Projector suggestions?

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I am looking to buy a HD projector.

I know very little about projectors really. I was planning to position it about 16-18 foot away from the wall I want to project onto. If that's not possible there are other options.

I want it mainly for watching films and playing games. There won't be any sport watched on it.

I would also like to get a surround sound system for it. I have nothing really in mind. It doesn't have to be too high spec as it's not that important to me.

My budget for the projector is about €1000 about 300-500 for the sound system as I want to keep a few bob for a HD media player. I'm not too interested in a blue ray player, but if I got one at a good price I would take it.

Thanks.

eddiem74

On the projector check out Projector Point, and AVForums for guidance, and user input. Once you narrow down you choice, you can google around for reviews, best price, etc... You will also need to consider things like projector placement, and the flexibility you have, will you need lens shift for example? You will also need to decide LCD or DLP, some people see a rainbow effect with DLP. With regards to a projector screen, I would tend to suggest you start off using your wall till you gauge the screen size you are comfortable with. This of course assumes you wall is a light colour (ideally white) to start with, and that you don't get a screen thrown in with the purchase. Here is a calculator which can help you work out screen size, although I would still suggest the above first.

As for a surround sound system you should try to get separates, this will allow you build a better system over time as you can upgrade individual components. You can check Peats, Sevenoaks, AVForums, and the Richersounds forum on boards for advice, and guidance.

Good Luck !

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Ok I have been doing some research over the past week and have got some info on some nice projectors and sound systems.

I checked out the links you provided, thanks for that. I have short listed a few projectors as follows;

BenQ W1000



Optoma HD200X

The optoma projector seems to have a very low contrast ratio. I am not sure if 350:1 will cut it for me. Is it a big deal? I'm not sure.

Viewsonic Pro8200

Doesn't have keystone correction which may prove to be a problem. Lamp life is high (up to 4000 hours) as is contrast ratio and lumens.

Vivitek H1080

I am favouring this model for a few reasons. The lumens are high at 1800, the contrast is also high at 5000:1, lamp life is about 3000 hours. It also seems to run quieter than the others and allows me to project from a table top. The table is 1 foot high, I am guessing the lense will be about another 4-6 inches higher.

Each have their pros and cons. They all fall within my price range but I am not 100% sure which one will be the best for me. I am leaning towards the Vivitek model though. As I have very little experience in projectors I am unsure of which model is the most reliable and the best value for money etc etc.

As for sound systems I went to peats. I am looking at this Yamaha RX-V367. It's a decent price but I will also need speakers for it. It states that it is "HD ready". Does this mean it is only 720i? Will I get the full benifits from a full HD projector using this reciever? I will also need to look into speakers and a sub woofer. Not too sure about them though. We don't need anything too powerful as we are in an apartment complex.

I might add the Yamaha NS-P285 with either of the following subwoofers Yamaha YST-FSW050 or Yamaha YST-FSW100.

This setup would be within my budget and going from no TV to this setup would be a massive difference :P. I can understand that some of the items I have listed are entry level and some people may not agree, but I don't even have a CRT TV at the moment so I will notice the difference and appretiate the setup I would think. Any suggestions?

One thing I didn't factor in when I started researching projectors is the distance the projector needs to be from the wall. I was planning on having the projector behind my sofa about 8 meters from the wall I am projecting onto, but this will give me a massive viewing area, much to big for my wall. I have decided to put the projector on a coffee table in front of the sofa, but this will require keystone correction I would imagine. Would I need to put the projector at a certain height? If I place the projector at 280cm from the wall I can get a image area of about H81-97cm and W145-175cm. This size is about perfect. I do have a radiator on this wall which stands at about 61cm from the floor.

I am trying to factor in as much as I can so I am not dissapointed with any issues that may arise.

Thanks for all the help.

slave1

I demo'd that BenQ, couldn't stand the rainbow effect, cannot underestimate how important it is to figure out whether you'll be effected by it or not.
ProjectorPoint will allow you to demo for a few hours and return if not happy but you will have to stiff up for the return P+P charge.
In the end went with a Panny AE4000, from 20' projects a 10' image and don't forget these babies have plenty of zoom options so you can 'shrink' the size to fit your wall/screen...

eddiem74

You might want to check out this thread for you sound system.

jmal

The Vivitek H1080 is the best value home theatre projector when you consider a price of €999 with a 3year On-site warranty is bought from am Irish reseller. UK resellers need it returned to the UK at your cost. Watch this.

Its bigger brother the Vivitek H1085 is a "Highly Recommended - Home Cinema Choice Magazine" projector in the entry level 1080p market when put up against the BenQ, Optoma, Epson etc. Possible the best 1080p below the €2000 mark. It even has IFScc Calibration... Can be calibrated by a Pro-Calibrator. Virtually unheard of in the sub-€2K projectors.

People get hung up on the Rainbow Effect issue with DLP projectors. I have been working with projectors for 15years and nowdays this is not an issue with most projectors. I have seen "Rainbows" from time to time on my last projector Optoma HD65 but it never bothered me or anyone else who seen the HD65 running. Get a demo to see if this is an issue. Can be a problem for a very small percentage of people who are very sensitive to Rainbows and usually go-on about it all the time, not realising most of us are not bothered or even see it on the same projector.

IMO DLP projector give a much richer colours, deaper and better blacks levels (despite the specified Contrast level figures). Also DLP projector will out last an entry level LCD projector (organic LCD chipset) by 3or4 times. DLP will run for 10year+ excluding lamp changes no problem. LCD projectors wont in most cases.

HTH