[HiTnRuN18]

Hi guys,

I was looking at getting my first projector, but don't want to spend a fortune. I was looking at the Optoma HD65, I've found it for £357, including postage. But I don't know if the website is dodgy? Seems a lot cheaper than any other websites I've seen.

http://looksmartpro.com/product_info...98c3e8fc86f1f4

Is the site legit? Has anyone bought anything fromt them?

Does anyone know of any good deals on this projector? Also if anyone could suggest a different projector which is good and in the same price category?

Thanks for any help!

[Ivojo]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

Hi guys,

I was looking at getting my first projector, but don't want to spend a fortune. I was looking at the Optoma HD65, I've found it for £357, including postage. But I don't know if the website is dodgy? Seems a lot cheaper than any other websites I've seen.

http://looksmartpro.com/product_info...98c3e8fc86f1f4

Is the site legit? Has anyone bought anything fromt them?

Does anyone know of any good deals on this projector? Also if anyone could suggest a different projector which is good and in the same price category?

Thanks for any help!

Their website quotes "A minimum order amount of $USD 500 is required in order to checkout." (note the dollars). This implies that it's coming from the states. No problem with that so long as it will accept PAL (should'nt be a problem) and whether the warranty will be honoured by Optoma UK. You can check both these issues with Optoma.

[HiTnRuN18]

Cheers mate, also the site only accepts money transfers from Western Union, is that dodgy?

[x liddy x]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

Cheers mate, also the site only accepts money transfers from Western Union, is that dodgy?

It's always 'odd' when they want a minimum amount of money and accept on western union.
If it's a scam and you use Western Union, then it's like burning your money.

[HiTnRuN18]

Yeah, thats why I'm asking if anyone has heard or used them before? Before i part with my cash!

[DavidPeat]

Looks pretty dodgy - see these for similar questions

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...5082342AAHo40R

[HiTnRuN18]

Oh well, I thought it was too good to be true. Does anyone know of where to get the Optoma HD65 cheaply or other good quality projectors for around £400?

Thanks

[DavidPeat]

The cheapest I can see the HD65 is around the £500 mark, or just under (google is your friend ). The 700X or 720X can be had for under £400 (see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optoma-HD700...7251545&sr=8-3)
and the list of offers at the top of the forum although I don't know anything about these but here's a discussion on their merits: OPTOMA HD720X Video projector, any good?

This forum used to have a list of recommended e-tailers somewhere but I can't find it any more - maybe somebody else knows where it went?

[HiTnRuN18]

Thanks for that mate, but are there any other pjs around the £400 mark that offer the hd65's contrast ratio or similar? The 720 only has has a contrast ratio of 2000:1...

Cheers

[ShanePJ]

Hi All

We have the Themescene HD65 back in stock.

Regards. Shane.

[DavidPeat]

There you go - Shane can get you one for £459 using his discount code.
From the reviews and ratings it's a cracker and after all, what's £60 these days (doesn't even fill the tank in my car )


Also, the HD700X has 3000:1 contrast ratio and to be honest, unless you're firing it onto a HUGE screen (10 foot or bigger!) or going to be using it as your main viewing screen in daylight (bit of advice - don't) then I think you'll struggle to find more bang for your buck.

Anyway - good luck, and as this is your first projector, prepare to be blown away

[HiTnRuN18]

Might just have to do that then!

Thanks to everyone that gave me advice, very much appreciated! I will let you know what I think when I receive it.

[HiTnRuN18]

How would I connect a HD65 to my xbox with sound? I want to connect it through HDMI, but where would I get sound from? Because there is no sound on the pj, so how would I get sound out from the HDMI cable?...

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

How would I connect a HD65 to my xbox with sound? I want to connect it through HDMI, but where would I get sound from? Because there is no sound on the pj, so how would I get sound out from the HDMI cable?...

You would have to use a separate sound system with either analogue or digital audio.

Personally, I don't think it is worth spending the extra on HD65. I have seen up to £100 difference with the 700. They are too similar.

[HiTnRuN18]

That's interesting, have you seen both of the projectors perform in real life? Any noticable difference in your opinion? With the £100 i save I could buy a decent 5.1 surround sound DVD player system, that way I could plug my xbox 360 in to it. Any suggestions on a sound system?

Thanks mate

[DavidPeat]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

How would I connect a HD65 to my xbox with sound? I want to connect it through HDMI, but where would I get sound from? Because there is no sound on the pj, so how would I get sound out from the HDMI cable?...

Whoa... whole new can of worms...

You will need, ideally, a home cinema (surround sound) receiver and a speaker package or one of the many available "Home theatre in a box" type systems. If on a budget, you could start with the receiver and just stereo speakers. The audio output (optical, coax or whatever it has) from the xbox goes to this, and the HDMI goes to the projector.
For example, look at the offer from Richer Sounds - http://www.richersounds.com/informat...ecinemasystems
£149 for a 5.1 set up. Okay, it's not going to be audiophile but for gaming and an intro to a projector set up that you can also watch films on, can't be bad.

You could go for one that has HDMI switching as well - that way you can route your source (xbox) to the projector and a TV.

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

That's interesting, have you seen both of the projectors perform in real life? Any noticable difference in your opinion? With the £100 i save I could buy a decent 5.1 surround sound DVD player system, that way I could plug my xbox 360 in to it. Any suggestions on a sound system?

Thanks mate

I have seen both. I had a 700 for a short while a week or so back and I know someone with a HD65. I couldn't tell them apart when watching the same sources.

I just checked. The 700 I had was £359 but now it is £399 at most places.

[HiTnRuN18]

That's quite a difference considering things usually go down in price in the future rather than up :P But saying that I've read some other posts on this forum and have noticed the HD65 was also cheaper before...

[DavidPeat]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

That's interesting, have you seen both of the projectors perform in real life? Any noticable difference in your opinion? With the £100 i save I could buy a decent 5.1 surround sound DVD player system, that way I could plug my xbox 360 in to it. Any suggestions on a sound system?

Thanks mate

I haven't seen them in real life - I'm basing my statements on reviews on this site (and HCC) which I trust and others (I did a shed load of research when buying my first projector and it's replacement). The general consensus is that the Optoma kit is good entry level stuff, particularly the 65.
You could always ask some of your local dealers if they can demo for you. The only trouble with that is that I generally feel guilty asking them to demo stuff and then buying on-line.

[DavidPeat]

Originally Posted by nwgarratt

I have seen both. I had a 700 for a short while a week or so back and I know someone with a HD65. I couldn't tell them apart when watching the same sources.

I just checked. The 700 I had was £359 but now it is £399 at most places.

I'd agree with nwgarrat. That extra £100 saved could get you a screen (if you are intending to get one) or a good part of a start up audio system.

Also worth considering is re-using any stereo/hifi components you might have already. If your main interest is gaming then 5.1 isn't absolutely necessary (in my opinion).

[HiTnRuN18]

I've found it for £450, which is 50quid more than the 700. Anyone know of any codes to make this cheaper? at £50 more is it worth it?

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...&pid=OPTO-HD65

[kbfern]

I know you can go on and on spending more but if you would consider spending £450 I would spend another £50 and for £499 you could get a Planar PD7010.

This pj is a big step up in quality of build,much quieter and arguably a better picture.It comes with a free 15mtr hdmi cable worth £50 from creative audio in Shrewsbury(if they have any left).

They were a £1300 pj when introduced a year or so ago and are nearing the end of production but are a tremendous buy at £499.

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

That's quite a difference considering things usually go down in price in the future rather than up :P But saying that I've read some other posts on this forum and have noticed the HD65 was also cheaper before...

That was £359 for the HD700 was also with a free screen (although a small 55") from Dabs.

The HD65 has gone down to around £420 in the past at Dixons. They have a 5% off code which I think still works. They don't have the HD65 now.

The HD700 is £400 with delivery and 5% off is another £20. Code is 5projector.

There is a Optoma Pro200 at Dixons for £351.49 with that code. I don't know what it is like but it looks like another varation on the HD700/HD65.

[HiTnRuN18]

Originally Posted by kbfern

I know you can go on and on spending more but if you would consider spending £450 I would spend another £50 and for £499 you could get a Planar PD7010.

This pj is a big step up in quality of build,much quieter and arguably a better picture.It comes with a free 15mtr hdmi cable worth £50 from creative audio in Shrewsbury(if they have any left).

They were a £1300 pj when introduced a year or so ago and are nearing the end of production but are a tremendous buy at £499.

Only problem with that is the light bulbs costs over £300...lol

[halcs]

check out my infocus 7205 in the forsale forum ,outstanding projector for the money

[nwgarratt]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

Only problem with that is the light bulbs costs over £300...lol

I wouldn't worry about Lamp life. Unless you plan to use it 8 hours every day, you will probably never use one up. Most will do 2000-3000 hours. After 18 months, I have only done 250 hours on my one. The technology will be out of date long before the lamp goes.

[kbfern]

Lamps can go pop at anytime but it is no good buying a pj and worrying about the lamp.

Most people's lamps last untill they uprade,I have just changed my Sanyo Z1 which is over 5 yrs old and only done 544hrs on original lamp.

I doubt I will get anywhere near the lamps quoted life of 3000hrs I will have upgraded long before then.

[Marky1973]

Originally Posted by HiTnRuN18

I've found it for £450, which is 50quid more than the 700. Anyone know of any codes to make this cheaper? at £50 more is it worth it?

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...&pid=OPTO-HD65

Always worth asking them to drop the price a bit - haggle! I have never paid full price for anything I have bought in Richer Sounds (well apart from small stuff like cheap speaker cable and blank media) and usually find them willing to 'deal'!

The other thing is that the HD65/700/720/Planar models are all DLP......which is not a problem in itself, unless you are susceptible to rainbows, so worth getting a demo first if you can.

Other than that - to echo the senitment on here - I don;t think you can go wrong with the HD65/700 as a first projector

[Robert_M]

therival.co.uk does some cheap projectors. I recently brought a AX200 from them 2-3 weeks ago and had no porblem.
you may be interested in the following projector that is for £465

http://www.therival.co.uk/Items/sany...te%20Projector

i would advise you to put in some more cash and get a good one as projectors last's for quite long

i hope i could be helpful.

--------------------------