Projector Home Entertainment

[gt07]

I'm looking to buy a projector for everyday use (tv, xbox, dvd, etc). I've been hunting around a little and am getting pretty confused about what i really need.

My budget is $1500

i've really been looking at the infocus 5000 but ALL brands are welcome.

Can any of you please give me a hand or some personal experience?

 

[Auryg]

All I can really say is I'd recommend going DLP, and I love my infocus x1..now called the 4800, i think.

 

[vshah]

i have a panasonc AE-700u which is great, but it runs around $2200

 

[Goosemaster]

infocus 5000 or panny ae700


5000 is sharper but not as many lumens

ae700 is blurrier but brighter iirc

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: vshah
i have a panasonc AE-700u which is great, but it runs around $2200

you got ripped

 

[gt07]

Originally posted by: Auryg
All I can really say is I'd recommend going DLP, and I love my infocus x1..now called the 4800, i think.

the infocus 5000 is a 3LCD. anything bad about it perhaps?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Auryg
All I can really say is I'd recommend going DLP, and I love my infocus x1..now called the 4800, i think.

I have a 4805 and I'm quite happy with it.

DLP is pretty nice for gaming as there is no chance of burn-in and response time is good.

It has a faroudja de-interlacer chip, so SD stuff will look good on it.

Check AVSforum and Projector Central for info if you haven't. Sound like you might have been over there if you're confused though

Go out and look at some if you can. You can see if Rainbow effect on DLPs bother you etc.

You have a dark room for this, right?

 

[MichaelD]

Projector specs are very important.

Projectors can be optimized for movies (low-med lumens, high contrast ratio) or for presentations in bright conference rooms (high lumens, low contrast ratio).

You can get BOTH high lumens and high contrast ratio, but not for under $3K or so.

I have an InFocus 4805 DLP projector. It is optimized for movie viewing in a darkened room. With the blinds wide open and sunlight streaming in, the picture is washed out. With an almost dark room (just a nightlight in the corner) it's bright enough to hurt your eyes in bright scenes, but you can still see a black tie against a black shirt.

Typically, videogames played thru a projector are done in a bright room with lots of folks standing around. Given your budget, I'd go for a high-lumen projector.

AVSforum.com is one of the better forums for projector advice. They can help you.

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: vshah
i have a panasonc AE-700u which is great, but it runs around $2200

you got ripped

bought in January

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: vshah
i have a panasonc AE-700u which is great, but it runs around $2200

you got ripped

bought in January

stilll got riiiiiiiiiiiipped

 

[Doggiedog]

I've got a 4805 as well. Its a great little projector. My wife who is not into gadgets calls it the best electronic device I've purchased. I've seen it for $800 at eCost. It probably does not have enough resolution for your needs though.

Try looking around projectorcentral.com for some advice.