Just a question. I would LOVE to have a home theater. But I am not old enough to even have a summer job and i don't have that much money. But I already have some home theater elements and accessories that I bought hwhen my mom had a good job. Like a popcorn machine, mini-fridge, multiple seating for 8, and a 560 watt 5.1 surround sound system. But the only thing i don't have is a projector/HDTV. I have an old, fat,23 year old CRT 23'' SDTV. But i don't have even close to enough money to buy one. Cause of all the video games that i want that are coming out this year. But my question is.

Is it necessary to have a huge t.v/projector screen in order to have a home theater. Or can i just invite some friends to sit in theater-esque seating and stare at a 23 inch CRT tv? Or should i save up and go big?

Well of course you can invite them over and look at the 23" TV for many people that DOES pass for home theater.

I think you would be happier though if you save up enough to get an entry level HT projector, and read the DIY screen section here, you can project right on a wall either with or without special paint and there are other decent cheap DIY screen solutions.

That should give you a much more satisfying theater experience.

Well of course you can invite them over and look at the 23" TV for many people that DOES pass for home theater.

I think you would be happier though if you save up enough to get an entry level HT projector, and read the DIY screen section here, you can project right on a wall either with or without special paint and there are other decent cheap DIY screen solutions.

That should give you a much more satisfying theater experience.


Do you know any entry level projectors that i can buy on a budget? Preferably under 500$?

Do you know any entry level projectors that i can buy on a budget? Preferably under 500$?

Check Ubid.com from time to time there are refurbished units going for that price. Another source is an upgrader who will sell there used equipment. Check craigslist and other sources so that you can see it in action locally before buying.

I just looked at ubid and there is a unit at a buy it now price of $529. I know nothing of that unit or it's suitability for what you want to do.

You need to keep in mind that projectors burn bulbs and bulbs can cost dearly. My unit costs about 1$ hr to keep in usable bulbs. When you think you've located a unit do a quick check of the replacement bulb cost before you jump in.

Some units have much longer bulb life than others so doing some research will help. My unit form Optoma burns bulbs 10x faster then the original marketing brochure claimed.

start with your 23" tv and surround system. for many people the surround system will blow them away more than a big tv anyways. Just sit a bit closer to the screen. Later on when you can afford it then you can upgrade the tv to a bigger tv or a PJ, whichever way you want to go. To me a dedicated room is half the battle, if you can black out the windows and maybe paint the room a dark color it would be a pretty cool experience.

Quality TV and DVD player are my last upgrades.
It's all about what YOU want.

Sounds good guys! Now I'll probably wait off a little before i try to invest in a new tv/projector.

How many video games are you planning to buy this year? At $50 a pop, you may be able to get that projector sooner than you think if you hold off a little on the games (rent them?). Once you get the projector, the games that you do have, just became a lot more fun!

Consider asking for donations to you "PJ fund" instead of presents for your birthday, christmas, etc. You should be able to get a decent projector before you know it.

No matter what they say big is better in HT.
I think at your stage you should think about used.
Here is one item up for sale now on this forum. It's not a projector but will give you an idea of what it takes to get in the game.

"I am selling my Mitsubishi 55413 Wide screen Hi-Def CRT based rear projection TV for pickup only.

About 3 years old. There is a scratch on the Diamond glare screen, but it can be removed and or replaced easily. I leave it on as I cannot see it when looking at the TV straight on and I have dogs so I want to protect the main screen, which is not scratched.

$350 picked up."

No matter what they say big is better in HT.
I think at your stage you should think about used.
Here is one item up for sale now on this forum. It's not a projector but will give you an idea of what it takes to get in the game.

"I am selling my Mitsubishi 55413 Wide screen Hi-Def CRT based rear projection TV for pickup only.

About 3 years old. There is a scratch on the Diamond glare screen, but it can be removed and or replaced easily. I leave it on as I cannot see it when looking at the TV straight on and I have dogs so I want to protect the main screen, which is not scratched.

$350 picked up."


Its not the size of the tv that counts its how you use it? Am I wrong girls? I must be wrong cause I just order a 120" screen. Chicks do like em big. But hey Im 31 years old and getting my first PJ so I dont know, we all gotta start somewhere. My first ever tv was 13"! If my math is right my tv has grown 3.5" every year for 31 years!!!

Wow!! When I die at 100 they can bury me with my 350" screen!! :D

Wow!! When I die at 100 they can bury me with my 350" screen!! :D

In 69 years when you die. They may be apply to wrap your body in the display screen hanging on the wall that you picked up on sale at home depot and simply unrolled. Of course by then using land for burying bodies will be so anti-green that it will be incinerated at a pollution free energy plant giving power to someone elses HT.

Before your death your personality, memory, vocal characteristics and likeness will be downloaded to one of the many competing data bases which will allow your loved ones to access and have a conversation with an AI program modeled on your personality and lifes memories. If they want, they can route the feed into their HT.

So in the end you will be bigger than life.