Hay I don't know much about projectors, just started looking into this today.
And I have some questions.
What are the important aspects of a projector for games
I've been looking into really cheap stuff "BenQ MP510 DLP (http://benq.com/products/Projector/?product=981)"
It looks not bad too me, but then again I am a noob.

There are 3 things that bother me on that projector
1. Native Resolution SVGA (800 x 600)
that's LOW, but does it really matter? All I want is 1080i
So does the resolution matter to me at all?
2. Brightness 1500 ANSI Lumens, that's not too bright...
but I am gonna place it in a room with no windows.
It should be ok right?
3. Golden Ratio Color Wheel (5-Segment) WTF is that?
is 7-Segment better how good are the colors going to be?
or is there anyway to tell of the colors going to flicker?

P.S. Help me plz...

Optoma Learning Guide (http://www.optomahometheater.com/howto/guide.htm)

Check that out, then come back here and read all you can. That should teach you a good deal on what you want in a projector.

BTW: If you want 1080i, you don't want the projector you linked to.

Josh

Hay thanx

Look at the Acer PH530... see my review in that thread. Not a bad PJ for sub $600, looks amazing with the Xbox 360 if you ask me.

ok, I've read the Optoma Learning Guide (http://www.optomahometheater.com/howto/guide.htm) learned a lot of stuff.
Now reguarding my original choice BenQ MP510, the only bad thing is,
It has low native resolution and if "Scaler processor" is not good enough the picture will look sh*ty.
Am I right or is there something I have over looked?

About Acer PH530
1. it cost 2x more then BenQ,
2. it does have better native rez, but the brightness is too low.

If you have a controlled environment... no windows... the Acer is bright enough for sure. You are not going to beat the 720p resolution for sub $600.

I will tell, I was playing GOW last night... looks completely awesome with the Acer.

Can't do without my 16:9, something has got to give in the $300 price range.



ok, I've read the Optoma Learning Guide (http://www.optomahometheater.com/howto/guide.htm) learned a lot of stuff.
Now reguarding my original choice BenQ MP510, the only bad thing is,
It has low native resolution and if "Scaler processor" is not good enough the picture will look sh*ty.
Am I right or is there something I have over looked?

About Acer PH530
1. it cost 2x more then BenQ,
2. it does have better native rez, but the brightness is too low.

Hay Mako what do you think of Optoma EP708 (http://static.tigerdirect.ca/pdf/Optoma_EP708_Projector-Datasheet.pdf)
It looks good on paper and it's the best brand name in projectors AFAK

The specs don't look bad, I can't find any reviews on it anywhere. One thing I did notice... no HDMI connection. If you go a little higher you could get the HD70.

Basically in the $550-800 range... the two hot ones right now is the Optoma HD70 and the Acer PH530.

The HD70 is usually $100-200 more than the Acer. Those are your two 720p choices with HDMI connections, at least that I could find in the last week or so.


Hay Mako what do you think of Optoma EP708 (http://static.tigerdirect.ca/pdf/Optoma_EP708_Projector-Datasheet.pdf)
It looks good on paper and it's the best brand name in projectors AFAK

Actually that PJ doesn't appear to have component or HDMI input. That would be a no go for me.

I see, Optoma HD70 is out of my price range. And Is there a Quality difference VGA vs HDMI and I am talking about no higher then 1080i rez?
And this could be a dumb question but is HDMI Digital or Analog?
I think VGA is Digital but D-Sub is Analog, did i get it right?

Yes, there is a quality difference between VGA and HDMI.

Here wiki on HDMI.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

Here is wiki on VGA..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA

You are going to want to go with component to your Xgirlfriendbox or HDMI if you have the Xbox Elite.

That MP510 does have component but no HDMI, so if you went with that you could make it work.

There are some other people getting the Acer PH530 in the coming days, check that thread out in the next couple of days... my review is out there.... see what you think from their comments before buying.



I see, Optoma HD70 is out of my price range. And Is there a Quality difference VGA vs HDMI and I am talking about no higher then 1080i rez?
And this could be a dumb question but is HDMI Digital or Analog?
I think VGA is Digital but D-Sub is Analog, did i get it right?

Yes, there is a quality difference between VGA and HDMI.

Here wiki on HDMI.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

Here is wiki on VGA..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA

You are going to want to go with component to your Xgirlfriendbox or HDMI if you have the Xbox Elite.

That MP510 does have component but no HDMI, so if you went with that you could make it work.

I have not checked out the links yet, but how about?
XBox > HDMI > (Suround Sound System) > HDMI > DVI-D > PJ

You could possibly do that, but I do not have experience in that. Just remember you have to have an Xbox 360 Elite as far as I know to do HDMI output from it, I don't think I have seen the Premium one have HDMI yet... I heard that might happen though.

I am pretty satisfied with component to the Acer.

I just think in the sub $600 range you are going to have to give up something... either lumens, black levels, scaling issues, setup issues with offset, resolution, colors, maintenance issues, support, lamp life, lamp costs, etc. Everything in life is a compromise. You can go to the best sailboat maker in the world, tell them you want the most beautiful boat with all the trimmings, they'll be able to do it to, hottub, tvs, you name it.. but when you get the sailboat and it sails like crap... you have no one to blame but yourself. You must compromise... with sub $600 you'll have to compromise but you know what... the difference between a $600 PJ and a $3000 PJ is very little... maybe 10-20% image quality. It's all relative.

I have not checked out the links yet, but how about?
XBox > HDMI > (Suround Sound System) > HDMI > DVI-D > PJ

You could possibly do that, but I do not have experience in that. Just remember you have to have an Xbox 360 Elite as far as I know to do HDMI output from it, I don't think I have seen the Premium one have HDMI yet... I heard that might happen though.

I am pretty satisfied with component to the Acer.


Alright, I think I've found the perfect solution then. Yeah I have someones Xbox at my place and it's hooked up to the plasma via HDMI. So if I'll get same Xbox 360 it will all work out as planed.

P.S. Thanx a lot Mako, for all the info n'stuff

I think the Elite is like $449 right now... the premium is like $349... I think.

Oh, don't forget about cables, speakers and such for the PJ and a ceiling mount if you are going to mount it.


Alright, I think I've found the perfect solution then. Yeah I have someones Xbox at my place and it's hooked up to the plasma via HDMI. So if I'll get same Xbox 360 it will all work out as planed.

P.S. Thanx a lot Mako, for all the info n'stuff

Most of the Premium 360's have HDMI connection now so you don't need to get an elite to get HDMI.. I use to use an Optoma EP716 as my theater projector and gave a good picture with the 360 through VGA.. If your not a big videophile and your more concerned about price then you can probably go with SVGA projector.. Just don't hang out here because you will start getting projector envy!! That's what happened to me and ended up getting the Acer PH530 as well.. When I was playing GOW i actually prefered the 4:3 specially when playing splitscreen..

Something to remember is that the projectors native resolution is the best resolution in will ever project. Meaning, you will never see the 1080i that you would feed it. Now with a good scaler that would change the 1080i to a 720p or 480p, there might not be a huge difference, but that will depend on the size of your screen. It sounds to me, that the benefits of 1080i aren't worth the extra cost to you right now. And fyi, don't hold too much stock into the Lumen ratings. 1000+ should be plenty for most moderately light controlled rooms. Especially depending on the size of screen you are looking to go with. Good luck with what ever you decide.

Josh