley · 12-01-2008, 08:30 PM

Sony VPL-VW10HT for 400 at Videogon.com

This is an older projector, model is about eight years old, but on the higher end. Of course, a replacement lamp for this projectors runs at $511.50.

Should be some online deals throughout december for older model Epson 720p projectors and others of that sort which could be around the $500 price and have much more reasonable operating costs. Does your friend have any money set aside for a screen or sound?

Driver_King · 12-01-2008, 08:39 PM

I'm feeling a little greedy now.

I may be upgrading sooner than I thought.

What are the other links for the cheap 720p models? He was saying that he saved around $150 and I laughed at him.

I told him to save up and I could find one for around $500.

kpkelley · 12-01-2008, 08:42 PM

This is a fairly well thought of projector, about a year and a half old now.

Epson Powerlite77c at TigerDirect for 499.

Epson Online Store $499 and free ground shipping - Refurbished

I would consider suggesting that he expand his budget to $800 as it would open up a lot of very good 720P projectors like the Mitsubishi HC1600 and the Optoma HD65

cathexist · 12-01-2008, 08:51 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Acer-PH530-DLP-7...1%7C240%3A1318

That's a used one of my current projector...no idea how high it will go though of course...

Beta Man · 12-01-2008, 08:53 PM

SOME best-buys still have the Mitsubishi HC-1500 for $600

THAT is a deal.....

Driver_King · 12-05-2008, 10:48 PM

Some quick questions for the Sony projector...would this cable not be as good as this cable? What would be the advantages of the "premium" cable? I will be actually attaching this to another 10' Monster PS3 component cable that I've never used (it came "free" with the Monster optical cable I bought for $10 back in December or so). I know HDMI cables don't directly affect VQ but I know component cables do. Would there be any major differences in PQ with the premium cable at 1080i? Also, someone said they made a cheap DIY 16:9 screen. Where is that link? I'm going to be connecting the rest of my components to the projector with my 805. Also, is there a cheap cable switch or something I can get to connect my HD antenna to my 805? Thanks!

Brain Sturgeon · 12-07-2008, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Some quick questions for the Sony projector...would this cable not be as good as this cable? What would be the advantages of the "premium" cable? I will be actually attaching this to another 10' Monster PS3 component cable that I've never used (it came "free" with the Monster optical cable I bought for $10 back in December or so). I know HDMI cables don't directly affect VQ but I know component cables do. Would there be any major differences in PQ with the premium cable at 1080i? Also, someone said they made a cheap DIY 16:9 screen. Where is that link? I'm going to be connecting the rest of my components to the projector with my 805. Also, is there a cheap cable switch or something I can get to connect my HD antenna to my 805? Thanks!

Driver,

The main advantage to the premium cable is that it is "in-wall" CL2 rated, whereas the other is not. The premium cable is also RG-6, which is a bit more robust over long runs compared to RG-59, but I don't know if you will see much of a difference over a 25 ft length. If you were going longer, then the RG-6 would probably be better. As it stands, I don't think you could go wrong with either. I use the premium cable in my system with good results, although I mainly use HDMI for video transmission. I'm a believer in good analog cable, and I use transparent cable for all of my audio needs, but I'm not convinced that spending a LOT more for a component cable buys you a lot. I have not seen a lot of the high end analog cable companies putting a lot of effort into producing a high end component cable set.

Here are some previously posted links for some instructions on constructing a DIY screen frame:

http://www.eldamar.net/house/ht/screenHowTo.html

http://www.BuildYourOwnProjectionScreen.com/id69.html

In regards to a switch, what are you trying to hook up to your receiver?

Driver_King · 12-07-2008, 02:08 AM

The switch would be something that takes standard coaxial F-type to component and optical or coaxial digital.

love blu or go home! · 12-07-2008, 02:14 AM

This is a little out of your price range but still a good deal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE:IT&ih=012

Brain Sturgeon · 12-07-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

The switch would be something that takes standard coaxial F-type to component and optical or coaxial digital.

Hmm... I guess I'm a little confused. What are you using to decode the HD antenna signal over coax (RG-6 or RG-59 I presume) ? What components do you want to switch the cable-- your receiver and what else? I don't think the Onkyo 805 has an ATSC receiver, does it?

Driver_King · 12-07-2008, 03:29 PM

Maybe I mean to say converter box.

Driver_King · 12-07-2008, 10:20 PM

I'm ordering a component cable tonight but just realized I'm not going to be using an adapter with my current PS3 component cable which means I cannot use the 25' cable; I need at least 30' to be safe. There is a huge price jump from the 25' regular cable and the 35' premium cable and I am unsure if going with a 50' regular component cable is a good idea seeing that I may loose PQ. Should I buy a shorter component cable to go along with it and then connect them together?

Driver_King · 12-08-2008, 12:51 AM

I forgot the projector has another component input for other sources.

I guess I'll just do what I was going to do before with the cables.

Nevermind.

Brain Sturgeon · 12-08-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Maybe I mean to say converter box.

So what you need is an OTA HD converter box for watching locals in HD then? Do you have a cable or sat box? A lot of them have OTA HD receivers built in. If not, I'm pretty sure any local electronic store (Best Buy, etc.) will have a reasonable affordable ATSC tuner that fits your needs. In fact, with the upcoming switch to all digital broadcast in Feb, there is a rebate coupon that you can use to get one (although this may have expired by now).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

I'm ordering a component cable tonight but just realized I'm not going to be using an adapter with my current PS3 component cable which means I cannot use the 25' cable; I need at least 30' to be safe. There is a huge price jump from the 25' regular cable and the 35' premium cable and I am unsure if going with a 50' regular component cable is a good idea seeing that I may loose PQ. Should I buy a shorter component cable to go along with it and then connect them together?

I saw your updated reply, but going to a 50' component cable should not be a problem anyway. Analog signals, ironically, seem much more robust than HDMI transmission over long lengths (>50').

Driver_King · 12-08-2008, 01:12 AM

Okay, the converter box is not a priority right now. I have to at least get the projector first.

12-01-2008, 08:17 PM	#1
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Cheap projector? I need the best projector possible for under $500. It's for a friend who wants one and doesn't care about HD. It can be used too. Thanks.

12-01-2008, 08:42 PM	#4
kpkelley Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Framingham, MA 4K collection:385 Blu-ray collection:2478 Digital collection:113 Blu-ray reviews: 152	This is a fairly well thought of projector, about a year and a half old now. Epson Powerlite77c at TigerDirect for 499. Epson Online Store $499 and free ground shipping - Refurbished I would consider suggesting that he expand his budget to $800 as it would open up a lot of very good 720P projectors like the Mitsubishi HC1600 and the Optoma HD65 Last edited by kpkelley; 12-01-2008 at 08:49 PM.

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12-01-2008, 08:30 PM	#2
kpkelley Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Framingham, MA 4K collection:385 Blu-ray collection:2478 Digital collection:113 Blu-ray reviews: 152	Sony VPL-VW10HT for 400 at Videogon.com This is an older projector, model is about eight years old, but on the higher end. Of course, a replacement lamp for this projectors runs at $511.50. Should be some online deals throughout december for older model Epson 720p projectors and others of that sort which could be around the $500 price and have much more reasonable operating costs. Does your friend have any money set aside for a screen or sound?

12-01-2008, 08:39 PM	#3
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	I'm feeling a little greedy now. I may be upgrading sooner than I thought. What are the other links for the cheap 720p models? He was saying that he saved around $150 and I laughed at him. I told him to save up and I could find one for around $500.

12-01-2008, 08:51 PM	#5
cathexist Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Aurora, CO 4K collection:302 Blu-ray collection:1253 DVD collection:73 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:8	http://cgi.ebay.com/Acer-PH530-DLP-7...1%7C240%3A1318 That's a used one of my current projector...no idea how high it will go though of course...

12-01-2008, 08:53 PM	#6
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	SOME best-buys still have the Mitsubishi HC-1500 for $600 THAT is a deal.....

12-05-2008, 10:48 PM	#7
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Some quick questions for the Sony projector...would this cable not be as good as this cable? What would be the advantages of the "premium" cable? I will be actually attaching this to another 10' Monster PS3 component cable that I've never used (it came "free" with the Monster optical cable I bought for $10 back in December or so). I know HDMI cables don't directly affect VQ but I know component cables do. Would there be any major differences in PQ with the premium cable at 1080i? Also, someone said they made a cheap DIY 16:9 screen. Where is that link? I'm going to be connecting the rest of my components to the projector with my 805. Also, is there a cheap cable switch or something I can get to connect my HD antenna to my 805? Thanks!

12-07-2008, 02:08 AM	#9
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	The switch would be something that takes standard coaxial F-type to component and optical or coaxial digital.

12-07-2008, 02:14 AM	#10
love blu or go home! Active Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:NYC, New York Trading Score:3	This is a little out of your price range but still a good deal. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE:IT&ih=012

12-07-2008, 03:29 PM	#12
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Maybe I mean to say converter box.

12-07-2008, 10:20 PM	#13
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	I'm ordering a component cable tonight but just realized I'm not going to be using an adapter with my current PS3 component cable which means I cannot use the 25' cable; I need at least 30' to be safe. There is a huge price jump from the 25' regular cable and the 35' premium cable and I am unsure if going with a 50' regular component cable is a good idea seeing that I may loose PQ. Should I buy a shorter component cable to go along with it and then connect them together?

12-08-2008, 12:51 AM	#14
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	I forgot the projector has another component input for other sources. I guess I'll just do what I was going to do before with the cables. Nevermind.

12-08-2008, 01:12 AM	#16
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Okay, the converter box is not a priority right now. I have to at least get the projector first.

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