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Low budget gaming "theater"

Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
This is partially related to a game console, but I believe it's more appropriate here.

I want to set up a budget gaming room for the kids to play console games - specifically on a WiiU for as little cost as possible. I'm planning to use this projector since it's quiet, relatively inexpensive, and pretty nice image and brightness for the cost. Lighting in the room will be completely controlled (no windows) so there's no issue with that.

The main problem is getting audio and video sorted out properly. The WiiU has an HDMI cable so sending video to the projector is no problem, but I want to use an analog shelf stereo for the sound since I already have it and don't want to spend extra money on an HDMI capable receiver and speakers if I don't have to. Is there a way to output HDMI video and analog audio at the same time from the WiiU? If not, is there a way to split the signals that doesn't cost more than a new receiver/speakers would?
 
I just did some more searching and found a couple of articles that say that the WiiU apparently has the ability to select a separate audio output using the analog cable while sending video over HDMI. If that is true it will solve the problem for me. It will be a while before I can test it but I think I'll consider this subject closed unless someone out there has more input (or has actually tried a setup like this and knows for sure if it will work).
 
I assume you do not have or planning to get a AVR? HDMI audio splitter, something like this.

W1070 is a much better projector and would cost just $150 more.
 
Definitely not getting an AVR for this, Desi. I want this to be a fun room (so the big projector screen) but it's just for kids to play WiiU games and maybe watch some cartoons on Netflix, so it doesn't need to be anything special, definitely does not need a home theater audio, and since the WiiU apparently has the ability to designate a separate audio output I probably don't need a splitter either.

While that W1070 does have a lot more input options and may have a slightly better picture, it costs more, and the lamp has a pretty wimpy life rating and costs a ton to replace. So even if I didn't already have the Optoma 750, the BenQ wouldn't be a good choice for a kids' gaming projector where durability, cost, and simplicity are the most important factors. I do appreciate the suggestion, though. It does seem to be a better projector overall especially for situations that have multiple types of video sources.
 
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...idk, pico projector with 700 lumens for gaming... does not sound like a good idea to me... even if its for Wii and kids and all that. But for the price point its worth a shot, let us know how it goes.
 
It's an LED projector, so while it's rated at 700 lumens, it's actually pretty comparable to a 3000 lumen 'bulb' projector. It's surprisingly bright for the size. I've used it for presentations in a moderately bright room with no problem at all. In a somewhat darkened room it's more than adequate for games and movies.

Just for kicks, this is one of the reviews that convinced me to get the ML750 for presentations in the first place. This shows the ML550 in a lit and darkened room, and the ML750 is significantly better and brighter. I just can't find any videos online for the 750 and I'm too lazy to make one myself.. 😉

It's not fantastic in a bright room but still usable, and the room will almost always be at least as dark as the second portion of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix232GiaHf8#t=91
 
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Fardringle said:
It's an LED projector, so while it's rated at 700 lumens, it's actually pretty comparable to a 3000 lumen 'bulb' projector. It's surprisingly bright for the size. I've used it for presentations in a bright room with no problem at all. In a somewhat darkened room it's more than adequate for games and movies.
Click to expand...

Get back to us on how this works. Personally, I wouldn't get this even at $400 let alone the ridiculous price tag they're charging for it right now.

BenQ W1070 is rated/universally recommended for a reason for entry level budget theater rooms.
 
I just realized that I never reported back on this. I decided to sell the ML750 to a business associate for almost what I paid for it, and spent an extra $150 to get the Optoma ML 1000P, which is a significant upgrade in both lumens and features. I love the fact that I won't have to buy a new bulb (basically paying the cost of the projector over again on low budget bulb projectors) every couple of years.

This is a short video clip using the crappy video function on my camera (Fuji S6000fd). The grain in the video is due to the camera's limited low light capability. The actual picture on the screen is extremely clear and sharp and the video doesn't do it justice at all except to show the brighness. The first 10 seconds is with 4 60 watt light bulbs turned on six feet behind the camera position - about 15 feet away from the screen. At 11 seconds all lights are off except for a small amount of ambient light from a small window (mostly covered) another 5 or so feet behind the lights). The video quality is poor due to the camera, but I think it shows that this projector is more than adequate for gaming on the Wii. If I remember when the kids aren't playing games, I'll do the same thing with a movie at some point in the near future.

So far the only real negatives I've seen with the projector are the short throw distance without a physical zoom function meaning it has to be positioned to fit the screen so I had to be a little bit creative in how and where I mounted it, and the focus dial/switch is kind of 'sticky' which means it stays in place when it is set but it takes some time to get the focus set exactly right. Otherwise the kids are VERY pleased with it, and frankly so am I. I have been pleasantly surprised at how good movies (mostly Netflix) and games look with this setup. It's not movie theater quality, but it's not a movie theater budget either. 🙂

Specs:
Optoma ML 1000P projector
DA-LITE 7 foot wide screen
The projector is approximately 9.5 feet from the screen
Color setting set to "PC". Some of the other options are a bit brighter but have too much red or yellow and make faces look odd.
 
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