Projector : getting the most out of my projector?

Question

I just bought an Optoma ezpro 739 projector at $700 i thought it was a steal. I am running my movies and games through Svideo out of my laptop with an ATI card. What are the settings I should adjust to get the best picture quality both on my laptop and projector . Also where could I find a good quality screen? What should I look for in a projector screen?
Can I use a certain type of white paint on the wall to simulate a screen??? thanks.

Answer 1

Hi, tigger (above) has given you the settings.Projector screens are usually available as a fixed screen on a wall or a motorized screen which retracts into a housing near the ceiling. Or you could paint one on a wall with flat white paint but won't give you the results of a proper screen.
If you decide to buy a proper screen look for a uniform flat non reflective white area with a 1 to 2 inch flat black border all around. Make sure you get a 16 : 9 screen so you can view widescreen programs.


Hope you find a good one.
Cheers.

Have a look at the links bellow to get an idea of prices.


http://www.nextag.com/motorized-projection-screen/search-html




http://www.epinions.com/Projection_Screens--reviews--screen_type_fixed--prices--price_range_550_710--22654_16_9

Answer 2

First, you want to connect the laptop to your projector via VGA. That will give you 10 times better resolution.

As for a projector screen, you can either buy a cheap screen for $100 or you can paint your wall a flat matte white. You definitely do not want to use a latex or glossy paint because that will cause hot spots and glare.

Answer 3

you can get some decently priced screens from sites like www.buy.com , overstock.com, etc.
the biggest thing you want to look at too, is how much a bulb cost for your projector. You will want to have a spare on hand, so you don't have it go out, and then have to run to a store or something to get a new bulb.

http://www.buy.com/retail/searchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=projector+screen&qxt=home&display=col&dclksa=1

and if your computer will allow it, 1024 x 768 is HDTV standard size (keeping in mind the contrast ratio could be different).

Answer 4

to boot to checking the computer with a computer screen, if it fairly works, then examine the projector itself. many circumstances the bulb will fail. you ought to get a minimum of a sparkling Lighted section on your projection demonstrate. confirm the projector isn't in Standby or "calm down" mode for shutdown.

Answer 5

You should return that one and get the "Infocus 4805"...Here's a link to it at Circuit City: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/InFocus-ScreenPlay-Entertainment-Projector-SP-4805/sem/rpsm/oid/113968/catOid/-17062/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

It actually has the video processing chips (Faruja DCDi) to up scale your video signals to near Hi-Def...The problem with all cheap projectors is that the ones that show great computer images (optoma), won't show great video images.

And the cheap projectors that show great video (Infocus), don't show the best computer images...But the gang is right in suggesting an actual monitor cable instead of S-Video...That'll help right away.