Home Cinema Projector - Budget about £1k

[garycat]

Is there any point in looking at anything other than an Optoma HD33? We will probably use 3D, but mainly bluray/games/DVD

Source will be PS3 (for bluray) & Sky HD.

Edited by garycat on Monday 17th September 15:51

[OldSkoolRS]

Have you ever had a demo of a DLP projector? If not then I'd recommend seeing one first: I can't watch them for more than a few minutes without getting a headache. I know I'm in a minority, but there are quite a few who can see the 'rainbow' effect on fast pans/high contrast.

If you have seen it, then probably there is little else you could consider, though I'll mention these ones just in case. Also, please be aware that around now various projector manufacturers start announcing their new models for realise later this year (JVC, Sony, Panasonic and Epson have already announced theirs):


Others to consider:

Epson EH TW5900
Epson EH TW6000
Acer H5360BD

Also, have a look on AVforums projectors section for more information and also try their classifieds as many are in a rush to buy the new models and sell last year's ones off quite cheaply.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/projectors/

http://www.avforums.com/forums/tv-projector-classi...

Projectors are VERY influenced by the room they are used in: Even if you can get it completely dark, if the walls are light coloured and a white ceiling, then light gets reflected back to the screen washing out blacks. You either need to be dedicated enough to decorate the viewing room black, buy a very expensive screen to help combat reflections, or just accept that it won't be quite as good as some dealer's demo rooms.

[megapixels83]

I have the optoma, fantastic bit of kit. My set up gives a 120 inch screen, run my wd tv (blurays) and Xbox 360 through it and it is flawless for a projector. We watched a lot of the last football tournament on it in SD and it was more than satisfactory.

[anonymous-user]

Another vote here for the HD33. Have had mine since January, clocked up a fair few hours and still performing perfectly. 3D wise, the pure motion can help a bit, and there's not a huge difference with specs (I like the DLP specs myself, haven't really used the RF ones). Having switched from a HD67N I had specs already.

Alternatives to the Optoma, only really an Epson or Acer as mentioned above. Also look at the 300X Optoma, it's basically a HD33 with a shorter warranty (performance is nigh on identical from what other owners have said).

[Speckle]

I have an Epson (TW 3200 I think) LCD projector and it has been brilliant. The image is much, much better than I expected!

One of the main benefits for me was the lens shift function which means that you don't have to position the projector centrally to the screen.

[Bullett]

Hijack!

What do I need to consider when getting a projector/screen?

My new house has had the double garage converted into a cinema/party room. I don't have a car that needs a garage at the moment and my lounge isn't ideal for my surround sound system so I want a screen and projector. It won't be for tv just movies games via ps3, maybe apple tv.

I think I'd like to mount the projector on the ceiling.

What's my first decision, screen size?

[anonymous-user]

Bullett said:

Hijack!

What do I need to consider when getting a projector/screen?

My new house has had the double garage converted into a cinema/party room. I don't have a car that needs a garage at the moment and my lounge isn't ideal for my surround sound system so I want a screen and projector. It won't be for tv just movies games via ps3, maybe apple tv.

I think I'd like to mount the projector on the ceiling.

What's my first decision, screen size?

The screen size permitted will be based on the throw distance available in the space you have. At this stage, if you have an idea of budget, and specifically what PJ you're looking for, you can use the projectorpoint website calculator to work out what screen size you can achieve. There'll be a min and max size, but remember to factor in your viewing distance. A typical viewing will be between 1.2 - 1.4 x diagonal screen size (for 1080p HD).
HTH

[Bullett]

What's a throw distance? I'm assuming it's something to do with the distance from lense to screen.
Dont know what pj I need, don't have a budget, like to keep it under a grand though.

Can I work it backwards, viewing distance to screen, screen size to throw = what pj options?

Edited by Bullett on Friday 21st September 22:19

[anonymous-user]

Bullett said:

What's a throw distance? I'm assuming it's something to do with the distance from lense to screen.
Dont know what pj I need, don't have a budget, like to keep it under a grand though.

Can I work it backwards, viewing distance to screen, screen size to throw = what pj options?

Edited by Bullett on Friday 21st September 22:19

Indeedy, your throw distance will be the horizontal distance between PJ lens and the screen. Some of the numbers in the equation aren’t readily apparent until you do a bit of maths, but essentially (working backwards as you mentioned):
Measure the distance from where you can mount the PJ, to the area / wall that will be occupied by your screen. Your viewing distance is down to personal preference, but a rule of thumb is anything between 1.2 to 1.4 x the diagonal size (1.4 seems to be more traditional, 1.2 is a THX recommendation as it gives a more immersive feel based on periphery vision etc).
There’s some very good sub £1k 1080p 2D PJ’s available, along with a few 3D ones that hover around the £1100 mark. It’s in the next few weeks that the 2013 model specs get released, which will drop the 2012 model prices soon after.
Don’t be put off with thinking you need a bat cave for it to work; my home cinema effort sits in the front room, and aside from it only really working properly in the evenings when it’s darker, it’s good VFM and IMO gives a better cinema’esque experience than an equivalent large panel plasma.

If you're only looking for 2D performance, a BenQ or Epson will be ideal, for a cost effective route into 3D, Optoma are good VFM. You really can spend a fortune when you get stuck in though...

[Bullett]

The batcave already exists! Someone else converted it so I'll just be re-using whats there, with no need for a garage at the moment I have permission that 'all that kit' can go in there, hidden away.

With regard to screens, do I need a proper one, or screen paint and what do I need to spend? Ideally my total budget is £1000. Is 2nd hand worth considering?

Not bothered by 3D as I'm not sure my Denon 1910 can pass it through, I know the PS3 will support though. I guess it's pretty standard now, like on tv's.

[anonymous-user]

Bullett said:

The batcave already exists! Someone else converted it so I'll just be re-using whats there, with no need for a garage at the moment I have permission that 'all that kit' can go in there, hidden away.

With regard to screens, do I need a proper one, or screen paint and what do I need to spend? Ideally my total budget is £1000. Is 2nd hand worth considering?

Not bothered by 3D as I'm not sure my Denon 1910 can pass it through, I know the PS3 will support though. I guess it's pretty standard now, like on tv's.

The ideal solution for a screen tends to be a fixed frame screen or paint (paint is a almost a science though, you have to decide if you want white, grey...and how much gain). Either of the above wont be prone to warp or rippling like you would with a pull-up or pull-down screen.

£1k would you get some nice kit if it's just the PJ and screen you need (depending on the size, screens can get quite pricey - North of £500 in some cases).

As an example, a BenQ W1100 is a cracking 2D PJ that can be had for about £830. A 130" diagonal pull down screen can be had new for £210. Regarding buying used PJ related bits, if it's in good condition and you can verify the hours on the lamp, it's a cost effective route into PJ ownership (lamps generally last 1000-2000 hours (model depending). With screens it's just the rippling and warping to be aware of.

I'll post some piccies in a bit of my 92" setup - since photos explain things much better than my drivel lol.

[anonymous-user]

Some quick screenshots from two demo quality BD releases









This was with an Optoma HD33, Panoview 92" pull-up screen, Panny 310 BD player and QED performance HDMI. It's never been ISF calibrated, just some billy basic calibration by myself.

[Bullett]

Yeah, screen and pj and probably some cables and mounting bits. I already have a denon 1910 with b&w speakers, ATV, roku, ps3, harmony etc.

It doesn't need to fold up (check with the wife on that one). I'll ceiling mount the pj so it's out of the way.

Thanks for the help btw.

[Bullett]

Ended up at a loose end today, so went and got a demo of the hd33. Really liked it and I now have one coming next week plus a screen.

Thanks everyone.

[OldSkoolRS]

Congratulations. That gives you a week to paint your room black...the picture will look much better, though I won't take the blame for any grief the OH may give.

I'm hoping to get an end of line deal on the outgoing JVC X30 soon: I've got a good offer for a black one through a usual guy I buy from, but trying to find a white one so it will be (slightly) more discrete than my current HD350 which is black.

[Bullett]

The room is already a dark red colour! It's a bit of a bodge job as well but enough to get us up and running and see what works. When I've got the screen and such set up then I'll do the other diy bits to make a better room.

Can't spend too much time on the playroom with the rest of a house to decorate. Pick your battles...

[OldSkoolRS]

Yes, I know what you mean...I've supposed to have been redoing our main bedroom this year, but I got my Z3 as a weekend toy and got sidetracked. Now the darker evenings are here, I'm more interested in sorting out my new projector. Still I did take the OH to Venice this summer, so not completely in the dog house.