What Projector?

[allgonepetetong]

Dear All

After the million and one What TV? threads and virtually the same answers being given to each and every one, I'd thought I'd ask a slightly different question; What projector should I get?

Whilst being both capable and able to make up my own mind, I thought I'd ask those with informed opinions before shelling out a couple of thousand pounds. (credit crunch, recession, what are you on about?)

The room dimensions of my appartment here in Hong Kong are 20'x13' and I shall be watching across the width of the room i.e. 13'.

The intended use of the machine will be for watching blu ray via PS3 and upscaled DVD via Marantz DVD7001, so full HD is required and a screen size around 80-100 inches. Regular TV will be caterd for via 5th generation 43" Pioneer plasma.

So guys, Plotty, Gandalf and others, what would you recomend I buy for Christmas?

Cheers

Pete

Edited by allgonepetetong on Monday 17th November 06:36

[eliot]

Work out your throw ratio (google it) first to ensure you can get the desired size screen from your distance.
Sanyo PLV Z2000 is good, http://www.projectorreviews.com/sanyo/plv-z2000/
Although they are physically quite big. Panasonic PT-AE2000U was my other candidate, which is brighter.

Edited by eliot on Monday 17th November 07:08

[kambites]

A friend of mine has an Infocus X10 which I've been quite impressed with. The X9 is meant to be rather good too, if you're after something a bit cheaper but still HD capable.

[Maxf]

I've got an INfocus INsomething. It's excellent! However, if you go for DLP make sure you see one running a few different types of film as they can exhibit a rainbow effect which I believe is down to your eye (ie your Mrs might see if but you wont) rather than the equipment. LCD projectors don't have this problem (but can have others).

[warmfuzzies]

Infocus IN78. better version of the IN76 which I've had for two years now, watched in a room thats about 18x11 ish.

Top job.

Kevin

[allgonepetetong]

yes I was thinking of the Panasonice PTAX 2000. You can get a good deal on that out here these days.

Would you recomend demoing at thome before purchasing, is that normal?

[Plotloss]

At 13'

A 100" screen will give you the benefit of 1080p, obviously.

The THX Recommended screen size at 13' however is around 115"

Assuming you're on a 1:1 gain screen then a 1000 Lumen projector will be adequate, lower than this and you're going to have to consider the room being completely dark or go with a higher gain screen.

I dont know whats available in HK so cant really recommend a particular unit but theres your specification.

[allgonepetetong]

Thanks Plotty

I was guessing the size of the screen so will take your advice and go up to 115".

Everything that is available in the UK is available here, so with that in mind what would you recommend?

[rex]

Is that 115 on the diagonal (16:9) or for the horizontal?

[Captain Ahab]

allgonepetetong said:

yes I was thinking of the Panasonice PTAX 2000. You can get a good deal on that out here these days.

Would you recomend demoing at thome before purchasing, is that normal?

The PTA-3000 is out now - I'm thinking of upgrading mine to one.

[Plotloss]

rex said:

Is that 115 on the diagonal (16:9) or for the horizontal?

Diagonal.

To the OP

JVC HD1
Panny PTA3000
Optoma HD81

All solid performers in the midrange price bracket.

[allgonepetetong]

Thanks guys, I'm going to go out and have a look what bargains I can pick up in the sales, which should be very good this year!

Will report back on what I go for

[Murray993]

at kind of money are we talking here for HD projector?

[allgonepetetong]

Couple of grand I think.

[Murray993]

better off getting a 42inch HD plazma for less money wouldnt you? Also dont you have loads of wires hanging around for the connections to sky, dvd, xbox etc.. on top of the projector dont you need some form of sound system to play it through?

[jollygreen]

Wouldn't it be better to have a really good skim coat of plaster and a few coatrs of good quality white paint on the wall than using a screen?

[Zod]

jollygreen said:

Wouldn't it be better to have a really good skim coat of plaster and a few coatrs of good quality white paint on the wall than using a screen?

you need a fantastically flat wall and special expensive projector screen paint.

[jollygreen]

Zod said:

jollygreen said:

Wouldn't it be better to have a really good skim coat of plaster and a few coatrs of good quality white paint on the wall than using a screen?

you need a fantastically flat wall and special expensive projector screen paint.

Hmmm. A good plasterer should be able to skim it to a very level finish but I didn't realise the thing about projection paint. What's special about it? Matt finish?

[Maxf]

jollygreen said:

Zod said:

jollygreen said:

Wouldn't it be better to have a really good skim coat of plaster and a few coatrs of good quality white paint on the wall than using a screen?

you need a fantastically flat wall and special expensive projector screen paint.

Hmmm. A good plasterer should be able to skim it to a very level finish but I didn't realise the thing about projection paint. What's special about it? Matt finish?

It reflects the same amount of light back as directed at it (or more), I think normal paint will 'absorb' some light.

I used a white wall while my screen was being ordered/delivered and it worked really well. Then the screen arrived and it looked so much better!

[Plotloss]

Its all about the gain.

Using a good quality screen is always the preferred solution. If you can accommodate a fixed one then that is the best solution of all.