[G4ME]

I am thinking of getting a projector to watch movies, and play games on, I know there is a differance in resolution, 800X600, 1024X768, and lumens, birghter the better.


But what ones have you had experance with? any brand to stay away from?

[nana4]

Are you looking at an LCD projector or a CRT based one (the ones with the three tubes)? If you want the highest resolution/brightest picture, then get one with 9" tubes. Not cheap at all, but the best you can get at this time, and should display about 1400 lines of resolution.

A DLP based projector is also an option, but you will have to replace the bulb regularly, and they can cost a fair bit.

[G4ME]

I think the LCD projectors are better right, more common, have svideo inputs, VGA, RCA as well

[nana4]

Ahh, yes, if you want it to be portable then a CRT based one is out of the question (these are usually ceiling mounted). The question then is what your budget can afford, you will get excellent pictures out of a DLP based projector, a standard LCD projector is OK if you are on a budget. Will you be using it in a darkened room or in a fairly lit one? And how big will your image be? Projecting onto a screen? This will guide how bright you want. Also some of them make a fair bit of noise from their cooling fans.

[G4ME]

my plan would be to use it in my room at home and at the dorms a school, so the size can't be to big, and I would be in a dark room with no screen.

BTW whats DLP? I never heard of it.

[nana4]

DLP: digital light processing

http://www.howstuffworks.com/projection-tv5.htm

Basically it uses tiny mirrors instead of an LCD to define the image. Much higher image quality is possible.

[T u r b o]

Make sure you look at a DLP projector before you buy one. Many people have problems with the rainbow artifacts produced, that can cause headaches and other problems. It doesn't effect most people, but it would suck to buy one then find out you one of the unlucky 10% or whatever.

I recently bought a new Toshiba TLP-MT7. 16:9 ratio, 1000 lumens, 1280x720 resolution, 2000 hour bulb life (important!) It's an outstanding picture, and I only paid $2600 (MSRP is like $8k or something crazy).

On the super-cheap, the Panasonic AE100 is probably the best for movies. Data projectors don't do that well with movies (color problems and screendoor), so I'd avoid them in a home theater setup.

- Mike

[G4ME]

thanks for the reading, I will leep this in mind when I pick one up when I get the cash! (next year)

[PeteWK]

Just got one for work about 9 months ago. Its a Sony 2000 lumen. I've also purchased (someone elses money) an Epson and an NEC, all very nice and reliable.

PeteWK