I'm considering purchasing an LCD projector to enjoy movies outside on my padio/deck.

If you own an LCD projector yourself, please consider this thread as a 'discussion area' to offer your insights about what you looked for in a projector, what you find you like about it, any dislikes, etc. I welcome all conversations on the matter.

Thanks!
Dave

 

Budget?

 

Unsure . I realize I shouldn't expect a stellar image outside given that I'll be presenting to either very light gray vinyl siding or a white sheet draped off the gutters. But I really don't know. I mean...I *know* I don't want to spend anywhere over a grand on something as little used as this likely will be. Would I be foolish to think I could find something worthwhile in the neighborhood of $350-500...especially used?

 

Dave,

I have a few, I am in the conference room/VTC business.

The one below is part of a Smartboard touch screen system, the projector is a DLP with 1024x768 resolution. I have experimented with this unit with a screen and go ok results, just not true HD.

True 1080P WUXGA or 1920 x 1080 projectors are still expensive, most of the home units are still over $ 1000.00. You can get WXGA 1280X800 unit (very close to 720P) for less and looks great. Less expensive projectors are not very bright (lumen s), home theater units are designed for use in the dark. Higher lumen units are designed for use in lit rooms. Cheaper projectors tend to be noisy (fan noise and generate heat)

Bulbs can run a few hundred and usually last 2000+ hours, as they age so does the brightness, they dim as they age, 50% life means 50% brightness from new.

From more than 10 feet away all these look pretty good with a DVD movie which is only 480P. Close up projectors have a screen door (pixels) effect.

The screen is important, cheap ones get wrinkles, see below .

The screen needs to match the projector in format 16:9, 16:10, 4:3 and the size of the image should match the output. A home projector will not look good on a movie theater sized screen.

Here is a great site to use

http://www.projectorcentral.com/

Projectors are laggy for video games, I went back to a plasma screen.

Don't get 3D that is a waste of Money IMO.

 

Nothing used for that price will have HDMI or 720P or be very bright.

 

Thanks for the thoughtful insights George... That reminds me, I gotta dust off GT5 again

 

Dave, I have a used one I would sell in the lower end of that price range. It's only 720p but looks amazing. I had it setup for a 140" throw against a white painted wall. Against a real screen it could only look better. I don't use it any more because I am now in a 1BR condo. I can't ceiling mount and the layout of our place makes shelving it just not possible. I'll include the ceiling mount if you are going that route. Plenty of life in the bulb, still. I'd have to turn it on and get you the hours from the menu.

HDMI really isn't necessary to a projector. You can do HDMI on the receiver end to DVI on the projector. This is what I did. Only thing DVI-D doesn't do is carry audio. Don't really need audio going to the projector.

Panasonic PV-L500U
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Pana...er-reviews.htm

Lots of DIY guys did the white sheet as a screen. You can make a wooden frame and staple gun the 'screen' over the frame. It works... You could make some kind of rig so that the screen could be pulled down when not in use. Magnets? Hooks? A rolling stand? Could be a fun little project.

 

There you go.

 

DONE! Look for a PM from me later this evening!

- Dave

 

Epson Moviemate series are a good buy as well if you are willing to spend a little more. They can be had used for the pricerange you are looking.

Do a little looking around. Reviews are plentiful on Amazon. G/L with what you get!