Home theater projector? I will spend $1500

[b_q_j]

I will be graduating from college this December and I think that I am finally going to spring for a home theater projector.

What do you guys recommend? I think that we will be willing to spend up to $1500 on the projector and I have been looking at a Dell, also my friend suggested a Benq. Also, any suggestions on a diy screen? Is there such a thing as a special paint that can be used in place of a tactile screen?

Thanks

[alastair]

Check TigerDirect.com, they have a lot to choose from at your price range. Hope this helps.

Alastair

[hongrn]

I strongly recommend reading the reviews on <A HREF="http://www.projectorcentral.com">www.projectorcentral.com</A>. Don't set your mind on a price. For instance, the NEC HT1100 is a dynamite projector that goes for $2,000 on the net. Read about DLP vs LCD projectors. Many people on this forum have dedicated home theaters that use projectors, so we can help you pick a good one.

For screens, you can buy the material from <A HREF="http://www.dazian.com">www.dazian.com</A> (they also sell on ebay), and build the frame from molding material from Home Depot. My 120" screen cost me $60. Hope this helps.

Hong

[chadg]

Provided Link: http://chadgray.info/


I really dont know much about projectors for HT use. I do know projectors that i use for presentations etc. The bulbs are VERY expensive and have a very small life span. As much TV as i watch i could burn a bulb up in 6 months.

Maybe bulb life span/cost is different in the HT world.

[georgeinaz]

Provided Link: The &quot;OFFICIAL&quot; Infocus 4805 Thread


InFocus 4805 ~ $900 at Costco plus you get their 'return it forever' guarantee. Mine presents the finest picture I have ever seen, better than plasma TV in the correct lighting situation.

Read about it and others over at <A HREF="http://www.avsforum.com">www.avsforum.com</A> in this thread <A HREF="http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3&page=1&pp=20">http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3&page=1&pp=20</A>

My screen is plain old black out cloth (with a special modification ) from Joanne Fabrics on a home made frame. Remember, you will have to spend some money a long run of good component cable, power, etc...

Bulbs expect to go 2-3000 hours and are around $300 a pop.

-George

> I will be graduating from college this
> December and I think that I am finally going
> to spring for a home theater projector.

> What do you guys recommend? I think that we
> will be willing to spend up to $1500 on the
> projector and I have been looking at a Dell,
> also my friend suggested a Benq. Also, any
> suggestions on a diy screen? Is there such a
> thing as a special paint that can be used in
> place of a tactile screen?

> Thanks

[ktaillon]

Provided Link: Speaker Pics


For that amount of money, I would go for the Sanyo Z3 - it's a 720P unit with great reviews.

That would be my pick....

> InFocus 4805 ~ $900 at Costco plus you get
> their 'return it forever' guarantee. Mine
> presents the finest picture I have ever
> seen, better than plasma TV in the correct
> lighting situation.

> Read about it and others over at
> <A HREF="http://www.avsforum.com">www.avsforum.com</A> in this thread
> <A HREF="http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3&page=1&pp=20">http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3&page=1&pp=20</A>
> My screen is plain old black out cloth
> (with a special modification ) from Joanne
> Fabrics on a home made frame. Remember, you
> will have to spend some money a long run of
> good component cable, power, etc...

> Bulbs expect to go 2-3000 hours and are
> around $300 a pop.

> -George

[dthomas]

Provided Link: http://www.projectorpeople.com/proje...projectors.asp


> I will be graduating from college this
> December and I think that I am finally going
> to spring for a home theater projector.

> What do you guys recommend? I think that we
> will be willing to spend up to $1500 on the
> projector and I have been looking at a Dell,
> also my friend suggested a Benq. Also, any
> suggestions on a diy screen? Is there such a
> thing as a special paint that can be used in
> place of a tactile screen?

> Thanks

Sanyo PLV-Z2, high Def, excellent optics with far more fine adjustment than projectors at twice the price, very flexible mounting options. I have personally built 3 home theatres for myself and my friends and the Sanyo PLV-Z2 is the best I have used. Also don't get fooled by all the specs not unlike the audio industry they do not tell you alot about the quality of the projector. Personally I think LCD offers truer color than the DLP projectors in your price range. PLV-Z2 is about 999.00 at:

Good Luck,
Dave

[unknownuser]

you have tons of options for 1500. benq are quite nice, and infocus tend to be more HT oriented
definitely go dlp. get the highest contrast ratio and resolution you can for the money. tigerdirect is an excellnt place for a deal and you can often get a free replacement bulb. my benq has been going strong for over a year
as for a screen, as long as you have a stretch of smooth white wall you are all set.
before spending the money on a screen try it on the wall and see what you think
however tiger has some great deals on screens as well you could probably get a projector and screen for within your budget

> I will be graduating from college this
> December and I think that I am finally going
> to spring for a home theater projector.

> What do you guys recommend? I think that we
> will be willing to spend up to $1500 on the
> projector and I have been looking at a Dell,
> also my friend suggested a Benq. Also, any
> suggestions on a diy screen? Is there such a
> thing as a special paint that can be used in
> place of a tactile screen?

> Thanks



(Originally posted by: jim)

[unknownuser]

I have an Infocus 4805 and I'm quite
pleased with it. My screen is 92" diagonal.
It's made of a piece of hardboard painted with
Behr flat Ultra Pure White. I suggest you check
out the AVS forum.

Bruce C



(Originally posted by: Bruce C)