need projector for HTPC

T

TeleFragger

[H]ard|Gawd
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Nov 10, 2005
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Ok so anyway I am thinking of a projector to use for my gaming on xbox 360 / wii / and watching movies...


so this will be setup in my basement and I want about a 80-120" viewing screen.

I am on a super tight budget... say $500 for a projector.. does one exist?
it is the basement and can be very dark (if not pitch black)

so anyone recommend a inexpensive but fully functional projector?

I am really not looking for the top of the line models, I just figure that there have to be models out there that were great at this and newer models replaced them. So to me the older ones are still good enough.

thanks
Jeff
 
TeleFragger said:
I am on a super tight budget... say $500 for a projector.. does one exist?
Click to expand...

As above, a projector is NOT a wise choice if you are strapped for cash. The PJ has a bulb...and your might be lucky enough to have one fail just outside of the 30 day warranty or hour requirement. Then you will be looking at a $250+ adder to the PJ..within the first days of owning the PJ. In my case, the digital portion of my DVI-I connection failed 5 days out of warranty. I managed to find an old one with a failed bulb for $150. I also had my first bulb failure 2 years in which was $250 out of Japan. However...I've seen enough times where bulbs just fail. And you might be lucky enough to get a PJ with a bad suppyl and will constantly fail bulbs....in a few months. Then, you are pretty much at a complete loss and out significant money.

As a recommendation to anyone who is looking into a PJ....figure out the absolute max you would be willing to spend and divide it by two...that is your real max working number.

Sorry to piss in your kool-aid...but sometimes the bright shiny that is a PJ is also a Siren.
 
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ebay is always a roll of the dice. my buddy got one from ebay and it did work out for him. The bulb has been working for him for about 2 years but i think the replacement was 200+

If you find a nice one it maybe worth it. I have been looking myself on and off but haven't pulled the trigger.
 
TeleFragger said:
I understand about the bulb may die quick and it may not.....

so example... I was going to bid on this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300233464483&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

or this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280237493474&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018


guess I will pass over them for now..

I just figured that it seems to be worth the gamble on the price..... :confused:
Click to expand...

the first one is probably older than you, and both of them are business type projectors. They will look rotten for movies and videogames.
 
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I had an infocus x1 (not x1a) and it was a good bugdget projector. you can find them on ebay for between 200-500. if you can find one. bulbs are a concern of course.
 
It's too bad your budget isnt a little higher. I seen some images of the Optoma hd65 from a pc and they are simply amazing.
 
Ziming said:
It's too bad your budget isnt a little higher. I seen some images of the Optoma hd65 from a pc and they are simply amazing.
Click to expand...

what does my budget need to be?
I can rob home automation to pay projector!!!!!!!! :D
 
PJ prices have dropped quite a bit, but you'll have to at least double your budget to get a nice pj.

Take a look at projector central there are plenty of reviews of low cost pj.
 
TeleFragger said:
what does my budget need to be?
I can rob home automation to pay projector!!!!!!!! :D
Click to expand...

The optoma hd65 is $899. Check out this thread at the avs forums for the images.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=947156&page=33

You can get an brand new Mitsubishi hc1500 for about 799$ and get more or less the same performance. I've also heard the Sharp DT510 is an excellent projector for $799 as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-DT510-720p-Theater-Projector/dp/B000O5WBGM

Also check out this thread. It lists older 720p projectors that actually outperform today's entry level 720p projectors in picture quality. If you look around you probably could find one of these older projectors for well under $1000.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1039990
 
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