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First Projector (Need Adivce)

1K views 27 replies 9 participants last post by  Ftoast 
#1 ·

I'm about to buy my first projector to be used in the garage for movies/gaming. Budget is under 500$ here are my choices ViewSonic PJD5134 SVGA DLP Projector, ViewSonic PJD5232 XGA DLP Projector, ViewSonic PJD5533W WXGA Portable WXGA Projector, Optoma H180X 3D DLP Projector. Please suggest if you know a better under $500 Projector. I'm leaning towards getting the ViewSonic PJD5533W WXGA over ViewSonic PJD5134 SVGA

 

But as far as I know the only difference is the Native Resolution am I right? (sorry really new to this) I almost bought a China Projector in eBay because they have tons of features but I don't know abuot quality or if the Specs is accurate. To make it short I need all the help/info/recommendation you guys can give to me. Thanks!
 
#2 ·

I'm fairly new to the whole projector business, but I have done some research over the past few weeks, and I can tell you that there is definately plenty more things separating the projectors than the native resolution! :)

 

I would recommend scrolling through the reviews at projectorcentral or projectorreviews (dot com) to check out some expert opinions on your desired projectors, and go from there!

 

I also would steer clear of cheap-made china projectors. Not sure which ones you've been looking at, but I have seen one in action, and I was not impressed! :p
 
#5 ·
The Acer H5380bd is supposed to have better color than those viewsonics, and it should be at or under $500. Everything I've heard says it looks better than anything else in that price range if you're okay going 720p to save money.
 
#7 ·
#9 ·
#10 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by airscapes  /t/1534764/first-projector-need-adivce#post_24805712


You didn't say anything about screen size or your room environment.. If small screen 100" +- and dark walls and ceiling you will get a far better quality machine and image from a used high end model such as this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marantz-Projector-VP12S3-/141306220891?pt=US_Video_Projectors&hash=item20e681d15b

Make a $200 offer and see what happens
While I can appreciate that sentiment, if the 'OEM' lamp fails after a couple dozen hours, he's out several hundred dollars (he can't afford) on a manufacturer original lamp. Far more if any other projector component fails.


I think of the used market as a great place to waste money that you can afford to lose, but for those who are on a tight budget, then the warranty matters a great deal, and it's something I would question as to how much better a older projector actually is compared to a brand new model with the latest processing in it. Sure, it has a better lens on the Marantz, but is using the same (or worse) DLP chip, has far older processing technology, and misses connections such as native HDMI.
 
#11 ·

I will put the projector mainly in the garage. I Already bought a Screen which is 100" Inch. I preffer brand new and atleast have an HDMI and 3D capability. Is there a projector that has a USB slot that can read files for Movies, Music, Photos?
 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by AV_Integrated  /t/1534764/first-projector-need-adivce/0_100#post_24806301


While I can appreciate that sentiment, if the 'OEM' lamp fails after a couple dozen hours, he's out several hundred dollars (he can't afford) on a manufacturer original lamp. Far more if any other projector component fails.


I think of the used market as a great place to waste money that you can afford to lose, but for those who are on a tight budget, then the warranty matters a great deal, and it's something I would question as to how much better a older projector actually is compared to a brand new model with the latest processing in it. Sure, it has a better lens on the Marantz, but is using the same (or worse) DLP chip, has far older processing technology, and misses connections such as native HDMI.

Find me a new projector with V/H lens shift and a $1000 lens for $200-$300.. sure warranty is great.. but if you need to use it.. it only goes to show what you are actually buying.. Wouldn't trade my $1500 used Planer PD 8150 for anything new under $5000 but hey, your right is isn't for everyone and no mentioned the fact that you can get really good used stuff for real cheap..
 
#13 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dzey  /t/1534764/first-projector-need-adivce#post_24806480


I will put the projector mainly in the garage. I Already bought a Screen which is 100" Inch. I preffer brand new and atleast have an HDMI and 3D capability. Is there a projector that has a USB slot that can read files for Movies, Music, Photos?
Unless you feel like using an LED portable PJ (which I understand isn't the first choice for many), there are few if any projectors that play video straight from USB..let alone do it well. You can however find a used $20 laptop with a cracked screen and hook that up to any projector as an inexpensive media player. The broken screen won't matter, you won't be limited in projector choices, and you won't feel bad about having it in the garage.
 
#16 ·
Yes, the W1070 is the best valued and performing projector on the market under $2,000 right now. It's a very wise decision to just hang out for a few more months if needed to get into the W1070.


I personally find the noise level, in low-power mode, to be acceptable. I'm running it in low power, on a 161" screen with no brightness issues at all.
 
#15 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dzey  /t/1534764/first-projector-need-adivce#post_24816767


I'm thinking of upping my budget to around 800$ and I saw BenQ's W1070 is this a good projector?
The w1070 is so good that you'll have to pay twice as much or more to find anything noticeably better. It's only real weak point is that it's a little loud compared to some other home-theater models. Not as loud as many business-projectors, but louder than dimmer, lower wattage models.
 
#23 ·
I figured with a used laptop, you'd just be able to leave it outside and use it in place of a roku and likely in place of a BD player and just leave it connected to the soundsystem in the garage. I know it may seem odd to have a second laptop, but if the price is super low and it fulfills everything you need it to do, why not.
 
#24 ·
Good info to me,thanks ,copy: I mean all I have to bring out is the projector itself and an HDMI cable. Bluray players with Wifi is a plus because of the apps mainly Verizon Fios so I can watch TV channels on the projectors as I don't have a Fios Box in the garage. I was thinking of getting the Onkyo plus a Roku but Roku's ability top lay multiple format on a USB is limited and Roku's App Store doesn't have Verizon Fios.thanks
 
#28 ·
Didn't you just have audio and video coming out via the computer's hdmi? The only syncing problems would come from a bad audio system pass-through (which would affect a BD player just as bad, while the computer would at least have an option to correct for it) or using a weirdly split setup which would be asking for trouble with any system..and again at least a PC would have options for correcting the problem.

Or do you mean sync problems with 3D? I haven't had any problems with 3D from PC, but I know 3D can be fickle sometimes.

What sort of problems was the PC setup throwing at you?
 
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