projectors

whohasmynameuk · 05-09-2007, 18:25

I have just got a new job and was going to buy myself a little prezzie. I was thinking about a hd tv but went around to a mates house and he has a project setup to his sky/xbox/dvd recorder and it looks fantastic. I am a complete newbie when it comes to projector systems so what specs should I look out for when looking.

thanks

05-09-2007, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by whohasmynameuk

I have just got a new job and was going to buy myself a little prezzie. I was thinking about a hd tv but went around to a mates house and he has a project setup to his sky/xbox/dvd recorder and it looks fantastic. I am a complete newbie when it comes to projector systems so what specs should I look out for when looking.

thanks

Projectors come in all shapes and sizes.

First of all what HD sources have you got - Sky HD, HD DVD/Blu-Ray player, PS3, Xbox?

You can pick up a basic PJ for about £500, but if you want something a bit special you will be looking at around £1k-£10K upwards.

You need to be looking at something that is HD ready, this normally covers the basics, resolution(s), connection(s) and HDCP.

You will also need to work the best screen size for your room, this means working out seating distance and the projector distance from the screen. It's no good having a 8' screen but you are only 6' from it, or a PJ that will project a 100" image from 5m away but the room is only 4m. Most manufacturers will give a guide for distant > image size.

A little bit of homework is required to do it well. First off, what sort of budget do you have in mind?

-GONZO- · 05-09-2007, 19:01

How about one of these?
If I had the money I would!!

05-09-2007, 19:05

Projectors are great for special events but I've found that most of the time you can't beat the ease of just switching on a TV.

Maybe a secondhand projector (for occasional use) coupled with a new HD TV would be sufficient for your needs? I'm not up to speed on HD equipment so I'll leave that for others.

Ebay has a good selection of HD compatible projectors, as long as local pick-up is an option there is little risk.

GaryB · 05-09-2007, 22:09

The Projector Forum on AV Forums is worth a look:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43

dfgh · 06-09-2007, 15:31

they have a projector selector on this site http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/

xdaorbit · 06-09-2007, 15:42

lamps dont last long and are expensive to replace

dfgh · 06-09-2007, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdaorbit

lamps dont last long and are expensive to replace

This is true, if you use it as a replacement for a TV and even then you're talking about 4-5 months if you had it on for 24 hours a day. Also sometimes it's hard to find bulbs for some models, especially if the bulb lasted for a few years and your projector is no longer in production.

robzter · 06-09-2007, 16:51

I have had an Optoma DV10 Movietime pj for over 2 years and its superb.its an intergrated dvd and speaker set up so great for taking to a mates house or on holiday.we use it every weekend and its easy to set up and has amazing picture.one pro guy over at Avforum has rated the picture quality and blacks on the dv10 over the Z3

05-09-2007, 18:25	#1
whohasmynameuk Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Birmingham Posts: 743	projectors I have just got a new job and was going to buy myself a little prezzie. I was thinking about a hd tv but went around to a mates house and he has a project setup to his sky/xbox/dvd recorder and it looks fantastic. I am a complete newbie when it comes to projector systems so what specs should I look out for when looking. thanks

05-09-2007, 18:56	#2
TommyW Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by whohasmynameuk I have just got a new job and was going to buy myself a little prezzie. I was thinking about a hd tv but went around to a mates house and he has a project setup to his sky/xbox/dvd recorder and it looks fantastic. I am a complete newbie when it comes to projector systems so what specs should I look out for when looking. thanks Projectors come in all shapes and sizes. First of all what HD sources have you got - Sky HD, HD DVD/Blu-Ray player, PS3, Xbox? You can pick up a basic PJ for about £500, but if you want something a bit special you will be looking at around £1k-£10K upwards. You need to be looking at something that is HD ready, this normally covers the basics, resolution(s), connection(s) and HDCP. You will also need to work the best screen size for your room, this means working out seating distance and the projector distance from the screen. It's no good having a 8' screen but you are only 6' from it, or a PJ that will project a 100" image from 5m away but the room is only 4m. Most manufacturers will give a guide for distant > image size. A little bit of homework is required to do it well. First off, what sort of budget do you have in mind?

05-09-2007, 19:01	#3
-GONZO- Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 8,954	How about one of these? If I had the money I would!!

05-09-2007, 19:05	#4
dunscombe2000 Posts: n/a	Projectors are great for special events but I've found that most of the time you can't beat the ease of just switching on a TV. Maybe a secondhand projector (for occasional use) coupled with a new HD TV would be sufficient for your needs? I'm not up to speed on HD equipment so I'll leave that for others. Ebay has a good selection of HD compatible projectors, as long as local pick-up is an option there is little risk.

05-09-2007, 22:09	#5
GaryB Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: St Albans Posts: 4,088	The Projector Forum on AV Forums is worth a look: http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43

06-09-2007, 15:31	#6
dfgh Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,409	they have a projector selector on this site http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/

06-09-2007, 15:42	#7
xdaorbit Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 326	lamps dont last long and are expensive to replace

06-09-2007, 16:05	#8
dfgh Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2,409	Quote: Originally Posted by xdaorbit lamps dont last long and are expensive to replace This is true, if you use it as a replacement for a TV and even then you're talking about 4-5 months if you had it on for 24 hours a day. Also sometimes it's hard to find bulbs for some models, especially if the bulb lasted for a few years and your projector is no longer in production.

06-09-2007, 16:51	#9
robzter Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 536	I have had an Optoma DV10 Movietime pj for over 2 years and its superb.its an intergrated dvd and speaker set up so great for taking to a mates house or on holiday.we use it every weekend and its easy to set up and has amazing picture.one pro guy over at Avforum has rated the picture quality and blacks on the dv10 over the Z3

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