Projector options instead of TV

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1
Hi Guys,

i'm thinking about projector options instead of a TV.

Mostly watch movies from DVD or laptop, but would be nice to connect my cablecom digi box too, so might be interested in a tuner as well.

Any suggestions, experience where should I look around ?

I want min a 720p resolution (1280x720)

thx a lot !

2
no experts on the topic, or just owners ?

3
I'd avoid unless you have a dark room. I had a projector in an underground room but always normal TV in the light.

4
i just changed from a 720p projector to a LG 4K TV

pro: the image is brighter, no annoying fan in the background, no trapeze correction, 3D, image is better

contra: it's 40kg, the wall is now black when not in use, image has some issues sometimes (back light, smudge)

depending on the quality of the movie i sometimes think that the projector was the better option, on the other hand no... let me put it that way: the picture quality increase is great but you will face other issues with large screen TV

5
The higher the lumens the better (more or less) especially if the room isn't going to be pitch black.

Check out dlp and 3lcd , dlp is a spinning colour wheel, and some people can see it, or when you look you can see it in the display, I can see it especially on dark films, and it drives me nuts, 3lcd uses 3 colour lcd screens so gives a better pic (in my opinion) I have dlp and 3lcd projectors.

Then you have to decide led bulb or normal bulb, normal bulbs have a short life led bulb will be more or less ever lasting and run cooler, so quiter, but unless you want to spend mega money won't be as bright.

If you goto a big mediamarkt they have them on display and running and let you play, dlp are cheaper and if you can't see the flicker from the spinning wheel could be good for you.

With projectors you get what you pay for, the 3lcd I have is also led bulb was a cheap one off ebay, fine for paying xbox but the dlp (benq) runs rings round it in terms of quality and brightness etc etc but was 4 times the price of the cheap one

6
For me, the size advantage trumps the ambient lighting issues, but if it's a really big issue, look into black screens. There are some interesting developments that are bringing pricing down.

I've had a projector setup for about 3 years now, just upgraded, so the old one is up for sale.

http://www.englishforum.ch/showthread.php?t=225026

7
The BenQ W1070 received great reviews when it launched (for example this one ). It's 1080p, 3D compatible, has 2,000 lumens and goes for under CHF750:

http://www.toppreise.ch/prod_294509.html

At any rate, I don't recommend a 720p model for movie viewing: Blu-ray is 1080p, and projectors of that resolution are already cheap enough.

8
2000 lm is way too low for a general use room. From my experience, 3000 lm is the absolute minimum. And I completely disagree with the disregarding the 720 for the 1080 statement. Not all are created equal so a well built 720 model will outperform a cheap 1080 in colour contrast, reliability, picture quality etc.

9
I'm not hardcore on the 1080p; got hundreds of traditional DVD-s I like to watch (720p); while buying blu--rayscan be quite expensive..

plan to check out couple DLP ones; any recommendation in Zurich, where they can be checked ? like a media markt or so..

10
nope, the only ones I've seen on display here are terrible price:value.

digitec has the best range/prices from my experience, but nothing on display.

did you look at mine up for sale? it's a very solid model - if it doesn't well easily, I'll be installing it in another room as an auxiliary.

11
mediamarkt are the only place with a half decent selection where they are turned on and they will let you play with them

12
I have a dedicated home cinema, but still use my TV in the living room.

Watching a 3 hour movie is quite exhausting (a lot of small physical movements with my head, eyes, etc. due to the big screen). But I could watch TV the whole day.....

13
I've had an Acer for five years. Even now, with the pace of technological improvement, I've no need to replace it. It is full HD. Works fine in our living room (with all lights off and shutters down). I went for the best brightness that I could afford.