Projector as a main source of video?

[cthomp]

I would like to hear opinions on the use of a projector for everyday viewing.
I am talking about using this for everyday viewing of standard def, HD, and
dvd's. What would be the major drawbacks? I know the lamps are very expensive! Would standard Dish Network programming look ok? I would have a seperate 5.1 sound system with fixed 106"d screen. I average about 20 hours of viewing per week. I am looking
at the Sony VPL-HS51A, the Optoma HD72 and the Panasonic PT-AE900U.

 

[Hi Ho]

If you have a light controlled room and can take the bulb costs then I see nothing wrong with using a projector as a TV. I would do it myself if I could.

One thing I will point out is that you should not treat it like a regular TV when it comes to turning it on and off. A general rule is, if you are going to use it again within the next half hour (some say one hour) then it should be left on. It's the heating/cooling cycles that significantly shorten bulb life.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I would like to hear opinions on the use of a projector for everyday viewing.
I am talking about using this for everyday viewing of standard def, HD, and
dvd's. What would be the major drawbacks? I know the lamps are very expensive! Would standard Dish Network programming look ok? I would have a seperate 5.1 sound system with fixed 106"d screen. I average about 20 hours
of viewing per week. Thanks

Just to add to hi ho, I am not sure how much better, if any, your standard Tv will look, except much bigger even up-converted, it has limited resolution.
You would need very good light controls, unless you are talking about a few torches out there like the Infocus 777, even after calibration.

 

[Hi Ho]

Standard TV won't look very good on any HD display. One possible exception is if you were to use a very good scaler ($2,000-3,000).

 

[Bryce_H]

For years I used my old projector as my mian viewing source. It was ok, but definately not as convient as just turning on a normal tube TV. The comment about not turning it on and off is very valid and something you should think about. Another way to think about it is - take the extra money you would need to spend on a higher frequency of bulb replacment and buy a basic TV.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I run a plasma projector setup just because we probably have the TV on 40 or more hours a week which led to the lamp going (first one) in about 9 months. That was before we had a child... it would probably be two lamps a year now.

So, plan on AT LEAST one replacement lamp a year - no matter what. Then compare that to the price of adding a plasma and just using the projector for 'special' occassions.

Now, the pitfalls of using a FP all the time? None really if you have a fair amount of light control and a screen with a bit of gain. You know about lamps. You know that regular TV won't look 'phenomenal'. But, it will still look decent. Get a decent enough remote and turn-on / turn-off is a single button press.

Where can I get one of those remotes for my wife?

 

[fergusonv]

I use my FP for everyday viewing. I have no complaints.

 

[cthomp]

Thanks

Thanks for the information everybody! The more I think about it I will probably run both. I am building a new wall in my 17Wx25Lx8H basement
that will have a built-in audio rack and dvd/cd storage. I was going to recess
a 106"d fixed screen (99"L x 58"H). Which would look really cool, but since
this is also my main viewing room, I think I'll utilize the space to put a 60"
Sony SXRD or 50" Panasonic Plasma and have a electric screen that drops
down in front of the TV for "Showtime". I figure I could almost pay for the
TV in about 5 years of projector lamps!!

 

[RLA]

If you have a light controlled room

New screen technologies such as the new Visage screen make FP systems in non-light controlled rooms viable. The new Visage screen is currently under review without going into detail before the review is published we are most pleased with its performance with a mid priced projector in a non-light controlled room.

 

[cthomp]

Screen

Even if this screen is as good as it sounds, there will still be issues with lamp life/cost, start-up and cool down. As far as using a FP for the only source of
video, I will probably just wait until a different technology(LED) arrives as a
lamp source! Oh, did I mention that "funds" are a consideration. I will have
good light control in this room. Thanks for the info on the screen, I will check
it out.

 

[Johnd]

I have a dated, but phenomenal in its' own right, Sony vpl10. The bulbs wear by hours (1000 or 2000), not by the year. And I chose my projector w/ 80" screen for it's large size, still unavailable in plasma or lcd that large, although they are fast approaching. Whenever I watch a movie on a less than 50" display, it seems puny!

 

[BMXTRIX]

The bulbs wear by hours (1000 or 2000), not by the year.

John - Most people know this, but most people don't realize that almost always lamps blow WELL before their rated hour life. My 5,000 hour lamp blew at 1,300 hours in nearly ideal conditions. This means that if you are going to be putting 1,000 or so hours on a projector every year and most lamps are rated to 2,000 hours, then you better plan on having the money for a new lamp available to you at 1,000 hours just in case.

A 50 inch plasma with a motorized screen... hmmm... that sounds familar.
A bit pricey for the tab-tensioned screen...

 

[mtrycrafts]

I was going to recess
a 106"d fixed screen (99"L x 58"H).

Better redo those numbers

 

[cthomp]

Re-do

I will probably just leave it with those dimensions. Build it with the idea of
going to a fixed frame screen in the future. For now, it will just have my
65" Toshiba Theatrewide sitting in the "hole". If/when the projectors become
more practical for everyday usage, I will be set!

 

[Johnd]

John - Most people know this, but most people don't realize that almost always lamps blow WELL before their rated hour life. My 5,000 hour lamp blew at 1,300 hours in nearly ideal conditions.

BMXTRIX: Point received. But I would suggest that a bulb blowing at 1/4 of its' rated life is an exception, not a rule, and perhaps you just got a lemon of a bulb (unless this has happened repeatedly). Regards

 

[BMXTRIX]

BMXTRIX: Point received. But I would suggest that a bulb blowing at 1/4 of its' rated life is an exception, not a rule, and perhaps you just got a lemon of a bulb (unless this has happened repeatedly). Regards

Could be a lemon, but TONS of lemons are out there. Some more than others. The point was only that if you budget for one new lamp every year, then should you get more time out of the lamp it is a bonus, and you have the cash ready.

On the other hand - if I had a nearly 100% light controlled room, I might have continued to use my projector as my full time viewer. Turn on/off times don't bug me at all. Well... except my wife probably has the TV on 8+ hours a day.

 

[Johnd]

Understood. I have blackout scrims on all my windows and doors, the walls are all walnut, stained dark, and my carpet is black (with some negligible gold patterning). And on top of it, this is a basement room (26'x15' open at one end to another 20'x11' room) with a highly reflective screen (made specifically for dark rooms). The only minus is I painted the ceiling light, but the reflection is not a problem. I guess if you're truly going to have a ht, certain conditions must be met (outside of limiting your viewing times to after dusk). Anyhow, I enjoy reading your posts, and eventually want to pick your brain on the setup of my new 2900 (last night, as previously noted in another thread), with my 5803, if you would so accomodate.

 

[westcott]

Watching standard definition programming stretched to 100" looks okay at best, depending on station, and terrible for most SD programming.

It really depends on what you call good picture quality, I guess.

We still put a lot of hours on our CRT and standard definiton still looks marginal on most stations IMO. Macroblocking due to compression is rampant on SD and is even visible on a 27" screen!

As you can see, many of us use two displays.

 

[RLA]

Well
After spending the last month with the Visage and my FP rig I never felt the need to turn on my Panasonic LCD or my Plasma in the family room.

I felt like a vampire that had been cured of the curse. Watching Nascar and the Olympics during the day on my FP system was awesome; going back to my smaller screen for daytime viewing is a royal pain.

My Panasonic has a bulb and my Plasma will eventually dim Sorry guys I would rather watch at 92" diagonal with a cheap good PJ during the day then try to save a few bucks on a bulb besides you can buy allot of bulbs for the price of a Plasma

Nope with the new screen technology I am now in the camp of front projection in all its glory during the day because bigger is better if it’s good

That last sentence should spark some great responses from the regulars-> you know who you are! And I can’t wait to read them

 

[Hi Ho]

Do you have any idea what the price of that screen will be? I can't find it anywhere. I would be very interested if it didn't cost too much.