Supervalu home projector €299, half-price

cavanmaniac

Just saw these in my local Supervalu, €299, normal price (according to Supervalu) is €599.

The brand is 'InFocus,' seem pretty good/popular brand going by their website, although I can't seem to see the model that Supervalu are selling (box doesn't detail the model # in the shop either, unfortunately).

You can project your TV pictures to 8-foot or use it for gaming which is my particular interest.

I just wanted to ask does anyone know anything about the technology in general, is this a good offer (is the machine obsolete perhaps, hence the cheap price?) and finally, did anyone buy one?

Saruman

that is cheap, not sure if things have changed but a bulb will usually set you back about €299 or at least it did last time i checked... a few years ago now...

Shiminay

The resolution and quality on a cheap projector (i.e. less than a grand) is spectacularly awful, particularly for gaming. Don't bother if that's what you're thinking. You're as well off to put it towards a proper (i.e. Samsung) HD telly

Bulbs (depending on the device obviously) can go from €20 to €200 to replace.

cavanmaniac

Thanks Kharn, most customer reviews for even the cheapest Infocus projector I could find on pixmania suggested they were pretty good for gaming, considering the price. I'll keep hunting about though and see if I can turn up anything concrete!

Shiminay

Well, a friend of mine has a cheap (albeit slightly older model) projector and I have a 27" Samsung TV. We were having an X-Box LAN party and no one wanted to play with the 8' projection after seeing the immense difference on my 720p bad boy

If you're a big movie buff and you've got a decent sound system already, it may not be a bad idea. Although, not having any details of the projector in questions, it's hard to make a proper recomendation.

cavanmaniac

Yeah, I have no clue about the technical jargon whatsoever, so I'll try and find out what the model number is on this one that's on offer so I cam google it. I have a feeling it's no longer in production, hence the price, and hence the fact Supervalu have their hands on it.

I'm not a movie/home theatre type guy but I play games a fair bit and watch DVDs like the next fella, so I probably wopuldn't bother unless it was at least decent if you get me, doesn't have to be amazing like.

Emmo

Kharn wrote: »

Well, a friend of mine has a cheap (albeit slightly older model) projector and I have a 27" Samsung TV. We were having an X-Box LAN party and no one wanted to play with the 8' projection after seeing the immense difference on my 720p bad boy

If you're a big movie buff and you've got a decent sound system already, it may not be a bad idea. Although, not having any details of the projector in questions, it's hard to make a proper recomendation.

I have a HD projector that cost 800.

It does a nice 10 foot HD screen. Try looking at some of the Optoma projectors, they are well worth the cash.

how much did your TV cost?

Emmo

Shiminay

800 for a HD projector? That's a great price! Admittedly, it's not a branch of tech I keep tabs on, so if they're down to that sorta money, it's morth reconsidering

My telly cost €535 18 months ago. Similar spec'd models are obviously cheaper now.

sinjin_smythe

i got a 3M MP7730 projector in my room and use it for gaming and movies and it really is kickass. Its an old projector that i got for free at the time, didnt expect much from it when i tried it but it definatly displays in high def. i got a nice 5 ft screen on my wall by just painting over it in white, never bothered buying a screen. So just sayin 3M projectors are pretty good.

RedRaven

Just a quick question guys, I assume you are talkin about a projector on a white wall hoooked up to your cable, like in a pub yeah?

My question is do you need a TV liecence for the projector?

Zascar

Any moire details on this deal lads? is it in all super value's?

Ok obviously it would not be a brilliant model, but would it be ok for watching movies, dvd or divx etc?

WellyJ

RedRaven wrote: »

Just a quick question guys, I assume you are talkin about a projector on a white wall hoooked up to your cable, like in a pub yeah?

My question is do you need a TV liecence for the projector?

If it has a tv tuner then yes.

byte

A pic would be good. It's not one of those big black and blue InFocus projectors, is it? The one I am thinking of isn't HD, and had a pretty short bulb life-expectancy.

Don't know though without a pic or model number.

Redisle

Would love to know if this is nationwide or just in your local store..

TPD

Didnt see any in my local store today.

cavanmaniac

It's in Kane's supervalu in Donabate, I've looked at the box and the only info I can see is that it's an 'InFocus' brand, there doesn't appear to be any model numbers on it as far as I can see but I will check again.

I don't know if it's in all Supervalu outlets or just this one.

@byte, from the picture, it did appear to be a blue machine with a black stripe down the middle of it, yes...

Onikage

Sounds like the In1 "Big Play" model. It doesn't have a tv tuner, just component and composite. It's fine as a toy, but not as a serious projector (SD, low contrast ratio). Elara and Powercity(I think) were selling this for under €200 at the start of the summer.

Edit:
Specs are here, elara don't sell it anymore http://irishsmartconsumer.blogspot.com/2008/07/cheap-and-cheerful-projector.html

Zascar

Just found this on Komplett: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=342123 for €309 + delivery

Acer Projector X1160, 2000 ANSI, 2000:1, SVGA

Acer X1160 is ideal for those who want to indulge in cinematic entertainment and high-intensity gaming in the comfort of their own home.

The Acer X1160 SVGA (800x600) digital projector is designed to bring colors to life with its 2000 ANSI Lumens brightness and 2000:1 contrast ratio. Featuring a longer lamp life with up to 4000 hours of use and a 6-segment color wheel, this value projector utilizes Acer ColorBoost and SmartFormat technologies for rich, vibrant imagery and complete wide format support.

The Acer SmartFormat technology features a simple set-up process, which allows for easy continuation between speakers for presentation use, complete widescreen format support that permits instant synchronization of wide-format without resolution adjustment from your notebook, and the Acer Top-Load Lamp Design to complete lamp replacement in a few simple steps.

Energizeer

Hmm Interesting.
Well IMO I think that a cheap projector would be grand out.
For me, most of my movies are 700mb downloads. So the quality on them wouldnt be that good in the first place. The projector wont make it any better/worse I think!

DavyD_83

Zascar wrote: »

Just found this on Komplett: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=342123 for €309 + delivery

Any opinions on this one. Seems fairly decent, but i don't know anything really. I'm looking for projector for watching movies , like above. Not exactly home cinema, just better than on a laptop really .

What yis reckon?

Zascar

I'd say the people over at the Home Entertainment forum will know more so I posted this: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=57581512

lensman

I spotted the infocus herelast week, you get the screen as well,..remember it's only a bargain if you need it otherwise it's just an inpulse buy...;);)

Zascar

Wow, that is seriously cheap, can it possibly be any good at that price? Maybe its that cheap since it is so ugly...

Actually searching for reviews, this was retailing at $499 and still gets decent reviews.... Looks like a no brainer really... Says "Box Shabby, Product Pristine - limit one per customer"

Delivery is €30 - what a complete ripoff!!!

Reviews: http://www.projectorreviews.com/infocus/in1/index.php
http://www.projectorreviews.com/infocus/in1/index.php
http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-article/14753/infocus-releases-a-projector-for-gamers
http://www.slashgear.com/infocus-in1-gaming-projector-at-woot-088390/

Energizeer

lensman wrote: »

I spotted the infocus herelast week, you get the screen as well,..remember it's only a bargain if you need it otherwise it's just an inpulse buy...;);)

Bulb Life = 1000 hour(s)
Could still use it for speakers after it burns out... And the free screen is nifty.
Hmmm, where did I hide my credit card?

"The Play Big IN1 is described as an instant home theatre and gaming projector. It is based on DLP technology from Texas Instruments and features a built-in DVD player and speakers, which should make it easy for beginners to get started with the unit. There's also a ceiling mirror (no laughing at the back please) that allows you to watch your favourite film on the ceiling (for example, if you're in bed)."

Zascar

Energizeer wrote: »

"The Play Big IN1 is described as an instant home theatre and gaming projector. It is based on DLP technology from Texas Instruments and features a built-in DVD player and speakers, which should make it easy for beginners to get started with the unit. There's also a ceiling mirror (no laughing at the back please) that allows you to watch your favourite film on the ceiling (for example, if you're in bed)."

I don't think it has a DVD player - the other reviews say "Sadly no in build DVD Player"

TerrorFirmer

byte wrote: »

A pic would be good. It's not one of those big black and blue InFocus projectors, is it? The one I am thinking of isn't HD, and had a pretty short bulb life-expectancy.

Don't know though without a pic or model number.

Are those that bad? Couldn't believe when I saw the price of them, 150 euro for the projector and the 8' screen, 100 euro for b grade ones! I mean....even if it only did 640x480 it's great for the price.

I've an ancient 3M projector I got a good few years ago for free, watch movies on it a bit - it's great. Sure, it's not cystal clear quality, but it's perfectly fine and much better then watching it on a tv. I can only assume the IF one would be the same....used to play my old Xbox on it as well, that was definitely great fun.

lensman

Zascar wrote: »

Wow, that is seriously cheap, can it possibly be any good at that price? Maybe its that cheap since it is so ugly...

Actually searching for reviews, this was retailing at $499 and still gets decent reviews.... Looks like a no brainer really... Says "Box Shabby, Product Pristine - limit one per customer"

Delivery is €30 - what a complete ripoff!!!

[/url]

They ship from the UK hence the £24uk shipping, I ordered from the a few time now...sound enough,...I picked up one of these last week €190 incl shipping it,s a HANNS G HG223

Zascar

I just bought that projector. Great deal for €152 all in, including a screen.

Hopefully I'll get it by friday. I'll let you know what its like.

podge3

Zascar wrote: »

I just bought that projector. Great deal for €152 all in, including a screen.

Hopefully I'll get it by friday. I'll let you know what its like.

I got one too . I wonder if the projector or screen is actually used?

I don't know about delivery by Friday. It says 2 day delivery, but I'll be surprised if it arrived in 48 hours.

MisterAnarchy

lensman wrote: »

I spotted the infocus herelast week, you get the screen as well,..remember it's only a bargain if you need it otherwise it's just an inpulse buy...;);)

Must resist,must resist.

Redisle

Zascar wrote: »

I just bought that projector. Great deal for €152 all in, including a screen.

Hopefully I'll get it by friday. I'll let you know what its like.

very cheap but check the specs out..
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=650172

its only vga and 500lumens.. meaning the room would have to be pitch black to make it out..

Still kinda tempting though for the price

shnaek

I had been resisting, until I read the reviews here:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3564529&CatId=3145
Then I cracked and bought it.
Yes - impulse buy

podge3

Mine has been dispatched .

May have it by Friday after all.

Onikage

It is an impulse buy, but a fun one. You would have to be a serious snob to deny that it is well worth the misco price.

MisterAnarchy

Onikage wrote: »

It is an impulse buy, but a fun one. You would have to be a serious snob to deny that it is well worth the misco price.

Are they new units or refurbished ?

Zascar

podge3 wrote: »

Mine has been dispatched .

May have it by Friday after all.

Dam mine is still being processed.

podge3

Zascar wrote: »

Dam mine is still being processed.

What time did you order at?

I did mine at about 11.30 this morning.

Zascar

Dispatched now!

Now on route to delivery branch so I might just get it by Friday.

It would bloody well want to for 30 F**king euro delivery!

MayoForSam

Hmm, I really don't think I'd go for that projector - it looks like a pig, I doubt if the sound is up to much, has no digital inputs and will be worthless in 6 month's time. Waste of money if you ask me.

I would advise going for a HD700X, just over €500, well worth it:http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/projectors/Optoma_HD700X.html. Plenty of info on avforums.com on cheap projectors, this scores very well (also it's big brother the HD65). It's on Amazon too if you have someone in the UK to ship it to.

Redisle

MayoForSam wrote: »

Hmm, I really don't think I'd go for that projector - it looks like a pig, I doubt if the sound is up to much, has no digital inputs and will be worthless in 6 month's time. Waste of money if you ask me.

I would advise going for a HD700X, just over €500, well worth it:http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/projectors/Optoma_HD700X.html. Plenty of info on avforums.com on cheap projectors, this scores very well (also it's big brother the HD65). It's on Amazon too if you have someone in the UK to ship it to.

It has digital component input and takes input from 720p, 1080i..

It is a low spec'd projector compared to most but look at the price tbh.. I know I said above it may not be great but Ive been drawn in and I just bought one!

Your one for just over 500 is probably way better but in reality there is a huge difference between 500 and 150..

As for the sound.. most projectors don't even have that much.. and it has an audio out port so you can use your own speakers anyway..

This will be perfect for me I think as a cheap starter projector, just for showing pics, watching movies and maybe using the 360.

I just put the name into youtube and the projector actually dosen't look half bad with the 360 either..

MisterAnarchy

The reviews in general are pretty positive.
One of our own posters gave a review a while back,very positive.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055329517&highlight=infocus

podge3

Don't forget you get a screen as well for the €150.

seclachi

Most people tend not to use projectors that much at home anyway, you need a fair bit of space for the screen and you need the lights out / curtains drawn, so unless your lucky enough to have a spare room its probably going to sit in cornor most of the time id say.

Id be suspicious of a projector that cheap, and big/blue, but for the price I guess its perfect for somebody who`ll use it the odd time.

Onikage

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Are they new units or refurbished ?

Most likely an ex-display model. Refurb models are usually marked as such.

Zascar

Ok I only just saw now that this projector is not suitable to use with a laptop, as it does not have a VGA Connection

However you can use either S-Video, Component, or Composite Video

Which is best? I have to buy some cables now...

MisterAnarchy

Zascar wrote: »

Ok I only just saw now that this projector is not suitable to use with a laptop, as it does not have a VGA Connection

You could use a laptop with tv out though.
There are vga to s video adapters around but I'm not sure how well they work.

cavanmaniac

Just ordered one on misco.ie. Thanks for all your help guys!

podge3

Zascar wrote: »

Ok I only just saw now that this projector is not suitable to use with a laptop, as it does not have a VGA Connection

It looks to have RGBHV connections so you could use this to connect your PC: http://www.sourcingmap.com/vga-rgbhv-converter-cable-p-10764.html?currency=GBP

Redisle

Tbh I don't think there is any point connecting a computer to this.

It's only 640x480 and it would look terrible.
For example take a look at this picture
Thats from this review down the bottom of the page.
That's the kind of text you would see if you connect this to a pc I'd imagine
(although I could be wrong)

Im going to use this to watch videos fed from either a dvd player or my mp3 player (zen vision m 30gb with rca outputs).
The other thing I was thinking of is getting an old xbox and setting up this projector as a (very cheap) media center. Install XBMC on the xbox, get a component cable to connect to projector (better than the standard connectors, hd output) and stream media from my pc..

And I may also try the 360 on it. I don't think il bother trying to connect the laptop.. although if I did want to s-video would definetly be the easiest way

Zascar

Ok I only meant laptop for playing movies - divx etc. would that work ok?

How about a DVD player?

Redisle

Zascar wrote: »

Ok I only meant laptop for playing movies - divx etc. would that work ok?

How about a DVD player?

Oh yeah, it would probably be fine ( again Im just guessing)
I just mean it wouldn't be very suited to presentations or web browsing. While playing video I don't think it would be noticed.

Chances are your laptop has an s-video port? Most of em do.. definitely the easiest option.
Id imagine a dvd player would work fine too.. you could again use an svideo cable for that (most dvd players have these) or somethng like this.

The review does state that the colour on it isn't great for movies (Shallow red's) but I don't think that would stop me using it for such..