Home Theatre Projectors - Which ones are good for $1,500 or less?

[Ilmater]

I need some help. I'm very naive in the area of home theatre procectors, so I'm wondering if anyone here in OT knows about them. Any help is greatli appreciated!!

 

[HalosPuma]

Try Projector Central. They have a ton of reviews on all different kind of projects. Keep in mind, though, contrast & lumens. We have an older InFocus conference-room projector at work that we "borrow" to watch movies during lunch and the colors are a bit dull. You want to go with higher contrast & lumens.

 

[ponyo]

AVS Forum is good place for projector info. Try the Under $3500 forum. link here

I've heard good things about Benq 6200 and Infocus 4805.

I own Infocus X1, and I love it. Gaming and watching movies have never been better.

 

[gururu]

lamps expensive (~300 dollars). found out the hard way.

 

[Luthien]

Lamps are really cheap for the infocus X1 IMO for $300 or less by the time I need a new one. 4000 hours will last me at least three years & you can just reinstall it as if it is a new one fooling the software if you think the lamp is still fine and get even more life out of it. I have not problem paying the money for a bulb when I get so much pleasure out of watching tv and movies on such a large screen. So, do not let the cost of the bulb deter you from buying a projecter.

 

[cremefilled]

I too love my Infocus X1. I am not familiar with any of the other projectors on the market (besides some quick demos at Best Buy/Circuit City) -- but some people, e.g. at AVSForum, think that the X1 competes with projectors in the $1500 pricerange. Btw, I just ran across a year-old PC Magazine that said that the X1 was offering performance at $1,500 (its retail then, I guess) that shortly before cost $5,000.

One of the home theater magazines reviews four <$1,500 projectors in their current issue, so check out your local bookstore. Sorry, I'm not sure of the exact name -- maybe the Sterophile home theater mag.

The X1's bulb-cost of $0.07/hour is well, well worth it. It has completely reinvigorated my interest in films. Be sure to check into using a PC as your video source.

 

[SingralliSeen]

have not problem paying the money for a bulb when I get so much pleasure out of watching tv and movies on such a large screen.

Luthien,
Do you mean HD channels or even regular ones? I watched a demo of a Yamaha projector, probably a slightly higher end than the Infocus one and wasn't too happy watching a regular NBC show. However Discover HD was superb. I'm close to "making up my mind" but confused whether I need XGA (more $$) or stick to Infocus/BenQ SVGA ones..

 

[Luthien]

I watch regular TV all the time and I dont mind it not being the sharpest at all. The better your reception the nicer it looks. HDTV of course / digital tv would look much better just like progressive scan DVD's. As far as the infocus X1 you have to be careful now since the newer ones dont have the farujouh however you spell it chip and thus not worth it. Knowing what I know now I Know I made the best purchase for the money by far. You can always resell the X1 if you not happy or take a risk and buy a projector that you cant find a demo of anyplace but has great reviews and comments from owners on a projector website. I recommend asking questions here: http://www.hometheaterdiscussion.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&amp;forumid=29

If I was going to buy another projector today I would probably find one that is laudated as being fantastic for the price like the X1 but had more inputs and outputs and supported higher resolutions and was just as bright with a 3000 hour lamp life or more. Of course that will cost twice as much or around that price. ~$1800. Right now my plan is to keep what I have until the buld dies then decide what to do then which could be in 2 plus years. If I have money to burn at that time I will probably upgrade but do my homework first so I dont have to RMA and start looking again. The problem with projectors is you cant find anyplace to review them in person.