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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Buying a Projector, advice needed.
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 01/15/2008 11:01:52 AM · #1
I have been planning on purchasing a projector for our home theater for the past few years but have put it off. Now however our main tv took a dump and will be at least a month before parts are available to repair it. which leaves me watching the last 3 football games on a much smaller tv.

Here is what I want. Must Support HD signals 480i - 1080p 16x9, with great picture,

here is what I want to spend. $1500 US or less.

here is what I do not understand completely, Contrast Ratios, What is the ideal ?

And then the screen, Sure are alot of options would prefer to custom build my own. anyone know where you can buy just the material or can you suggest which type works best?

two projectors I have been looking at are.

Mitsubishi HC1500 DLP Home Theater Projector
Sony VPLAW15 3LCD HD Home Theater Projector

If anyone has any experience with either of these or a suggestion for another please feel free to unload your knowlege here.

Thanks
 01/15/2008 11:07:17 AM · #2
I had to buy one for our local Audubon group recently and I found this site very helpful. Try it out:

Projector Central
 01/15/2008 11:10:36 AM · #3
Just as important as any of the things you mentioned are:

- what is the size of your room and how far back can you mount the projector?

- how much control do you have over ambient light? (can you make it really dark or do you have windows that let in significant light?)

- what is your overall budget (including screen, cabling, installation if necessary)?

A good, large screen can easily cost $1000.
 01/15/2008 11:36:19 AM · #4
The current set up will only be temp because we are moving towards the end of this year.
Next room size is TBD. right now I am looking at around a 100 inch screen. Right now I have about 18 x 15 room

my budget for the projector is no more than 1500 screen is flexible depending on which route I go.

A friend of mine bought a used manual pull down screen at an auction took it home and cut it to size and glued it to a sheet of plywood put some nice black corner molding on it and hung it on the wall works great. I am thinking about doing something like that.

I have all the cables and wiring I need. Just need a projector and screen. Room has black out drapes so it can be like night at high noon.

Originally posted by Creature:
Just as important as any of the things you mentioned are:

- what is the size of your room and how far back can you mount the projector?

- how much control do you have over ambient light? (can you make it really dark or do you have windows that let in significant light?)

- what is your overall budget (including screen, cabling, installation if necessary)?

A good, large screen can easily cost $1000.
01/15/2008 11:39:39 AM · #5
lots to read here, thanks.

Originally posted by jbsmithana:
I had to buy one for our local Audubon group recently and I found this site very helpful. Try it out:

Projector Central
01/15/2008 11:48:29 AM · #6
AVS Forums

Go forth and learn (more than you ever wanted to know). One stop shop for most all audio/video needs. Once you narrow down your choices, search the forums for any major problems with any of your chosen projectors. FWIW, neither of your projector choices are native 1080p capable. I doubt that you can find a projector with native 1080p capability under your stated max price (if you can, let us know!).

I've had a front projector home theater for many years now and I learned all I needed from that website.

Good luck! :-)
 01/15/2008 02:46:16 PM · #7
Room is definitely not a problem, and it sounds like you've got an idea for the screen.

Of the two projectors you mentioned, the Mitsubishi sounds better to me, and it has better reviews overall. Don't put too much stock in the 12000:1 contrast ratio listed on the Sony -- that number has been massaged out of some specific test pattern they run and is "enhanced" by their AutoIris feature similar to how desktop scanners say they can scan at 3200dpi "enhanced" resolution. Also, I'm not sure but I would think Sony's 3LCD system could have convergence issues.

ETA: Also read that the Sony is not good as a table projector, not sure why -- but you said you'll be using it that way for a year or so...

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 14:48:30.
 01/17/2008 11:04:59 PM · #8
I picked up a Mitsubishi Projector and a 106 inch Grey Wolf 2 screen. Still have some tweaking to do but so far I love it. Also have to rewire my surround system and move my center channel speaker as this screen is on opposite end of room than our other TV.. All the surround sound is ass backwards at the moment.

Thanks to everyone for the info and the links they were very helpful.
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