Budget projector w/HDMI, screen for bedroom, $500 max

[murthyvs]

Hi all,

I am looking for a budget projector, screen, mounts/hardware for $500 (or under). I have gone through some products and this is what I found fits my budget - but dont know if they are compatible, good enough etc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002855KK/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_t3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=099VX9EQG6GG8CS6EN8R&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.amazon.com/Video-Projector-Cable-Extra-Playstation/dp/B000FVUK90/ref=pd_ybh_4?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JS6SYS570WTBXD67GSZ


It is basically for my bedroom and decent picture is all I'd expect. In-built audio not a concern. Stereo audio will be through Aperion 2x4B's.

Never owned a projector before. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[chadburger]

I see a big red flag on Projector, screen wont be no big deal but for a bedroom I cant see going crazy. The Projector is likely very loud (fan noise) and likely has very weak blacks...........nothing is published on specs so if it were me I wouldnt bite.
You can however find used 720P units on videogon and such that though used will offer HDMI, HD viewing and black levels that wiil be good to great for your use. BTW 720 vs 1080 for your use is not an issue in my book and nothing to get worked up about.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

+1 for bad selection of projector.
Imho for your budget looking for HDMI shouldn't be a concert to you at all.
While your screen selection is ok, I'd surely rec getting a different projector.
Some better choices for your extremely low budget:
http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-EP739-SVGA-Video-Projector/dp/B0002XKYVU/ref=sr_1_706?ie=UTF8&s=tv&qid=1269049690&sr=1-706

http://www.amazon.com/NEC-MultiSync-LT100-projector-lumens/dp/B0009JMG04/ref=sr_1_719?ie=UTF8&s=tv&qid=1269049690&sr=1-719

You mentioned you have couple of Aperion bookshelfs- What will power/control them?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Oh, for God's sake - if you are going to 'try out' a projection setup, at least try a REAL projection setup.

It's like saying you are going to buy a LCD setup, then you buy an LED lit Etch-a-Sketch and wonder why it stinks.

Take a SERIOUS step back and do some research and homework on projectors.

1. HD is HD, and projectors are one of the few technologies that actually benefit from 1080p resolution and theater seating distances. If you can't do 1080p, at least consider 720p and a HOME THEATER projector, not a knockoff toy or a business class model. We are talking NATIVE 1080p or 720p, not 1080p 'capable' - because that's marketing BS.

2. Get a HD 16:9 screen so you aren't looking at white borders and overscan like crazy!

Screen: http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Widescreen_Pro_SlowMotion_Manual_Screen_80_p/fm169ax-80ms.htm

Under $100

Projector:
http://www.visualapex.com/Optoma/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=HD66&SE=PCentral&KW=HD66

$700

Mount:
http://www.mountdirect.com/Projector_Ceiling_Mount_NPL_Series_p/npl.htm
$45

Total: $850

Yeah, more than you want to spend, but this is an actual HD setup which can use your HD sources and will last you for several years while giving you a true HT experience on the VERY cheap.

I have no issue with you buying toys if you want them, but put them in the play room and let the kids use them. If you want to experience home theater, then start with, at the very least, the cheapest home theater product you can find. Not toys.

Scouring eBay might provide some decent options... This one doesn't look bad for example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-PT-AE900U-LCD-Projector_W0QQitemZ270546512457QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efdd42a49

 

[Serj22]

I have that same exact screen the OP listed, and for $50 that I got it for, you can expect it to be a $50 screen. 3 months till the screen started to have little "rolls" to it, where the screen seems to not hang straight everywhere, but out of the box, for a while, it's great.

As for that projector, I wouldn't buy it for my enemy. What is it? There's not even a brand?

 

[murthyvs]

I see a big red flag on Projector, screen wont be no big deal but for a bedroom I cant see going crazy. The Projector is likely very loud (fan noise) and likely has very weak blacks...........nothing is published on specs so if it were me I wouldnt bite.
You can however find used 720P units on videogon and such that though used will offer HDMI, HD viewing and black levels that wiil be good to great for your use. BTW 720 vs 1080 for your use is not an issue in my book and nothing to get worked up about.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, 720p is good for me. After further research, I decided to start looking for preowned 720p projectors or if there is a deal from Dell (I have $200 gift card).

 

[murthyvs]

+1 for bad selection of projector.
Imho for your budget looking for HDMI shouldn't be a concert to you at all.
While your screen selection is ok, I'd surely rec getting a different projector.
Some better choices for your extremely low budget:
http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-EP739-SVGA-Video-Projector/dp/B0002XKYVU/ref=sr_1_706?ie=UTF8&s=tv&qid=1269049690&sr=1-706

http://www.amazon.com/NEC-MultiSync-LT100-projector-lumens/dp/B0009JMG04/ref=sr_1_719?ie=UTF8&s=tv&qid=1269049690&sr=1-719

You mentioned you have couple of Aperion bookshelfs- What will power/control them?

Yes, my bad, poor choice of projector. Thanks for pointing good projectors.

I may end up spending more but it is in my best interest.

I was thinking of powering bookshlefs using a Sherwood/Yamaha/Sony(most likely) entry level receivers or just use ZONE 2 of my Denon 4308CI (not sure if this is possbile).

What do you think is a reasonable budget for my project?

 

[murthyvs]

Oh, for God's sake - if you are going to 'try out' a projection setup, at least try a REAL projection setup.

It's like saying you are going to buy a LCD setup, then you buy an LED lit Etch-a-Sketch and wonder why it stinks.

Take a SERIOUS step back and do some research and homework on projectors.

1. HD is HD, and projectors are one of the few technologies that actually benefit from 1080p resolution and theater seating distances. If you can't do 1080p, at least consider 720p and a HOME THEATER projector, not a knockoff toy or a business class model. We are talking NATIVE 1080p or 720p, not 1080p 'capable' - because that's marketing BS.

2. Get a HD 16:9 screen so you aren't looking at white borders and overscan like crazy!

Screen: http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Widescreen_Pro_SlowMotion_Manual_Screen_80_p/fm169ax-80ms.htm

Under $100

Projector:
http://www.visualapex.com/Optoma/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=HD66&SE=PCentral&KW=HD66

$700

Mount:
http://www.mountdirect.com/Projector_Ceiling_Mount_NPL_Series_p/npl.htm
$45

Total: $850

Yeah, more than you want to spend, but this is an actual HD setup which can use your HD sources and will last you for several years while giving you a true HT experience on the VERY cheap.

I have no issue with you buying toys if you want them, but put them in the play room and let the kids use them. If you want to experience home theater, then start with, at the very least, the cheapest home theater product you can find. Not toys.

Scouring eBay might provide some decent options... This one doesn't look bad for example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-PT-AE900U-LCD-Projector_W0QQitemZ270546512457QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efdd42a49

I really appreciate your good recommendations at a reasonable budget stretch. I will research more and put more thought into this project.

What do you think is a reasonable budget for my project if I want to be future proof (watch BD movies, play PS3 games, stream Netflix, use WDTV live etc.)

 

[murthyvs]

I have that same exact screen the OP listed, and for $50 that I got it for, you can expect it to be a $50 screen. 3 months till the screen started to have little "rolls" to it, where the screen seems to not hang straight everywhere, but out of the box, for a while, it's great.

As for that projector, I wouldn't buy it for my enemy. What is it? There's not even a brand?

Yes, bad projector choice. I was thinking cheap.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yes, my bad, poor choice of projector. Thanks for pointing good projectors.

I may end up spending more but it is in my best interest.

I was thinking of powering bookshlefs using a Sherwood/Yamaha/Sony(most likely) entry level receivers or just use ZONE 2 of my Denon 4308CI (not sure if this is possbile).

What do you think is a reasonable budget for my project?

+1 to what BMXTRIX says - he's pro installer
I think using 2nd zone of 4308ci is good idea, you'd only need to get some ir extender.

 

[Serj22]

Read the reviews on the projector in OP, could not stop laughing at a quote from the owner's manual for it:

"When the thunder happen or long time no use , please pull the power cable out of projector"

 

[BMXTRIX]

I really appreciate your good recommendations at a reasonable budget stretch. I will research more and put more thought into this project.

What do you think is a reasonable budget for my project if I want to be future proof (watch BD movies, play PS3 games, stream Netflix, use WDTV live etc.)

Let me start by saying: Do not ever buy a Dell projector. They have extremely limited support, are bought as a lowest common denominator product from China, and rarely have support parts, or service, once out of warranty. They also are not a home theater (HT) projector manufacturer in the slightest, with any clue how to do so.

To truly future proof, you would go with a 1080p projector - the Optoma HD20 at $1,000 is the bargain basement leader.

That's twice what your original budget was listed as, so not something I recommended, but it is what I would recommend at a budget.

The 720p models I listed above are a great starting point for HD on a budget.

Used projectors are ALWAYS iffy. Always! But, if someone advertises with photos, has strong feedback, and communicates well, then you may have good luck going used. But, 1080p models that are used tend to be of a bit higher caliber than the $1,000 HD20 from Optoma, so they still sell for more money.

The screen I listed was about the same level of cheap as the one you started with, but at least it was 16:9. Focupix has some excellent values on very inexpensive screens which are about as good as you can get for the money spent...
http://www.htdepot.com/category_s/9.htm

Just make sure it is a 16:9 screen to match the projector, and your screen size should be about .75x your viewing distance in diagonal. So, at 12', about a 9' diagonal screen (or 110"ish) is recommended as industry standard.