What projector, if any should I buy?

Question

Hello everyone. Recently I have been looking for a good television for my basement. So far I’ve been looking at some 52 inch big screens but recently I saw some projectors available in my price range. The ones that have been brought to my attention (out of an xbox magazine) are these two. If anyone can make other recommendations for better projectors, thanks for your thought.

http://www.hitachi.us/supportingdocs/forhome/DisplayTechnologiesGroup/lcdprojectors/SupportingDocuments/PJTX100_SPECS.pdf

http://www.optomausa.com/PDFs/datasheets/Optoma_HD70_Datasheet.pdf

Now, just to let you guys know. I don’t know much of anything. But I need the basics, like good picture, ports for dvd player and Comcast cable box (both in high def HDMI) and my xbox 360, along with quite sound. If anyone can recommend other things that would be important when making a decision or Im forgetting anything, please say them. Im looking to spend no more then 1,500 to 2,000. Thanks everyone.

Thanks guys for the input. By the way, this is my Xbox connection, the link is below. Im pretty sure its an hdtv…but I could have that wrong.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Xbox-360-VGA-RCA-HD-AV-Audio-Cable-High-Definition-HDTV_W0QQitemZ130110116402QQihZ003QQcategoryZ122517QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Answer 1

Hi..Projector and screen is the only way to go if you want the cinema effect.The two you have in mind look pretty good . I.am not familiar with Comcast cable box and xbox 360 so i will leave it up to you if any of these are suitable. I live in Australia and i only watch DVD movies with my projector and screen .Have you thought about getting a screen for your projector ? Here are some other projectors to consider to help you make the right choice. All are recommended retail prices.If you shop around you should be able to get cheeper prices .Sometimes eBay have bargains to consider.

BENQ PE 7700...........$1999
SONY VPL-HS60........$1329
MITSUBISHI HC9 00U.$1300...
SANYO PLV-Z4...........$1600
SHARP DT 500 DLP...$1859

Here are the links for the projectors' specifications.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-PE7700.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony-VPL-HS60.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Mitsubishi-HC900U.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sanyo-PLV-Z4.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/SharpVision-DT-500.htm

Hope you find what you are looking fore.
Cheers.

Answer 2

720p projectors are very inexpensive. Unless you're set on watching Blu-ray or HD DVD, there's no reason to get a 1080p projector. I just got a Mitsubishi 3000u and, to be honest, I did not expect it would be as great as it is. I have it projecting a 106" (diag.) image and it has blown me away. DVDs at 420 p are outstanding and H-def programs on cable are unbelievable. I think I paid $1400 for the projector. The technology has improved so much in recent years that the image looks superior to a projector that costs $10,000 a half-dozen years ago. The blacks are blacker and the shadows are more detailed. I also recommend building your own screen from bulk screen material sold on e-bay. I spent about $70 dollars building an 8' X 5' screen that has been a joy to watch. My model has one HDMI input, one component, one composite, and one S-video. There's no lens shift adjustment which means you have less flexibility about where to mount the projector (how high from the ceiling or how low to the ground). All I can say is, if you have a room that can be made fairly dark, a projector is the way to go.

Answer 3

I recommend the Mitsubishi projectors.....they get up to 5000 hours on the lamp in economy mode, the units have a 3 year warranty when most of the others only have 1 year. I work with Sony, Eiki, Sharp, and NEC.......and I prefer the Mitsubishi because of the advantages is has compared to the others.

The thing that most people do not realize is the cost of the projector lamps between 300 and 500 each.

Answer 4

Frankly, I think you can do even cheaper than that. I have been installing Home Theater for budget conscious people and generally go with the Epson S4 which will cost you about $575. It will work perfectly with your Comcast HD box in 1080I and the picture is outstanding. I'd look to get a screen too. You can put one together for less than $250. You can find specs on this as well at projectorcentral.com.

Answer 5

There are alot of opinions about what is the best for TV, but after spending a week at the CEDIA conference looking at every possible type TV (incl $40K Runco projectors), my conclusion is that Pioneer plasmas are by far the best picture, and plasmas are not quite as light-sensitive as most projectors. Second place goes to Panasonic plasmas (but some people like them as well as the Pioneer, so look at both)
Good Luck.

Answer 6

I've had several projectors and haven't stuck with one yet. go to projector central and look at the differences there are hundreds of types. i suggest dlp with a 2000 lumens, sxga+ (if can afford it ) and the highest contrast you can get.
lumens is the brightness
sxga is the resolution
contrast is the ratio difference between white and black
personally i like the dell projectors that's what i have now

FYI. i used to have a mitsubishi, one day it broke so i sent it in and they never sent it back and gave me the runaround for 3 months before i gave up and bought my dell customer service sucks like always but it hasn't broke yet.