Hope this isn't a dumb question...

[adwilk]

I've been shopping for a 50+" tv but a projector could be an option.

Do you have to use a screen? and can they be used at an angle? I would like to put it on a table but didnt know if it had to shoot exactly straight forward or if you could turn it on a slight angle. it will be aiming up a bit but can it go sideways?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I've been shopping for a 50+" tv but a projector could be an option.

Do you have to use a screen? and can they be used at an angle? I would like to put it on a table but didnt know if it had to shoot exactly straight forward or if you could turn it on a slight angle. it will be aiming up a bit but can it go sideways?

All depends on the projector how much off axis it can handle and how much tilting it can do without keystoning the picture.

No, you don't need a screen but your picture will suffer.

 

[adwilk]

worst case though it might be able to use this keystone feature?

 

[orAgon]

Do you have to use a screen? and can they be used at an angle? I would like to put it on a table but didnt know if it had to shoot exactly straight forward or if you could turn it on a slight angle. it will be aiming up a bit but can it go sideways?

Some projectors have a lens shift that allows positioning the projector off-center. The range of the shift is limited, however. If the lens shift is not sufficient you can always use keystone correction but at the expense of picture quality.

A screen is essential to good PQ. There is a whole collection out there for every budget but I use a DIY product from Goo Systems, www.goosystems.com, and I’m very happy with it. It will rival the performance of many expensive screens if done right, IMHO. Good luck.

 

[bill hilly]

projector screen vs. clean flat wall

What is it about a projector screen that makes it preferable to a clean flat white wall?

 

[Johnd]

What is it about a projector screen that makes it preferable to a clean flat white wall?

The manner it which it displays the image and reflects the light (ie color).

 

[KevInCinci]

Some companies do sell special paint intended to substitute for an actual screen. It's been a while since I've seen anyone post about that so I don't remember the brands, but it's another option between a regular wall and buying a screen. Will a plain wall be just as good? I doubt it. Remember, companies make a whole range of screens in a variety of shades for a reason (not just to make more money!).

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[bill hilly]

DLP vs. LCD

Thanks to Johnd and KevInCinci for answering the last question, and here's another. Should I be looking for either DLP or LCD, or does it matter?

 

[orAgon]

Thanks to Johnd and KevInCinci for answering the last question, and here's another. Should I be looking for either DLP or LCD, or does it matter?

They both have their strengths and weaknesses. You'll find this article helpful: http://www.projectorcentral.com/lcd_dlp_update.htm.

 

[Johnd]

Thanks to Johnd and KevInCinci for answering the last question, and here's another. Should I be looking for either DLP or LCD, or does it matter?

Yeah, well, that's a tough one bill hilly. You have dithering effects in dlp but not lcd, and higher contrast ratios in dlp vs lcd, greater rainbow effects in dlp over lcd, 1080p lcd is substantially cheaper than dlp, better placement options with lcd (hor. and vert. offsets), etc, etc, etc.

Bottom line, these days you can get a phenomenal picture from either type of display. You first need to know the location of the projector and distances (ambient light, distance from projector to screen, etc.) so as to find a projector to suit your needs within your budget constraints.

Me? I"m looking real hard to not pull the trigger on the Z2000 lcd for $1600. It's a phenomenal projector, and there are many others at this price point, or a little above.

Keystone? No self-respecting projector owner ever uses this feature (sorry guys). Proper selection, placement and calibration is key to getting best the picture quality from a projector. Cheers, John

 

[KevInCinci]

For BillHilly - the location will likely be your contraining factor. As JohnD said, DLPs usually are VERY limited in terms of where they can put an image relative to their mounting location. Some now have a vertical offset capability, but the cheaper ones usually don't. The LCDs on the other hand are much more flexible with their offsets. For my money though, I've been more impressed with the picture quality of the low-to-mid-priced DLPs than with the LCDs, but this is probably subjective. So I might look into getting a DLP if you can find one that suits your setup. There is the danger of being subjected to the "rainbow effect" with DLP, where some people see flashes of color during certain scenes. I never noticed it during demos, but suddenly discovered it once I got everything set up at home. I still see it, but it's not really distracting anymore.

Cheers,

Kevin