Home Theatre Projector recommendations??

[frankie_farrell]

Hi,
new to forum. Looking for any recommendations on a Home Theatre projector to watch DVDs and digital TV? The room has a lot of natural light. My price range is about £1000 (€1500).

Also any recommedations on a screen or will a white wall suffice (may be offending true videophiles here)???

Thanks,


Frankie

[cyberheater]

Originally Posted by frankie_farrell

The room has a lot of natural light. My price range is about £1000 (€1500).

My recommendation is don't bother. Your going to be very dissapointed
after spending a grand and getting a washed out colourless image.
You really need light control for a PJ. If you can't do that then look elsewhere. Plasma maybe...

[PJTX100]

As Cybes says, you need as much darkness as possible to get the full benefit from projectors.

[Supersonic]

Don't be put off by those two!

If like me you mainly watch movies at night, you don't have to worry too much about natural light. The 6 Nations might be a problem though!

Suggest getting some black-out backing / lining for your existing curtains (assuming you do have curtains). Cheap effective light control even for light-coloured curtains.

I think the Z3 is a great pj - if you can find one it ought to be within your price bracket.

HTH

[BadAss]

Its not just natual light either, last night I was sitting with all the lights off and only the PJ on. I turned round and too my amazement the whole room looked like it I still had a lamp on. The light was infact reflecting off the screen and onto the white ceiling. So not only do you need a blacked out room, you also need no white reflective surfaces.

I'm with PJTX100 and cyberheater, go with Plasma or cheaper rear prjection, they work far better in daytime.

Welcome to the Forums.

Hi,

I would recommend sticking with buying a projector they really will give a much bigger a better picture than any plasma or Lcd, but you must get dems on a couple before you make a final decision.

The best technology to use is DLP it gives better black level and better colour accuracy, I looked at the Infocus Screenplay 4805 which I think is under £900, once set up well you will be surprised!!!

As far as the ambient light is concerned, just get some decent curtains.

[sponsz]

I'm worried about this, I have to admit. The other night I was sat in a very small press screening cinema and even with matt black walls the light was reflecting enough to turn blacks into greys. My lounge has a matt white ceiling and rear wall (where I'll mount the pj facing the screen) - the left-side wall is covered with a black curtain so that's ok and there's no wall on the right side, it leads into the adjoining dining room. I could end up with a pretty washed out image but there's no way to tell until I buy a pj and test it out ... guess I'll have to find a seller with a good returns policy. Any recommendations anyone? (sorry to divert the subject)

To answer your question frankie_farrell, I'm no expert but I know in that price bracket most people will recommend the Panasonic AE900 or the Hitachi PJ-TX100 (both LCD). Sanyo Z4 and Hitachi PJ-TX200 are about £1200 plus. Maybe look for some good deals on a second hand Sanyo Z3 or Panasonic AE700?

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by AV-Enthusiast

The best technology to use is DLP it gives better black level and better colour accuracy, I looked at the Infocus Screenplay 4805 which I think is under £900, once set up well you will be surprised!!!

If they anticipate any sort of light in the room then going on about black levels is a bit pointless. Leaving you to fork out for a standard def DLP when you could have picked up a HiDef LCD for the same money.

[BadAss]

Come to think of it I actualy took some picsthe other week comparing the two. Here they are you can see how much brighter the LCD monitor is compared to the PJ. Later this year I'll convert my loft where it will be black ceiling and curtians all round.

[Dirk_Diggler]

Originally Posted by frankie_farrell

Hi,
new to forum. Looking for any recommendations on a Home Theatre projector to watch DVDs and digital TV? The room has a lot of natural light. My price range is about £1000 (€1500).

Also any recommedations on a screen or will a white wall suffice (may be offending true videophiles here)???

Thanks,


Frankie

I project onto my matt white wall. The picture is better on it than it was on the £150 screen i bought. Took the screen down and stuck it up the loft.