Budget starter projector

[Asdqqq]

I'd like to set up a very basic home theater in our basement for as little as possible to start, and then work on upgrading from there if it actually gets used. I'm going to start with an Epson Duet screen (~80" diagonal) that I already have, though I'd like to eventually move up to something 120" or more (the wall is 130" wide). The room is really long, 20' plus, so I don't think throw distance should be an issue. Passive 3d would be cool, but is not necessary; active 3d would never be used. So here's my question:

Is there any projector out there worth buying that I could get for around $200-300, new or used? If not, what's the cheapest option worth buying? I don't really know anything about home theater projectors, so thanks for any help

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Asdqqq

I'd like to set up a very basic home theater in our basement for as little as possible to start, and then work on upgrading from there if it actually gets used. I'm going to start with an Epson Duet screen (~80" diagonal) that I already have, though I'd like to eventually move up to something 120" or more (the wall is 130" wide). The room is really long, 20' plus, so I don't think throw distance should be an issue. Passive 3d would be cool, but is not necessary; active 3d would never be used. So here's my question:

Is there any projector out there worth buying that I could get for around $200-300, new or used? If not, what's the cheapest option worth buying? I don't really know anything about home theater projectors, so thanks for any help

At $200-$300, your best bet is to try the local craigslist. You may stumble across a deal.

Otherwise, Epson has some good options below $1000, and entry-level 1080P projectors from Optoma and BenQ are good options if you aren't susceptible to the DLP rainbow effect. Most of these would start at least double your current price point.

[samlop10]

I would say a more realistic budget for an entry-level home theater projector would be somewhere between $600 and $800. Maybe even $900 depending on what you might need from it (if it needs to be short throw, for example). BenQ Is probably the best brand for an entry-level home theater projector.

[Asdqqq]

Thanks for the advice. It looks like a BenQ w1070 or an Optomo HD141X might be the best bet. I'll have to see if I can get budget approval for something along those lines. Maybe I'll try one of the Amazon Warehouse open box deals, unless someone talks me out of it.

[samlop10]

Originally Posted by Asdqqq

Thanks for the advice. It looks like a BenQ w1070 or an Optomo HD141X might be the best bet. I'll have to see if I can get budget approval for something along those lines. Maybe I'll try one of the Amazon Warehouse open box deals, unless someone talks me out of it.

I recommend the BenQ w1070. It has better shadow detail than the Optoma. It is actually not a bad idea to try Amazon open-box; as long as you test it and make sure it works within the 30-day window.

[slimdude]

It's best that you save enough money to buy what you really want the first time around, then you'll be completely satisfied, then you won't have to suffer buyer's remorse afterwards. If you keep continually upgrading your projection screen you will be spending twice the amount of money, than what you've expected. For instance, if your heart is set on, and want to buy a Lexus, don't go out and buy a Ford, because you're not going to be satisfied until you get the Lexus.

[AmishParadise]

The BenQ W1070 can be had on EBay at present for as low as $600 used and directly from BenQ for $700. I own the short throw version, the W1080ST. Purchased it a couple years ago. It's been running like a top for me and sports a beautiful image, even on my cheap $200 portable projection screen. Amanda Seyfried has never looked so good. :-P

[SillySauce]

For a screen, get a sheet of masonite from a hardware store. Sand it down and paint a few coats of sherwin williams pro classic satin. The sheets come 8 feet wide for a 110 inch 16:9 image. This will look much better than a cheap screen and it's very cheap..

You can get the Optoma HD141x for $384 used on amazon or the Benq W1075 for $550 on amazon.

[Asdqqq]

How much more is it worth paying for the BenQ over the Optima?
And I like the idea of the painted hardboard, but it looks like it only comes in 8x4 sheets, so the constraining factor would be the 4 feet height and only allow ~95" diagonal screen, right?

[Asdqqq]

So I pulled the trigger on the open box Optoma. We'll see what kind of condition it arrives in. Anything over $400 and I was going to have to wait a good bit before I could get anything, and I am impatient From the reviews I was seeing, it didn't look like there was a huge difference in picture quality from the W1070, but I guess I'll get to check it out for myself. Thanks everyone for the advice.

[SillySauce]

Originally Posted by Asdqqq

So I pulled the trigger on the open box Optoma. We'll see what kind of condition it arrives in. Anything over $400 and I was going to have to wait a good bit before I could get anything, and I am impatient From the reviews I was seeing, it didn't look like there was a huge difference in picture quality from the W1070, but I guess I'll get to check it out for myself. Thanks everyone for the advice.

Yeah, I forgot about how it's only 4 feet high. That's why I don't use masonite.

That's great. If the Benq w1075 was the same price as the Optoma, I'd go with the Benq because it has more accurate colors, but they're not.



You could build your own screen. Buy carl's place blackout cloth $40 for a 150 inch material, and paint it for a much better image. Check out this article. Projector Central tested paints against a $2500 screen.

http://www.Projectorcentral.com/pain...-Perfect-Paint

[Ruben Rybnik]

I have been looking at the Epson 8350 for awhile when it was in stores. I never pulled the trigger. Now I see a few on Craigslist. anyone have some opinions on this projector?
Thanks

[SillySauce]

Originally Posted by Ruben Rybnik

I have been looking at the Epson 8350 for awhile when it was in stores. I never pulled the trigger. Now I see a few on Craigslist. anyone have some opinions on this projector?
Thanks

You're better off buying a Benq w1075. The Epson 8350 is very old, and very overpriced in the used market. It isn't better than the Benq either.

[Talal86]

Originally Posted by AmishParadise

The BenQ W1070 can be had on EBay at present for as low as $600 used and directly from BenQ for $700. I own the short throw version, the W1080ST. Purchased it a couple years ago. It's been running like a top for me and sports a beautiful image, even on my cheap $200 portable projection screen. Amanda Seyfried has never looked so good. :-P

wow that looks.. pretty!

[Asdqqq]

Received the open-box HD141x projector from Amazon. They had some kind of shipping delay issue, so they knocked another $25 off the price, bringing it pretty darn close to my original goal. There doesn't appear to be anything substantively wrong with the unit, and it says it only has 2 hours on the lamp. The only flaw is some weird sort-of faint brush marks over the whole top of the projector. Very superficial and not even really noticeable, but I can't even guess how it might have happened.

The picture looks really sharp, and the colors aren't too far off on the reference setting. I bet I can get them pretty good with some finangling.

Even in complete darkness, though, I can definitely tell that the black levels aren't the best. Of course, my main TV is a plasma, so I'm spoiled. From reading the reviews, it doesn't look like the entry level BenQs likely to be much better in that category, so I think I'll probably stick with the Optoma, especially for the price I got it. I haven't fiddled with the settings at all, either, so maybe lowering the brightness could help a bit too.

Any last thoughts on things I should be sure to look into to make sure I have a good unit before the return period runs out?

[SillySauce]

Originally Posted by Asdqqq

Received the open-box HD141x projector from Amazon. They had some kind of shipping delay issue, so they knocked another $25 off the price, bringing it pretty darn close to my original goal. There doesn't appear to be anything substantively wrong with the unit, and it says it only has 2 hours on the lamp. The only flaw is some weird sort-of faint brush marks over the whole top of the projector. Very superficial and not even really noticeable, but I can't even guess how it might have happened.

The picture looks really sharp, and the colors aren't too far off on the reference setting. I bet I can get them pretty good with some finangling.

Even in complete darkness, though, I can definitely tell that the black levels aren't the best. Of course, my main TV is a plasma, so I'm spoiled. From reading the reviews, it doesn't look like the entry level BenQs likely to be much better in that category, so I think I'll probably stick with the Optoma, especially for the price I got it. I haven't fiddled with the settings at all, either, so maybe lowering the brightness could help a bit too.

Any last thoughts on things I should be sure to look into to make sure I have a good unit before the return period runs out?

You're just not going to get great black levels. This is what seperates cheaper projectors from the more expensive ones. Using different paints to project on or ambient light rejecting screens will improve the black levels. If you have white walls, you can either paint them darker, put up black sheets or black acoustic foam around the sides and the top of the image/screen. That will also improve the black levels.

[BluRoo98]

Originally Posted by Asdqqq

Received the open-box HD141x projector from Amazon. They had some kind of shipping delay issue, so they knocked another $25 off the price, bringing it pretty darn close to my original goal. There doesn't appear to be anything substantively wrong with the unit, and it says it only has 2 hours on the lamp. The only flaw is some weird sort-of faint brush marks over the whole top of the projector. Very superficial and not even really noticeable, but I can't even guess how it might have happened.

The picture looks really sharp, and the colors aren't too far off on the reference setting. I bet I can get them pretty good with some finangling.

Even in complete darkness, though, I can definitely tell that the black levels aren't the best. Of course, my main TV is a plasma, so I'm spoiled. From reading the reviews, it doesn't look like the entry level BenQs likely to be much better in that category, so I think I'll probably stick with the Optoma, especially for the price I got it. I haven't fiddled with the settings at all, either, so maybe lowering the brightness could help a bit too.

Any last thoughts on things I should be sure to look into to make sure I have a good unit before the return period runs out?

I have a Panasonic plasma and projector too (BenQ). You will never get the black levels you were used to on your plasma (you have to go over $3000 to get decent blacks - but it will never be the same as your plasma). Once you go projector the game changes. It is no longer about black levels, it is about SIZE. I have not watched my plasma since going projector 2 years ago. Even though the image can sometimes look better on my plasma, I can't go back from a theater-like experience. I plan to upgrade projectors soon, but I am limited to distance to screen (only 11 feet) so after you decide if you truly like the projector experience, you have plenty of opportunities with 20 feet to screen. JVC or Sony will be your best bet for blacks. You may however find some great deals on a Panasonic also - I have seen Panny and JVC models for sale several times worth the upgrade if I had more room to throw.

Let us know how you feel after watching some movies and T.V. On it.

[Talal86]

I'll order BenQ W1070+ soon. I know it's not top end or close to that, but I hear it's pretty good for its price range, plus I never owned a projector before, and my current tv is only 47", so I'm sure I'll be impressed anyway

which 'screen' should I go for? I'm a noob, and know nothing about the colors, material, types, etc..

size wise, I'm thinking 150"

[ImPulSive]

Originally Posted by Talal86

I'll order BenQ W1070+ soon. I know it's not top end or close to that, but I hear it's pretty good for its price range, plus I never owned a projector before, and my current tv is only 47", so I'm sure I'll be impressed anyway

which 'screen' should I go for? I'm a noob, and know nothing about the colors, material, types, etc..

size wise, I'm thinking 150"

Start here:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ...ulator-pro.htm

Should give you rough idea of how bright image will be in your set up. Can then figure out if need gain on screen, etc.

[SillySauce]

I'm thinking 150"

That's the projector spirit!

Here's a great review of the Benq. What's great is Andrew has a $25,000 Sim2 and $28,000 Sony 4k VW1100ES, so he knows what he's talking about. Andrew used to be a pro reviewer at hometheaterreview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAaq...ature=youtu.be

Which 'screen' should I go for?

It depends on your price. I would say build one.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/pain...-Perfect-Paint

Carl's Place on amazon sells blackout cloth 150" 16:9 for $65 if you don't want to use the wall. Projector Central tested a bunch of paints against a $2500 Stewart Studiotek 100 (Stewart's second best screen) and the Sherwin Williams paint looked better.