Possible Projector purchase..

[Grumpz]

Ok, so I'm doing some re-financing to open up some money to do my recroom. It's going to be about 1200 sqft, and when we built the house we opted to put in steal beams so there are no teleposts. Nothing but wide open space.

I won't be starting until the fall, hopefully done in the spring. At that point I'm going to need another TV. My plan was to move my 52" downstairs but I've been hearing a lot about projectors.

What's the pic quality like in projectors? If I spent $2500 bucks on one, would I be happy?

How much do screens costs? How about bulbs?

This is a lot different than hanging an LCD on the wall.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

What's the pic quality like in projectors? If I spent $2500 bucks on one, would I be happy?

Picture quality is great..... and for $2,500 I think you'd be very happy...

With the amount of room it sounds like you have, you can probably throw a very nice 150" image or so.....

Look at the links here that say "106" LCD projector" etc.... it'll give you an idea of what you can do.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=41422


EDIT:

SCREENS:

Screens can cost a little... or a LOT ($10,000 plus)

Here are some crappy screen shots from mine which was made for less than $100

There were no curtains etc. at this time.... and my photo skills stink.... so they look a lot better in person.... (and this is a 720p projector.... you could get 1080p for $2,500)














Setting it up, etc. isn't that hard.

[kccarl]

For me, buying the projector was a lot of fun, but the more I learned about them, the more expense of one I wanted. I ended up buying the DLA RS1 and have been very happy with it, but I paid a little over 5 grand for it. There are plenty of good projectors in your price range.

One thing to keep in mind is that with a projector purchase comes the need to make a screen purchase too. I have always been a believer in buying good speakers more than good sound boxes, and similarly spending more on the screen than some would suggest.

How much light you are going to have in your room is critical to understand also. Screens go from the 'make your own' goo screens to Stewart Filmscreens and many inbetween. I paired my projector with the Stewart Filmscreen Firehawk G3 grey screen and have an eye popping picture, but I also paid 2000 just for the screen.

I suggest reading many reviews of projectors and screens from a lot of different sources, and when you are ready to buy, just remember don't buy retail. Look online, look at ebay, you'll save tons.

KCCARL

[Ethenolas]

Here are some shots from my 6500UB.


None of the photos are edited...straight off my powershot SD550.

And these are projected on a cream wall....


























You will not be disappointed.

[cathexist]

I just spent $1,250 on my 1080p projector...it had great reviews. I look forward to seeing the difference between it and my old 720p projector. For $2,500 you can get a very decent 1080p projector and you won't be disappointed.

I chose to paint my screen on the wall using specialized paint...

I can't really tell my experience with it yet since...well, my projector will be here tomorrow.

[Ethenolas]

Enjoy your new projector!

[Grumpz]

Those are some great shots.

What have you guys spent on screens?

[cathexist]

http://www.paintonscreen.com/

I'm going to use that, but I won't really know my results until next week.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

Those are some great shots.

What have you guys spent on screens?

my pictures obviously suck because my camera abilities suck.... but my screen was maybe $80

Ethenolas, who has a lot more ability with a camera is projecting onto a cream colored wall..... so I guess his screen cost him "ZIPPO"

[drago3451]

screen.jpg

120" Elite Cinetension 2 Electric Screen. ($825.00) Works with my Harmony remote.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by drago3451

Attachment 5769

120" Elite Cinetension 2 Electric Screen. ($825.00) Works with my Harmony remote.

Yikes!

That being said, I'll have the wall space. Maybe that's should be a realistic consderation.

[drago3451]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

Yikes!

That being said, I'll have the wall space. Maybe that's should be a realistic consderation.

And that is very inexpensive for that type of screen. If you go with the Dalite and Stewart versions of what I have you are looking at $2000.00 just for the screen. If I did not need the electric version I would go with a DIY screen. If you look at my HT you will see I have a TV behind for general TV viewing.

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

Ok, so I'm doing some re-financing to open up some money to do my recroom. It's going to be about 1200 sqft, and when we built the house we opted to put in steal beams so there are no teleposts. Nothing but wide open space.

I won't be starting until the fall, hopefully done in the spring. At that point I'm going to need another TV. My plan was to move my 52" downstairs but I've been hearing a lot about projectors.

What's the pic quality like in projectors? If I spent $2500 bucks on one, would I be happy?

How much do screens costs? How about bulbs?

This is a lot different than hanging an LCD on the wall.

First try going to Projectorpeople.com There is a lot of useful information there on a wide variety of front projectors in a wide price range. I think you will be able to learn a lot there.

Then I would consider trying to find a way where you could see a projector in action. Fry's Electronics demos projectors, and if you don't live near a Fry's, other Home Theatre stores should demo them if they think they will be possibly selling a high ticket item like a projector.

Then there are also friends. Does anyone you know have a projector theatre already that you could check out? Any collegues at work that might let you check theirs out?

I would definitely see some of these projectors in action before making a purchase decision. All these projectors are going to throw a different image based on their individual specs.

Good Luck!

[Ethenolas]

If you know how to paint...there are some very inexpensive do it yourself solutions...

I moving soon so I am just projecting onto a cream wall (blows most people away), however, i notice some things that bother me... so when i move i will be redoing it.

There are some great paint formulas that you can make for under 60 bucks.

Finish a nice paint job with a 3" black felt tape frame (20 bucks) and if you want...spend another 50 bucks and buy a handful of black flat sheets from Walmart and you neatly can line the walls and ceiling near the screen to give you a nice dark surrounding.

That is my plan for the new apartment.

My advice is to spend more on the projector, take your time and make your own screen.

There are some crazy good screens out there, like that firehawk g3...only they can cost as much as the entire budget you have for the projector. Those are wonderful...however, with your budget...it just inst worth it.

To be hondest, the difference between the $850 that they show you in the store and the screen you can carefully make is little to none...

In fact...the paint formula that i will be using (Black Widow) has been known to out perform many screens that people have purchased. Obviously you need to be careful and do it right...




Take a look at a few projectors in your price range.

I own the 6500UB (aprox 2100)

there is also

Panasonic ae3000u ~ 2100
BenQ w5000 ~ 1600
Sony HW10 ~ ?
JVC RS1 (used) ~ 2300

They all have strengths and weaknesses...it really depends on what you like...some will be more film like and others will have a more pop and wow factor...

Hope this helps!

btw...the wall works with my universal remote too

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Ethenolas

Finish a nice paint job with a 3" black velvet tape frame (20 bucks) and if you want...spend another 50 bucks and buy a handful of black flat sheets from Walmart and you neatly can line the walls and ceiling near the screen to give you a nice dark surrounding.

That is my plan for the new apartment.

I'd probably paint the surrounding wall area flat black, and not use the velvet (I used the velvet for my screen) Basically mask out the screen area, paint that with the screen-paint, then paint the rest of the wall black

[Ethenolas]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'd probably paint the surrounding wall area flat black, and not use the velvet (I used the velvet for my screen) Basically mask out the screen area, paint that with the screen-paint, then paint the rest of the wall black

It is actually felt tape...not velvet. my fault

I think painting the surrounding wall could turn out great...but the felt tape is perfect for that sharp boundary between screen and wall. It is more absorbent than paint could ever be...and it makes the screen really pop...in my experience.

However, around the screen...dark walls could work beautifully.

[Beta Man]

If I knew how to take good pictures, I would show how mine looks with the screen hung in front of a black wall, and with a black ceiling.....

When I turn out the lights, you can't see the speakers, walls, etc.... It works well for me.... but also, I don't have a flat wall to work with since it's in an attic



You can see some area to the right/left that is brown..... I had a whole paint scheme going

[bhampton]

Cathexist,

Good luck... hope you love you new pj.

-Brian

[Ethenolas]

If he is hanging a screen like yours...i agree...no tape is necessary.

However...on the wall...you really need a sharp distinction other than paint to separate the picture.

Looks good Beta Man

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Ethenolas

If he is hanging a screen like yours...i agree...no tape is necessary.
)

That is "WITH" Velvet border tape....... it just blends into the background so you can't see it


Either way..... for the OP's original question... (or one of them at least)

The PQ that many projectors are capable of makes it a great choice for a basement/dedicated room etc....

I think we all passed up on the "Bulb Life expectancy" question and the price etc...

Bulbs for my projector are $300-$350 each.... it sounds like a lot... but if I watch one movie every day... at an average of an hour and 40 minutes each..... My projector bulb will last over 4 years...... so not too shabby.