info needed - front projector choice + hookups

[deldest]

I'm a newbie that is going to get a (entry level) front projector.

It will be going in my rather large basement (2000sq ft with good light control)
It will be used almost exclusively for TV viewing (sattelite DirecTV) with occaisional DVD movie use and (possibly) PS2 gaming use.
It will be used on about a 100inch screen (hopefully if the picture is good enough....maybe larger? if possible)
Veiwing distance will be 12+ feet (couch will be at 14 ft, barstools and tables at maybe 20-25ft

After searching for a while on this site and Projector central and checking reviews/prices/etc I have found several entry level projectors.

The one I thought might be the most (entry level) bang for my buck was the Optoma H31. It does not have that high a resolution but seems to have a very high contrast. Another unit that was also on sale and seemed comparable was the BenQ PE5120. Both are DLP units which I think would be preferable (am i right?). The BenQ looks to be also a lower resolution unit that has better light output but a slower color wheel.

Questions:
1. I was assumming that being used primarily for TV veiwing and DVD that the resolution on these projectors was about the same as the input feed or disc and that a higher (projector) resolution was not necessarily needed to produce a quality picture....is this correct?

2. will these projectors work OK with my PS2? I am not as concerned if the picture quality is not quite as good (as say when watching a movie when I prefer a good picture) as long as the projector can handle it.

3. I currently have standard DirecTV recievers (RCA and HUGHS) that I do not believe has component output (has S-Video and a bunch of RCA jacks) will this be a limiting factor? (s-video not a digital feed?) will either of these projectors work properly (best picture) with just an S-video feed? or should I really consider and HD reciever (just for the component output? as I don't think I wil be getting a true HD signal (It should be digital tho))

4. I was leaning towards the OPTIMA H31, but was curious how it compared against the BenQ PE5120. Will either of these best suit my needs? or are there other reccommended (better) models in the same price range?

Sorry for the long post, thanks

[BMXTRIX]

1. You are correct, TV viewing will be excellent - HD viewing will also be excellent though. The higher quality that HD television begins with always produces a superior image that you can appreciate - even if your projector is under 720p.

2. Yes, the PS2 over component video is the way to go - excellent image quality.

3. S-video is s-video. It is not component - but is still good. Of course you should consider HD - whether it is Over The Air (OTA) or an upgraded DSS setup, you want to see what HD offers. Both projectors will be viewable and enjoyable, but don't expect HD quality when it isn't HD.

4. The Optoma has good reviews it seems without some of the sync issues that the InFocus 4805 seems to have. Only issue seems to be running a HTPC with it - which it does not sound like you are doing. Can't say I've read much about the BenQ, but the 2x 5 segment wheel vs. the 4x 6 segment wheel would definitely push me even more towards the Optoma.

[deldest]

Thanks

Has anyone used this projector (Optoma H31) and how do they like it??

I was hoping for at least a 100 inch picture.

With my setup (and viewing from 12+ feet) will the picture still be sharp at this size? can i go even larger or will that significantly reduce picture quality?

(what screen size to get?)

[Doug917]

deldest,

You may also want to look into the Infocus ScreenPlay 4805. Can be had for under a grand these days and provides a very nice image. I use a 92" 16X9 screen with my 4805 and sit about 12' back. It looks really good.

[BMXTRIX]

The 4805 seems to have some minor flickering and sync issues on some models that are bugging people (according to AVS forums) though I did not see any when I demoed the one over at the mini-Mag at Best Buy. Tiger Direct right now has the 4805 at $900.00 with a $100.00 mail in rebate bringing it down to 800 bucks - great price on an excellent projector.

You really should not be sitting any closer than 2x screen WIDTH on these projectors for the best quality, though a little closer won't kill you, it'll just make resolution a little more noticable.

Even with a very high resolution projector, about the closest you would ever be comfortable sitting is about 1.3x screen width, and you would want a really good projector if you would be that close. So, at 12 feet you want about a 6 foot WIDE screen - 72" wide. A little more - like a 45" x 80" screen will give you a 92" diagonal which will blow you away from 12 feet back. Yes, you can go bigger, but you should then up your budget to allow a Panasonic AE700 or InFocus SP7205 at the very least...

Thought the Sanyo Z2 may be worth considering as well.

[Doug917]

BMXTRIX,

I saw some flickering in the display of the Infocus that started about a week ago when I upgraded the firmware to Version 1.13. I downgraded back to the original Version 1.02 and I am once again in video bliss. Deldest, my advice would now be, if you go with the 4805 just don't upgrade the firmware until they fix the bug.

[brian32672]

I was hoping for at least a 100 inch picture.

With my setup (and viewing from 12+ feet) will the picture still be sharp at this size? can i go even larger or will that significantly reduce picture quality?

(what screen size to get?)

Yes it will, most projectors are rated for an image between 50" to 300". Some are rated lower, some higher. Mine is 120" and sharpness is not a concern.

What you will loose - the bigger the image/farther the projector, is brightness. But usually this is the case of uncontrollable light. So if room gets a fair amount of light, then look for a projector with higher lumens. Or possibly a higher screen gain. Try to stay under 2.0 gain. (read post DLP vs. LCD) I go into a little depth on screen gain there. OOPS actually it was (Help with decision) posted by Sasha. Post here http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11347

Preferably find a projector with a all glass lens, like Carl Zeiss Lens. But the plastic ones are fine as well. I have noticed a clearer picture with glass lense over plastic, rather a better uniformity of the image. Which means, picture may have a very slight blur out towards edges but sharp in the middle. Very unnoticable amount.