LCD Projectors?

[SickBeast]

My parents are interested in purchasing a big-screen TV set. At first I reccomended a 42" plasma, but then someone was telling me that for under $2000CDN they can get an LCD projector which will look *better* than the plasma. I find this hard to believe. Can anyone substantiate what she's saying? Any reccomendations for a $2500 budget would be great (that includes all HDTVs). Thanks!

 

[gururu]

i use my labs lcd projector regularly to watch movies and play xbox/computer games. Ours is good and can handle a 1024x768 resolution and a whole lot of lumens (Epson LP30). the resolution from computer is FANTASTIC. it looks just like a computer CRT. It is also pretty bright. The cons are that the picture is not as vibrant as the plasmas I've seen, but the darker the room, the better the screen. With any light, the picture degrades tremendously. Also these things get HOT HOT HOT, and I can't imagine the internal electronics lasting more than 5 years. Also, the lamp burned out on me once after a year of use, costing my lab 300 dollars.

 

[SickBeast]

Well, a 42" plasma costs around the same as a decent projector; which would you guys reccomend given the choice? I'm still leaning towards the plasma at this point.

 

[Viper96720]

You can get larger screen size with the home theater projectors. Depends on how far away from the screen it is. 100" diagonal from most 10ft away.
http://www.projectorcentral.co...timedia-projectors.htm
Got reviews and stuff for projectors

 

[gururu]

i'd go for a plasma. less noise, less heat, lyou can watch with the lights on, and you won't have cords running all over. I wouldn't even consider replacing my 24" wega with a projector.

 

[Yanagi]

Well a projector can be mounted in the ceiling, and then the wire problem is gone. This is what we had in our last place.

 

[imported_waldo]

If you are going to get a projector, don't get an LCD projector, get a DLP projector...you'll have better contrast ratio, and clearer images. I would go projector...more options than a plasma.....you can do anything and take a projector anywhere.

 

[ponyo]

If this is for your parents I would get the plasma. It's simple all-in-one solution and you can just plug it in and not worry about it. With the projector you have to worry about the lighting, room size, and the screen. Granted once you have all of this under control, DLP projectors are fantastic and I would definitely get one over plasma if I was buying for myself. But if your parents are anything like mine, they just want something simple they can plug in and work and not mess with anything. My mom still has hard time just switching the various video source on her TV. I can't imagine trying to teach her how to use a projector.

Properly setup DLP projector can look almost as good as plasma. While plasma might have slightly better picture, you can get 100-150" picture on DLP front projector which totally blows away tiny 42" plasma screen.

Check out AVSforum.com. Check the forums there and you'll find lot more info about various TVs, projectors, audio, and etc. Definitely check it out before making any big purchase.

link

 

[Elcs]

My university uses plenty projectors. Unsure of what type but Ive been impressed.

The displayed picture is quite nice although it can be a pain to read size 12 (im assuming) font size from 10-15m away (estimate). We've also watched a few TV/VCR quality movies which were to me of acceptable quality.

Unless you have a good 15m+ room to have a couple of 'tiers' of lights and enough space to fit a projector and view it acceptably, a Plasma screen would probably be best.

 

[kylebisme]

Pplazmas have burn in issues, don't they?