[tweakmonkey]

Here's the scoop -

I currently have two 20" widescreen LCDs and I've had them for a couple years. This is plenty of space but I often neglect the dual-monitor advantages. The big problem comes when I want to watch something, play a game, or have another person in the room that also wants to watch something or play a game. There's no other TVs in the house, and watching one of the two monitors is weird and a sub-par experience.

I've toyed with the idea of selling one of these monitors along with a few other items I haven't used for a while, and dumping this money into a projector. I cannot afford a lot and would probably want a roll-up screen that would go over my closet. My room's dimensions are approximately 10x11 feet, so keep that in mind.

How much would I have to spend, minimum, in order to be somewhat happy with my purchase? Also, is my room too small to ever be happy with a projector? I absolutely do not want a big screen TV again, so that is not an option. I'll likely use it for random videos, DVDs, and Xbox 360 occasionally. Thanks for your input.

[ivwshane]

I built my own projector using this guide:
Build Your Own XGA Projector II: Suitable TFT Monitors | Tom's Hardware

It actually worked pretty good considering how cheap it was.

Your room is small but as long as you aren't trying to go for that cinema feeling I think you will be pleased.

However the price is still pretty steep even if you are trying to be cheap.

Here are some pics. keep in mind my background on this consisted of taped together white sheets of paper and the move I played was very low quality and old (think 1970's kung fu)

[tweakmonkey]

That's really cool. The only problems I see are:
I don't have an LCD to use
I don't have an overhead projector
The whole thing seems kind of bulky

I wonder if I could score a deal on an overhead projector and LCD, and do this ultra cheap.

[mistawiskas]

You're going to want, at least XGA resolutions. I'd suggest a home theatre type projector as they are (mostly) 16:9 native. A projector with minimum 1200 lumens, 720P, 16:9 will run you 700-3000. Keep in mind, that the bulbs only last around 2000 hrs, depending on how often the thing is turned on and how reliable the cooling systems are is the projectors. New bulbs run between 300 and 600 bux!

[ivwshane]

A used 15" lcd will cost less than $150
A projector will cost less than $100
New bulbs 5-$20

A home theater projector like the one mistawiskas is talking about is at least $700 (they really start at $900 for a decent one).


To be honest either way seems like a waste of money. My feeling is that you should either go super cheap or go for broke and get something that is good and will last you a long time (we are talking the $2500 range!).

[MSP]

Unless the room is completely dark you are going to be disappointed. And even then you'd have to get some damn nice equipment.

[mistawiskas]

^^^yup, what he said^^^

[tex]

I have a in72 from infocus that I'm getting rid of. The bulb is burned out, and I'd rather put the money (~$350) towards an hd projector. The only problem I have with it is its not very bright. Its a pretty nice model besides that. We don't get direct sunlight into our living room _at all_, so its usually pretty dim, and no one has a problem with it. just throwing it out there if you're interested

and my buddy had an epson that was rated for 2000ish lumens that was fine in an un-bright room

[MSP]

They are generally dim, require a VERY dark room, have pretty low life expectancy for the bulbs, and they are difficult and often dangerous to replace! We've owned a bunch of them at work and I've yet to replace a single bulb. They always send them out to have it done.

[MaesterB]

Yeah...don't go cheap on a projector. My sister-in-law and her husband went the whole projector route a long time ago, and they bought what was cheap then ($2500 for a low-end projector). Terrible, terrible picture, and they even had a home theatre room made when they moved into their new house.

Suggestion: If you're going to do it, go all in and splurge on a good projector. Otherwise, you're going to be disappointed.

[mistawiskas]

Bulbs are a piece of cake to replace.

[Adam12]

I know everyone here is sayin you will be disappointed with a cheaper projector, but I have an infocus 4805 and it was sweet, the bulb did burn out though and its not worth replacing because like tex said the money is better spent towards a new projector.

Brent (that you know dan) and I built a screen that is like 16x9 feet and it was really cool watching movies and stuff outside. you do need a fairly dark room though.

[tex]

Originally Posted by mistawiskas

Bulbs are a piece of cake to replace.

yeah. not sure what kind of projectors MSP is using. I used to do them all the time at work

[JustinL]

We have a REAL nice projector that we are looking to sell. It needs a bulb right now. Ill check and see how much.

Sharp Projectors: Sharp XG-P10XU PolySi 3LCD projector