Projectors for Dummies

[lDlisturb3d]

Guys im thinking of buying a projector but i dont know anything about them, so give me some tips and advice, best brand, specs i should look out for etc. Thanks

[threefiftyrocket]

great thread, I was actually just thinking about this the other day, eventually I would like to get a projector (when I buy my own house, that is) I have a pretty good knowledge of plasmas and lcds but projectors I know nothing about. anyone got any good links or reading material on them so I can study up?

[Mordir]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/projectors/

[victorvondoom88]

OP read this it should help you out.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home...rs_guide_0.htm

Only thing I would add is I wouldn't worry about the aspect ratio part other than go with a 16:9 native projector.

Poke around on that site there is some good info out there and allot of projector reviews on there too.

Other than that I wouldn't say there is a "best" as far as brand goes there are the leaders but there are many factors that affect projectors most notably the room itself and lighting. If you would be more specific about your room and lighting situation maybe even post a couple of pics and I'm sure you will get the help you need.

[720pDude]

A very important feature to have on a projector (even you are using a wall) is horizontal and vertical shift. They will MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER!

[Beta Man]

a few words of encouragement I would offer is "It's not that difficult" it may seem daunting when you have never had a projector, and you don't know anyone who has one etc (that was my situation) but once you get your hands on it, with a little time, and following the basic throw distance, and mounting guides from Projectorpeople etc....... the setup is fairly straightforward.....

The tweaking lasts awhile, but you'll have a great looking gigantic image being projected before you know it.

[Hoser59]

I agree with what Beta said. I was in your exact situation in November. I had seen lots of set ups here and I knew that I wanted one but I didn't even know where to start. Projector Central is a great site for information.

Vertical and horizontal lense shift will help a lot with placement issues, but with a little research and careful measuring those can be overcome too. I hung my DLP projector myself and I managed to get it almost perfectly aligned with my screen, you just gotta take your time setting it up.

[Caesu]

i was originally thinking of going projector. however everywhere I went, when view the images edges werent shaping a retangle. Some of them would be a trapazoid, or the edges curved in.

I felt it would require a lot of calibration, tilting. Freaked me out.

I still want to go projector eventually so i can have a 100"+ screen. I feel a lot more comfortable with HT now compared to the years past since.

[Hoser59]

All that meant is the projector was not properly aligned with the screen or adjusted. Zoom plus vertical and horizontal keystone adjustments can fix all those issues quite easily

[720pDude]

Originally Posted by Caesu

i was originally thinking of going projector. however everywhere I went, when view the images edges werent shaping a retangle. Some of them would be a trapazoid, or the edges curved in.

I felt it would require a lot of calibration, tilting. Freaked me out.

I still want to go projector eventually so i can have a 100"+ screen. I feel a lot more comfortable with HT now compared to the years past since.

The Keystone was being used. It should always be set at 0. Better to slightly tilt or use the adjustable legs than keystone (if ur unit is on a table)

[Fors*]

I read a lot and when I finally set mine up...it was quite easy to be honest. Take your time when doing it. The members here are also a big help. Using the projector calculator really helped me to figure out what size screen to get in relation to the location of the projector.

[Caesu]

Well I am definetely going projector for my next upgrade, it will be a while though still. My room is too small in this home, we're planning to buy a new house in a few years hopefully. Going to make sure it has a good room for HT in these regards.

For the price given the screen size, it's a huge bang for your buck. right now I can get a Optoma HD20 + 92" screen for 1200 CDN. 92 inch 1080p for 1200 isnt something you can find on a setop price wise.

Add to that you can get screens easily 120-130", it just gets even better.

my definite next upgrade

[mugen302005]

I kinda feel this is a dummy question... Does the warranty on these projectors include the lamp? I ask because my first projector turned out to have that problem after just 5 months.

[roar]

Originally Posted by mugen302005

I kinda feel this is a dummy question... Does the warranty on these projectors include the lamp? I ask because my first projector turned out to have that problem after just 5 months.

There is a pretty good chart on the ProjectorPeople website...

http://www.projectorpeople.com/custo...anty-guide.asp

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by slick1ru2

Well, there is a big difference between $900 or $10,000 and $500,000. The price of 4K is much higher then plasma and LCD was when introduced.

are you insane? the first plasmas where not 900$ they where around 15k$
just some random thoughts but projectors are not as intimidating as they first appear

1) if you are picky then buy from a reputable store where you can try it out, specs are important but you really need to see a projector in action


2) one of the most important specs is lumens, make sure you get a projector that is bright enough for the use you intend (size of screen, brightness of room....)

3) optical shifts & zoom are OK but you would still want to remain away from the extremes and also find the sweat spot of them before the installation

4) don't use digital keystoning and digital zoom they just ruins the picture

5) height and distance of the projector will be determined by the projector, pretty much every projector you centre the screen with the lens, and every projector should be 100% horizontal (placing it at an angle creates keystoning and then you have to use digital keystoning to remedy which in 4 I already pointed out is a no-no)