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View Full Version : Which projector?

Mojo
21-08-2006, 00:48
I am looking to buy a projector and I was wondering if any of you guys could help recommend one to me.

I was thinking of this (http://www.viewsoniceurope.com/UK/Products/ProjViewSonic/PJ458D.htm) one for about £650. Which is about as much as I want to spend. Is this one any good or can anyone recommend a better one for a similar price?

I had though about this (http://www.benq.co.uk/products/Projector/?product=617&page=specifications) one too but is it worth spending the extra ~£70 for a few decibels quieter running (28 rather than 32) and a 2500 lumens brightness rather than 2000 (have read some reviews saying the viewsontc is bright enough to be watched in a day lit room anyway)
EDIT: After closer inspection the BenQ does have a few other features that the viewsonic doesn't like DVI input etc. and the noise levels are about the same

Thanks
six5tring
21-08-2006, 07:29
I'd go for the 2.5k benq. Used one in the past and they're not too bad. 2.5k should be fine in a room without direct sunlight. (I take it this is going to be for home use.)

As a side note I'm not a big fan of DLP but only because I can see the rainbow quite easily. Although newer DLP's discs spin faster so that shouldn't happen anymore.

Anyways have to get to work!

six
shifty.ricky
21-08-2006, 10:32
Remember to factor in the cost of new bulbs etc as well.
Mojo
21-08-2006, 10:46
I was thinking about that, shouldn't be too much of a problem as it will only really be used for watching films, maybe 3 or 4 a week, the Viewsonic ones seem to be quite a bit cheaper though.
DarkEntity
21-08-2006, 14:41
Remeber the Lumines levels aswell.
Mojo
21-08-2006, 15:09
Remeber the Lumines levels aswell.
Yeah that was one of my points in the OP will a 500 Lumens difference make a noticable difference during usage.
Mojo
21-08-2006, 18:47
mmmm this Panasonic (http://panasonic.co.uk/home-cinema-projectors/pt-ae900e/index.htm) one seems to get quite a good write up and its LCD. Only 1100 lumens but the folk on AV Forums seem to rave about it. May have to stretch my budget to accomodate it!
shifty.ricky
21-08-2006, 19:32
I was thinking about that, shouldn't be too much of a problem as it will only really be used for watching films, maybe 3 or 4 a week, the Viewsonic ones seem to be quite a bit cheaper though.

So 4 a week is looking like 10 hours of filmage. So you could possibly get through 1 in 2 years.
Cosmo_1847
21-08-2006, 19:41
As a point of intrest the Panasonic has the lowest power consumption at 180W, the Viewsonic has a typical of 250 and the BenQ has a max or 300W.
Mojo
21-08-2006, 19:50
So 4 a week is looking like 10 hours of filmage. So you could possibly get through 1 in 2 years.
Thats ok, one guy on the AV Forums said everytime he watched a film he popped £1 in a box, by the time the bulb burns out he has enough for a new one. If I stuck to that policy I could save ~£416 over the 2 years, the 700 series bulbs are about £250 so that will cover it no problem, assuming they are similarly priced.

Lower power consumption isn't that much of an issue just now (mum and dad pay the electric bill) but when I get my own place the lower the better.
Mojo
21-08-2006, 22:24
Well after all that I just bought myself a 32" Samsung LCD, I will buy a projector soon enough, but at the moment I'll probably get more use out of the tv. Room isnt the best setup for a projector, I'll get it when I get my own place! cheers for the input though.
Bursar
22-08-2006, 11:08
Yes, but I bet my Xbox 360 looks better 6' wide screen at 720p than yours does on a 32" TV ;)

Seriously though, there's nothing quite like gaming on a ma-hoosive screen with a surround sound setup, and recently I've spent more bulb time gaming than movie watching.

Enjoy your TV, but you know the projector will be calling your name... :)
Craig
22-08-2006, 15:37
I made the same decision as you mojo a few months back, opted for a 32" Samsung too and by jove it's perfect!
Mojo
22-08-2006, 19:37
Yes, but I bet my Xbox 360 looks better 6' wide screen at 720p than yours does on a 32" TV ;)

Seriously though, there's nothing quite like gaming on a ma-hoosive screen with a surround sound setup, and recently I've spent more bulb time gaming than movie watching.

Enjoy your TV, but you know the projector will be calling your name... :)
That may be true, but I don't have an Xbox360 so I'm not missing anything yet, but I will get my projector eventually.

I made the same decision as you mojo a few months back, opted for a 32" Samsung too and by jove it's perfect!
Glad to hear you're happy, I hope I will be too, I decided to go for the 32" and save the £450 from the 40" put it towards a better projector!