Cheapest projector that doesn't totally blow?

[swbsam]

I'm thinking about putting a projector in our basement/laundry room for totally non-critical viewing. I don't want to spend a lot since it'll be used primarily when we do the laundry or work out. in other words, we won't be watching any blu-rays on it.

Any suggestions? Our other option would be to just put a 32" lcd down there, but that wouldn't be as fun 🙂

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Do you have sound figured out as well?

How cheap are you thinking? You could probably get a used 480p or 720p unit for just a few hundred dollars on craigslist.

 

[mshan]

Bright business presentation or classroom projector might be another option, though definitely not as cheap as YoYo's suggestion.

If you just check Tech Bargains dot com, there are often good Dell coupons. I think near end of quarter when they may be clearing out inventory to make their earnings look good to stock holders, you may be able to get real good deal.

http://www.projectorcentral.com

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Do you have sound figured out as well?

How cheap are you thinking? You could probably get a used 480p or 720p unit for just a few hundred dollars on craigslist.

I was thinking of using an old yamaha 5.1 for sound, but most likely just using it for 2.1

Cheap as in "honey, it's the same price as the lcd we planned on getting anyways!" - i.e. $300-$400.

is there a certain brand to look for? I don't know how the tech has changed, but are bulbs still $200 a pop?

 

[sivart]

don't forget about the screen in the cost...unless you plan to sand and paint the wall 😉

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: sivart
don't forget about the screen in the cost...unless you plan to sand and paint the wall 😉

I plan to sand and paint the wall 🙂 It's actually unfinished sheetrock so I have to paint the whole basement anyways.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: swbsam

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Do you have sound figured out as well?

How cheap are you thinking? You could probably get a used 480p or 720p unit for just a few hundred dollars on craigslist.

I was thinking of using an old yamaha 5.1 for sound, but most likely just using it for 2.1

Cheap as in "honey, it's the same price as the lcd we planned on getting anyways!" - i.e. $300-$400.

is there a certain brand to look for? I don't know how the tech has changed, but are bulbs still $200 a pop?

Ok, just wanted to make sure you'd budgeted for the sound portion (since it isn't required for a TV purchase necessarily).

What I would probably end up doing is hunting around craigslist and maybe ebay to look at what's available. I'd look up all those units at projectorcentral (as mshan linked to) in order to see their rating.

My first projector was an Infocus 4805. That should easily be in that pricerange just for an example of a highly rated projector that's available for cheap now.

I think the best option is going to depend on what's available locally.

Bulbs are still expensive and vary in price (sometimes quite significantly) by model.

In general I would be more worried about buying a used projector vs. other electronics though. There's a lot that can go wrong in a projector, most noticeably the bulb as you already mentioned.

To get a new decent HT projector though, you'd probably have to double your budget.