Buying a projector

2009-10-29 01:20:22

#1

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6713|The Twilight Zone

I decided I'm getting a cheap projector to watch sports with my buddies and maybe some ripped movies. What's to consider when buying a projector. I have noticed anything above 800x600 res is really expensive but for pal/ntsc signals and dvds that's good enough. Has to have HDMI (PS3 connection). I'm looking at a DLP projector, namely the Acer P1166P. Anybody has any experiences with Acer projectors?

Thanks for any input you will give me

https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png

2009-10-29 01:56:14

#2

Benzin: Member; +576|6258

www.cnet.com

Try there for reviews on stuff.

2009-10-29 07:51:14

#3

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6241|Toronto

My advice: don't do it. We bought an Optoma 1080p projector three years ago, and it's great. It wasn't cheap, but the picture quality is reat. My mate bought some cheap acer or canon, can't recall, and we compared them. The picture quality is so bad with anything that moves that it makes you want to go back to a normal TV.

I like pie.

2009-10-29 07:53:22

#4

Benzin: Member; +576|6258

I still don't get what is so awesome about projectors. Just get a bigass TV. Then you at least don't have to worry about replacing lightbulbs.

2009-10-29 08:03:12

#5

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6713|The Twilight Zone

TSI wrote:
My advice: don't do it. We bought an Optoma 1080p projector three years ago, and it's great. It wasn't cheap, but the picture quality is reat. My mate bought some cheap acer or canon, can't recall, and we compared them. The picture quality is so bad with anything that moves that it makes you want to go back to a normal TV.

Thanks for the advice. I've been to a store today, they were demoing a bit better Acer model and the picture was horrible. I wanted a projector cos I would be able to take it with myself and maybe watch sports at the evening outdoors with my friends. I know I can't compare image of the TV to projector image but man it really was a poor image- washed out, no colours, blurry,...

Nismo I wouldn't buy a second bulb anyway, they are so expensive that in two years I can buy a new, better projector.

If I buy a big LCD I'll have to worry about dead pixels,...

2009-10-29 10:17:52

#6

Beduin: Compensation of Reactive Power in the grid; +510|6010|شمال

CapnNismo wrote:
I still don't get what is so awesome about projectors.

Projectors are awsm. I will go for a projector 1st, tv 2nd.

gl sup

الشعب يريد اسقاط النظام
...show me the schematic

2009-10-29 13:29:51

#7

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6241|Toronto

.Sup wrote:
TSI wrote:
My advice: don't do it. We bought an Optoma 1080p projector three years ago, and it's great. It wasn't cheap, but the picture quality is great. My mate bought some cheap acer or canon, can't recall, and we compared them. The picture quality is so bad with anything that moves that it makes you want to go back to a normal TV.
Thanks for the advice. I've been to a store today, they were demoing a bit better Acer model and the picture was horrible. I wanted a projector cos I would be able to take it with myself and maybe watch sports at the evening outdoors with my friends. I know I can't compare image of the TV to projector image but man it really was a poor image- washed out, no colours, blurry,...

Nismo I wouldn't buy a second bulb anyway, they are so expensive that in two years I can buy a new, better projector.

If I buy a big LCD I'll have to worry about dead pixels,...

Yeah...that's how it is

To be honest though, you can compare the image off a projector to the image on a tv screen--granted that your projector and screen are high enough quality.
Best of luck, anyways.

I like pie.

2009-10-29 13:36:03

#8

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6713|The Twilight Zone

Thanks for your input guys.

I'll be going here

https://www.centerprojekcije.si/prenos/demo_soba2.jpg

probably tomorrow and demo a couple of them devices. I always wanted a projector really bad and the only reason I haven't got myself one yet was I forgot about them!

I think it should still be good enough for watching sports (I don't have any HD channels)

Anything else I should watch out when buying a projector TSI?

2009-10-29 13:51:44

#9

Benzin: Member; +576|6258

If you're worried about dead pixels, buy a plasma? Shit, they have OLEDs out now. Then so many places/companies do dead pixel guarantees ... I don't think you'd have too much to really worry about, bro. Plus, if we're talking about a 52" TV or bigger, I am not entirely sure you'd notice one or two dead pixels on the screen at the proper viewing distance.

And instead of constantly replacing projectors every couple of years and creating more waste, you can keep the single TV for a much longer period of time. Projectors are not cost effective at all in home theaters.

Last edited by CapnNismo (2009-10-29 13:52:28)

2009-10-29 15:47:05

#10

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6241|Toronto

CapnNismo wrote:
If you're worried about dead pixels, buy a plasma? Shit, they have OLEDs out now. Then so many places/companies do dead pixel guarantees ... I don't think you'd have too much to really worry about, bro. Plus, if we're talking about a 52" TV or bigger, I am not entirely sure you'd notice one or two dead pixels on the screen at the proper viewing distance.

And instead of constantly replacing projectors every couple of years and creating more waste, you can keep the single TV for a much longer period of time. Projectors are not cost effective at all in home theaters.

Um, that's not quite right. They're actually quite cost-efficient. They produce a bigger image for less money. And in the case of higher-end models, that's a bloody good picture. In fact, you can't tell the difference at 6 feet (any closer and your head blocks the view).

2 drawbacks--you need a darker room and you can't sit right in front of it.

However, .Sup, you're wise in going for one. Just get the best one you can afford. Such brands as Optoma and Marantz, along with Planar, Sharp and even Sony (to an extent--pretty much only the VPL series) make good ones. LCD/LCS projectors are more expensive than DLP ones, but in my experience DLP works well enough for most cases. One thing I can't stress enough is making sure that you can stand the noise that it makes. THat's been the downfall of many.

I'm not an expert, though, so be sure to check with the techies at the store, especially considering your budget. Most of the good ones run in excess of US$2000.

I like pie.

2009-10-29 22:56:06

#11

Benzin: Member; +576|6258

So you need to essentially build the room around the projector and all this - yep, real cost effective, lol. Then make sure you have a clean, white wall or buy a screen. Then all these other little issues. TV? Just drop it into the room, make sure you don't have any obvious lighting problems (you know, like the sun shining on it?) and you're good to go.

Projectors are very cool, though. I just don't get them in a home theater, that's all.

2009-10-30 10:09:25

#12

Kaosdad: Whisky Tango Foxtrot?; +201|6939|Broadlands, VA

.Sup - I've had a projector for about three years now and I love it. Yes there are draw backs but most are easily overcome. If you want good quality but at a lower price, look at "last year's" models. I watched this site: http://www.projectorpeople.com/ for closeouts and got a one year old, brand new Benq for half price. It's a DLP and I have to resist the urge to pluck the football off the screen.

Don't get suckered into a special screen or even screen paint (like by Goo). We did a side-by-sidae comparison and a can of Behr (Home Depot house brand) flat ultra wite was the clear winner. For our door use a fracking king sized white bed sheet is just fine - wash it in bleach for ultra white.

When it comes time to replace the bulb you can save a couple hundred bucks by buying just the bulb & putting it in the cartridge yourself. Just have a clean worksurface, a can of compressed air and lots of patience - you'll be fine.

CapnNismo - you have very valid points and the move to a projector system is not a snap decision. However, .Sup did mention taking it outside in which case a projector is the only way to go.

2009-10-30 10:19:14

#13

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6713|The Twilight Zone

K dad could you post specs of you projector, would be of big help. Thanks

2009-10-30 10:20:27

#14

King_County_Downy: shitfaced; +2,791|6857|Seattle

I've had a projector for a long time and love it. I hook it up to my laptop and portable speaker system. I take it to frieinds houses, camping, out on the deck, wherever. Not sure if mine is a 1080 or 800x640. Meh, it's awesome and I love it. I say go for it.

Sober enough to know what I'm doing, drunk enough to really enjoy doing it

2009-10-30 10:22:16

#15

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6713|The Twilight Zone

King_County_Downy wrote:
I've had a projector for a long time and love it. I hook it up to my laptop and portable speaker system. I take it to frieinds houses, camping, out on the deck, wherever. Not sure if mine is a 1080 or 800x640. Meh, it's awesome and I love it. I say go for it.

its da king.

yo Downy do you have specs of your projector?

2009-10-30 10:24:41

#16

Winston_Churchill: Bazinga!; +521|6999|Toronto | Canada

King_County_Downy wrote:
Not sure if mine is a 1080 or 800x640.

Pretty significant difference

2009-10-30 10:57:21

#17

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6841|SE London

TSI wrote:
.Sup wrote:
TSI wrote:
My advice: don't do it. We bought an Optoma 1080p projector three years ago, and it's great. It wasn't cheap, but the picture quality is great. My mate bought some cheap acer or canon, can't recall, and we compared them. The picture quality is so bad with anything that moves that it makes you want to go back to a normal TV.
Thanks for the advice. I've been to a store today, they were demoing a bit better Acer model and the picture was horrible. I wanted a projector cos I would be able to take it with myself and maybe watch sports at the evening outdoors with my friends. I know I can't compare image of the TV to projector image but man it really was a poor image- washed out, no colours, blurry,...

Nismo I wouldn't buy a second bulb anyway, they are so expensive that in two years I can buy a new, better projector.

If I buy a big LCD I'll have to worry about dead pixels,...
Yeah...that's how it is

To be honest though, you can compare the image off a projector to the image on a tv screen--granted that your projector and screen are high enough quality.
Best of luck, anyways.

Absolute nonsense.

There are loads of cheap reasonable quality projectors. Choosing the right one is VERY important, as lots are dreadful.

Colours are the thing that make or break a projector. Find one with decent colours and you're sorted - high resolution is nice, but not essential for a good viewing experience.

CapnNismo wrote:
I still don't get what is so awesome about projectors. Just get a bigass TV. Then you at least don't have to worry about replacing lightbulbs.

How many 100"+ TVs do you see for under £500?

Replacing lightbulbs every 3000 hours is not a big deal. That's about a 3rd of a year - of solid viewing.

I buy lots of projectors and one thing I can certainly say is DON'T BUY ANYTHING BY INFOCUS!

BenQ tend to offer excellent value. Optoma do some nice cheap 720p ones.

Last edited by Bertster7 (2009-10-30 11:00:25)

2009-10-30 11:35:52

#18

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6992|St. Andrews / Oslo

CapnNismo wrote:
I just don't get them in a home theater, that's all.

wtf.

If there was one place one would want a projector, it'd be in a home theater...

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/26774/flickricon.png

2009-10-30 11:43:27

#19

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6713|The Twilight Zone

Yeah Bert I wish for an Optoma projector. Couple days ago I was looking at this projector: http://www.optomaeurope.com/projectorde … mp;PC=HD65

Has a good res and HDMI. What do you guys think?

2009-10-30 11:48:36

#20

Kaosdad: Whisky Tango Foxtrot?; +201|6939|Broadlands, VA

.Sup - I will when I get home.

2009-10-30 15:02:31

#21

Benzin: Member; +576|6258

Jenspm wrote:
CapnNismo wrote:
I just don't get them in a home theater, that's all.
wtf.

If there was one place one would want a projector, it'd be in a home theater...

Sorry, but I don't want to have to replace those bulbs. Too expensive and too much of a hassle. Buy a plasma or an LCD (or even OLED) and you have better power efficiency and, IMO, a better picture.

I guess it just comes down to personal preference. The portability of projectors is quite nice, though, I'll give you that one, Sup. A friend of mine had/has one back in the States and he used to bring it over every now and again and project movies on the ceiling. Pretty neat.

Last edited by CapnNismo (2009-10-30 15:03:07)

2009-10-31 05:48:05

#22

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6841|SE London

.Sup wrote:
Yeah Bert I wish for an Optoma projector. Couple days ago I was looking at this projector: http://www.optomaeurope.com/projectorde … mp;PC=HD65

Has a good res and HDMI. What do you guys think?

I think you're onto a winner there....

2009-10-31 06:17:00

#23

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6909

.Sup wrote:
Yeah Bert I wish for an Optoma projector. Couple days ago I was looking at this projector: http://www.optomaeurope.com/projectorde … mp;PC=HD65

Has a good res and HDMI. What do you guys think?

We have about 50 of them at work. They seem really good, although I haven't watched any movies on them so I can't really comment for your intended purpose. We use them for Smartboard stuff, colours seem great.

2009-10-31 14:55:24

#24

Kaosdad: Whisky Tango Foxtrot?; +201|6939|Broadlands, VA

.Sup wrote:
Yeah Bert I wish for an Optoma projector. Couple days ago I was looking at this projector: http://www.optomaeurope.com/projectorde … mp;PC=HD65

Has a good res and HDMI. What do you guys think?

https://www.flamingpoodles.com/kittyboos/burns5zw.jpg

2009-11-01 06:42:37

#25

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6241|Toronto

.Sup wrote:
Yeah Bert I wish for an Optoma projector. Couple days ago I was looking at this projector: http://www.optomaeurope.com/projectorde … mp;PC=HD65

Has a good res and HDMI. What do you guys think?

Go for it. Mine's from the same series, is kickass.

I like pie.

BF2S Forums Buying a projector

TSI wrote:

CapnNismo wrote:

.Sup wrote:

TSI wrote:

CapnNismo wrote:

King_County_Downy wrote:

King_County_Downy wrote:

TSI wrote:

.Sup wrote:

TSI wrote:

CapnNismo wrote:

CapnNismo wrote:

Jenspm wrote:

CapnNismo wrote:

.Sup wrote:

.Sup wrote:

.Sup wrote:

.Sup wrote:

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