Projector

H

Hyuukai

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Messages
130
Ok i am really interested in the Optoma HD70 but i have no idea about projectors at all and need some help here. I beg of you. I have quite a few questions. I currently http://www.tribaluk.com/detail.php?ProdID=01787048 but am looking for a bigger screen and dont like the prices of huge lcd's

Ok at the moment i currently watch Standard definition aka dvd/video and i also watch download movies normally good quality. I have the xbox hd dvd drive so i will eventually be watching hd stuff. All this is from my PC.

I currently have a budget of 600-900 pounds(keep in mind i live where they overprice things)
Is it worth paying out for a 1080p projector?
How good is the quality of SD? and 720p image off of this projector compared to my tv or one like it?
How big of a screen would be good if the projector will be about 13ft away and i will be viewing from about 12ft away. I dont know what is too big or not.
Is there any better projectors in my price range?.
How long do the bulbs roughly last because if i move out then i would be watching alot of freeview/sky on it.

I just really have no idea and need help real bad! please
 
The HD72i is a better projector.
I've also heard good things about the HC1100

Whatever projector you choose, find the cost of replacement bulbs and how long they last.
This will be the one defining factor that determines whether you use your projector much after your first bulb has gone.
Bulbs last anywhere from 200 hours to 6,000 hours.
They can cost anywhere from £50 to £700 to replace.

You will be fine with a 720p projector for the material you watch.
1080p projectors are too costly to consider unless you have cash to splash.

A good screen can make or break the picture quality.
With 3000 to 4000 lumens a 1:1 gain screen will do fine unless you want to project a screen bigger than 4 metres.
You can paint your own screen onto a wall with bright Matt white paint and will likely be very happy with it.
For richer colours and darker blacks, you can use Grey Screen Goo paint.

You will need to find out if the projector will make the screen size you want at the distance it will be placed from the screen.

A 3 metre diagonal screen will look lovely from the distance you will sit.
 
AH ok thankyou very much for that info whats the price difference between them both and do you think it is worth paying the extra? will it be the same quality as my lcd just on alot bigger scale?
 
I can give you pointers about what you should research but this is a big purchase, so its you who needs to be sure of what you are buying.

If I was buying a projector I'd research for at least 2 weeks, probably a couple of months.
I'm pretty careful to not get ripped of with price/quality/reliability or by getting something that is about to be replaced by a newer model or an emerging technology.
Sadly I cant do that for you, you need to be the person in charge of what you are buying.

There are a lot of forums for AV and projector stuff, they are an excellent place to start but dont take one persons opinion as everyones needs can be very different.

This is not a small topic and is quite specialist, i wish you luck :)
 
I'm not up for writing a guide on buying a projector nor researching buying one as its quite a chore.
I'll give you some information that will help you start though.

When the DLP type projectors first came out, the blacks contained some light and were quite grey.
Modern DLPs are much better but some projectors can benefit from using a grey screen rather than white.
The grey screen will usually be a grey background with a reflective additive mixed in.
You can get grey screens in either a pull down screen or use screen paint like Screen Goo on a wall.

DLPs can have picture aberations such as twinkling of pixels, screendoor and the rainbow effect. Each projector model has its own issues and the modern ones have tried to hide/eliminate previous problems and are usually better.
A friend bought a panasonic DLP projector 2 years ago which has a strong screendoor effect and it did detract from the image quality.
Read reviews etc to find out exactly how each projector performs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLP


LCD projectors have only recently started to become a decent mainstream option and they are damn good now but are quite a lot dimmer than DLP for the same power bulb, dont let this put you off though.
I have built a 3 metre screen LCD projector from a 15" LCD monitor using only a 120W light source and it was excellent with the curtains closed.
If an LCD projector has nearer 200W bulb or higher, it should be fine but check others opinions of any particular projector to make sure.
Watch out for LCD projectors that exhibit the Screendoor effect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LCD_projector (sadly doesnt tell you much, seems to be 2 years old)


Here is a discussion of LCD vs DLP (Screen Door vs Rainbow)
http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=486723
This is a good forum to look around.

As each projector is different, you should check if the projectors you are interested in have any forms visual artifacting.
Find out by reading others personal experiences in forums and from product reviews.
Manufacturers specs and information dont tell you all you need to know.

Oh yes, something I forgot to mention.
No matter what projector you get and how bright it is, it will always look better with the curtains closed.
A grey screen with a bright projector will be easier viewing than a lower light projector with a white screen if you have the curtains open.
For watching films and gaming the room should be dark or you will lose dark area detail and the immersion is much better when its dark.
 
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