Well I thought that this would be the best forum to post my question in so here it goes. I am looking to setup a front pj home theater as a fall break project as I won't be going home to see my folks.

I am on a budget so I think my price range for the projector would be about $600 max, I plan to mostly watch movies on the projector(netflix streaming, dvd, maybe blu ray, movies off of the laptop. no video gaming.)

the components and everything will be in the back of the room on a bookshelf next to the couch.



So I'm not sure on what resolution would fit me best, 720, 1080i/p??

i have been looking at a few older optomas and like what I see so far.

http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-HD70-720p-Theater-Projector/dp/B000IEN8QQ



Their are two fairly large sources of light in the room, but I will be doing my viewing at night, also their is a fireplace, would that affect much...anyhow here are some pics for clarification..I have made approximate measurements, based on the wall I could have a faily large screen 92"++

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GSOWXxgrr2A/SvjD63ENgWI/AAAAAAAADfA/nlXjGw5TrkY/s640/DSCN0647.JPG

seating area/eating..cramped I know

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GSOWXxgrr2A/SvjD7rUIegI/AAAAAAAADfE/iRlktYE17Nc/s640/DSCN0648.JPG

viewing area, that wall is what I plan to project onto

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GSOWXxgrr2A/SvjD8YsY8rI/AAAAAAAADfI/7KJ5diUP3ac/s640/DSCN0649.JPG

viewing area again, fireplace is rather close to it..would that distort the image much?

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GSOWXxgrr2A/SvjEBH7OvoI/AAAAAAAADfM/GySJKmfUjW8/pj_placement.JPG

rough sketch of the area, would having the couch offset like that be bothersome? not much room to negotiate with...;-(..but i'll figgure something out with the sound setup

Thanks for reading, awaiting your comments.

I just got my first projector (optoma hd65) this week and it's the best 650 I've ever spent. It looks so good. That being said, based on your sketch, anyone sitting on the far side of the couch is going to have to strain their neck to see the screen.

yea they didn't really make it a great theatre condo lol!, I guess I could move the couch over a bit, just gotta move the kitchen table over to lol..I could also reverse the wall i'm projecting on and that might be a bit better..i'll see, I'm pretty set on going with an optima..

also just found out that the ps3 can stream netflix, so with that it can also play blu ray, dvds, games and I can store a ton of movies and shows on the HD so it seems like a no brainer to me!! :-) anyone else play their ps3 on a 720p pj? Hows it look?

Some junk food for thought.. your room is not really the greatest setup for HT so why not make it a Temp setup. Utilize a portable screen that can be put in the proper location for viewing when you want to watch. Set the projector up on a shelf/box or table that is the correct height for the screen. This is a bit of a PIA but is much more flexible being you are not in a permanent location. Works good for me. Set up is about 4 minutes break down 1 minute. During the day the living room is still the living room.

First pj...low budget...great pic...hd65.

Just move the table next to the sliding glass door and the couch to where the table is currently.

Check this forum sales area and videogon.....you should be about to pick up something very good for $600.00.

thanks for all the replies guys, I will check out the forum sales area for some good deals..and yea a temp setup would be best, what screen would you recommend?

I have a small screen, big as will fit in my area (65" diag) got it used on craigs list for $40 it is an inexpensive apolo tripod nothing fancy maybe was $100 new but still look impressive in the dark! Someday I will have a nice fixed frame in black room but for now, just love the big bright screen that goes away when done!:D
Truthfully the lowest price portables that are of the size you want will be fine for what you have going. You are not working with a $5000 budget you just want a big bright clear picture, not perfection!

I went with the optoma HD70, got it for $500 on ebay with a fresh new bulb and I just ordered a ps3 for $195..not bad for an entertainment system! Jut gotta get my dad to ship out the receiver and i'll be set. Just need a place to store the components and maybe a screen for the pj as well.