Home theater
 

Anyone know anything about projectors and screens? Im looking to purchase them. I Dont want to spend $3500 on a projector but want one that's decent. I see a lot of them for around $1000 and Im curious what I should get... Anyone have a projector? What's it like playing video games on them if you do have one?

Re: Home theater
 

Do you have a room with no windows?

It's decent playing with them, but it has to be pitch dark. I would just go with an LCD or Plasma.

Re: Home theater
 

http://www.hometheatershack.com/ enjoy. plenty to read on that website.

Re: Home theater
 

You need to go here and read up - http://www.avsforum.com/

Re: Home theater
 

Thanks guys!
Jake yes there are windows. I have a 50 inch plasma but its just not doing it for me anymore.

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You seriously need to consider light pollution before getting a projector, and you really get what you pay for when it comes to these.

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My brother got a bad-ass projector about 8 months ago, the damn thing fills a wall at full 1080p and he rips CoD on it! I'll find out what he got and let you know.

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I bought an infocus X1 about 2 years ago, it is really nice, but I had alot of light pollution which kills the picture, I bought this material at jo-ann fabrics that is very similar to projector screen material and used that. I also used the same material and some velcro and put it on my 2 windows to keep back light.

Lumens is IMO the thing to look for, 1100-1500 is doable, but when you get to 2200 Lumens the picture is perfectly bright. I also hook up my computer and i have a TV tuner I use with my projector, yes a TV is nice but for square footage, Price wise you can't compare. If you can deal with the minor hassle of blacking out windows with material you won't be let down.

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I just finished my home theater in my basement. I built the room specificaly as a theater. No windows and 1 door in the back. I added a lot of lighting just in case I wanted some ambient light. I bought an Optoma HD20. All the reviews I read about it sayed it was the best 1080 projector for the the money. It looks better than most flat panels I've seen, and its a freakin 100" screen! I will watch movies or play games on it almost daily, It doesnt wash out too bad even with a bit of light in the room. I love playing 360 on it. Very smooth, even during fast paced movies or games. As for a screen I did a ton of research on that before I spend hundreds on something that might not work so well. I found a site, (cant remember the name right now) where a guy did his own testing of all the screen paints and fabrics. And found that of the 25 or so materials he tested, within the top 5 was flat Bear Paint, from Home Depot. I was a little leary to try it, but thought, what the hell it'll cost me $10 to try and see what happens. I have to say, it looks amazing. I hand built a frame and wrapped it in velvet.

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I just noticed your in CR, If you want to check out my setup, I'd be happy to show you how it looks.

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Ya that would be awesome! How much did you end up paying for the projector?

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The Optoma HD20 goes for $999. Here is where I did a lot of my projector research. Awesome site with a ton of info.


http://www.projectorcentral.com/

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Here's a quote directly from my brother:

I have a pic somewhere, but I've seen this with my own eyes and it is really amazing. I asked him for the exact model number, I'll post when I get it.

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Thanks scheides!
Thanks for all the input everyone! It's hard to decide on what i want now!

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Optima projectors are great, I like my Dell too. I got a 106" screen for around $200 and it helps a lot. My dell cost me about $600 a few years ago and it's been great.

good luck d0g.

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Matt D.'s got it right... THIS^^^

There is so much info on this site its not even funny... Plus there's people who can give you advice as well as reviews from people who really own the equipment. Great site.

Just remember to look for lumens with Projectors and the cost of bulb replacements over time. Once those bulbs start getting some time on them the images become more and more washed out.