Home Theater Projector Recommendation

jeremymarcinko

Alright folks..I am going to attempt to put together a basic Home theater in a spare room in my basement. I am looking to spend up to a $1000 for an entry level projector and screen. What are your experiences and recommendations?

This is pretty much a blank slate, and I have very little knowledge in this area so please feel feel to offer any suggestions.

Thanks yall

ZLTFUL

And Elite Screens fixed screens are incredible for the budget minded.
https://www.amazon.com/Elite-Screens-Sable-100-inch-Diagonal/dp/B00Y7XA43O/ref=sr_1_11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1475429996&sr=1-11&keywords=Elite+Screens

jeremymarcinko

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/elite-screens-diy-wall-2-series-135-projector-screen-black/5495324.p?skuId=5495324

Thoughts?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/benq-1080p-dlp-projector-white/4617900.p?skuId=4617900

scubalab

Jeremy,

I'll second what Derek and Ryan already suggested. I have an Epson 8350 and for the most part, love it. Lamp life has been a bit questionable, but Epson has treated me great. First lamp went at around 1200 hours and they sent me a new one for free. Second lamp didn't make 900 hours, so I called again and they sent me a refurbished projector thinking that might be the cause of the low hours of life. The. The lamp went in the replacement PJ at around 1300 hours and I called to see what a new one might cost. They sent me ANOTHER lamp for free. That one lasted around 2200 hours (a lot of which was NOT in Eco mode) so I was pleased with that. It actually started getting very dim about a week ago, and suspecting it was about to fail, I got online to find a suitable replacement. As I was ordering a new lamp, it blew!

I had the new lamp in 2 days (got it yesterday). I went with an aftermarket with an Osram bulb in a generic housing at 1/3 the price of a genuine OEM Epson lamp/housing. Well after 1 day with it, it's definitely going back. It's a $100 piece of cr@p. Flickers horribly, and wouldn't even come on today without opening the PJ and removing/reinstalling it. Still flickers. There's another place that sells their own housing with the Osram bulb that got great reviews for $145+/- I'll give them a shot and if it is no better, I'll go OEM direct from Epson for $299. So long story short, I can't complain only having to buy one lamp in 6-7 years!

The picture is great, and it has V&H lens shifts making installation location versatile.

As for screen, I compared the Elite Screens and Silverticket Fixed frame screens. Both seemed darn near identical. I settled on Silverticket and it is a lot of screen for very little money. If a fixed frame screen is what you're looking for, I think either would work great!

Bottom line, you could get a nice 1080p PJ and screen within your budget.

As for your question on the BenQ, I've not heard much about them, but maybe others around here could chime in. But give Epson a look too. Their customer service has earned my loyalty!

Best of luck - Al

Dabutcher

BenQ 1080 is what I have been using for outdoor movie nights for the last two years. Paid around $600 from Newegg . Bought a nice used 12 foot wide screen off CL for $100. Family really likes the set up for movies,gaming, and football games. After dark of course. Good luck. D

mdaudioguy

I've been considering a BenQ to upgrade from my old 720p Panasonic.

pkquat

I'll give Epson another vote. Check their website for refurbished models too. The prices are good. The service has been exceptional. The only caviat with their refurbished stuff, is it may not be 100% up to spec. They will take care of you and send a replacement, however, IMO their QC for refurbished stuff leaves a little to be desired. Its not cost effective for them. This was a few years ago, so things may have improved. But as @DSkip mentioned, and I have still heard, their service is excellent.

dalylaleahthor

I vote for Epson but also wouldn't mind owning a BenQ neither. A lot of things go into buying a projector such as viewing distance, viewing condition, rainbow effects from DLP projectors, and mounting position. 1000 would get you a nice projector with screen if you buy return from either Epson or BenQ directly. Also look into Optoma.

Dabutcher

The BenQ model I have is on sale today. FYI. Good luck. D

Dennis Gardner

I like the Epson and Benq models mentioned but I went with an Optoma HD 25 LV on my last PJ and have over 11K hours on it with zero issues. *5k on the first lamp and 6K on this current lamp). I use is as a TV daily. It is a blowtorch of a little unit with 3500 lumens and a 100" diagonal image at 12 feet back that can be easily watched with the lights on. 3D unit with RF glasses is cool. This is my 4th PJ with an Infocus 4805 and 2 Optoma H31s over the past 14 years or so. My next move will most likely be 4k compliant when that resolution becomes more mainstream in my rural setting.

https://amazon.com/Optoma-HD25-LV-1080p-Theater-Projector/dp/B00BQWX1P2

hochpt21

I did a ton of research before I bought mine. Started with a used Optoma and had problems. I've heard good stuff about them, but I'll never buy a used projector again.

This time around I narrowed it down in your price range and went with a $700 BenQ. WOW. Huge difference. Awesome picture. I went to a few projector rating sites and forums and it was well spoken of and it didn't disappoint.

I don't remember the model, but it was a couple years ago so I'm sure there's a new one in that category anyways.

Went with a FAVI motorized screen and it is perfect as well. Puckers in a touch at the sides, but not enough to notice.

If I was buying again, I'd go BenQ.

adb3da

I bought a used Epson 6010 from a friend and I have been very happy with it. If something were to happen to this projector I would not hesitate to buy another Epson, and would probably look at the 5030ub or 5040ub (these are a bit over your budget). However, the BenQ 1070 or 1075 does get consistently good reviews as an entry level PJ and as mentioned above falls well within your budget. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

adb3da

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention....do some careful planning on where the PJ will be mounted in relation to your screen. Some projectors have limited zoom and lens shift, so you really need to understand how that works before you make your selection.

trj

I've been reading about projector setups for quite sometime for my apartment. Limited space has not allowed me to pull the trigger yet. In my research, I had narrowed it down to benq, epson and optoma. All of them around 600-800 range. Only model name I can remember right now is benq w1070.
I'd go with Epson or optoma. I am not recommending benq, just because you are in a budget and the benq bulbs are expensive. The performance of the epson and benq are similar and I read somewhere epson is better for gaming (if you are into it). Plus benq being DLP, if you/your family is susceptible to rainbow effect, it might not be a right projector for you.

You need to know approximate size of screen, environmental constraints (light leakage from windows, wall paint), usage (movies, TV, gaming), distance of the projector lens from the screen, aspect ratio of screen, etc before you buy one.
You can probably save on screen if you go DIY route and put more money towards the PJ.
You might want to look at the motorized lens setup to change between the cinemascope and 16:9. Now, that setup is more expensive though. Might want to look at Panasonic A8000 projectors, and update to the motorized lens setup later?

jeremymarcinko

Thanks for the comments. I definitely want a DLP projector, and am leaning towards the BenQ HT 2050. I was looking into the Optoma models but to get the 135" diagonal (117" width) the vertical offset required 11." The height of my basement ceiling would not allow the projector to be positioned that high above where I want the screen to be. The BenQ only requires 3" for that size screen.

Sherardp

Still a fan of JVC projectors personally. Can't go with Epsons either.

jeremymarcinko

Went with the BenQ HT 2050...It is supposed to be here today, but it is awfully late in the day for a delivery. I still have a bunch of work to do get the room ready though. No wires run or power outlets, lighting or furniture. Hopefully in about three weeks I will have it set up.

hawk4

I have the same ht2050 for a few months now. I love it. I have it projecting to the wall for now and still looks great. Will be getting this screen in the near future.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DGW15NU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476234132&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=silver+ticket+135&dpPl=1&dpID=41B5At4KlNL&ref=plSrch

jeremymarcinko

With the exception of new ht furniture and decor the ht is complete. I went with the 135" elite screen and the benQ mentioned above. Built an in wall av cabinet and wired in the 5.1 RTI surround speakers.

It's debut was slightly underwhelming Sunday night with the walking dead. I think I need to paint the ceiling darker. The previous homeowners painted the ceiling with a semi gloss white and the walls are beige. While the pq is pretty good it washes out some with the bright scenes. I believe darker paint would help greatly.

hochpt21

May be. I have my room painted a darker blue. Good to hear things are coming together. Hope it all works out.