Anyone use a projector for their monitor/tv?

[Luden]

I've been looking into getting a 36" + hdtv and for the price they are it seems to be a better deal just to get a projector. Any suggestions on the pros / cons of using a projector instead of a television? And a good projector to be had for under $1,500?

Thanks
Luden.

 

[clarkmo]

No, but try here.

 

[hoihtah]

pro :
-projectors can have higher resolution,
-cheaper price.

con :
-you need a dark room to watch in, unless you get a real bright one.
-lamp doesn't last as long as tv crts. and those bulbs are not cheap.
-input source needed. you can't just watch TV on a projector. you still need some sort of signaling device. (for dvd... that works perfectly)
-contrast ratio : as with all LCD vs CRT... LCD's lack in contrast ratio... at any given price range.

if your main purpose for projector is to watch movies... and perhaps sports games...
then... it might be worth it.

but if you're going to be watching tv... like 4+ hours a day...
it'll be cheaper to buy a big screen tv.

 

[Viper GTS]

You'll be spending a couple dollars a movie on bulb costs, whereas a TV is a one time purchase.

That said, 120" of DVD quality video is nice.

Viper GTS

 

[Maverick]

hoitah is right on the money with the cons...best bet is to get something small for normal everyday TV watching and get a projector for movies. You need some sort of TV tuner (digital cable box or satellite receiver).

The coolest use of a projector is if you have a Home Theater PC. Then you can get the most out of it.

 

[Luden]

Thanks for the replies, I'm looking into avsforum right now. I see thats the proper place for this thread since there since they have a forum just for cheap projectors.

To give you more info on the purpose of this projector, I would be using it my main tv and a secondary computer monitor (just for games). At the max I would expect to use it 8hrs a day so 8hrs x 7days x 4weeks x 12months = 2688hrs. And most of the bulbs that come with the projectors I'm looking at are 4000 hour. I hope the bulbs will be less then $500 but if there to much I could just sell it on ebay and buy a new projector or television and not worry about replacing the bulb.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Luden
Thanks for the replies, I'm looking into avsforum right now. I see thats the proper place for this thread since there since they have a forum just for cheap projectors.

To give you more info on the purpose of this projector, I would be using it my main tv and a secondary computer monitor (just for games). At the max I would expect to use it 8hrs a day so 8hrs x 7days x 4weeks x 12months = 2688hrs. And most of the bulbs that come with the projectors I'm looking at are 4000 hour. I hope the bulbs will be less then $500 but if there to much I could just sell it on ebay and buy a new projector or television and not worry about replacing the bulb.

isnt 8hours a day x 365 days a year more accurate and easier? 2920 hours

 

[arod]

see sig, btw the whole setup was about 3k, its a damn good system for the price. Especially considering it looks and sounds better than most movie theaters.

 

[Luden]

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: Luden
Thanks for the replies, I'm looking into avsforum right now. I see thats the proper place for this thread since there since they have a forum just for cheap projectors.

To give you more info on the purpose of this projector, I would be using it my main tv and a secondary computer monitor (just for games). At the max I would expect to use it 8hrs a day so 8hrs x 7days x 4weeks x 12months = 2688hrs. And most of the bulbs that come with the projectors I'm looking at are 4000 hour. I hope the bulbs will be less then $500 but if there to much I could just sell it on ebay and buy a new projector or television and not worry about replacing the bulb.

isnt 8hours a day x 365 days a year more accurate and easier? 2920 hours

Man I cant believe I did that... Guess I should really get some sleep. Thats a nice website Arod, I like that projector and its down to $1,425.

 

[idkruler]

hey, i have a proxima projector i am selling, with a spare new bulb! email me at ilyakaganovich@attbi.com if your intersted, the bulb thats in there has only 230 hours on it.. THis isnt an lcd projector, but a dlp, which gives you better colors and contrast. looking to get $1900, plus your getting a free $500 bulb and carry case. lmk

 

[NogginBoink]

From the little research I've done, you're not going to find a good projector in that price range for TV viewing.

Those projectors are designed for mostly static (computer) images and tend to artifact with moving TV images.

I'd suggest you spend some time in a showroom watching TV material before buying a projector.

 

[lightpants]

I have the Panasonic ae100 that they talk about over at avs, and it is great! I had it shipped from Japan and it only cost $1500, the bulb life is 4000 hours. Watching movies on it is awsome!

go 4 it.

 

[GermyBoy]

BUMP!!! I want to get a projector for a secondary monitor in my room. I have a phat setup and want to have this for viewing movies in my dormroom. I can put the projector up to 13' away from the wall I wish to view the material on.

Any decent priced projectors for under 1000 which will do at least 1280x1024? I know I'm pushing it, but it'd be really nice to have.

Peace,
GermyBoy

 

[idkruler]

well, i have had 9 projector and i could give you some advice,,,for under $1000, the best you can find is prob going to be either, low lumens( very dim) 1024x768 used. Or 800x600 with about 1000 lumens. 1028x1024,,,if your wanting high res like that, no lcd in the sub $5000 will give you that, you might want to consider crt which are big, dunno if thats an option in a dorm room. crt weigh like 100lbs.

 

[Rallispec]

a projector would rock.. i wish i coulda afford a good one.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

www.avsforum.com

they have a specific forum for low cost projectors. go. now.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Make your own for 1/10 the price

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=d61f600e4da1e70cbca0b395049e0efa&forumid=20