Too lazy....Projector and screen $1000

[chadd]

Im to lllazy to search and I have to hurry to bed because my wife is yelling at me.
Im looking for a projector and screen combination for my living room. My budget is $1000. I want to play my ps3 and watch movies on it.

 

[jinjuku]

You will most likely need to paint a screen if looking for any significant size and try to find a used 720p projector.

Honestly you need to provide a lot more detail.

 

[gmichael]

I would go with a 1080p projector (even though it breaks your bank) Once you get to a huge picture like projectors will give you, 1080p is the way to go.
The Optoma HD20 Projector is selling for around a grand new. http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-HD20.htm

As far as a screen, a good one could run you another grand, but you could make your own for about $100. Paint is one option that many have used. There are several available. I would rather go to this company http://www.buildyourownprojectionscreen.com/catalog/i1.html and buy the materials needed to build my own.

These are just my unprofessional opinions and are far from your only choices. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Buy the Optoma HD20 or the new Vivitek 1080. Either will deliver 1080p video with proper HDMI inputs and decent quality.

The screen you will have to budget later or spend a few hundred over at www.htdepot.com

Projector setup is not a lazy process and if you half a$$ your planning and aren't happy with the $1,000 you spent, then you should only blame yourself, so I would find the time to ask the questions that you may have about the product you are trying to buy.

Control the light in the room, paint it dark, make sure it is properly cabled and setup.

 

[just-some-guy]

i have been told that "kilz" primer on a smooth wall, does an adequate job for a first screen.
while you save & deside on a real screen.

i have a diy painted screen(not kilz). and the image is most impressive.

 

[Serj22]

I just spent about 700 buying a screen and projector. Look through the Cheap DLP's with the component in's. I wound up getting an Optoma DX617 for about $500 and found a 6ft screen on amazon that's manual pull-down for $70, and larger ones are there for about $100-$200. So $1,000 isn't necessarily a bad place to start. I play PS3 in 1080i off this little cheap thing and it looks pretty good.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I just spent about 700 buying a screen and projector. Look through the Cheap DLP's with the component in's. I wound up getting an Optoma DX617 for about $500 and found a 6ft screen on amazon that's manual pull-down for $70, and larger ones are there for about $100-$200. So $1,000 isn't necessarily a bad place to start. I play PS3 in 1080i off this little cheap thing and it looks pretty good.

I will point out that this is a pretty good example of the wrong way to do home theater. While you get a projector, it just doesn't offer what a home theater projector is designed to deliver, and typically has all the misses that a typical low-end business projector has.

No lens shift, limited zoom range, not a HD projector, no digital inputs so no HD upconversion for DVD, no Blu-ray if/when the broadcast flag is raised, 2x color wheel which can present significant rainbow effect, far to bright for proper home theater standards, with a screen to small for the typical home theater.

Combine that with a manual roll down screen, which may not have waves in it for about a month instead of spending the time on a decent DIY screen, and you just don't have the type of results which the cheapest of the 720p home theater projectors can deliver.

While it seems like a good deal...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5082122&CatId=1759

The downsides of using the wrong product for the application are well known for most people, but it is extremely easy to do with projection since the business mantra is 'cheap cheap cheap' while home theater may cost more... doing it right doesn't necessarily cost a lot more...

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=23382&itmname=Optoma+HD65

Going to full 1080p for $1,000 is also a great way to go.

 

[Serj22]

I had the 65 before I sent it back, it overheated like crazy and shut down all the time, pretty sure maybe mine was faulty, but there were no reviews to indicate otherwise. I'm happy with the simple one I got, while not for everyone, it's cheap and it works, which is all I care about right now. I still don't see this "rainbow" effect that I keep hearing about, maybe I am not sensitive to it, but I do see a rainbow when I look directly at the light from the projector... which I know you're not supposed to but it happens occasionally. If you're going for under $1,000, I don't see a need to get anything spectacular, till you move to actually get a really good projector in the $4,000 and up range (maybe higher I don't know) but I am in no way an expert, and I don't pretend to be one for this matter.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The problem is that you are under the huge misconception that a good HT projector is $4,000 and that there isn't something extremly good for far less and that you are happy to ignore all the failings of what you purchased as you recommend it to others.

I have no issue with YOU being happy. But, if you were happy with VHS and told everyone to buy it - but didn't tell them "By the way, this product is obsolete and most new movies aren't available for it." then I would hope someone would let people know that your choice doesn't reflect what is far more common practice for people.

As such - For $700 you got a defective product, which should have been returned replaced. But, for $1,000 you get (currently) 3 choices for 1080p HD projection. For under $2,500 you get dozens of choices for 1080p HD projection. If I was going to invest a couple hundred square feet of my fairly expensive home to a place to really enjoy home theater and recreate the movie experience, then I would not be looking for the cheap solution, but the cheapest solution that recreates that experience.

5 years ago - that was 720p projectors for $2,000.

Now it is 1080p projectors for $1,000.

A good screen used to be $1,500+ - now a good screen can be had for a few hundred bucks, and a great screen for under $1,000.

You can literally get a full 1080p projector, good screen, and 7.1 surround sound with lossless audio and all your cabling for under $2,000 right now.

For under $1,000 you can go 720p with a DIY screen and cheap 5.1 setup.

I wouldn't recommend anyone not be using Blu-ray with front projection, and I certainly wouldn't recommend any projector which does not have a HDMI input on it.

 

[jinjuku]

i have been told that "kilz" primer on a smooth wall, does an adequate job for a first screen.
while you save & deside on a real screen.

i have a diy painted screen(not kilz). and the image is most impressive.

Google for Behr Silver Screen. That and a few coats of primer I have heard will work somewhat well for the cost conscious.

 

[Serj22]

Too bad I didn't find this place before I bought it...

Anyway, what do you mean not playing Blue Rays off a front projector?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Too bad I didn't find this place before I bought it...

Anyway, what do you mean not playing Blue Rays off a front projector?

If/when the Image Constraint Token (ICT) is raised on Blu-ray Discs it will disable HD output from the component video output of the player. If you want HD content output from the player you must make a connection via HDMI.

Similar rules may go into effect for cable/satellite television as well and is called the broadcast flag.

 

[Sherardp]

I like the idea of the having the HD20 as a pj with a manual pull down elite screen. If additional funds allow, then an electric screen should seal the deal and last him some time. If you choose to go with the HD20, I suggest you look at grey screen as some owners have reported it does help with the HD20's black level.

 

[gmichael]

I have two projectors set up in our home. One with a grey screen and one with white. I would never buy another grey screen. Sure, it helps with black levels a little, but you pay the price with your colors and brightness. I much prefer the picture I get with the white screen.

Other makes, models and set-up may differ, but it would take a lot of convincing to get me to buy another grey screen.

 

[lsiberian]

The problem is that you are under the huge misconception that a good HT projector is $4,000 and that there isn't something extremly good for far less and that you are happy to ignore all the failings of what you purchased as you recommend it to others.

I have no issue with YOU being happy. But, if you were happy with VHS and told everyone to buy it - but didn't tell them "By the way, this product is obsolete and most new movies aren't available for it." then I would hope someone would let people know that your choice doesn't reflect what is far more common practice for people.

As such - For $700 you got a defective product, which should have been returned replaced. But, for $1,000 you get (currently) 3 choices for 1080p HD projection. For under $2,500 you get dozens of choices for 1080p HD projection. If I was going to invest a couple hundred square feet of my fairly expensive home to a place to really enjoy home theater and recreate the movie experience, then I would not be looking for the cheap solution, but the cheapest solution that recreates that experience.

5 years ago - that was 720p projectors for $2,000.

Now it is 1080p projectors for $1,000.

A good screen used to be $1,500+ - now a good screen can be had for a few hundred bucks, and a great screen for under $1,000.

You can literally get a full 1080p projector, good screen, and 7.1 surround sound with lossless audio and all your cabling for under $2,000 right now.

For under $1,000 you can go 720p with a DIY screen and cheap 5.1 setup.

I wouldn't recommend anyone not be using Blu-ray with front projection, and I certainly wouldn't recommend any projector which does not have a HDMI input on it.

The Sanyo PLV-z60 goes for 670 from ebay and the Epson 705HD goes for around 550. Both are a much better options than the XVGA listed.

the Sanyo would be my choice with it's 3 year warrranty and very high reliability. Though the Epson has a 4000 hour bulb and would be fantastic for a dual purpose projector. Especially in ambient light. Given Epson projectors are rarely resold. I'd say you couldn't go wrong that way.

Still if I had 670 to spend it would be on the PLV-z60. I may actually need to replace my projector soon and am considering one simply for the placement flexibility alone. Not to mention the quietness.

 

[chadd]

Thanks.

Thanks for all the helpful information. I almost saved up enough lunch and allowance money, lol. I promised my wife I wouldnt touch our savings account because we have another baby on the way in 3 weeks.

As far as my room set up there are some pics in this old thread http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24286.


I want to put the screen in front of my plasma and really only use it at night for movies and games. Also I would like to hang the projector from the center beam on the ceiling if possible.
I will be using all the audio equipment in the other thread.

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for all the helpful information. I almost saved up enough lunch and allowance money, lol. I promised my wife I wouldnt touch our savings account because we have another baby on the way in 3 weeks.

As far as my room set up there are some pics in this old thread http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24286.


I want to put the screen in front of my plasma and really only use it at night for movies and games. Also I would like to hang the projector from the center beam on the ceiling if possible.
I will be using all the audio equipment in the other thread.

Hold on to that cash.

 

[just-some-guy]

Hold on to that cash.

DO IT ! while you can....

 

[chadd]

What size screen would you recommend if my seating distance is 16ft from the screen? Do I want my eye level to be in the middle of the screen? Im leaning towards an electric screen so my budget will be over a little but it seems that best buy has the optoma hd20 for 1000 and 3 years no interest financing so im in luck. They also have Projecta - Designer Contour 120" Electric Projector Screen for 584..... but i think it may be a bit small.

 

[chadd]

I would go with a 1080p projector (even though it breaks your bank) Once you get to a huge picture like projectors will give you, 1080p is the way to go.
The Optoma HD20 Projector is selling for around a grand new. http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-HD20.htm

As far as a screen, a good one could run you another grand, but you could make your own for about $100. Paint is one option that many have used. There are several available. I would rather go to this company http://www.buildyourownprojectionscreen.com/catalog/i1.html and buy the materials needed to build my own.

These are just my unprofessional opinions and are far from your only choices. Good luck and happy hunting.

Thanks. I think Im going to go with the optoma hd20 per yours and bmxtrix's advice. As far as the screen, I dont feel comfortable with a diy so Im going to have to go a little over my budget. I really would like an electric screen.

Buy the Optoma HD20 or the new Vivitek 1080. Either will deliver 1080p video with proper HDMI inputs and decent quality.

The screen you will have to budget later or spend a few hundred over at www.htdepot.com

Projector setup is not a lazy process and if you half a$$ your planning and aren't happy with the $1,000 you spent, then you should only blame yourself, so I would find the time to ask the questions that you may have about the product you are trying to buy.

Control the light in the room, paint it dark, make sure it is properly cabled and setup.

Thanks. So would you go with the optoma over the vivitek? I really want an electric screen but really dont know what to look for. Any suggestions? If I hang my projector from the ceiling what sort of mount should I get?

I like the idea of the having the HD20 as a pj with a manual pull down elite screen. If additional funds allow, then an electric screen should seal the deal and last him some time. If you choose to go with the HD20, I suggest you look at grey screen as some owners have reported it does help with the HD20's black level.

Me too!

Hold on to that cash.

Good idea! Best buy has a three year no interest deal going on right now.

DO IT ! while you can....

Hold on to the cash or spend it or both? How about I spend it and then hold on to it for as long as I can.