What are the drawbacks to a front projector?

[Wingznut]

The Dell 2100MP for $900 is what caught my eye.

I plan on basically replacing my TV with it, and using it for TV, DVD's, Xbox, etc...

What are the drawbacks?

Lamp replacement - How often and how much?
Brightness - Does the room have to be dark to watch it?

 

Replacement lamps usually run 150 to 225$ depending on the model and last around 1500 hours. I dont recomend it for regular TV viewing unless you have money to burn.

 

[JonTheBaller]

I have an Epson 7700p, which has better specs than that model. But I highly recommend a projector, it really increases the viewing/gaming enjoyment.

 

[Viper GTS]

I wouldn't use a projector for TV viewing, but they work great for DVD's & games.

Make sure you have a room that you can make DARK - Blackout cloth is a must if you have windows to cope with.

Also, keep in mind this projector only does 800x600 - Still looks quite good, but it won't do HDTV resolution.

Viper GTS

 

[dman]

I don't have much experience with either but:

I think the LCD based ones fade over time, so you loose color/contrast.

The DLP ones with a single wheel cause a rainbow effect for somepeople when watching (some are better than others). There are newer / higher end 3-wheel ones supposedly resolve that.

 

[Parrotheader]

You definitely need to make sure you can put it in a room where you can make it nearly totally dark if you want the best possible picture. I volunteered to "store" (aka keep forever) a big old Runco CinemaPro 750 our company replaced with a newer model and I'm using it in my basement where I have only one window in the room with heavy shutters. It's ideal in a room like that since you have very little light and coming from only one source. Granted, the newer projectors seem to put out more light and can handle other lighting sources better, but you won't get that movietheater-like feel and picture brightness unless it's very dark.

Bulbs can get rather expensive too. I'd personally use a regular tube TV for regular viewing and save your projector's bulb life for things like movies and games.

 

[RayH]

In that price range you should also check out the Infocus X1.

Some useful links:

AVS Under $5k Forum
Projector Central Recommendations

 

[EvilYoda]

yeah, everything's pretty much been said, and I second the idea to look at the X1...projectorpeople also has some very good CSRs if you want to talk to someone on the phone about what you're looking for. They're very helpful.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
The Dell 2100MP for $900 is what caught my eye.

I plan on basically replacing my TV with it, and using it for TV, DVD's, Xbox, etc...

What are the drawbacks?

Lamp replacement - How often and how much?
Brightness - Does the room have to be dark to watch it?

The 2100MP is rated for 2000 hours of lamp life, which is said to be the point at which it will be half as bright as when you first bought it (500L for the 2100MP). Lamp replacement cost is around $299. As said, front projectors do not make good everyday televisions for both brightness and lamp life reasons, but they are excellent for movies. I can answer pretty much any questions you may have on the 2100MP - let's just say I am intimately familiar with it.