Need your expert projector advice

[dnsam]

So I've scoured these forums, but do not see what to me is an obvious and very desireable application of the new pico/led projectors - a bedroom TV. In my current house, I have a 32" LCD HDTV mounted on the wall, but I am moving and I'm thinking that a small projector, mounted in the headboard or the footboard, and beaming onto the ceiling or wall would be a great, non-invasive way to watch Letterman or Jon Stewart as I am falling asleep.... and no pillows to prop up my head, I can lay flat and look up....

So I need your collective wisdom - is there a small, less that $1000 LED projector that can project near HD quality images about 10-15 feet with a 20-50" image size (implying it needs a zoom lens), with NO fan noise, but will only be used in a near dark room so low illumination is okay?

Thanks much in advance for your help -

Derek

 

[tcarcio]

How about something like this. In a dark room it should work fine and has pretty good connectivity. Also I like that it is so small and battery powered so you could take it on a trip with no problem....Price is cheap enough, check it out...http://www.tattoodle.com/results/gogetit.aspx?fbsa=1&fbsl=2&fbsu=http%3a%2f%2fmtwb.infospace.com%2fclickserver%2f_iceUrlFlag%3d1%3frawURL%3dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.3m.com%252Fmpro%252F%260%3d%261%3d0%264%3d64.106.240.129%265%3d68.116.171.155%269%3d15c6abbb14dc41bcbc5bab50b940ca01%2610%3d1%2611%3dmtwb.fixed.unpaid.tbar%2613%3dsearch%2614%3d239138%2615%3dmain-title%2617%3d1%2618%3d1%2619%3d0%2620%3d0%2621%3d1%2622%3d7FAus2wg9uU%253D%2640%3dMnPr7h%252Bzrtco823Jqey5KA%253D%253D%26_IceUrl%3dtrue&fbss=small+projector

 

[lsiberian]

So I've scoured these forums, but do not see what to me is an obvious and very desireable application of the new pico/led projectors - a bedroom TV. In my current house, I have a 32" LCD HDTV mounted on the wall, but I am moving and I'm thinking that a small projector, mounted in the headboard or the footboard, and beaming onto the ceiling or wall would be a great, non-invasive way to watch Letterman or Jon Stewart as I am falling asleep.... and no pillows to prop up my head, I can lay flat and look up....

So I need your collective wisdom - is there a small, less that $1000 LED projector that can project near HD quality images about 10-15 feet with a 20-50" image size (implying it needs a zoom lens), with NO fan noise, but will only be used in a near dark room so low illumination is okay?

Thanks much in advance for your help -

Derek

You could do the pocket projector, but I think you might as well get a tv.

 

[BMXTRIX]

So I've scoured these forums, but do not see what to me is an obvious and very desireable application of the new pico/led projectors - a bedroom TV. In my current house, I have a 32" LCD HDTV mounted on the wall, but I am moving and I'm thinking that a small projector, mounted in the headboard or the footboard, and beaming onto the ceiling or wall would be a great, non-invasive way to watch Letterman or Jon Stewart as I am falling asleep.... and no pillows to prop up my head, I can lay flat and look up....

So I need your collective wisdom - is there a small, less that $1000 LED projector that can project near HD quality images about 10-15 feet with a 20-50" image size (implying it needs a zoom lens), with NO fan noise, but will only be used in a near dark room so low illumination is okay?

Thanks much in advance for your help -

Derek

The first recommendation was for a TWELVE lumen projector! Keep in mind, that in a 100% dark environment, the minimum specification per square foot of screen space is about 14 lumens, so that projector (3m) isn't proper to fill 1 square foot of screen in a 100% dark room.

Now, there are a few options there, but why not just get a typical home theater projector, run it in low lamp mode where it produces almost zero sound, and has a proper zoom lens for about $600-800 and it will be (literally) a hundred times brighter than the typical Pico models?

The BenQ (reviewed on this site) is about the only model I would consider and I certainly wouldn't use it in a dedicated environment, but might use it for a portable to take with the family on trips.

Yet, in the bedroom, if I really wanted something I could use any time of the day or night then I would be using a plasma or LCD like I already do. If you want it really unobtrusive, then put it behind a 1-way mirror. A nifty thing you might be able to do with the new Samsung 3/4" LCD displays is literally fit the display into your wall then hang a mirror (1-way) in front of it. Not good for bright rooms, but great for after dark viewing or rooms with limited windows.

 

[dnsam]

Thanks

Thanks, everyone - I'll likely give the 3M projector a try, gives me an excuse to buy another gadget....

 

[quicke60]

Please see my other thread about the AAXA P2 projector. It's $350 and seems to meet your requirements except the fan is pretty dang loud. I think it's louder than my DLP projector... Maybe you can build a sound enclosure though?

As for the 3M unit, I've played with it at Staples - it definitely isn't as bright as my AAXA P1 projector which definitely isn't as bright as my AAXA P2. I think when the 3M first came out they said it was 7 lumens or something... Incidently my AAXA P1 is for sale if you want it, but the fan noise isn't great on that and the speaker isn't worth a damn. But it's cheap!