I am looking for a projector for my basement. The ceiling is about 7' and the throw distance around 11'.

The projector will have very occasional use (I already have a nice 50" Pioneer Plasma in my living room).

The main use for the projector will be for when the guys come over to play video games (PS3, Wii, Xbox360), major sporting events, etc. But realistically I probably won't use the projector that often.

At first I was looking at projector such as BenQ W500 and Optoma HD65, but I also noticed that "multimedia"projectors can be had for significantly less.

I would prefer to spend less now (~$500) on a projector that gets limited use and spend more later when quality 1080P projectors hit the $1400 range.

Any thoughts? Can anyone recommend a good multimedia projector for video gaming and sports? Any major downside to using a multimedia projector for this use?

MAny thanks,

Detox

I am looking for a projector for my basement. The ceiling is about 7' and the throw distance around 11'.

The projector will have very occasional use (I already have a nice 50" Pioneer Plasma in my living room).

The main use for the projector will be for when the guys come over to play video games (PS3, Wii, Xbox360), major sporting events, etc. But realistically I probably won't use the projector that often.

At first I was looking at projector such as BenQ W500 and Optoma HD65, but I also noticed that "multimedia"projectors can be had for significantly less.

I would prefer to spend less now (~$500) on a projector that gets limited use and spend more later when quality 1080P projectors hit the $1400 range.

Any thoughts? Can anyone recommend a good multimedia projector for video gaming and sports? Any major downside to using a multimedia projector for this use?

MAny thanks,

Detox

Be on the lookout for a closeout deal on the Mits HC1500. Some people on here have said they have found this projector as low as $550. This projector just recently became discontinued so the deal should be getting better.

I am not one of the techno-crats that virtually hang out in the forums so I can only share our personal experience.

We also have a reasonably nice TV - 56in 1080p - and, yes, for the great majority of our day-to-day tv viewing and movie watching we use it. Projectors require darkened rooms and for regular viewing we prefer to not sit in near darkness.

I am a cost conscious person and only took an experimental step into front projection because I found a projector "business" XGA PJ at an outlet store (CostCo return)that included a nice fixed wall screen for under $500. Over two years ago this was a bargain price I couldn't resist.

The experiment was a real eye opener! I learned that there isn't a tv on the market today that can compete with a decent front projector in a compatible room with a compatible screen - period. Even the emerging 72 inch TVs are just a tv compared to the AWE and WOW of watching the BIG GAME or specially movies on a 120 inch diagonal (or bigger) screen.

Do you need 1080p? Not in my opinion. Wait a couple of years for that and prices will be a lot lower while the gadgets will be better and more feature functional.

Cheapest route for a "starter" projector could be the mis-named "business" format projector - means native XGA 1024X768 resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio which is what our entry projector was. It is a Canon - good thing about Canon is they use good "glass" (lens) with good zoom capability and most important even though designated for business multi-media the image processor is very high quality and when in Cinema Mode it does an outstanding job of scaling widescreen movies and interpreting movie dvds.

Also most important is it is HDCP capable and has a DVI digital input. Why is this important? Because it is HD ready and will accept/connect to the HDMI output of an up converting DVD player? Why is this important? Because decent up conversion dvd players make standard definition 480p movies look pretty near HD quality even when the resolution is stretched across a 10 foot screen. Why was this important? We have a HUGE collection of dvd movies that didn't look very good on a huge screen until we discovered the magic of player up conversion.

We loved this projector and only reason it has become the "2nd string" PJ is at that same outlet store I found a Panasonic 720p 16:9 (also CostCo return) for just $600 so we decided to try that one - it is very, very good for Home Theater movie watching and HD TV and sports BUT the Canon competes well with it and still gets "Oohs and Aahs" when we use it for backyard movies with friends and neighbors.

Another advantage of the business projectors is they are usually brighter and so their image isn't as noticeably affected by low room lights as some of the others. Remember there is a reason why commercial cinemas/theaters are dark - light is the enemy of projection - any light has an effect even if you aren't sure if you can see it and as you increase ambient light your screen image is less and less viewing/theater type quality.

Some light with the guys to watch sports will be okay - we watch 10 ft Florida Gators regularly with enough light to not be in the dark BUT movies really come alive in the dark - you just won't believe it!

Final thought - a small percent of folk are affected by RainBow Effect (RBE) which is a visual problem caused by the need for a spinning "color wheel" in all single chip consumer type DLP projectors. I and a family member are affected so we must use LCD Projectors - the good news is both types of technology have competitively evolved so that whichever you choose to buy you will get WONDERFUL experience.

Hope the experience of our personal eyeballs is helpful even if not technical.
jim

spend the few extra dollars for the 720p HT projector its a total no brainer particularily for ps3 and xbox 360. The 720p is more than most games and will be a massive improvement in video quality, you will find that that the puny 56 inch tv will be what rarely gets used. :)

I would put it like this budget 720p ht projector over sd multimedia projector 100% improvement budget 1080p projector over sd multimedia projector 110% improvement.

You can get a refurb acer ph530 for $600

http://thetechhunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/prey-captured-projectors.html

I agree with Imjay above. If you choose a so called "business" projector with a "cinema mode" and enough adjustments, and pair it with the right screen, it will rival an entry level HT projector. They are very similar, and if anything the business units are sturdier because they are meant to be transported.

I bought a NIB Hitachi CP-X300 on eBay for $500 and I couldn't be happier. Its XGA, has component inputs for HD, is plenty bright, and has a ton of adjustments (including whisper mode, cinema, and 16:9).

After doing my research here on the forums I did a DIY Behr "Silverscreen" screen and now I've got a very watchable setup for $550. The color is spot on and with the gray screen the contrast is fine. Use some of the money you save to buy an AviaII setup disc. Very important tool in getting the contrast right with any projector (or TV for that matter)

Would the Epson HC720 or 1080UB I wanted (but couldn't afford currently) look better. Absolutely...would they look 2 times better...I doubt it. I'm not trying to start a flame thread, but I think you get my point.

One last point. You mentioned using this in a basement. You probably should go LCD not DLP simply for easier placement. Most of the DLPs I found would not work in my setup. Use the "calculator pro" at projectorcentral.com to check before you buy.

I would look for a 'sharp dt-510'.

You can find them now for 700-800$ and are the CR champion in the under 1000$ class. It has virtually no lens throw angle so it can be used for low ceiling applications or table top use. It is a very high quality unit.

The image on DLPs (including the Sharp) drop between 6-8 inches when ceiling mounted. In a narrow basement, mounted at just 11' (like mine and the original poster here) that puts the screen too low.

LCDs drop between 0-3. Doesn't sound like much, but that difference eliminated DLPs from my choices.

I agree that Sharp, and the Mits, are great values, but if you can't use them you can't use them