I just purchased a sharp XR-30X, This is more of a trial to see if its what I want, Specs are 1024x768, 2200:1, 1800 lumens in save mode.
I don't use it for HD, at the most I use it for DVD's off my PC.

I not sure if I like it though, I love that its out of the way, even more so than my plasma, But it seems the lamp life is ALOT shorter than my DLP Tv in reading the manual.

The picture seems nice though and for the price, ohh what a decision. At $250 lamp replacement cost its leaning towards going back to my plasma on the wall.

I would love input from people that have been in the same situation, What did you decide.

And are there any projectors out there that have a descent res, And say a lamp cost of more like $150, for a projectore cost of $800ish? Min of 1024x768 is a must, Just because I can't stand 800x600 on my PC. I don't even own anything HD and what I have seen on hd doesn't really impress me alot.

Any input to focus my descision would be greatly appreciated....

Nope. Just be glad you don't have a $400 lamp like some do (including me). For what you want your only option is a CRT projector since they don't use lamps, but they are really big and you'll have to learn how to set it up (but the picture is phenominal). If you got a $250 lamp you have among the cheapest lamps available. The value of the lamp really depends on how much time you get out of it. If you get 3,000+ hours you got a good deal, but if it blows at 700 hours....well,....it really sucks.

BTW, you should get a calibration disc if you want to view an optimal picture. Some are calibrated out of the box better than others.

Yiu can get an acer ph530 for $600 with $200 bulbs. Its 720p widescreen too.

You're right of course about the lamp issue. The lamp is the Achilles heel of front projectors. Its only endurable because currently you need a UHP bulb based projector in order to acheive a really big picture. The whole point is the really big picture. You can get more resolution and more brightness from a flat panel TV at a lower price. But those flat panels screens are so small.

When I watched a 20" CRT TV I lusted after a four foot rear projection TV. Now a four foot screen looks tiny.

The "correct" screen size is eight feet wide and four and a half feet high. This is the correct size because it makes the arithmatic easier. On such a screen a standard 16:9 HDTV fits perfectly. A 4:3 picture is the same height but only six feet wide not eight. I find that a six foot wide broadcast annoys me because it just isn't big enough. I much prefer to watch an eight foot image. When an HD broadcast comes on and the screen fills - I relax.

If you are immune to the attractions of a really big screen you should send it back.

Well, Im only using to project about a 50" screen, It looks real nice and I like the fact that it 100% out of the way. However with that said, I am cosidering taking it back.

Well, Im only using to project about a 50" screen, It looks real nice and I like the fact that it 100% out of the way. However with that said, I am cosidering taking it back.

If you aren't going to go beyond 50 inches, a projector is not worth it. Most of us want 100 inches or more and I don't have $75,000.00 for a 103 inch Panasonic Plasma!

I just purchased a sharp XR-30X, This is more of a trial to see if its what I want, Specs are 1024x768, 2200:1, 1800 lumens in save mode.
I don't use it for HD, at the most I use it for DVD's off my PC.

I not sure if I like it though, I love that its out of the way, even more so than my plasma, But it seems the lamp life is ALOT shorter than my DLP Tv in reading the manual.

The picture seems nice though and for the price, ohh what a decision. At $250 lamp replacement cost its leaning towards going back to my plasma on the wall.

I would love input from people that have been in the same situation, What did you decide.

And are there any projectors out there that have a descent res, And say a lamp cost of more like $150, for a projectore cost of $800ish? Min of 1024x768 is a must, Just because I can't stand 800x600 on my PC. I don't even own anything HD and what I have seen on hd doesn't really impress me alot.

Any input to focus my descision would be greatly appreciated....

If 250 for a lamp is to much stick to your Plasma..

Well, Im only using to project about a 50" screen, It looks real nice and I like the fact that it 100% out of the way. However with that said, I am cosidering taking it back.


Wow just wow.. Never heard of someone buying a FP for projecting a 50" screen.. At that size the projector you have will never beat a Plasma, NEVER EVER.. And I would think most if not all would never..

Take it back and get a nice surround sound system. :D

I would love input from people that have been in the same situation, What did you decide.

And are there any projectors out there that have a descent res, And say a lamp cost of more like $150, for a projectore cost of $800ish? Min of 1024x768 is a must, Just because I can't stand 800x600 on my PC. I don't even own anything HD and what I have seen on hd doesn't really impress me alot.

Any input to focus my descision would be greatly appreciated....

I have an old (and barely used) Sony vpl-x1000u (XGA) that I picked up at a university surplus sale for about $400. I run some HD source (OTA HD, Xbox360-HD.DVD) stuff to it, but the 1024x768 res only gives me 576p. But with a 84in screen size and 12-14ft viewing distance, it still looks great (especially for the money.)

Yeah, the bulbs are $400 a piece, but even if you ran it for 4 hrs per day the thing will last a couple years. So, you're viewing the image for $0.20 per hour... how can you beat that for entertainment. From what I've heard about the life of plasma displays you might be better off.

I think I will follow the general advice here and stick to the plasma, I have a project for a back yard theatre in the works next summer and I think I will wait and just go all out for a real nice projector when that comes.

Thanks for the advice folks.

Which brings me to 2 questions that should probably be another thread, Has anyone here done a full theatre size screen, Are there projectors capable of that?

And I have a friend that owns a parcel of land that used to be an old drive in, The screen is still there and looks to be in descent shape, He says If I get it off his land, I can have it. However looks to be ALOT of work, Anyone ever take one of these down?

Full Theater size with a digital projector (the ones in our price range) seem unrealistic to me.. The highest I've seen one capable of doing is 300 or so inches.. And I'm sure at that size the brightness would be really dull.. Maybe someone with more knowledge will reply..

What is the size of a theater screen or the one you might get? Sounds like a fun project and must be nice during the fall and spring.. To bad I live in 100% humidity year round.

Has anyone here done a full theatre size screen, Are there projectors capable of that?

Here's the biggest screen I have seen with a PJ. It's over in the DIY CIH Screen section under Really Big Show:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/MississippiMan/S-I-L-V-E-R%20SOLUTIONS/UpyoursJackBlack.jpg

Size?

I think I will follow the general advice here and stick to the plasma, I have a project for a back yard theatre in the works next summer and I think I will wait and just go all out for a real nice projector when that comes.

Thanks for the advice folks.

Which brings me to 2 questions that should probably be another thread, Has anyone here done a full theatre size screen, Are there projectors capable of that?

And I have a friend that owns a parcel of land that used to be an old drive in, The screen is still there and looks to be in descent shape, He says If I get it off his land, I can have it. However looks to be ALOT of work, Anyone ever take one of these down?

To answer your question though, an outdoor drive-in screen is too big for the digital projectors we're talking about around here. You need some serious light power to get a picture on those screens. You could do a nice backyard setup with 4 sheets of plywood making a 16 x 8 foot size screen. Just shoot about 2000 lumens at it.

Here's an example: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=842957

Size?

180" x 82"