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swichd · Oct 10, 2004, 08:14 PM

I'd like to get a projector for computer games and tv viewing. Which type of projector is best for a room that is not very dark. I don't care how big it is, but I need a bright one with a good picture and low maintenance costs. Also, does anyone know if those LCD panels that go over a overhead projector are any good? Thanks

Mithras · Oct 11, 2004, 09:49 AM

I'd do a search over at the ArsTechnica A/V Forum, as it's filled with people who know this stuff.

tooki · Oct 11, 2004, 12:54 PM

LCD panels for overhead projectors are a dead technology. I don't think they've been made for years.

CRT projectors have great images for video, but are not as good for computer use and gaming because they are extremely susceptible to burn-in from static images (such as the menu bar, or the stats numbers in games). They also require careful convergence adjustment, which will drift will time and have to be adjusted again. Based on the gaming, I'd advise against a CRT unit. (Besides, they've become rare in the low end, so unless you plan to spend a LOT on a projector, CRT units have been entirely replaced by other technologies.)

LCD and DLP projectors are, frankly, quite similar in performance. The biggest difference between them is probably that most DLP projectors (the 1-panel models) do not actually project all 3 primary colors simultaneously -- they use a light source with a rapidly changing color filter to continuously cycle between red, green and blue. If you rapidly move when looking at a1-panel DLP image, you may see flashing of RGB instead of white. It's not really a problem normally.

For a bright room, you need a bright projector, and you pay dearly for that, regardless of technology. No projector has low maintenance costs. The bulbs in an average low-end projector costs around $400, and burn out sooner than you'd like.

tooki

P.S. There do exist other technologies, like light valve projectors, but those projectors cost as much as a small house.

Zoom · Oct 11, 2004, 01:15 PM

I'm in the market, too - shooting for Dec/Jan timeframe. I figure there will be another round of new devices and price drops by then.

I'd be interested in seeing any other links on this stuff, if people know of other good web sites for reviews, info.

The first one I ran across is The Projector People. The tutorials are good, for a newbie.

I'm looking for a movie system, though, with TV being a secondary thing - and my room will be fairly dark.

swichd · Oct 11, 2004, 04:58 PM

I'm trying to keep it very cheap, so I'm going to buy used. In terms of price on the used market, which wins?

jersey · Oct 11, 2004, 05:15 PM

ahhh......i found myself asking the same questions a few months ago. i needed ( and purchased) 2 projectors.

benq pb6100 seems to be, and was, the best value.

i did a decent amount of comparison between dlp and lcd, and really did find much of a difference. the big thing to look for is lumens and contrast ratio. the benq had the other beat in the $900-$1200 range. they do offer refurbs off their site, so i would check there.

one thing i would caution you about is the lack of speaker on the unit. really, it shouldnt make a difference, but thought you should know.

linkage; http://www.projectorcentral.com/ <--- tons of useful info.

benq w/rebate for $900 http://www.computers4sure.com/Produc...59&iid=342

oh....and yes, youll need a screen. no, your white wall wont work. there are several things you can do; buy a prefab screen, build a screen or paint the wall with a screen like reflective paint. i built mine, and it was super inexpensive. the material was about $30 per yard.

got my material here; http://www.dazian.com/ super nice and helpful people.

hope i could help.

swichd · Oct 11, 2004, 09:33 PM

just for kicks, what are these other projection technologies?

LeeG · Oct 12, 2004, 02:21 PM

Without question do some browsing at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

There is a whole forum on projection viewing.

Good Luck!

Lee

Landos Mustache · Oct 12, 2004, 04:26 PM

This may help you out as I just bought a DLP. LCD's don't look that great and CRT gets burn in.

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=223497

tooki · Oct 12, 2004, 05:02 PM

Good LCDs look great.

As for other technologies:

Light-valve projectors use CRTs and LCDs in tandem to produce a better image.

I believe there's also some technology out there that uses CRTs, but does not use the CRTs as the light source. Instead, it uses bright bulbs (like any LCD or DMD unit), but uses CRTs whose phosphors change reflectivity instead of glowing.

tooki

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 13, 2004, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
Good LCDs look great.

I have never heard of a great LCD TV. It is really at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to image quality.

tooki · Oct 13, 2004, 08:48 AM

Have you actually looked at an LCD projector recently?!?

tooki

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 13, 2004, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
Have you actually looked at an LCD projector recently?!?

tooki

Like you wouldn't believe. I did tons of research before buying my TV above looking at LCD and LCoS and rear LCD projectors. They have the WORST black level detail, yellow and green push and the worst contrast ratio of all the technologies. They also suffer from poor refreash time and circle artifacts.

GORDYmac · Oct 13, 2004, 10:43 AM

Do DLP projectors have the "screen door" look that plagues LCD projectors?

InFocus has a rebranded DLP projecter that should be less than $900 now. I wanted one last year for a project, but it was sold out everywhere. I ended up getting a Toshiba LCD, which looked awful because of the screen door thing. I returned it.

Landos Mustache · Oct 13, 2004, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by GORDYmac:
Do DLP projectors have the "screen door" look that plagues LCD projectors?

InFocus has a rebranded DLP projecter that should be less than $900 now. I wanted one last year for a project, but it was sold out everywhere. I ended up getting a Toshiba LCD, which looked awful because of the screen door thing. I returned it.

Ya that is another thing I hate about LCD, the screen door looks so awful.

Anywho, most DLP's do not, my samsung doesn't have it even a little.

Did you read my above link? It shows the downsides to each technology.

swichd · Oct 13, 2004, 04:26 PM

I've been offered a InFocus LitePro, a projector from 1992. It has a 640x480, with 16-bit video. They are including a bunch of bulbs. How much do you think this is worth, and would it be good for NTSC through a computer? (it only has a VGA input)