Good/cheap projectors?

[chodax]

So for college im debating on whether to get a TV or a nice HD projector, and I think ive decided to get a projector. Can any one recomend me one that is pretty good (going to run a PS3 off of it) and not a bad price?

[Troz1820]

The current price/performance champ looks to be the Optoma HD70 (http://www.projectorcentral.com/optoma_hd70.htm). 1280x720 DLP, around $1k. I've seen it as low as $900 on sale. Check around AVS Forums (http://www.avsforum.com) for more advice. I've got a Panasonic PT-AX100 myself and will never go back to a small screen again for my game playing.

[lanleague]

So for college im debating on whether to get a TV or a nice HD projector, and I think ive decided to get a projector. Can any one recomend me one that is pretty good (going to run a PS3 off of it) and not a bad price?

Disregarding resolution and focusing simply on a great looking image, the WVGA native InFocus 4805 and IN72 are great canidates. Check ebay for good prices.

[m6oo]

How many hours/week do you plan to use the projector? If it's going to be your primary device, do yourself a favor and look at the total cost of ownership.

Projector bulbs are pretty expensive and if you use the projector a lot, they burn out quicker than you think.

[chodax]

How many hours/week do you plan to use the projector? If it's going to be your primary device, do yourself a favor and look at the total cost of ownership.

Projector bulbs are pretty expensive and if you use the projector a lot, they burn out quicker than you think.

How long do they usually last? It is going to be my primary gaming device.

[uli2000]

Most bulbs are rated at about 3k-5k hours, but that is usually pretty conservitive. But bulbs for most pj's are 300-500 or more, so if you use the pj as you primary viewing, you could be looking at a new bulb per year.

[topnotch97]

just have a fan next to the projector so that both the bulb and enclosure wouldn't heat up.

yeah, my epson projector heats up pretty easily.

[Snake2715]

Most bulbs are rated at about 3k-5k hours, but that is usually pretty conservitive. But bulbs for most pj's are 300-500 or more, so if you use the pj as you primary viewing, you could be looking at a new bulb per year.

3000 hours is 40 hours a week for 75 straight weeks..

Looking at a year its over 56 hours a week in Projector time to burn it out in one year at the 3000 hour range... That is a lot.

But its a good point none the less.

[m6oo]

I'll bet those hour ratings are achieved using realatively long use times. If you use the projector in shorter (ie. like a normal person) bursts, the stress from power cycling will probably mean a shorter lifetime.

Just looking at the Infocus site...replacement laps for their projectors run from $250 all the way to $690. I'm sure the street price is lower, but do you really want to be spending that kind of money every year?

[chodax]

So would I be better off just getting a nice tv?

[Snake2715]

Keep in mind a lot of the warranties you can buy from say Comp USa or Best buy cover the bulb... Food for thought.

[Troz1820]

Indeed the bulbs generally last longer when you leave the projector on for longer periods of time. I owned a Sanyo Z1 prior to this one and ran the bulb to 1400 hours over 3 years. I was expecting to replace it soon which is why I chose to upgrade :). Anyways, my point is that with a projector you should expect to need to replace the bulb at any time. If you aren't comfortable with spending $250-300 on a bulb then a projector may not be for you.

[chodax]

Well im going to need something to last like 4 years, to cover all my college time.

[Indonesia]

just to add one thing, if you use projector as your primary device, you will see your electric bill go up. Projector consume more energy than LCD.

[DreamSymphony]

I have an 800x600 SVGA like this one:http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202418937&adid=17662
and it's fantastic. I only paid around $500 for mine and it's really worth the money. I run an upconverted dvd player on it at 600p and it looks fantastic. If you really want the 720p and up projectors you're usually looking at around $1000.

[jazzman]

I agree that the bulbs are expensive, but I use my projector for everything. After a year of constant overuse I had to order a new bulb. I purchased my Mitsubishi HD projector for half the MSRP, yet the bulb ran me $300. I am in the market for another projector for the living room and moving the older one to the bedroom. Look into costco.com, assuming you have a Costco membership, for a decent selection of projectors. Good Luck with your purchase.

[Wlogan31]

A CAG had a NICE one for sale (still new/sealed) - think it was jayrcee or something (that is his EBay ID for sure if you need to contact him through Ebay to find his CAG name). Was selling one that retalied for 1200ish for around 600ish.

[Vinny]

Honestly, get an LCD... sure you get a huge screen with a projector but for that, you have to make sure you can actually use it in your room. It'll be very hard to angle in a small room with all the obstacles. You will need a wall to mount the screen to. Most rooms have doors and closets on one side and a window on the other meaning that you only have two of the four available walls left. And of those two, chances are there isn't enough space to have a projector display an image on one wall without being disturbed by something else.

Unless you know for sure it'll work, I say you wait a bit until you see your room and know how, and if, you can set it up. Then decide what to do.

[UncleBob]

Well, it's cheap enough, but I haven't a clue how "good" it is...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4016331

Judging by the price alone, not very. But it's the cheapest price I've ever seen for a projector. ;)

[mofo1115]

I was curious enough to try it a while back and it was horrible. lol

[lanleague]

I'd say go for a BenQ W100. 4000 hour life running in eco mode Even if you watched it everyday, you'd get 2.73 hours daily use

[chodax]

Yea theres a lot of factors i guess i didnt realize. I thought a projector would end up being cheaper and more convenient, but i guess not. Ill see once i move into college, and then ill decide. Thanks a lot guys!