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Super large TVs vs projectors

Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Hey all.

I have a pretty large living room and a 42" plasma TV. I love my TV (even though it's only 1080i), but it's too small for me to really enjoy. It's about 17 feet from where I sit, so I'm thinking about upgrading. I've been looking at the Mitsubishi WD-82838 and the cheaper WD-82837. They're both 82", which should be a nice size for my living room.

I've also been considering getting a projector, maybe the LG CF181D or the Epson Powerlite 8500 UB. If I get a projector, I'll also have to get a sound system, since I'm just using the speakers on my TV now.

Has anyone used any of these products? Any recommendations or thoughts? I don't know a whole lot about HT systems and I'm not in a big hurry, so I have some time.

Thanks!
 
Projector will be more work to setup (obviously) but will give you a much larger picture.

Do you need the a sound-system anyway? Were you planning on getting a sound system even if you went with a TV?

I have a 65" mitsu DLP and am quite satisfied. I didn't want to deal with a project being in an apartment.
 
17' you need at least an 8' screen :biggrin:, 10' would be better . SMPTE wants 125" and thx 152.1"
 
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sdifox said:
17' you need at least an 8' screen :biggrin:, 10' would be better . SMPTE wants 125" and thx 152.1"
Click to expand...

Well if SMPTE and/or THX want to contribute to the fund, I'd be more than happy to take the recommendations. 😛

$6K is out of my budget. I use my TV for OTA HD football, Netflix, and the PS3.
 
I always hear good things about DLPs on forums but Ive personally never been impressed with the ones I've seen in person. Projectors are a great way to get a huge screen for cheap but make sure you can darken the room, otherwise its going to be very washed out.
 
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and? not everyone wants a PJ

kuros were stupid expensive that didnt stop people from dropping 4k on a 50 in TV
 
Anubis said:
and? not everyone wants a PJ

kuros were stupid expensive that didnt stop people from dropping 4k on a 50 in TV
Click to expand...

Well, with a projector I'd need a sound system, a screen, a mount, and some way to be able to use the remote/PS3 controller/whatever while facing the screen.
 
Chaotic42 said:
Hey all.

I have a pretty large living room and a 42" plasma TV. I love my TV (even though it's only 1080i), but it's too small for me to really enjoy. It's about 17 feet from where I sit, so I'm thinking about upgrading. I've been looking at the Mitsubishi WD-82838 and the cheaper WD-82837. They're both 82", which should be a nice size for my living room.

I've also been considering getting a projector, maybe the LG CF181D or the Epson Powerlite 8500 UB. If I get a projector, I'll also have to get a sound system, since I'm just using the speakers on my TV now.

Has anyone used any of these products? Any recommendations or thoughts? I don't know a whole lot about HT systems and I'm not in a big hurry, so I have some time.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I've been using a projector for about 5 years now. It's super amazing - nice large 10' screen on my wall and under a $1,000 (mine is the Mitsubishi HD1500u). I've ran it off a white wall for the majority of the time and it's just been great. imo a screen isn't that much better. I have a tripod screen (6'), an electric screen (10'), and an outdoor screen (12'). White wall does just fine, plus I'm not limited on the size. But I'm installing the electric screen this week to make it look nicer (no pictures etc. on that wall right now).

Only real downside is you need light control. Just get some blackout curtains for your windows if you need to. The bulbs are a few hundred bucks, so that's kind of a big expense, but mine haven't burned out yet. We just toss a quarter in a jar every time we watch a movie to cover the cost ($300 a bulb, rated for 3,000 hours, is around 10 cents an hour - so a quarter in a jar for every 2-hour movie covers the cost, haha).

It also looks really good as a computer monitor - so playing games or surfing the net is awesome. I got a 720p model because I watch a lot of SD content, and SD looks better at 720 than it does at 1080. For mounting, Monoprice has some nice ceiling mounts for under $50, or you could just do a shelf on the wall. For a long time, mine lived on our coffee table, which was just fine. Monoprice also has some electric screens for only a couple hundred bucks if you want something more professional-looking.

For speakers, I'd recommend the Logitech Z-5500's. They sound great, and usually go for around $300. You don't need a separate receiver and they can do both digital and analog inputs. It's a very straightforward, great-sounding setup. So for around $1500 you can have a pretty decent setup (projector, ceiling mount, electric screen, Logitech speakers). You can get a 1080p projector for a bit more. My buddy has a Panasonic PT-AE model and it's even better than my Mitsu is. I didn't think LCD Projectors would look as good as DLP projectors, but I was wrong! One of the most popular models right now looks like the Panasonic PT-AE4000U; it's one of the top-selling at Projector People ($2,000):

http://www.projectorpeople.com/proje...p?itemid=24987

I also have a blast doing outdoor movie parties...we'll setup the inflatable screen and have 10 or 20 people over, cook up some food, watch movies and play videos games all night, it's a ton of fun. You can setup a drive-in (google "guerilla drive ins" haha) or have a pool party too. The quality of a good projector is better than most plasma and LCD televisions. I've really enjoyed mine overall 🙂
 
Projector and logitech z5500 speakers and your set. I got my screen from tigerdirect for under 70 beens, my PJ from visualapex for under 800 bucks and its a 720p, and my z5500 from the egg for under 400 clams. So for around $1K~ you are set up to watch a 100 inch screen or larger on the super cheap, but still have quality visual and sound on the cheep to dip your feet in the waters.
 
Just do both.

I have a 73" Mits in the living room, a 65" Mits in the play room, a 60" Mits in the Wii Room and a 126" Projected image in the theater.

They all have their uses. If you want a theater experience, go projector. If you just want a bigger set to watch TV, to with a large TV.
 
You should totally get a projector for that distance. You can get a much larger screen for less money, which means that you'll be able to spend money on a sound system.
 
If you're rich...or don't mind spending $500 a year on a 1080p projector lense...go for it...You'll get 100"+ screens off of the badass ones. Personally, its worth it, i just don't has the moneyz. 😉
 
My father has an Epson 8100 and a 120" screen for his home theater setup and it's pretty awesome, it's not like the old projectors where you can see each pixel or the color wheel rainbow. Large TVs just aren't worth the price past 60" IMO, especially with the latest generations of 1080p projectors. You might look into the Epson 8350, it was released recently and is supposed to be as good as the 8500 but at a cheaper price. One cool thing about the 8000 series is that they give a lot of flexibility in terms of image positioning, which is helpful if you can't place the projector in the "perfect" spot.
 
RavenSEAL said:
If you're rich...or don't mind spending $500 a year on a 1080p projector lense...go for it...You'll get 100"+ screens off of the badass ones. Personally, its worth it, i just don't has the moneyz. 😉
Click to expand...

? why is he buying lenses every year?

If you mean lamp, I don't think anyone in their sane mind goes through 2000hr of viewing a year. That is like 5.5hr ever single day. My lamp is rated at 3000hr for low mode which I run it in. Mine is from April 2008 still on original lamp.
 
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