Projector questions

dvran

I'm in a market for a projector and my budget is under $700. I was looking at a few models and would appreciate any recommendations:

Optoma HD66
Sony VPL-BW7
Epson 705HD

I know these are all 720p; I don't have the extra $300-400 to step up to 1080p. I still need a screen and mounting bracket for the projector so I factored in another few hundred dollars for those items.

Thanks,

Glowrdr

I admit - I'm a Wooter. Just so happens todays deal is a projector, might be worth checking out. http://sellout.woot.com/?ts=1297083528&sig=b97816eae7228ff4

dvran

Glowrdr wrote: »

I admit - I'm a Wooter. Just so happens todays deal is a projector, might be worth checking out. http://sellout.woot.com/?ts=1297083528&sig=b97816eae7228ff4

Yeah, saw that but if you look at the comments, these models are sold with no warranty and the return policy is pretty bad I hear from Woot.

Just not sure if 1080p is worth the extra $300-400 in a projector.

nguyendot

I have the Sony, it's OK. Not the greatest as it's LCD. I'd go with a DLP unit so you get better black levels. If I had 649 i'd buy the woot item actually.

Sherardp

This would make you happy for quite some time. Spend the extra 100 bucks and go with a 1080p unit.

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=Home-Cinema-6100-R

TECHNOKID

dvran wrote: »

I'm in a market for a projector and my budget is under $700. I was looking at a few models and would appreciate any recommendations:

Optoma HD66
Sony VPL-BW7
Epson 705HD

I know these are all 720p; I don't have the extra $300-400 to step up to 1080p. I still need a screen and mounting bracket for the projector so I factored in another few hundred dollars for those items.

Thanks,

I do own an optoma DLP 720p and am quite happy with it however...

Sherardp wrote: »

This would make you happy for quite some time. Spend the extra 100 bucks and go with a 1080p unit.

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=Home-Cinema-6100-R

Sherardp seems to be really sold and swearing by the epson PJs :cool: and I have to admit there are good epson deals to be had on refurbs on your side of the border :cool: So if you have the extra cash you might as well go for it

zarrdoss

Sherardp wrote: »

This would make you happy for quite some time. Spend the extra 100 bucks and go with a 1080p unit.

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=Home-Cinema-6100-R

+1 on the Epson 6100 from visual apex, I got one and it is terrific, do yourself a favor and spend the extra 174 bucks and get it, leaps and bounds better over 720p

PSOVLSK

Sherardp wrote: »

This would make you happy for quite some time. Spend the extra 100 bucks and go with a 1080p unit.

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=Home-Cinema-6100-R

+1. You'll be glad you did.

Here's a nice screen also. http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Screens-EzFrame-Projection-Screen/dp/B000N3TZS2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1297137389&sr=8-3

I currently have my PJ on a shelf on the back wall that cost me about $20. Not the best, but it's served it's purpose for almost 3 years now and it doesn't look bad.

zarrdoss

Or buy this or something like and some lumber from HD and build one for less than 80 bucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/5x9-Blackout-Cloth-Projector-Screen-Material-Fabric-/230570945847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af196d37

PSOVLSK

zarrdoss wrote: »

Or buy this or something like and some lumber from HD and build one for less than 80 bucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/5x9-Blackout-Cloth-Projector-Screen-Material-Fabric-/230570945847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af196d37

I can't believe I didn't think of that. I used a homemade screen for the first year and a half I had my HT with great results. Definitely get a better projector and build your own screen. It's super easy as evidenced by the fact that I made one. Look online for directions, but it's basically blackout cloth, 1x4's and staples. I got my blackout cloth from a fabric store even cheaper than the link above. Mine cost about $35-40 total.

Sherardp

zarrdoss wrote: »

Or buy this or something like and some lumber from HD and build one for less than 80 bucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/5x9-Blackout-Cloth-Projector-Screen-Material-Fabric-/230570945847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af196d37

Excellent idea Zardoss.

OP plenty of good suggestions. A cheaper manufactered screen if you don't have the time to build.

http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Widescreen_Fixed_Frame_Screen_95_p/ff169lt-90mw.htm

http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Widescreen_Fixed_Frame_Screen_105_White_p/ff169lt-100mw.htm

Again not to take away from others in regards to screens. A neutral gain screen with the Epson will result in an excellent image.

I'm partial to JVC projectors but they far exceed your budget, the Epsons & Panny models are very close in performance these days. At 800 bucks it's hard to pass that up, especially with full 1080p.

dvran

It was hard to pull the plug yesterday and get the Optoma HD20 from Woot.com simply because of the short 90 day warranty, and I have no clue what remaining lamp life was left. Rather wait, then rush in and waste $650.

I'll wait a bit for the prices of the 1080p projector's to drop and snag one.

Thanks for all the help.

zarrdoss

I built mine that way for about 65 bucks and looks and works great! People who come over are skeptical that a projector can look that good but are blown away saying it looks as good or better than their 1080p lcd TV. 110" screen.

Sherardp

HD20 is a good 1080p unit, however not sure why your passing on the Epson I mentioned from Visual Apex. Epson has awesome warranty, a few guys here have experienced great CS when needed.

PSOVLSK

Sherardp wrote: »

HD20 is a good 1080p unit, however not sure why your passing on the Epson I mentioned from Visual Apex. Epson has awesome warranty, a few guys here have experienced great CS when needed.

+1. I highly recommend the Epson 6100. It's the PJ I currently use and it's an awesome unit. You will be hard pressed to find a better unit for the price. I paid $1600 for mine and have no regrets.