[jarablue]

For my 3k budget and my 100 inch expectations for a screen with a budget for that about 500. Will a projector, in total darkness, have a images better than my 47 inch 1080 Vizio LCD tv? And will my XBox 360 look well to boot? The size makes me happy. My buget is 3k and this is for an apartment viewing at night with a 500 budget for a screen. Hopefully 120 inches I can get but we'll see. The only thing this will be used for is DVD's either HD or BlueRay, XBox 360 and maybe, maybe TV.


What do you think? Will it look better than my Vizio?


Thanks!!!

 

[cavu]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jarablue /forum/post/12836458


Will a projector, in total darkness, have a images better than my 47 inch 1080 Vizio LCD tv?

Absolutely.

 

[HotAhr]

It will look different than your Vizio. I have a plasma, which is a Samsung. The pictures between the plasma a projector are different. I don't know exactly how to explain it, but because they are different technologies they have a different look to them. I like both! BUT, there is absolutely nothing like 100+ inches for movies from a projector. The DVDs, HD, and gaming are great! The good thing is, you already have your Vizio. The addition of the projector is just a Big added PLUS. And, with your 3K budget, the colors, blacks, contrast etc. are going to be very nice for that price.

 

[cavu]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HotAhr /forum/post/12836539


It will look different than your Vizio.

Of course a 100" image will look "different" than a tiny 47" image.


But, to see the real performance, before you permanently mount your projector, set it up temporarily throwing a 47" image in the corner of your screen. Place your 47" LCD beside it. You tell me which looks better!

 

[gtjohnson56]

You'll never play x-box or watch another movie on the lil' 47" again. EVER. If you took a $1,000 projector, shot it on your wall (assuming it's some version of white) and outlined the image with blue painter's tape (for a makeshift frame), you'd be the envy of the entire apartment complex. It would knock your socks off (especially in the dark). Now if you add a real screen and another $1,500 worth of projector ... you get the idea. Although I'm sure your tv is gorgeous, that size is just plain prohibitive for movie watching and x-box gaming will take on a whole new meaning at 100+" - especially if you have good control over ambient light. Go for it and don't look back - that's my opinion FWIW.


GJ

 

[skablaw]

If you really do spend a significant portion of that $3,000 projector budget, I would have to say "without a doubt." Maybe that's a little bold. I don't know which model your Vizio is, so without having seen it, I can't say for certain. There are some very good looking LCDs out there these days (and some even better looking Plasmas), but I'd have to agree with HotAhr's comment that it will primarily look "different."


Like HotAhr, I too have a Samsung plasma in addition to my projector. I think that the plasma is very vibrant and rich-looking, but in high definition, I find that the image has an "artificial" look. I don't know how to describe it, but a bad way of saying it is that it looks "better than real." It isn't natural. Not in the sense that the colors look off or the blacks aren't good. It just, seems very polished. On my projector, the same content looks almost real. Not as slick, mind you, but it feels like a window into reality, whereas my plasma looks like a very well developed and air-brushed picture of reality. I know this sounds very subjective, but I can say without a doubt that if you stretch your $3,000 budget to purchase a Sony VPL-VW40 or Epson Home Cinema 1080UB, you are not going to be disappointed!

 

[HotAhr]



Quote:
Originally Posted by skablaw /forum/post/12837002


If you really do spend a significant portion of that $3,000 projector budget, I would have to say "without a doubt." Maybe that's a little bold. I don't know which model your Vizio is, so without having seen it, I can't say for certain. There are some very good looking LCDs out there these days (and some even better looking Plasmas), but I'd have to agree with HotAhr's comment that it will primarily look "different."


Like HotAhr, I too have a Samsung plasma in addition to my projector. I think that the plasma is very vibrant and rich-looking, but in high definition, I find that the image has an "artificial" look. I don't know how to describe it, but a bad way of saying it is that it looks "better than real." It isn't natural. Not in the sense that the colors look off or the blacks aren't good. It just, seems very polished. On my projector, the same content looks almost real. Not as slick, mind you, but it feels like a window into reality, whereas my plasma looks like a very well developed and air-brushed picture of reality. I know this sounds very subjective, but I can say without a doubt that if you stretch your $3,000 budget to purchase a Sony VPL-VW40 or Epson Home Cinema 1080UB, you are not going to be disappointed!

Bingo! Well said!


+1

 

[curttard]

I have a 42" Panasonic plasma and a 3-year old, 480p projector. The plasma NEVER gets considered for movies or any kind of gaming other than casual sports stuff or Live Arcade type stuff.


I imagine if you spent even just half your 3k budget, you would be absolutely blown away by the quality of the image combined with the size.

 

[davyo]

I have a 60" Pio plasma and a AX200 projector with a 100" screen, the very best of both worlds.

I love both displays,,,,, but for movies, I only use the projector via my BluRay or HD DVD players.

Nothing beats the huge movie image from a projector.


Cheers

Davyo

 

[7TRTCHALLENGER]

50" Sony LCD with a 101" Elite screen coming down in front of it and an Epson 400.

We hardly ever even fire up the 50" any more after getting the projector. At first I thought it was jus being new and all but it's been over a year now and I can say we still hardly watch the 50" for ANYTHING! HD-DVD, Xbox360, Satellite, Wii you name it, all of them look killer!

 

[mjg100]



Quote:
Originally Posted by 7TRTCHALLENGER /forum/post/12842368


50" Sony LCD with a 101" Elite screen coming down in front of it and an Epson 400.

We hardly ever even fire up the 50" any more after getting the projector. At first I thought it was jus being new and all but it's been over a year now and I can say we still hardly watch the 50" for ANYTHING! HD-DVD, Xbox360, Satellite, Wii you name it, all of them look killer!

Nearly the same set up. 50" Sony SXRD with 106" Da-Lite High Power coming down in front of TV and an Epson 400. Works great.

 

[cnickersonjr]

Hell yes! I don't even use my 50" RPLCD anymore now that I have a projector. A cheap one at that. With $3000 dollars for a projector, get the Epson 1080UB. Then post back with your thoughts, I bet you will be happy. If you get it setup right!


I play Call Of Duty 4 and Halo 3 @ 92" on my ENHANCED DEFINITION projector, and I can see everything on the screen. Cause it's 92". (Using VGA with it set to 1024X768 Widescreen)

Go checkout the 360 Screenshot Thread!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jarablue /forum/post/12836458


Will a projector, in total darkness, have a images better than my 47 inch 1080 Vizio LCD tv? And will my XBox 360 look well to boot? The size makes me happy. My buget is 3k and this is for an apartment viewing at night with a 500 budget for a screen. Hopefully 120 inches I can get but we'll see. The only thing this will be used for is DVD's either HD or BlueRay, XBox 360 and maybe, maybe TV.


What do you think? Will it look better than my Vizio?


Thanks!!!

 

[jarablue]

Well ****, I should of clarified that I was devoting 3k to the projector itself and an addional 5-800 bucks for a screen. Now looking back at this thread I cannot wait to have my nephews over and explain to them the awesomeness of Close Encounters and Indy. I think movies will never be the same to them. So thanks so much for making my mind up for me. I really want to see Jurassic park like I remember seeing it in the movies.


One other question, is 120 inch screen possible as long as I have wall space? Or is there some law after 100 inches quality starts suffering? My projector will be roughly 13-15 feet from the screen, mounted up top near the celing. And lighting will not be an issue. This will only be used AT NIGHT or in total darkness. Thanks!!!

 

[Summa]

I have had a Sammy LCD 32" and a Sanyo Z2 in here for the past year or two...the Sammy's image was clearly superior, though I loved watching movies and sports on the big screen. Now that I have a current model projector, the Sammy is the inferior image. This current crop of projectors is amazing...and if you have a $3k budget, methinks you'll be very, very happy.

 

[imjay]

There is no comparison between a tv - regardless of size - and a decent front projector with a 100 in (our minimum is set at 120in) screen.


Our oldest son (32 yr old network engineer)has gone whacko over Rock Band for his 360 and with four playing at the same time he can't wait to get a pj.


There will be (our humble opinion) times when a tv is best - if we have a grooup of friends and a BIG game is on but viewing is just one of the things going on then we want room light up and the 56inch rplcd is best BUT NOTHING compares to the projector with dark or very dim lighting and the BIG screen and surround system pumping.


Again, a nice big tv is still just a tv and has it's place for regular tv viewing but for a true Theater experience in your Home you want a front projector and for 3 grand you can do it up right and include a good screen in that budget.

Don't wait - and enjoy.

 

[nyjimbo]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jarablue /forum/post/12882432


One other question, is 120 inch screen possible as long as I have wall space? Or is there some law after 100 inches quality starts suffering? My projector will be roughly 13-15 feet from the screen, mounted up top near the celing. And lighting will not be an issue. This will only be used AT NIGHT or in total darkness. Thanks!!!

When I upgraded from my old projector to the new one I went from 92" 16:9 to a 120" 16:9, this was with a "budget" Mitsubishi HC1500. The thing is beautiful and people come over and are blown away when I tell them the whole setup including screen, cables and dvd player cost less than $1,500.


If you can spend a bit more and go for the 1080p projectors you will be blown away EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU TURN ON THE PJ.


120" will be incredible and you will wonder how you ever lived without it. Just be sure about how far away you are sitting and if your room can take that kind of setup. You dont want to sit too close with a 120" as you will be overwhelmed by the size and it might make it uncomfortable for extended viewing. I sit about 11' feet from mine and the PJ is about 16' back on the ceiling.

 

[sumavguy]

I definetly think you will be happy, especially with a 3k budget. Don't forget to count install into the costs as well, as they can add up quickly. Do you have any shots of the room? Also as many recommend here that buy the projector first then buy the screen to see what size works best for you. I take it you already have a surround setup for audio?


I've tried out older projectors, non Enhanced Definition, and although the picture may not look as good the size definetly makes up for it.

 

[Laserfan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jarablue /forum/post/12882432


One other question, is 120 inch screen possible as long as I have wall space? Or is there some law after 100 inches quality starts suffering? My projector will be roughly 13-15 feet from the screen...

Not only possible, but IMO highly desirable. You should get your pj and start experimenting before buying a screen.


At that size you may not like some Std Def discs, but you can zoom them down if you need to. But HD will be glorious at that size.


You should consider a 2.35 screen. Mine is 50x116/126"diagonal and I zoom for 16:9 HDTV-size images to 50x89/102"diagonal. Mostly I leave all SD material within the 16:9 frame, but all HD 2.35 movies get zoomed to almost 10' wide.


A 2.35 screen also LOOKS LIKE a real Theater screen!

p.s. If you're just gonna hang a screen on your wall you might consider just painting the wall. Then you can project any source to any size you want. Maybe some curtains to make variable borders.

 

[ed_t]

Gaming on projector is awesome. I had friends who are plasma, LCD and RPTV owners and they were very impressed with the sheer size and picture quality of a projector. Before deciding on a projector I think you may want to determine what kind of screen (manual, fixed or electric) and lighting control you'll need, as these things can offet your budget for the projector.

Screen size you'll need to experiment once you have the projector. When I bought my first projector I also got a large cheap screen to experiment with size. I found that even my room can support a larger screen my preferred viewing distance (10-11' from screen) is best with a 100". If you do not have light color walls you can always hang a white bed sheet on the wall as a temporary screen.

 

[mastiff34]

I got a 106" elite cinetension screen for

The picture is insane, it destroys my 37" Sharp Aqaous LCD.


Like some others have said, I can never play my 360 again on the sharp....