[Sam10972]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this particular forum, but I belong to a few others on the web so I at least know the general forum rules.


For christmas the wife and I buy what we want for ourselves plus a few extra's for each other just to have something to open for each other. My christmas gift to myslef is a Home Theater Projection system. I have been to two of my friends houses to see there's, but one just has it hooked up to his cable, and not really using it like I want to. My other friend is utilizing it more, but doesn't have it hooked up to his cable. He has it hooked up to his DVD/VHS, computer, X-Box, etc. Me of course, I want it all as usual.......


Here's the specifics: The area of my rec room that it's going to is about 14 feet wide and 25 feet long. I'll be shooting for a 6 foot wide by 4 foot high screen for the wall. I'm look at an InFocus X2 projector. Right now out local Sam's Club has the projector and screen for $1,000. Now I want to hook up my charter digital cable, PS2, and DVD/VHS system. I also have a Kenwood Reciever that I want to run the surround sound. My speakers are two 500 watt side speakers, one 100 watt center speaker, and 2 100 watt rear speakers. Everything is already purchased and in use except the projector and screen.


My questions are as the following:

1. Is the InFocus X2 a good projector? Will it handle everything I want to hookup? Or will I have to manually unhook the cable when I want to play the playstation? Or is there connectors for that?


2. Will the InFocus X2 projector and screen fit my room size? Should I get a bigger screen or smaller screen?


3. What other information am I missing that I'm overlooking. I know that anytime anybody gets involved in a project they end up running into things they overlooked or just didn't know to look. I know I will run into both, because I really don't know much about these theaters. Other than the fact that I want one. )


4. I have two moths before my purchase, so if I'm way off base, and anybody has a different approach or suggetion on different projectors, and/or screens I'd appreciate the information.


Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for all replies.

 

[TTA89]

I would do a search in the Projector forum and/or ask this question in there.

 

[Morris Jones]

You'll want a good programmable remote control, such as Harmony, HTM, or Pronto.


Be sure you can make your room dark if you want to watch movies during the daytime.


Have fun!


Mojo

 

[Sam10972]

Thanks for the reply. I'll have to do some more research on the InFocus X2 remote to see if it has those capibilities or not. All it say's on the sam's website about the remote is: Features: Slide forward/reverse, laser pointer. I'll keep investigating. Thanks again.

 

[Deckman37]

Also be sure to look at the home theater builder forum. You don't mention what your viewing environment is other than the dimension of the room. Are there windows? Will the room be dedicated to viewing or will it be multi-purpose? Is the room already finished?


The more layers you peel back the more you have to consider. Good luck!

 

[Morris Jones]

No, really, the point of the programmable remote is to coordinate all of your components. I don't think I've ever seen a projector remote that would suffice, or even a so-called universal remote that might come with your reciever or TV.


That's why I suggested adding one of those three programmable remotes to your equipment list. It's good to be family-friendly, and hide the pile of remotes away to be replaced by just one.


Mojo

 

[No Clue]

Sam


Definitely get a look at the X2 projector before you buy it. Hopefully, you can see the types of sources that you plan on running through it and you will know how it will look.


That is a pretty decent size space that you have so you could go with a bigger screen. but be warned that standard definition broadcasts like SD cable won't look very good when blown up to a big screen. I use a 110" diagonal (8' wide x 4.5' high) and regular broadcast tv looks like crap. HD is gorgeous though and dvd's look good to excellent depending on the dvd itself.


I would do a search for this particular projector to gather people's thoughts that actually own them. Look in the

 

[Sam10972]

Thanks so much for the information you guys are throwing at me. Keep them coming.


I have not figured out how to reply back to a specific post yet, so bear with me:


Deckman37: The room is on the second floor and has one window in the back of the room where the room opens up to the left. The room is "L" shaped where the screen will be at the top of the L while the window is located at the bottom right of the L. I have blinds and curtains to cover up the window, but at the L angle the outside light will not be directly on the screen. The room has an otagon celing with shelving on the side walls that slide out and provide attic space behind. Not to mention a real easy way to run cable and speaker wires. The room will be used as multipurpose, with a future pool table added in the back of the room where the L is. Any suggestions with those dimentions?


No Clue: I have charter digital cable which advertised HD capabilities. And the InFocus advertises as HDTV compatible. Should I call charter and make sure I'm getting the HD pumped through my cable, or am I just way off base here? I have the charter premium package which is everything they offer. I'll do a search on the

 

[sm1]

check the under $3,500 digital projector forum. X1 is considered better than X2 for HT. is the 4805 in your budget (optimized for HT)?

 

[Sam10972]

Is the 4805 an InFocus product? I don't care to spend a little more, if the product is worth it. One of my friend has a nice one that he dropped about 3 grand on, while my other friend bought the X1 last year. I can not tell the difference in quality between the two. I can't remember the more expensive ones name, but I definitly think he got cheated compared to the X1. Now the more expensive one had several connectors already provided for the initial set up for his cable and such that the X1 didn't. Such as a "slipter" so he can have his ps2, and cable hooked up at the same time without manually switching it out. There in lies my biggest issue. I have a DVD/VHS, a ps2, and the charter digital cable box that I want to run to the projector. Will the X2 run all those without having to buy a ton of connectors? I'm going to run to Sam's this evening and try to read the manual, but as of yet I really don't know.


Thanks for your reply.

 

[Deckman37]

Sam, please post your room questions in the Home Theater Builder forum. You'll get lot's (stress LOT"S) of helpful information and advice.

 

[No Clue]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sam10972 Thanks so much for the information you guys are throwing at me. Keep them coming. I have not figured out how to reply back to a specific post yet, so bear with me: To respond to a specific message, just click on the "quote" button in the message window. No Clue: I have charter digital cable which advertised HD capabilities. And the InFocus advertises as HDTV compatible. Should I call charter and make sure I'm getting the HD pumped through my cable, or am I just way off base here? I have the charter premium package which is everything they offer. I'll do a search on the

 

[Jeff Hovis]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sam10972 My questions are as the following: 1. Is the InFocus X2 a good projector? Will it handle everything I want to hookup? Or will I have to manually unhook the cable when I want to play the playstation? Or is there connectors for that? 2. Will the InFocus X2 projector and screen fit my room size? Should I get a bigger screen or smaller screen? 3. What other information am I missing that I'm overlooking. I know that anytime anybody gets involved in a project they end up running into things they overlooked or just didn't know to look. I know I will run into both, because I really don't know much about these theaters. Other than the fact that I want one. ) 4. I have two moths before my purchase, so if I'm way off base, and anybody has a different approach or suggetion on different projectors, and/or screens I'd appreciate the information. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for all replies.

Look at either the X1 or 4805. They are both more suited to HT. Both have DCDi Faroujda processing. The 4805 is native 16:9 and both have 2000:1 contrast ratio. The 4805 is newer and specifically for HT. It has a 6-segment 4x color wheel. AVS has a very good deal on the 4805. Contact Jason Turk at AVS. If your room is 25' long as I think you said, you'll have no problems. Try to stay with a screen no wider than 80". These projectors have one S-video, 1 component, 1 composite and 1

For DVD viewing, you'll be quite happy with either one.

 

[Sam10972]

What the website for the good price on the 4805. I went to www.avs.com, but I don't think that's it. Thanks for your help. The more research I do, the more I'm leaning toward the 4805. Thanks

 

[Jeff Hovis]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sam10972 What the website for the good price on the 4805. I went to www.avs.com, but I don't think that's it. Thanks for your help. The more research I do, the more I'm leaning toward the 4805. Thanks

Go to the

 

[Sam10972]

Thanks Jeff. I've sent him a PM as well as an email. Thanks again for aiming me in the right direction.