We need some advice,

We are wanting to buy a good quality projector for the right money that is suitable for home entertainment use. we also want a remote control electric ceiling mounted screen.

Is there anywhere in sheffield that will offer some sound advice on which is the best one to buy, are Sony or Screenplay any good. Is it worth paying the extra for a better quality one. And what would be an advisable amount to pay for a decent one.

Many thanks

e-mail me back

www.nicholawest@aol.com

I am thinking about getting a video projector and wondered if anyone uses one. Mainly for home cinema and perhaps half-life 2 and doom.

Looking at ones 1500-2000 lumen svga or xga.. Some chap said that the extra money for a really bright one can be a waste and sometimes detract from the picture quality when watching films as the brightness can reduce the richness of the colours which I could see happening. Really high Lumen ones are great for business use in the office but not necessary for home cinema. Also the extra money for an XGA one is wasted as the DVD resolution would not use it. Anyone any experience of such things???
Also contrast ratio 400:1 or 500:1. general experience and info would be appreciated.
Quite a few about second hand with low bulb usage for between £500 and £700..depending on model and specification.

computer shopper did a review of them either last month or the month before. Might be worth getting a back issue.

Not planning top buy a new one as that would be over a grand, if it contained useful info about them generally and anyone has a copy could they fax me the pages or something. Cheers

sorry, i chuck it out after i've read it.
covered the various aspects of dlp and led projectors and stuff like that. and what resolution is required to do different jobs.

Mostly common sense and info available on the net. I think buying 2nd hand might be a mistake as things are moving forwards quickly, you could end up several generations behind the latest and disappointed with the performance.

Originally posted by Cyclone
I think buying 2nd hand might be a mistake as things are moving forwards quickly, you could end up several generations behind the latest and disappointed with the performance.

Not to mention not knowing what life the bulb has left in it. It could be a very expensive replacement.

Some new projectors - such as Philips - have a three year bulb warranty.

Originally posted by neeeeeeeeeek
Not planning top buy a new one as that would be over a grand, if it contained useful info about them generally and anyone has a copy could they fax me the pages or something. Cheers Ask at the library if they subscribe

all ones i am loolking at have the bulb use listed. still very confusing tho!

www.videoprojectors.co.uk if thats any use?

A =)

The focus on a canvas retractable screen is usually rotten. Or have things progressed again?

Ive not found it to be a massive problem. But then we did use a very expensive projector, so focus may still be an issue? I dont claim to be the worlds leading expert on projection!

I would definetly recommend Philips projectors. We have around forty. Sadly I think they've pulled out of the projector market. But if you can find a supplier with stocks they're well worth considering for the following:

The projectors have a 3/5 year warranty.

The bulb has a 3 year warranty.

If it's faulty they will collect it and leave you a loaner while it's repaired.

I've just started trialling a new HP projector at work (the VP6121), it's rated at 2000 lumens and the quality is superb. The only problem is it's £779+VAT.

The best projectors for home cinema use at the moment are DLP digital light processing, Optoma have a range starting from just over £1000 , electric remote screens are cool if you can run to it a tab tension is the better bet, try not to pick a projector that is too bright, 1000 ansi lumens is about as bright as you would want it, or you will get a washed out pic. drop us a mail if you require any further advice, I use one at home and could not go back to using the Tv again
Regards Scotdoggie.

Also see this thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31775) - seems scottdoggie may be able to help you?

On a similar note, check out this article

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20041113/index.html

Build your own XGA projector for about £200

Bulbs are around £300 to replace so be very careful as you do not know the age, even if the projector has a bulb hour counter this can be reset by the user, not that they would do something like that, good new ones are about £1000 but could be worth it in the long run, try not to get one too bright as the pic can look washed out, try 1000 ansi lumens max for home cinema use.
Regards Scotdoggie.

As this post seems to have been brought back up I shall update it! I bought a NEC lt-260 on Ebay and then got a bulb. I can highly recommend it, top projector. It has quite a high contrast ratio (1400:1) and XGA as it's native resolution. Tbe bulb was expensive but lasts for upwards of 2000 hours, much better and cheaper than geting a plasma or LCD TV. (For what I want anyway).

Cheers for all the info.

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