Do I go for LCD or Projector?

[AliasX]

Price Range I'm talking is $1,000 and under. I found a Vizio 47" at Costco for $899 and it is looking like a solid winner. Still, there are some $900 projectors, and I kind of want to know what the difference is.

Frankly, I associate projectors with washed out images, needing to close all the blinds, being too big, etc. The sofa would be 8 or 9 feet from the projector, how big of an image do you think that would produce? And is the resolution on these projectors comprable to an LCD?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...C10605-Cat2341&topnav=

I really think the projector is a can of worms because I would need to put the projector somewhere, it creates noise, I would need to purchase a screen (?although I do have a white wall) , etc.

 

[Alone]

You can get a special paint so you don't need a screen. Personally, I find projectors to be pretty cool as you can roll up the screen and have a lot more space.

But yeah, you have to turn out the lights/close the blinds/etc. It looks great in the right conditions, though...

 

[Red Squirrel]

We were thinking of getting a projector then considered the fact that unlike a TV, projectors have to have the bulb replaced every now and then, and those aren't cheap. You can buy a mid end TV for the price of a bulb or a really high end TV for the price of two bulbs. So a high end TV will be cheaper then a low end projector after 2 years or so.

 

[NEWKILLA]

red squirrel i hear ya

i got a projector and loved it--BUT- i went through 3 bulbs in a year
{1} i got on warrentee the other 2 i had to pay for which sucked big time
i run lcd s now---i really miss the size but the cash is staying in my pocket
$575+ per bulb

KILLLLAAAAAAAAA

 

[mshan]

If you are going to watch primarily dvds, get a projector (will probably look very good even projected onto plain white wall). There is no substitute for 8 - 9 ft. plus diagonal image size for movie based dvds. (at 8 - 9 ft, I think you will need a projector with a short throw type zoom so you can get large image at that viewing distance). http://www.projectorcentral.com

If you are going to use it primarily to watch tv, I'd say get an HDTV. TV seems to be scaled to view easily watchable even on a small screen, so 46 inch diagonal is probably plenty at your viewing distance.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Or you could make your own projector with no need for expensive bulbs. That would be fun to try actually.

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Or you could make your own projector with no need for expensive bulbs. That would be fun to try actually.

No dice. Any decent DIY projector is going to use $70+ bulbs.

If you watch a few movies a week and not much TV, the projector is the way to go. On the other hand, if you watch several hours of TV a day, go with an LCD.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Or you could make your own projector with no need for expensive bulbs. That would be fun to try actually.

No dice. Any decent DIY projector is going to use $70+ bulbs.

If you watch a few movies a week and not much TV, the projector is the way to go. On the other hand, if you watch several hours of TV a day, go with an LCD.

:thumbsup:

 

[justlnluck]

What do you guys think of this?

http://www.visualapex.com/LCDp...t5DmkJgCFRo-awodC2zVng

I am looking for a cheap one under $1000 for a bedroom that can just sit on a desk and face the opposite wall. I figure that projector technology is changing so fast, it's better not to invest too much in a projector unless you have a dedicated room and nice setup for it. I looked at some videos on youtube and the optoma hd65 looked pretty good. But the panasonic looks like it might be worth the extra money. Any suggestions?

 

[RedCOMET]

Originally posted by: justlnluck
What do you guys think of this?

http://www.visualapex.com/LCDp...t5DmkJgCFRo-awodC2zVng

I am looking for a cheap one under $1000 for a bedroom that can just sit on a desk and face the opposite wall. I figure that projector technology is changing so fast, it's better not to invest too much in a projector unless you have a dedicated room and nice setup for it. I looked at some videos on youtube and the optoma hd65 looked pretty good. But the panasonic looks like it might be worth the extra money. Any suggestions?

I bought the pt-ax200u this past april. I love it. Very easy to set up run. I read a few reviews and some threads at avsforum before taking the plunge on buying this Projector. Some of the reviews i read said it was basically one of the better 720p units out there; its a little more than some other 720p units, but the extra cost makes up for it.

Now, this is my first projector, so i have nothing to compare it against. I also did not purchase a projector screen yet, either. I've had the unit since May 08. My gf made me black out curtains ( my old blinds really sucked) and i put a shelf above my coiuch in my living room. I find my xbox 360 is louder than the projector. But it will put out heat after some long use.. so make sure the where ever you put it , there is good air circulation and cooling.

I currently use a blank wall, ( lack of screen), and the picture quality is fairly good. i did my best to calibrate the projector with DVE but, I'm not sure if i did a good job mainly b/c my wall is eh. I didn't feel like painting it. I just adjust the projector for what i think looks good.

I have the unit mounted about 6.5 - 7' off the ground, and about 12-14' away from my wall. I'll have to remeasure my apt for exact numbers. As it stands, I project a ~100" 16.9 image on the wall.


Some things to consider... Do not use the projector as your only display in your house. I DO NOT own a tv... so I ussually just wathch shows off Hulu.com or the networks website via my desktop hooked to the projector. It sucks sometimes not being able to watch the news or have ESPN on as background noise while doing something just b/c you don't want to add unneccessary HRs to your bulb.

I would like to in the future purchase TV or a tv tuner and just watch the tv on my Laptop or if its a good show on the projector. I mainly use my projector for Movies and XBOX 360, and Wii. Just to note... its awsome doing 2 player co-op games on such a huge screen, even 4 person games (like mario kart wii) with such a huge screen area. Each player still hass enough screen size; so they should complain about playing ont he same display. also, playing Wii Tennis or bowling with a an almost life size-ish Mii is aweomse.


Other things to note: Make sure you figure out to hook up your equipments video to the projector and sound to speakers. i ordered cables from monoprice after having my projctor sit on my floor. Lot cheaper than going to best buy and buying 25' of component cable... or soon to be HDMI cable.

good luck!

 

[erwos]

I've always tossed around using a projector myself - I have an awesome space for one. Unfortunately, doing a ceiling mount of the projector scares the hell out of me, even though I don't think it would be terribly hard to do. Irrational, I know.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: erwos
I've always tossed around using a projector myself - I have an awesome space for one. Unfortunately, doing a ceiling mount of the projector scares the hell out of me, even though I don't think it would be terribly hard to do. Irrational, I know.

Easy to do, just make sure you screw into studs. after I screwed the mount in, I hang on it and it held me so I was pretty sure it would hold a digital projector

 

[Rio Rebel]

I would certainly choose a projector IF you verify these things:

1. You can control the light in the room to some degree (the darker the better).
2. Your projector "throw" can be accommodated on the wall. In other words, you can put the projector the correct distance from the wall for the size screen you need, AND you can put the screen at the correct height, because different projectors offset the picture more than others.

As for cost, I disagree with the post earlier. Yes, bulbs are expensive, but you shouldn't expect to replace if for several years. Buying a 47" HDTV doesn't insulate you from depreciation - how much will that tv be worth in 3-4 years?

 

[Chapbass]

I currently own a Mits HC6500 projo as my main and only TV. now granted, I DONT watch much TV at all, maybe 1-2 1 hr shows a week. Its primarily for movies and ps3.


As far as the lighting is concerned: I have a large sliding glass door in the room my projector is in. Yep, darker is better, but it will not make or break the projector. Everyone who I've invited over has asked about the brightness of the projector, and every single time I turn lights on I get the same response: "Oh wow, thats not bad at all. sure its better with them off but still..."

The only time it is unviewable is if I have the ceiling fan light on which is 4 60 watt bulbs. Its so bright I hate having it on whether im watching tv or not... Oh, btw, I also have my projector non mounted on a table between two chairs on the back end of the room. I sit about 10-11 feet away, projector shoots an image of around 110" on the wall. This is my temporary housing, so im not about to make a big project out of it.


Let me tell you, it will take a LOT of convincing for me to NOT have a projector ever again. Sure, its not right for casual viewing and some things, but for actually sitting down and watching a movie, there simply is no substitute.

 

[justlnluck]

I ordered the Epson 6100 from HHGreg today. Yeah, a bit more than my original budget. I will report back when it arrives.

 

[Chapbass]

awesome! have a camera ready!

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: justlnluck
I ordered the Epson 6100 from HHGreg today. Yeah, a bit more than my original budget. I will report back when it arrives.

head over to AVS forums and look at the diy thread, plenty of cheap good diy screens. I am currently on a textile screen from fabricland that was originally intended for inner shell of pillows. They are 100%cotton but have a sheen to it and it is very tightly knit so it looks ok. I just added 2 zinc pipes to the top and the bottom

 

[RedCOMET]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: justlnluck
I ordered the Epson 6100 from HHGreg today. Yeah, a bit more than my original budget. I will report back when it arrives.

head over to AVS forums and look at the diy thread, plenty of cheap good diy screens. I am currently on a textile screen from fabricland that was originally intended for inner shell of pillows. They are 100%cotton but have a sheen to it and it is very tightly knit so it looks ok. I just added 2 zinc pipes to the top and the bottom

sdifox:
Do you happen to have a link to that fabric? I got black out cloth on my local Jo-Annes for window blinds. I just haven't taken the DIY screen plunge just yet.. was thinking black out cloth, but i'm not all that handy when it comes to making a rectangular from for it.... i can handle the look and feel of cloth and 2 zinc pipes in my living room.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: RedCOMET

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: justlnluck
I ordered the Epson 6100 from HHGreg today. Yeah, a bit more than my original budget. I will report back when it arrives.

head over to AVS forums and look at the diy thread, plenty of cheap good diy screens. I am currently on a textile screen from fabricland that was originally intended for inner shell of pillows. They are 100%cotton but have a sheen to it and it is very tightly knit so it looks ok. I just added 2 zinc pipes to the top and the bottom

sdifox:
Do you happen to have a link to that fabric? I got black out cloth on my local Jo-Annes for window blinds. I just haven't taken the DIY screen plunge just yet.. was thinking black out cloth, but i'm not all that handy when it comes to making a rectangular from for it.... i can handle the look and feel of cloth and 2 zinc pipes in my living room.

A blackout cloth based screen wasn't too tough either, even including a masking system.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=y&keyword1=diy+screen

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: RedCOMET

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: justlnluck
I ordered the Epson 6100 from HHGreg today. Yeah, a bit more than my original budget. I will report back when it arrives.

head over to AVS forums and look at the diy thread, plenty of cheap good diy screens. I am currently on a textile screen from fabricland that was originally intended for inner shell of pillows. They are 100%cotton but have a sheen to it and it is very tightly knit so it looks ok. I just added 2 zinc pipes to the top and the bottom

sdifox:
Do you happen to have a link to that fabric? I got black out cloth on my local Jo-Annes for window blinds. I just haven't taken the DIY screen plunge just yet.. was thinking black out cloth, but i'm not all that handy when it comes to making a rectangular from for it.... i can handle the look and feel of cloth and 2 zinc pipes in my living room.

lol, no... I just went to the local fabricland, which is a place that sells <drumroll>fabric</fabric> and explained to the lady what I am looking for. She pointed me to that cloth. I actually went in looking for blackout cloth but she told me this one is brighter