Bedroom projector project

[neit]

What I want to do: Have a projector at the head of my bed, shooting through the feet, onto a fabric sheet hanging from my ceiling. The distance between the back wall (where my headboard is/projector should go) to screen is 12-14 feet. Max width of the image is 80 inches at any aspect ratio. I already have speakers to put towards this project.

Planned usage: Xbox 360 and video watching from PC (both HDMI)

Specs I think I want (let me know if I have this wrong): ultra quiet since it’ll be above the viewers head by only 2-3 feet , 1080p but I think I’ll survive with 720p, cheap: less than $500

The lumens don’t need to be high since I can blackout the room and it’ll primarily be used at night. Can anyone recommend a projector? Preferably a new one with cheap replacement bulbs. I’ve been looking around newegg and they’re currently all out of my $$ range. I have memberships to sams and costco.

 

[Chapbass]

Going to have to look at used 720p projos for that price range I think. 1080p is totally out. If you were willing to go to like 700-750 i think that would give you a ton more options.

The noise thing may or may not be tough to get with the price point you're looking at....

How about this?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/1655142910.html

 

[sivart]

ultra quiet since it’ll be above the viewers head by only 2-3 feet

Do you have bunk beds? I'd be more worried about sitting up at night and banging my head on the ceiling if the projector is only giving a 2-3 foot clearance.

For $500 you are probably looking at a used 720p projector and won't be super quiet. Also 12' and 80" -- no advantage for 1080p.

Of course if you can find a Best Buy that still has the Optoma HD20 (1080p) on clearance for $550, I'd grab it

The HD72 linked above is nice. I have one in my house with about 1000 hours (almost 4 years old) and zero problems.

 

[neit]

The problem is that I have a ceiling fan in the way, so I'd have to have it more centered in vertical terms. It's good to know that 720p is enough for that range, that reduces the cost.

I've heard of pico/pocket projectors, which I figured weren't that great overall, but perhaps I can make more use of them since I am near blackout conditions. I'm not expecting super theater quality, but do want something nice.

I'll look around locally for some projectors, hopefully I can get something cheap (and quiet, that's probably a bigger requirement). I might just rebudget for the next school year and see if i can up my limit.

 

[sivart]

Depending on the throw of the projector, if you can get clear of the blades that may be enough.

My brother's Optoma Projector has about a 4" clearance from the end of the 52" fan blade, it is flush mounted to the ceiling an the picture is not obstructed.

Actually mounting it too low (with an arm) may cause the image to be a trapezoid and not square. The Optoma's need to be mounted with the middle of the lens higher than the top of the screen due to the throw angle.

You may want to check projectorcentral.com or a like site that has throw calculators based on specific model numbers.

 

[ericlp]

I suggest you look at an LG HS201. They sell on Amazon for 500 bucks new.

Also, they have a small throw distance up to 80" tho most have gotten it to do in the 100's. This is an LED projector and I don't own one I'm waiting for the next model.

This is not 1080 or 720 even but it still looks pretty good from the video's I've seen.

 

[RedCOMET]

just a thought, but when i had my projector in my old apartment I found my xbox 360 to be louder than the projector. The 360 was about 5 ft or so away from the couch and the poject was perhaps 3-4' directly above the couch on a wooden shelf. f

 

[vshah]

an older panasonic ae700u model may work well. they have a lot of lens shift that may allow you to place the projector higher. i'm sure you could find one for less than $500. very quiet as well

 

[neit]

Few comments on some more suggestions and stuff:
xbox noise: I agree, the xbox is a loud mofo, but I don't even think it'll be on for more than 10% of the time the projector will be going, so I do want it quiet still.
Throw distance and lens shift: I just educated myself on this a bit and have learned a lot about stuff i didn't know existed, and it makes a lot more sense
projectors themselves: seems like my budget category is just that, budget! ericlp's suggestion for the lg hs201 had me doing some homework and i feel sold on it given its price (and it's notable drawback). The only think i feel lacking is info on when the hx300 is going to come out and its future price (ie, should i wait for it?)

I might rearrange my bedroom and have it go to a wall and this summer/fall i'll pick up a nettop and eventually have that as a halfway htpc.

 

[ericlp]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1193908

If you want to learn even more... Actually AVSforums is the only place to go for projector info IMO.