screen projector noob

[slightlyhuman]

Just got my shop house built and have a decent sized wall that I was thinking of getting a projector for. Keep in mind I'm a complete home audio/video noob. I would just watch DVDs and play xbox. I might just go with a 40" TV but thought a projector would be cheaper perhaps...

ANy idea what would work for me? I'm not too hard to impress.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What are you hoping to spend? Projectors will look best in a light controlled room. Can you get the room quite dark for when you'd want to use it?

 

[slightlyhuman]

What are you hoping to spend? Projectors will look best in a light controlled room. Can you get the room quite dark for when you'd want to use it?

i have 0 windows. it's a shop i took and converted about 900 sq. ft to living quarters. and i just want one that will look half ass decent with movies and a few games on xbox. nothing crazy. cheap as possible.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

i have 0 windows. it's a shop i took and converted about 900 sq. ft to living quarters. and i just want one that will look half ass decent with movies and a few games on xbox. nothing crazy. cheap as possible.

Well, just to put some dollar signs on this...

A cheap 1080p projector is about $1000

A cheap 720p projector is about $700

You can get something cheaper than that if you get something used.

I recently sold my old 720p projector for $400 on craigslist.

What's your budget for this?

I'd recommend looking around the following to learn more:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home.cfm
http://www.projectorreviews.com/
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=68

 

[slightlyhuman]

will do! thanks for the links. i was hoping i could get everything i need for <$500 but i'm guessing not.,

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well, you could get a used projector for that much.

I don't know what else you'll need though.

In general, you'll need some sort of stand or mount. You'll need long video cables. You'll need a sound system of some sort.

 

[Muse]

will do! thanks for the links. i was hoping i could get everything i need for <$500 but i'm guessing not.,

You can project on a wall and save the $$ for a screen. Cheap screens can work well. I made mine for around $50. Projection systems are the best bang for the buck. Like said above, you have to be OK with controlling the light in the room for good results. However, what I get is pretty stunning compared to a plasma or LCD IMO.

 

[funboy6942]

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Proj...e=MovieMate-60

Under $600 beans shipped with a built in dvd player and speakers with a 2 year warranty. Bulbs are also cheap for this unit too, and got great reviews. Its also a short throw unit, which means you wont have to mount it or place it 15" or more from the screen. Can keep it kinda close to the screen so easy to set up.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...763&amp;CatId=2433

And a 100" screen for under $100 beans.

Nothing fancy but it will get you to dip your feet in projector goodness and they are both new, not used.

If you wanted to do HD you can move up to this model for just a little bit more.

http://www.visualapex.com/Optoma/Pro...p?For-The=HD66

 

[Muse]

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Proj...e=MovieMate-60

Under $600 beans shipped with a built in dvd player and speakers with a 2 year warranty. Bulbs are also cheap for this unit too, and got great reviews. Its also a short throw unit, which means you wont have to mount it or place it 15" or more from the screen. Can keep it kinda close to the screen so easy to set up.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...763&amp;CatId=2433

And a 100" screen for under $100 beans.

Nothing fancy but it will get you to dip your feet in projector goodness and they are both new, not used.

If you wanted to do HD you can move up to this model for just a little bit more.

http://www.visualapex.com/Optoma/Pro...p?For-The=HD66

That "HD" one is just 720p, which is what I have now. I like it, but someday I'd like to move to 1080p. Plus, my Sanyo PLV-Z2 is lacking in contrast. With some movies I don't notice, but with some others certain scenes are all but unwatchable for lack of contrast.