Looking for a digital projector for home and outdoor movies.?

Question

I would like to purchase a digital projector for a home theater system. In the summer time, use it to project on the side of the house, for night time entertainment. I intend to use a flush-mount retractible screen for inside the house. I have a budget of about $1100.

Answer 1

OK, so you need a portable (or at least one that will be shelf or coffee table mounted when used indoors). That implies lens shift capability. Outside you would not get the benefit of controlled light, so something brighter than average (ca 1000 lumens) would be advisable (although not essential).

Projectors, basically, use two dissimilar technologies: LCD and DLP (See last link for some info on advanatages and disadvantages). I encourage you to do further reading, but from your perspective the main difference is that LCD based models TEND to offer wider zoom lenses and capable lens shift (vertical and horizontal), versus no (or limited) lens shift on DLP models. This means that many, otherwise desirable, DLP models won't work for you because they have to be ceiling mounted ($$ for long cables and ceiling mount and inconvenient to move outdoors).

You could go with a business projector ... there are many in the price range, and they tend to be fairly bright, but you would then compromise performance as a home theatre projector (lower contrast ratio, lower resolution).

While fairly capable projectors can be purchased for $1000 these days your choice (and potential picture quality) improves at a bit higher price point. You could reconsider whether you need a screen, and potentially free up the money to put into a bit better projector.

Personally, I built a home theatre fully intending to buy a Carada screen (ca $1000), but found the DIY screen I built for about $50 (following suggestions from AVS Forum (see 2nd link for an example)) gave me such a good picture I don't know if I'll ever buy a commercial screen.

The first link below summarizes info on "recommended" projectors for home theatres (it is kept updated as technology changes) organized by resolution. Links to actual reviews are provided for each.

A number of these projectors would be ideal for you (e,g, the Mitsubishi 1000, Optoma HD72) EXCEPT that they need to be ceiling mounted.

In the interest of providing some specific recommendations, two of the best (in many people's opinion) LCD projectors are the recently superceded Panasonic PT-AE900U and Sanyo PLV-Z4. Both these projectors are models of flexibility, with wide range zoom lenses and excellent lens shift range ... necessary for your needs. And, best of all ... becuase they are being replaced with new, even better models, are available right now new for close to your price range (See 3rd and 4th links) or should be widely available used for under $1000.

That said, there are numerous other models that could work for you, so I suggest doing some reading to help define the factors that are important to you. Only then will you be prepared to make an informed choice.

Good Luck. Hope this helps.