PC gamer looking for advice on budget PJ

[touche36]

I am looking to get a budget XGA PJ for the following uses (in order) :

PC gaming
Xbox 360 gaming, and
Movie watching (via PC).

I currently have a 120" 4:3 screen which I built from blackout material which I would like to keep. I am using this with my homebuilt 15" LCD projector - which works fine, but takes up far too much room (it's 30" x 13" x 14")

I am looking to get a ceiling mounted XGA PJ with a throw distance of 120" (this seems to limit my choices quite a bit).

I have two questions...

Which is better for gaming - a DLP or an LCD ? I would like to think I have pretty good eyesight and can see a small amount of ghosting with my current setup (the panels rated at 16ms). I realise this is pretty poor now as most new monitors seem to be sub 10ms, but do LCD PJ's have good response times ? If I bought a DLP I think I would probably see the 'rainbow effect' as I have seen this on other things, such as scanner heads and the rainbow effect website. Since a lot of new PJ's seem to be DLP, once again this would limit my choices.

So my second question would be bearing this in mind, what recommendations would you guys make (remembering I need a 120" size, 120" throw budget ceiling-mounted LCD - oh, and 2000 ANSI would be nice too !) ?

Thanks !!!

[touche36]

I think I've found what I'm looking for...a Hitachi CP-X1. Anyone used one of these - are they any good for fast moving video (I.E. games) ???

[swigsy34]

Originally Posted by touche36

I think I've found what I'm looking for...a Hitachi CP-X1. Anyone used one of these - are they any good for fast moving video (I.E. games) ???

as lots of others will no doubt agree, demo a unit before buying.

i used to see very slight rainbows on my w100 and none at all on my hd70 but i do feel that over time your eyes get use to them and you ignore them.

go for the best you can afford as the last thing you want is 6 months use before you want the next model up.

go for a minimum of a 720p model imho, if you cant afford it just yet then save the extra cash as it will be worth every penny.

my personal choice would be a Optoma HD70 as for the money i thinks its a cracking PJ.

[just wondering]

Originally Posted by touche36

I think I've found what I'm looking for...a Hitachi CP-X1. Anyone used one of these - are they any good for fast moving video (I.E. games) ???

This is a mobile data projector , i'd stick with something along the lines of a hd70 if you really want a great all rounder IMHO.

[massivedragon]

I currently use a themescene HD72i and it works perfectly with films and games such as unreal 2004 and battlefield 2142

Can't beat life size opponents

[touche36]

Thanks for the suggestions but I'm looking for a 4:3 under £700 - not a 16:9 over a grand ! Keep 'em coming though

Perhaps someone could confirm if modern LCD's in this price range have noticable pixel-persistance (smearing) or not ?

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by touche36

Thanks for the suggestions but I'm looking for a 4:3 under £700 - not a 16:9 over a grand ! Keep 'em coming though

Wouldn't a 16:9 be better though? A Optoma HD70 720p DLP can be bought for around £650.

[gazbarber]

Z5 can be had for pretty cheap, other wise anything below a benq w100 will likely be a big step down.

[nabcs]

I have a Optoma Themescene HD70, and works perfect. The price is good...£750.

I play PC and XBOX 360 games, and the image is outstanding.

I tries also a Panasonic AX100, but for games the HD70 is better (a more sharp image).