POLL: Projector or Plasma?

[Winchester]

Currently have a Sony VPL-CS5 which I bought (had 40 hours on lamp) for cheap. It is nice having a 9x5' screen on the wall and everything but have recently given thought to getting a 42"+ Plasma.

I currently have to setup the projector "get it out, align it, focus, etc" everytime we watch a movie. I have yet to give it a permanent station. I also have to move all the surround sound speakers to their appropriate places each time because I dont want wires every where.

I have thought about building a stand that holds everything including the projector such as
linky.


Anyway, what would you prefer?

42" plasma or massive projector screen.



BTW: We do not have cable. We just watch movies.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Plasma. I don't think most projector setups have good enough picture quality and they are a hassle as you've experienced

 

[Aharami]

plasma

 

[SonnyDaze]

42" Plasma.

 

[multiband8303]

DLP

 

[Ramma2]

42" Panasonic Plasma

 

[ponyo]

With projector, you really need a dedicated theater room with little or no light. Then it's the best option IMO.

If you don't have total light control, it's best to go with plasma.

I have both. Projector for my theater room with zero window and total light control. 42" plasma in my bedroom for occassional movies and games.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

I'm going to go against the grain of the replies thus far and say projector with a proper fixed installation.

Since you only watch movies, I'd assume you usually watch them in a darkened room. If you were watching a bunch of TV with the lights on and such, though, a plasma might be the better choice for brightness.

edit: Doh, beaten by seconds!

 

[imported_inspire]

I say projector if you can give it a more permanent space. The only problems you have with it are setting it up, so if you can solve that, you should be fine. Buying a plasma is just going to end up costing you your tax refund.

 

[Majesty]

42" Panasonic Plasma FTW!

The picture quality of a projector will never be as good as a plasma. Quality before size. 'nuff said.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Plasma. I don't think most projector setups have good enough picture quality and they are a hassle as you've experienced

What? They're only a hassle for him because he has to get it out everyone time he wants to use it. Having it set up permanently would obviously fix that problem.

OP, if you have decent/good light control, I'd stick with the projector.

 

[Winchester]

It would not be as much of an issue once I gave it a permanent place. We only watch movies at night so that helps with the darkness issue.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I would say projector just because I've had such good experiences with mine, but if you really have to get it out, line it up, and focus it every time you watch something... yikes.

You have to do the speakers every time too?

Is hiding the wires or getting in-wall wires an option?

 

[Winchester]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I would say projector just because I've had such good experiences with mine, but if you really have to get it out, line it up, and focus it every time you watch something... yikes.

You have to do the speakers every time too?

Is hiding the wires or getting in-wall wires an option?

Yes, I move the speakers every time as well.

Hardwood floors. White walls & ceiling. So not many places to "hide" the wires without painting them. I dont want to do in-wall because it will be a PITA and I wont be able to reach most of the areas. The hardest part is having the speaker wire without tripping over it.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Winchester

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I would say projector just because I've had such good experiences with mine, but if you really have to get it out, line it up, and focus it every time you watch something... yikes.

You have to do the speakers every time too?

Is hiding the wires or getting in-wall wires an option?

Yes, I move the speakers every time as well.

Hardwood floors. White walls & ceiling. So not many places to "hide" the wires without painting them. I dont want to do in-wall because it will be a PITA and I wont be able to reach most of the areas. The hardest part is having the speaker wire without tripping over it.

They do make white speaker wire if that would make it easier

I think it comes down to
- how far away are you going to sit?
- how many people are going to be watching?
- how dark is the room going to be?

 

[mrrman]

projector...I have the Sanyo PLVZ4 HD w HDMI and love it

 

[funboy6942]

I have a optoma H31 and 100" screen and will never go back to anything smaller again.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: multiband8303
DLP

:thumbsup:

 

[Winchester]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello


They do make white speaker wire if that would make it easier
Yeah, good for the walls but wood floors are typically brown

I think it comes down to
- how far away are you going to sit?
We lay on the floor. est. 10-12ft (eyes)
- how many people are going to be watching?
Wife and I
- how dark is the room going to be?
Pitch black-projector light. We only watch movies at night.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Winchester

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello


They do make white speaker wire if that would make it easier
Yeah, good for the walls but wood floors are typically brown

I think it comes down to
- how far away are you going to sit?
We lay on the floor. est. 10-12ft (eyes)
- how many people are going to be watching?
Wife and I
- how dark is the room going to be?
Pitch black-projector light. We only watch movies at night.

Copper up to the base of the wall and then change over to white? :laugh:

I don't think I could enjoy going back to a 42" from a projector sized image if the seating distance stayed the same.

Sounds like you could just move forward though if you're just picking distance based on where you are on the floor.

 

[BillyBatson]

PLASMA! quality over quantity

 

[Howard]

Why does it have to be a plasma?

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Majesty
42" Panasonic Plasma FTW!

The picture quality of a projector will never be as good as a plasma. Quality before size. 'nuff said.

I beg to differ. The color reproduction on my projectors is far superior to the dithered banded grainy inky mess that is plasma.

Of course I do have a fixed installation with a fixed flat perm wall screen, etc, so I can only comment on the best possible projection image; your experience and setup will vary.

You don't just pull it out of the box, plug it in, and expect a great image. But in a properly setup installation, front projection gives image quality superior to all other display devices.

http://members.cox.net/exdeath/ex1.jpg

The contrast is much better in real life; this image was artificially brightened in order to show the surrounding equipment and demonstrate screen size. I will offer better images later if requested. Got lots of 'Finding Nemo' pictures that I use to show off my projectors Also have Shark Tales in a 720p WMV clip if you want to see the true potential of front projection.

The only flaws and blandness in this image come from the fact that the PS2 only has 4 MB for texture and frame buffer memory and that its 480p being upscaled. It just happens to be the only image I have uploaded at the moment.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: BillyBatson
PLASMA! quality over quantity

Projector! Function and performance over form and status