Hey all,

A bunch of you really helped me in purchasing my sammy 50" DLP & panasonic ed plasma, and so I thought I'd come back and ask for your assistance again. I've been through avs forums, but honestly, there's way too much information there - especially for a newb.

I've decided to take a look at the Benq line of projectors as some on avs have said that this is a decent unit for my price range ($1000 or less).

I want to set up this projector in my home theater (basement) of our new home. I will be using the unit approximately 2 hours a day during the week, and approximately 4-8 hours on the weekends. I was planning on using it like how I'm using my DLP right now - PC Input, HD Box for TV, DVD's and my PS2/XBox. I could divide our regular TV watching between the sammy in the living room and the panasonic in the bedroom, but don't want to be forced to leave the basement whenever I feel like watching television.

Has projector technology advanced in the past few years? I'm most worried about run time and bulb replacements. Picture quality is also a very large concern, but since I will not be projecting anything larger than 72", hopefully the picture will stay razor sharp.

What other brands and models should I research?

 

$1,000 bucks is tough. Here's a listing

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/ca...asp?CatId=1755&

 

I have an infocus x2, you can find online deals for about 750 these days, of get an infocus 4500? I think something like that for $1000, I use it for watching movies, you need to have a dark room, and not mind watching movies in the dark, but other than that, if you tweak settings and connect a good display you can get a good picture. I use mine with a 105" screen right now, connected to a progressive scan dvd player. Picture is pretty sharp(nothing like a tv) but still very good, because you are watching it from far back anyhow. Widescreen viewing is wonderful, and for movies I couldn't be happier. Now for sports and etc... I wouldn't use it, but looks like you have a good setup for that anyhow.

Good luck

 

Oh and I have it linked to my digital cable box, quality is decent, but nothing to rave about. I've used it for 2 years and still haven't replaced my bulb, and I do use it quite often.I'd say 5-10 hrs a week at least

 

I've heard really good things of InFocus, the $1000 might be a little tough though. BenQ makes great monitors, maybe they make good projectors?

I had a Mitsu DLP projector at work for presentations and HR policy video stuff. It was very bright and had great PQ...I think that one was $4500 though.

You're going to pair that up with a nice screen right?

 

watch out for cheap business projectors, their color wheel is slow, so your are going to get the rainbow effect. Do a google search, but I think you want at least a 2x or 4x color wheel, I forgot which. DLP is the way to go.

 

Why? Looking to watch pron on a giant screen of HD projector? Isn't a kitty or johnson big enough on your regular big-screen TV?

 

I will not be satisfied until my pr0n is LIFESIZED!

I'm weighing my options between purchasing another 42" plasma and moving the 50" DLP downstairs, or leaving the 50" upstairs and building a projector downstairs. This thread is about the latter.

Screen? Well, I saw the one for $100 on eGay, but I'm sure it's pure shit. My entire budget for the basement is $2500. This has to include the projector (~$1k), screen (~$500), wall and ceiling speakers ($500), and installation (drywall, timber, paint, recessed component shelving, bandaids, etc.). I could use the $1500 for projector and screen for another 42" ED plasma, but would like something larger.

 

I have shopped them a little and decided two things.

If you spend a lot, you get a nice picture. Not as bright and colorful as some of the dlp's, plasma's and such out there but good.

And secondly, for less you can get a much better picture even though it is smaller. But if you don't have a giant room where you can sit back a ways from the screen, you might feel like you are always sitting in the front row of a theater.


I have 8 to 10 feet of clearance from my 55 inch rear projection and sometimes that feels too close. In that room 65-70 inch screen would be too big.

 

When I first moved into my house, I had no furniture so I hooked up my projector in my living room/dining room combo. I have about 20-25 ft from the bare white wall. I had at least an 8 ft picture. It was great. it reallly felt like a theater. I've "settled" for a 105" screen