Projection tvs?

[transcension]

Okay, I am kind of interested in something I have seen in a movie and heard about. Projection TVs. Does anyone know if they support HD (in essence Blu-ray movies and HDTV channels)? If there are some available where can I find them? Are these worth it, or what should I stick with instead?

[powersfoss]

Originally Posted by transcension

Okay, I am kind of interested in something I have seen in a movie and heard about. Projection TVs. Does anyone know if they support HD (in essence Blu-ray movies and HDTV channels)? If there are some available where can I find them? Are these worth it, or what should I stick with instead?

Do you mean rear projection or digital projectors?

[crackinhedz]

rear projection?




or front projection?

[crackinhedz]

they are both capable of 1080p ....so yes bluray and other HD sources.

[transcension]

Front projections. So they are HD capable? As in they have an HDMI port (or two) and other ports for HD? Does anyone know where one can purchase these and which are better than others?

[transcension]

powersfoss is digital the same as front projector? Sorry, new to the home theater bit.

[Brandon B]

Originally Posted by transcension

Front projections. So they are HD capable? As in they have an HDMI port (or two) and other ports for HD? Does anyone know where one can purchase these and which are better than others?

Yes, yes, many many places and on the last, you will get as many opinions as there are models. More actually.

Front projectors can be bought almost anywhere that sells large TVs now, including places like Costco.

As to which one is better, start with some info. Do you have a budget inmind, how big a screen can you fit in your room, can you completely control the light in the room (windows), etc.

BB

[transcension]

I am actually just about to move. I was looking at about a 9 - 10 foot high wall that is plenty wide. As for controlling the light, I would have some coming in from a few windows that I won't be able to cover. At night would be the only time for it to be dark. As far as price. I spent 700 on my last HDTV, and that thing crapped out (Samsung SlimFit). So I am figuring I would spend upto 1,000 for a projector, or HDTV if the projector doesn't work out.

[clyon]

Some things you have to know, throw distance, that is the distance from the projector to the screen, lamp life is short for front projecters (about 1000hours), there are 4 types, LCD, SXRD, 1 chip dpl & 3 chip dpl, screen gain.

$1k your not going to get much, most of the 'good ones' start around $2k for a 720p & a good 1080p projecter around $4k+

http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm

http://www.projectorpeople.com/
http://www.visualapex.com/index.htm

[powersfoss]

Originally Posted by transcension

I am actually just about to move. I was looking at about a 9 - 10 foot high wall that is plenty wide. As for controlling the light, I would have some coming in from a few windows that I won't be able to cover. At night would be the only time for it to be dark. As far as price. I spent 700 on my last HDTV, and that thing crapped out (Samsung SlimFit). So I am figuring I would spend upto 1,000 for a projector, or HDTV if the projector doesn't work out.

Yes, a digital front projector would probably look great in your space. Things to consider are: you need a dark room, get one with lots of lumens (light output)--I'm not current on what they're up to lumens-wise these days, get a nice screen to display it on, make sure of course its 1080p. It should look awesome if setup right. Let us know how it goes.

[transcension]

Thanks for everything. I will see what I can work with at the new place and let you all know how it goes if I end up getting it completed. Just a little worried on the light getting in. But I can get heavy curtains.

[Brandon B]

Working with a $1000 budget, I would look at used projectors. Also keep in mind, if you are using this as your only display, and are going to put 1000-2000 hours on it in a year, you may find yourself buying a new lamp ($200-400).

It kind of sounds like you might want to save up a bit more, or go for something a little smaller right now to be honest.

BB

[Durentis]

I ordered my projector through www.ncix.com but I'm sure any large computer store would sell decent home theater projectors. I certainly didn't get the best projector available, but it's good enough and came at a reasonable price. Steer clear of places like Futureshop that sell cheap high-lumens data projectors.

I recommend 3-chip DLP projectors if you can afford them because they eliminate a minor "screen door" effect, otherwise 1-chip DLP. Edit: Ok, definitely not getting either of these on a $1k budget unless you can find a cheap used one. A good route for you to explore though, but be careful of getting a projector with a burnt out bulb as that will eat up much of your budget to replace.

You can combat effects of ambient light somewhat with a 0.8 gain (or thereabouts) grey screen. A good projector will still give clear bright white on a grey screen but it's supposed to help give better blacks. Don't be fooled by a salesperson telling you that a 6.0+ gain screen is better. The higher you go from 1.0 gain the closer you get to a mirror surface that will result in a poor image and viewing angle.

Also beware of such words as "hi-def compatible"; make sure that the native resolution is 1920x1080. A good home theater projector should natively support 1080p/24.

[transcension]

Yeah I might want to save up a bit before I buy one. I looked at a couple sites mentioned and its probably best to just wait for awhile. I figure that for a projector probably 4 - 5 is what I would end up trying to save up. That looks like a good price range. Thanks for your help guys. And thanks for that 6.0+ gain tip. I didn't even know about that.

[Brandon B]

Originally Posted by Durentis

I recommend 3-chip DLP projectors if you can afford them because they eliminate a minor "screen door" effect, otherwise 1-chip DLP. Edit: Ok, definitely not getting either of these on a $1k budget unless you can find a cheap used one. A good route for you to explore though, but be careful of getting a projector with a burnt out bulb as that will eat up much of your budget to replace.

The cheapest 3DLP in production that I am aware of is over $20K. THe best deal on a 3 DLP would be an InFocus 777, or the Kodak 333. These are beautiful 720p HT units that use to be $20Kor so going for as little as $5K now.

Screen door is unaffected by whether a DLP is single or 3 chip. And in fact, screen door is less visible on Sony SXRD or JVC DILA units than on DLP. For LCD projectors, screen door is so hard to see on 1080p units that most don't worry about it.

You also won't need $4-5K to get into a decent FP unit. Going with a current 1080p unit, I would look at (lowest price to highest): Optoma HD80 (DLP), Panasonic AE1000 (LCD), Mitsubishi HC6000 (LCD), Sony VW60 (SXRD) JVC HD1 (DILA).

Every one of these is less than $5K street price, and the Optoma is well under 3.

BB

[transcension]

Thanks for the info BB, and everyone else.

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by Brandon B

You also won't need $4-5K to get into a decent FP unit. Going with a current 1080p unit, I would look at (lowest price to highest): Optoma HD80 (DLP), Panasonic AE1000 (LCD), Mitsubishi HC6000 (LCD), Sony VW60 (SXRD) JVC HD1 (DILA).

Every one of these is less than $5K street price, and the Optoma is well under 3.

BB

You may want to add the new Panasonic AE2000U, Sanyo Z2000 and Epson Home Cinema 1080 *UB* to the list.

Also, for the OP, you need to know how high you will mount the projector. 1-chip DLP's have an offset so most need to be above the screen a certain length whereas with LCOS or LCD they don't have to be.

And if you are interested in a 720p projector you may want to check out the Panasonic AX200U which is a nice bright projector and uses smoothscreen technology to reduce screendoor and pixel structure. Even the latest review over at Projector Central stated that it practically looked 1080p. That may be worth checking out and it runs for $1300 shipped.


Good luck on your projector journey.