[Blinky7]

To make a long story short I am a total noob about projectors and I need some help to see if buying a projector is a viable solution for me.
I am a real fan of BIG, I just can't get enough size....and when searching for a new TV to watch movies, xbox and stuff this has led me to take a look at projectors for their very good size/price ratio.

My problem is, my room is kind of small. It is about 2.5x2 meters. So The max distance I would be projecting from is about 2.4 meters. I read the recent tom's hardware round up and I noticed every projector has minimum and maximum throwing distances. for example the Hitachi one, had 96-158" throwing distance to project a 76" picture. Does the throwing distance within those 96-158" effect the quality in any way? Or is it just a customization of the Lens? Can I break these rules and project more than 76" in 96" throwing distance which is the minimum? and if so would there be any consequences to the image?

Should I search for a projector with low minimum distance, and are there any?

1 more question, about the lamp life. Most manufacturers say 3k hours, does this mean that the average lamp will burn in about 3k hours or that after 3k hours you will start having greatly reduced light? about how much do replacement lamps cost?

Thanks a lot in advance, I will be bugging you more after I understand more

[smashed]

To cut a long story short, you can only throw an image within the range that is set for that PJ from that distance. Some PJ's have shorter throws than others for the same image size.
Lamp life is expectancy before it blows I believe. Though some blow way before the estimate, and some may last longer.
Replacement bulbs vary, but are generally at least £120, and many are nearer £250.
Most people only use PJ's to supplement the TV, (for games, dvds etc)

[lar77]

take a look at the panasonic lcd home cinema projectors (PT AE series). Great PQ and big images in short throw distances.

[Blinky7]

I checked the panasonic website. Unfortunately both models (AE700, AE900) were way of my league. I am looking for a budget PJ around 1000-1500 euros at most. And I don't have any problem sacrifising some PQ and black level....I just want it to be 1280x720 and other than that, the best quality I can get for my money.

I also tried to use the distance calculator on the panasonic site but I couldn't understand how it worked....

Any other suggestions for more affordable PJs with low minimum distance?

[PJTX100]

My Hitachi PJTX100 throws an 83" pic from 8ft. You can pick one up in the UK for £799.

[Blinky7]

I have checked the TX100 in the past and it looks great for the price! I can get it for 1050 euros which is very satistying. If it can throw that size in the distance you say then it's perfect!
Any site where I can check more spesific throw distances and screen sizes? Also, any idea how much replacement lamps for this PJ cost?

As far as I now there is also a TX200 and the new Hitachi Ultravision HDP J52. Any idea on how much those cost and if they are much better than the TX100?

[Miniholic]

You can check the throw distance against screen sizes here.

[PBN]

Have you looked at the Sharp XV Z201. This is available at nexnix for about £670 - look on Pixmania and it is twice that price. I have just bought the Z-200 and I understand the Z201 is identical except that it has a short throw lens so presumably would be ideal for your room. And as you will see in other threads, it is an absolute steal at this price, if there are any left.

[Blinky7]

I was able to locate a sharp XV Z201E , but it uses a 1024x576 panel so I think I'll pass. I want somehting 1280x720 for 1:1 720p.

Currently there are 2 models that have cought my eye. These are the :
Hitachi PG-TX100 and the Sanyo PLV-Z3.

From a comparison I read, the Sanyo is considered a little better, but the Hitachi has a higher zoom rate (1.6 vs 1.4) so it can give a bigger picture on my limited space. The Sanyo also has HDMI but the Hitachi has DVI with HDCP which as far as I know is the same thing if you buy a convertor...

Good thing is I can buy both of these locally and at great prices!! 1050 for the Hitachi and 1100 for the Sanyo.

I would appreciate any comments on both of these and which one you would prefer.

One more thing, that has to do with the positioning of the projector. Obviously poritioning straight in the middle of the screen is the normal thing. But is it true that I can position the PJ to a side of the room and make it project with an angle? If that's doable, does it have any consequences on quality? With my limited space I would have to get a ceiling mount to position it top of my bed for max viewing distance if I were to project in a straight line. But that will be messy and costy too....if I can avoid it with minimum consequences to quality it would be great...

Hi Blinky,

I'm pretty new to projectors too, but after some good advice here went for a Hitachi PJTX200. Lovely picture quality, good throw from 9ft and a great PJ, from what we've experienced. I'd agree with PJTX100, who helped me decide, incidentally - thanks pjtx100, that for your budget the tx100 would be a good buy.

Frank

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Blinky7

But is it true that I can position the PJ to a side of the room and make it project with an angle?

You can offset the PJTX100 up to 25% of the screen width but it's best to locate all PJs as central as possible.

Z3 is a good machine too - and a better warranty usually. Looks a bit of a brick compared to the TX though.

[Blinky7]

I am set on those 2.....probably the Hitachi for the better zoom that fits my small room nicely.
Last thing that bugs me is the screen door effect. I will be watching a 100" screen from a 2.8m distance....will I be seeing the pixels? Can I do anything about this? I have heard you can play a bit with the focus and solve this by losing a bit of quality but its worth it if pixel stucture is bugging you a lot....is that so?

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Blinky7

I am set on those 2.....probably the Hitachi for the better zoom that fits my small room nicely.
Last thing that bugs me is the screen door effect. I will be watching a 100" screen from a 2.8m distance....will I be seeing the pixels? Can I do anything about this? I have heard you can play a bit with the focus and solve this by losing a bit of quality but its worth it if pixel stucture is bugging you a lot....is that so?

If you can see SDE it would be best to reduce the size of the pic rather than defocus. You could probably get away with sitting 1.5x the screen width away with the TX100 but I wouldn't advise sitting any closer. The TX200 you could get away with a little closer.

[Miniholic]

You may be better off with a smaller screen, I know it's always tempting to get the biggest you can, but this doesn't always mean better. I sit a similar distance from a 2m wide screen, and find its big enough for me. The larger you go (or closer you sit) the more chance you have of seeing screendoor, and at the size you are suggesting I think this could be an issue. As PJTX100 says, it is advisable to keep to at least 1.5 screen widths from the screen.

I'd much rather sacrifice screen size in order to get a decent picture quality, and it would be a shame to buy a decent PJ and have to use it out of focus to be watchable.

[Blinky7]

I did some more accurate measuring of my room. It appears that the distance between the 2 walls is 3.3m. So, since the Projector is about 30cm , the throwing distance will be 3m (what a convenient number :/). I also checked what the max screen size could be based on the size of the wall. The max possible diagonal is 2.5 meters, which results to about 99 inches.
My head will be at the back of the wall so I am assuming my distance from the screen will be about the same as the projectors throwing distance....so 3m.
with a 2.5m diagonal you say i need 1.5xThat to avoid SDE, so 3.75m....obviously not possible. For the 3m of distance I have available, taking into account the 1.5x screen size, I need a 2m diagonal, which is 79 inches.

So, I guess 80 inches is big enough, should I stick with that? Is there some projector with similar price that could help me go to 100 inches without seeing SDE from 3m distance?

[Lizard]

Hi blinky, it actually 1.5 x the widith of the screen, not diagonal (i thought the same once) so that should help.

As to 80 inches believe me that is more than big enough, mine is set at 82 inches and that took quite some getting use to!

[Blinky7]

Great! then I can enjoy a 90" screen sitting from 3m maintaining that 1.5x width

Now I just got to decide on the Hitachi or the Sanyo. The Sanyo seems better specwise, more contrast, better inputs, but the hitachi has very cheap lamp and I have heard more good things about it.... which one would you prefer?

Last thing, about the Screen, I cant project to the wall because there is a door there, so I would need to buy a screen. Being a budget oriented user as you can see, how miuch should I spend on a 90" screen? Would it make much difference on paying more?

[mallidiv]

all the latest lcd 720p projectors are really close to pquality
when you get one you'll see that defocusing is not an options. you'll just reduce the screen where it suits you... testing is the best way to find out... it is all personal...

they r a great feeling...
good luck in deciding

[Drew2]

To help in your screen decision, I would buy the PJ then set it up and project the image onto the wall.
You can then determine what is the most comfortable and enjoyable size to view in your situation. After that you simply measure the projected image and buy a screen to match.
For a first budget screen - can you buy pre-painted hardboard from your local DIY center? They usually come in varying shades of grey and white, I have used a light grey one in a similar sized room with a Sanyo Z2 for my mother in law and she is well happy, but now trying to convince her to move onto a proper PJ screen isn't working...
Because of its light weight you could come up with many ways of mounting or storing it.

Hope that helps.

[Blinky7]

Since my max possible projected image would be 200x112 cm, I guess I should go with a screen of that size, so that I have the possibility to use my projectors full potential (for my room) and If I project a smaller image in that screen I don't see any problem....will the unsused space bug me?

Other than that, I want something cheap, because after all, I will go for a budget PJ by getting the TX100, I wouldn't wanna pay 300 euros for the screen and start thinking I could have gotten an panasonic AE900 for the combined money...

If it wasn't for that window in my room I wouldn't probably buy a screen at all...but now it's necessary. And this window adds 2 more variables. 1) The screen must be removable so that the window can be used when I am not projecting, 2) The screen must be hanged come CMs from the wall so that it can come down in front of the curtain , so that I can create darkness in the daytime.

So the screen seems to be a more painfull decision than the PJ itself...
Plus I don't know anything about how much of a difference could a screen make, what is this "Gain" value that supposedly adds brightness...
You think I could get away with no more than 100 euros for a 200x112 budget screen?

[Drew2]

How about making your own screen for a custom size?

Then you can guarantee ease of use.

[Blinky7]

That's the thing, I don't know what these screens use at all....I don't know what tyupe of materials they use to be supposedly better than a plain wall...
What should I buy to be able to make one...

Although I am not very good with hands and I would prefer a pre-made budget screen, but I need to explore this possibility too...

[PJTX100]

some people combine a blackout blind with screen, the Tupplur blind from Ikea seems popular...

comes in white up to 2m wide.

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...roductId=49066

[Drew2]

I have used and suggested else where pre-painted hardboard, you can get one that is a light grey which is ideal for light coloured rooms and it works amazingly well - nothing beats the real McCoy but it's a step up from a plain wall surface. It's also very easy to store behind a wardrobe.

Go look in your local DIY center.

More complicated ways are to use MDF finely painted - spray is best with ultra fine sanding in between coats, 00000 steel wool gives a good finish.
I've also seen mirrors that have been sprayed with a very special light reflective paint - but that's even beyond me, I just bought a screen!

[Miniholic]

I have a retractable screen hung over my window using shelf brackets to get the necessary spacing. I'm sure this would also work if you were to use other materials such as hardboard as suggested by Drew.

[Blinky7]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have found a screen for 83 euros that is 2x2 meters. The site says it has a gain of 1.1 and a 45 degree viewability.

You can check the link here, it's in a Greek shop, so you won't understand much, but to jsut see the picture of it.

http://www.plaisio.gr/IWCatProductPa...Id=1&sts_cid=3

Does this screen have anything bad for my usage? The site says it's primarily for office use, but can also be used for movies. It says it is 2x2, so it's not widescreen, but since My max screen would be 2x1.17, I guess I can just not slide the whole screen up to it's 2m potential and use it as 2x1.2 ....lets say, right?

If this screen is good enough I would prefer not to get into the DIY stuff, cause 83 euros is not much anyway.

[Blinky7]

There is also this one for 152 euros thats is supposedly primarily for video,with 1.2 gain and with black background :

http://www.plaisio.gr/IWCatProductPa...duct_Id=230507

If that is much better, I could squeez 150 euros as my max....so the total projector-screen would go to 1200 euros....not bad.

[Drew2]

Your first link: If that screen is 2m wide then that "chick" is a giant!

2nd link: That looks more the 'job', and you can use it from the floor upwards - which is nice as an alternative. If pocket permits I would say go for it.

PS. The black border gives definition to the picture & helps contrast.

[Blinky7]

I thought the same thing about the chick!!! :D I guess they got a sample picture for all the sizes of this brand of screens :D

I will go for the second one probably, 150 euros can fit mu budget.

Now the final decision, the Sanyo Z3 or the Hitachi TX100?
Same (superb) price, but the Sanyo seems a bit better on paper (HDMI, 2000:1 contrast), the Hitachi has better warranty for the lamp (12 months!!) and is cheaper to maintain (210 euros per lamp!).

I lean towards the hitachi cause the Sanyo lamp costs 400 euros locally (ouch!), of course it has supposedly 50% more life (3000 vs 2000 hours), but by its warranty being 1 month I would hate it for the lamp to blow on 3-4 months and having to pay those 400 euros....

I think it's a Contrast VS Warranty battle (after all, HDMI is not that important since the hitachi has dvi with HDCP right?). What do you think?

[Drew2]

I actually haven't seen either PJ in action but from my own experience, if you can go and view both. If not I would go for warranty as this may well be needed! If you do 'blind' choose I don't think you'll be disappointed with either.

DVI would allow simple hook up to a PC as well as a hand full of DVD players, it's my preferred connection.