[purpura]

I am looking at these projectors but know nothing about them.

Acer x110 Acer X110 projector

Acer h5350 Acer PH5350 projector

Optoma ES526 Optoma ES526 projector

Optoma EX531 Optoma EX531 projector

I wonder if anyone can help me decide please?

We currently have a very old 21" tv, PS2, Wii and v.cheap dvd player.

Would I need anything else to go with a projector?

I was wondering whether a laptop with dvd or blu ray player might be useful.

I am also thinking of a screen, which (cheap) ones would you recommend...would a pull up one be suitable as it can be taken to another room, friend's house etc?

As you can see, I am completely ignorant (and fairly poor! ) but I am thinking that a projector would be more versatile than a bigger tv for watching films etc. (plus I know my son would love it!)

Please help!!

Thank you.

[kbfern]

These are all the wrong type of projector to consider for home use as they are multimedia business type projectors used in classrooms and lecture theatres and boardrooms.

You would be better of with a home cinema type of projector.These start in price around £500 and you would also need speakers and an amplifier to get sound as they do not have any built in.

If you have any of this equipment in your house now (stereo or surround sound) you may be able to hook that up to the projector.

Failing that an amplifier and speakers could cost upwards of £250-£350 depending on if stereo of multi channel sound is required.

You can use a plain white wall as a screen if you want to keep the cost down or buy a screen which will cost upwards of £80-£90 depending on the size you require.

The optoma 700x would be a better option from projector point if they have any available.

http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/proj...ma_HD700X.html

[marley]

Originally Posted by kbfern

The optoma 700x would be a better option from projector point if they have any available.

Optoma HD700X projector

Other suppliers:

dabs @ £489 : dabs.com - Optoma HD700X HD Ready Home Cinema Projector (HD700X)

play.com @ £529 but with a free 92"screen : Play.com (UK) : Optoma HD700x 1300 ANSI 720P DLP Projector : Electronics - Free Delivery

[kbfern]

As Marley says there are other sources other than projector point I was only using them as an option as the links you posted for the projectors were from them.

[purpura]

Thank you for answering me so quickly.

That site wasn't where I was looking to buy, it was useful as it has info on all the machines available to me.

http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/imag...toma_ES526.pdf

This manual seems to suggest that the ES526 would be suitable for movies?

I don't have any speaker/ hifi system so I would have to consider that. Would a small pc surround sound setup work, like this?

Buy Philips SPA2602 5.1 Speakers. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

or even perhaps a 2.1 version?

I'm sorry to be so ignorant, we rarely watch television but do like to snuggle up with a dvd so really don't have, or know about this type of equipment. Just looking for the cheapest way of enjoying the big screen. My son is 11, very into films, making movies and school powerpoint presentations. However, our experience of anything HD etc is very limited.

p.s. the four I am looking at have a buy now pay later deal which is what attracts me most just now!

[purpura]

p.s. I have been looking at projector tables and portable screens on Amazon, the screens are on a tripod, like this one

952.314 ADASTRA 86" TRIPOD PROJECTOR SCREEN 4:3: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Is this something that you would advise...I think the drop down screens have to be screwed to the ceiling which would probably not be ideal.

Also, would I be better looking at 4:3 or 16:9 screens?

You're probably not used to someone that knows absolutely nothing and just wants a basic set up, so thank you for your patience!

[Tight Git]

Originally Posted by purpura

... I am thinking that a projector would be more versatile than a bigger tv for watching films etc.

Some may disagree, but I would say a projector is NOT versatile at all.

It's ideal for watching films and special sporting occasions, but I certainly wouldn't want to use it for day to day viewing, what with blackout curtains, bulb life, etc.

Much better to go for a flat screen plasma or LCD, but then you say finances are limited...

[kbfern]

It has a native 800 x 600 resolution which is not what you want for movies 1280 x 720 is best.

You could use it for home cinema but it would not be as good as a 700x.If you look in there sales blurb it says ideal for projecting onto a whiteboard in a classroom.This confirms it's best used in that environment.

Plus it is a very bright projector,ideal in a room that has only limited light control but if you are using at home at night with curtains drawn the projector will be too bright and will probably hurt your eyes(overbright image).

The phillips speaker system would be a waste of money and if you don't want to spend a lot consider the LG from Richers below as the minimum you should look at.

LG HT304SU | 5.1 DVD Package System with HDMI inc. Speakers | Richer Sounds

[purpura]

Thanks, the link does look useful, particularly as our dvd player is so basic.

I think that's part of my confusion really, we don't have any hi tech equipment so would I really need an HD projector?

The other optima is HD ready(?) but I couldn't really see much more difference in the brochures.

http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/imag...oma_HD700X.pdf

It's also increasing the price for what is essentially going to be our toy (I'm thinking movies in the garden could be fun in the summer!)

[Tight Git]

Originally Posted by purpura

I'm thinking movies in the garden could be fun in the summer!

Not for the neighbours, as you'd have to show them at night.

[purpura]

p.s. I didn't include the prices in my first post, it might help to evaluate the differences.

Acer x110 ~ £240
Acer H5350 ~ £470
Optoma ES526 ~ £370
Optoma EX531 ~ £470

Thanks again.

[purpura]

Originally Posted by Tight Git

Not for the neighbours, as you'd have to show them at night.

I live out in the sticks...only 10 houses in my village and 10 miles to the nearest shop...the neighbours can come too if they want!