I'm looking for a fairly cheap and effective DVD projector?

Question

I bought one for $250 from toys r us for my Xbox 360. But it's very dim and the picture isn't very good so I'm returning it.

Where can I find one for cheap and how would I know if it will be brighter than the one I have. Like is there a measure of that?

Okay but what about the brightness? Like I can barely even see the one I have.

Answer 1

Brightness is measured in "lumens", but for movies the light must be adjusted to provide the right colour balance and this generally reduces effective brightness significantly from the rated value (i.e. what is advertized).

If you use it in a dark room anything more than a few hundred effective lumens will be bright enough, but the picture will wash out in a bright room with anything less than about 1000 lumens.

You can usually assume a rated brightness of 1000 lumens or more will provide an adequate picture in a dark room.

The screen can have a significant effect. The gain rating provides a clue. For example, a screen with a gain of 1.5 appears 1.5 times as bright to a viewer relative to a neutral white surface. Screen with gains as high as 7-10 are possible, but as gain increases much past about 2 there is likely to be increased colour variation and a narrow field of view (outside this narrow angle brightness will drop off quickly). Good high gain screens are expensive (read $2000 +)

As to a cheap projector, when you consider a replacement bulb (2-3000 hr lifetime) cost about $400 US you can see why the lower end of projectors is in the $500 range.

However, a projector with a rated brightness of 1000 lumens or more, a contrast ratio of 1500:1 or more (idealy 2000+), and a vertical resolution of 480 pixels minimum (720 is preferable) is capable -- in a dim to dark room -- of a good picture on even a painted wall. Such a projector should be available used for $500 -$700. And the experience will be more like going to the cinema than any "large screen" TV.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

For your budget?It would be tough to beat that unless you add another $100.These are the most popular home theater systems for less than $300. Samsung HT-Z310T 5.1 Ch,Bose 321 GS Series II 5.1 Ch,Philips HTS6500. I think this will help you to get your home theater under $300.

Answer 3

If you have a CostCo in your area, check there. The pixel count should be your best measure on picture quality.

Answer 4

You need the "INFOCUS" brand of projectors...Click the link to see them at the CircuitCity.com: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Projectors/sem/rpsm/catOid/-13322/N/20012866+20012867+20013322+40400845/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do