Recommendations on a projector

[Froogle]

Hi

I currently have a Panasonic PV500 42" Plasma and am wanting something a bit bigger. I bought a 50" Samsung from Currys on a special deal for £650 but haven't opened it yet and thinking about returning it and getting a projector instead. Basically I am looking for options on a projector.

I was wanting to put an electric screen in front of the plasma tv and only use it for watching blu-ray films from my samsung bd-p1500.

The projector must have hdmi input(s) I am not sure if my girlfriend would be too happy roof mounting it, unless anyone has ideas on how to hide it? It needs to be HD, certainly 720p, but depending on price 1080p

Does anyone have any pics on how to hide the screen?

Buget wise. I spent £650 on the samsung TV which I'll get back. I had thought about sending it back and paying extra for the Panasonic 80Z (£1100) so my budget would probably be around that.

I look forward to your help.

[emporer]

Originally Posted by Froogle

Hi

I currently have a Panasonic PV500 42" Plasma and am wanting something a bit bigger. I bought a 50" Samsung from Currys on a special deal for £650 but haven't opened it yet and thinking about returning it and getting a projector instead. Basically I am looking for options on a projector.

I was wanting to put an electric screen in front of the plasma tv and only use it for watching blu-ray films from my samsung bd-p1500.

The projector must have hdmi input(s) I am not sure if my girlfriend would be too happy roof mounting it, unless anyone has ideas on how to hide it? It needs to be HD, certainly 720p, but depending on price 1080p

Does anyone have any pics on how to hide the screen?

Buget wise. I spent £650 on the samsung TV which I'll get back. I had thought about sending it back and paying extra for the Panasonic 80Z (£1100) so my budget would probably be around that.

I look forward to your help.

Seriously, take the Sammy back and go down the projector route. You have one of the best plasma panels ever made in the PV500 and properly set up will be just as good as todays newer 1080p Panny sets.

I have a PV500 and also a pj, best way to go as whatever plasma you would have got wouldnt be as good as the PV500.

[emporer]

If you can stretch your pj budget a bit further a Sony HW10 1080p can be had for £1500, stonking unit and I have one arriving on Tuesday.

[Froogle]

I've had a look at the sony from threads on here. Looking at about £2k though with a screen.

where have you seen it for £1500?

[stainless-steel]

Originally Posted by Froogle

I bought a 50" Samsung from Currys on a special deal for £650 but haven't opened it yet and thinking about returning it and getting a projector instead. Basically I am looking for options on a projector.

Going the PJ route takes movie watching into a different, and more immersive league. I've got a 50" plasma - it's for watching the news, documentaries and such. Not because the pj offers a huge leap in picture quality, but because it just doesn't feel like you're watching something special when you turn on a big tv. The pj provides a big enough picture to draw you in, tv's - even big ones, don't.

I'm a big fan of the Sony HW10, for the money it offers a great picture. But it isn't the be-all and end-all of projectors. You can still get a great, if not state-of-the-art, picture for less money.

Have a look at the Infocus X10 and Themescene HD65, both DLP machines, do a search for 'rainbow effect' you may be suceptable. Both of them have a great fanbase on this forum and both will give a great picture for Friday night movies, without breaking the bank.

As for screens, you can get something perfectly respectable of around 92" diagonal for well under £200.

You don't have to spend thousands to get a great pj.

I'd suggest you take back the Samsung, and do a little research on pjs, maybe go and see a couple of DLP and LCD based machines to see if you have a preference, and then make an informed decision.

[Froogle]

another question please...

Can the projected screen size be made smaller without moving the projector closer?

thanks

[stevemanfa]

if you dont want the rainbow problem try a lcd projector from what i have read you need to know if you can cope with the rainbow problem it can make you feel sick
i just got a epson ET-WH420 it was only £450 and im more than happy with it

[Darkstar_surfer]

Originally Posted by Froogle

another question please...

Can the projected screen size be made smaller without moving the projector closer?

thanks

One of the big problems you will have to get your head around is positioning a PJ and screen. Have a look at projectorcentral and you should get a feel for throw Vs picture size. I picked the HD65 as it also covers offset, which is a feature of DLP. Most LCD have lens shift and make their placement much easier. Have a look and come back with more questions, it is best to ask now rather than after you have made another mistake like the Samsung.

[Froogle]

I am thinking about buying the Optoma HD65 as it has had good reviews and is reasonably cheap. Considering I'll only use it two or three times a month it is not a lot of money.

I am thinking about a Beamax in ceiling electric screen which is hidden when up.

I am wanting to put the screen in front of my wall mounted plasma, and am going to use the existing KEF wall mounted speakers (I will need to move them apart a little further though)

The problem is I am going to put the screen and projector in the shortest width of the room and there is probably only about 3m distance. According to the Projection Calculator the max screen size would be 177cm x 99cm (203cm diagonal)

Is this pretty accurate? Would I be better getting a slightly bigger screen? Beamax do two screens 164x92 and 183x103

Any sources for the Beamax screens cheap?

cheers