I'll be in the market to upgrade from my 32inch sony wega tv soon, and obviously, my first thought was an HD tv, but I've seen a few people mention projectors as being a great option. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find much info on using projectors for gaming. Does anyone use one? How is the resolution on them? I can't shake the vision I have in my head of blurry, grainy images that projectors used to have. Also, recommendations on good brands would be great too.
Projectors for gaming...?
- Thread starter opterasis
- Start date
ViolentLee
CAGiversary!
- Feedback
- 81 (100%)
I had a projector to evaluate that I was covering for a magazine. I used it for gaming and really enjoyed it. The problem, of course, has to do with needing darkness to really see everything. I remember playing Vice City on it (to give you perspective, it had just come out) and being amazed by how great it looked when I was in the helicopter.
However, they tend to be pretty pricey and I'd rather have a nice, all-purpose 32" LCD TV for $1500 than a projector.
However, they tend to be pretty pricey and I'd rather have a nice, all-purpose 32" LCD TV for $1500 than a projector.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Optoma-Home-Theater-Projector-HD70/sem/rpsm/oid/160947/catOid/-12884/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
That will own a 32" anyday of the week. $800 after rebate.
That will own a 32" anyday of the week. $800 after rebate.
I currently have a Panasonic AE1000U (1080p) setup. I use it for my daily gaming and tv watching. It's probably a bit more than you want to spend. (about $2k after rebate).
Someone else said the AX100U, which is also a fantastic choice. You can find that for about $1100 if you look hard enough.
I purchased mine from projectorpeople.com. I tend to stay away from DLP projectors myself. A lot of people can notice a "screen door" effect with those.
My current setup is on my wall, but that's soon to change with my new screen. I went with a Da-Lite HCMW screen, custom cut to fit my space (about 110" diagonal).
PS3 -> Projector uses HDMI in. 360->Projector uses VGA. Everything else uses component.
Every single person that sees my setup says it blows away any Plasma/LCD, and I tend to agree.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Someone else said the AX100U, which is also a fantastic choice. You can find that for about $1100 if you look hard enough.
I purchased mine from projectorpeople.com. I tend to stay away from DLP projectors myself. A lot of people can notice a "screen door" effect with those.
My current setup is on my wall, but that's soon to change with my new screen. I went with a Da-Lite HCMW screen, custom cut to fit my space (about 110" diagonal).
PS3 -> Projector uses HDMI in. 360->Projector uses VGA. Everything else uses component.
Every single person that sees my setup says it blows away any Plasma/LCD, and I tend to agree.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
CrimGhost
CAGiversary!
I got a Mitsubishi 5000BL for $2500 recently with a $900 120" Carada screen. The key thing to remember with projectors is that you need to make sure what the lighting set up is going to be like, ambient light or total darkness? And make sure you get a screen that matches the quality of your projector. I really like the Carada, Optoma, and Stewart screens. I recommend Carada though.
[quote name='CrimGhost']I got a Mitsubishi 5000BL for $2500 recently with a $900 120" Carada screen. The key thing to remember with projectors is that you need to make sure what the lighting set up is going to be like, ambient light or total darkness? And make sure you get a screen that matches the quality of your projector. I really like the Carada, Optoma, and Stewart screens. I recommend Carada though.[/quote]
QFT, although you may not need a screen until much later. I've been using my wall for quite some time until I moved into this new house where I'll have a dedicated room for the theater.
The number one problem most people have is lighting. I'd highly recommend those black out curtains. You can buy single panels for about $20.
There is a lot of things that go into choosing the right screen, and there are entire forums dedicated to such things.
QFT, although you may not need a screen until much later. I've been using my wall for quite some time until I moved into this new house where I'll have a dedicated room for the theater.
The number one problem most people have is lighting. I'd highly recommend those black out curtains. You can buy single panels for about $20.
There is a lot of things that go into choosing the right screen, and there are entire forums dedicated to such things.
thermalpenguin
CAG Veteran
the problem with projectors is that if you want to play during the day, unless you are in a completely blocked out room, you have to spend quite a bit of money to get enough lumines to be able to see. if money is no object, then Projector FTW!
Poagman
CAG Veteran
Projectors are great. i have the IN76 which i just shoot on a wall i painted light grey. It makes about a 106" diagonal image and with a 720p machine it still stays really sharp.
You can get an XGA (1024 x 768) business projector which will be brighter to accomodate the ambient light, but you will be losing some other benefits like inputs, video processor power, and sometimes contrast.
Maybe someday there will be a unit with the brightness of an auditorium projector with quality of a home theater unit?
You can get an XGA (1024 x 768) business projector which will be brighter to accomodate the ambient light, but you will be losing some other benefits like inputs, video processor power, and sometimes contrast.
Maybe someday there will be a unit with the brightness of an auditorium projector with quality of a home theater unit?
bread's done