Projectors?

Question

I have a few questions about projectors, I am going to get one to put in my room that I want to hook my computer up to to play games on a huge screen, i want to wathc movies on it through my computer, and I want to be able to watch local t.v. chaneels on it somehow. (my budget is I'm trying to keep it under $1000 including projection screen; I already have a sound system so that's not in my budget)

Q1: What projector should I get?

Q2: I get that the amount of lumens means how bright it can get, so what would be a good amount of lumens?

Q3: What would be a good contrast ratio? (I know the higher the better, but what is minimum amount the projector should have?)

Q4: What brand?

Q5: Where should I get it (Newegg, Bestbuy, Tigerdirect?)

Q6: Is a projector worth it instead of a tv? (I have enough space for up to 200 inches, so I thought a projecter would be a good idea, because then I could roll up the screen when I didn't need, and use the space, and it's cheaper than a big t.v.)

Answer 1

Howdy

  If your looking for a projector first find you price range and dont forget a good screen. The screen makes a huge differance. Buy local if possible. On line you dont get full warranty on some sites. If you buy from a good HT shop the usauly set it up for you for free. Plus you get full warranty. A 1080i projector is all you need. If you can afford 1080p thats up to you. Check for auto adjust on lenses and so on. Some projectors have to be set up manually. Check specs. and features on them so you get what you want. Have a HT shop set one up for a demo when ready to purchase so you can see it in action. Good luck and ask questions.

Answer 2

Projectors have a bad history so alot of people that do not know much spread bad information about it. You generally want a project in a dark room such as a basement. Alteast 2,000 lumens is good. Atleast 800:1 is a good contrast ratio. Panasonic is the brand of my projector. Visual Apex is where I bought my projector. Yes, a projector can give you a huge screen with the same or better quality then a normal TV. The Panasonic PT AX100U is an amazing projector thats around $900 that blows away other HDTV's.

Answer 3

Lets see If I can help

Q1: What projector should I get?

You want to make sure that the pj you get has a native resolution of at least 1280 X 720 so you can experience 720p HD.  You should be able to find one for less than $800 and I actually just picked up an Optoma HD70 for about $650 after rebate.

Q2: I get that the amount of lumens means how bright it can get, so what would be a good amount of lumens?

Anything between 1000 and 1200 should be good.  You get too many Lumens and you risk washing out the picture.

Q3: What would be a good contrast ratio? (I know the higher the better, but what is minimum amount the projector should have?)

I'd look for at least 2000:1

Q4: What brand?

There a gazillion of them but I prefer Infocus, Optoma or Epson and have had good experiences with all of them.

Q5: Where should I get it (Newegg, Bestbuy, Tigerdirect?)

For gods sake not Best Buy.  Personally I have bought a few from Tigerdirect, but before I do I will do a search for the specific item on Yahoo Shopping so I can compare all of the online prices.

Q6: Is a projector worth it instead of a tv?

Absolutely!  Watching HD on the big screen will BLOW YOU AWAY!  I have been slowly replacing ALL my TV's with projection

weeder