Need Advice: Media Room Equipment/Layout (1 Viewer)

[schan1269]

If you are interested in doing "twin projectors" for daytime/nightime... Here is your daytime. You wouldn't even have to paint... http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/3508323470.html

 

[schan1269]

Depending one which AVR this is... http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/3543838968.html http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/3498614167.html (worth every penny)

 

[schan1269]

@ Jason, you might even be interested... http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/3499327754.html

 

[Jim Mcc]

Do you think those 3 are the best options for me? If so, which would be the pick? I always watch for great deals, so I will definitely be looking for those projectors. For example, my buddy just bought a Optoma HD180 for $600 from woot. The Palliser seating is SO nice, but pricey. Like I said, I want to get it, but the budget may not work. I want to get the room right first, then figure out what furniture I can get. If you forget the furniture, what would you guys buy and what would it cost?

Yes, those are the 3 best projectors if you are buying a NEW projector. If you are going to buy a used projector, like Sam recommends, GOOD LUCK!! You will need it.

 

[schan1269]

Yes, those are the 3 best projectors if you are buying a NEW projector. If you are going to buy a used projector, like Sam recommends, GOOD LUCK!! You will need it.

Not everybody selling a used projector has baked it...If I were closer I'd find out more about that Sanyo/Onkyo/Polk theater for $4200.

 

[djtech2k]

DJ - are you in VA or MD?  Just curious if you were referring to the Towson MD Big Screen Store, that's not far from me.

I actually Live in WV. I am about 10mins from va and about 15 from Md. I was in the Winchester, VA store.

 

[djtech2k]

DJ, tell us your projector budget again. In the meantime, I came up with 3 nice 1080p projectors that will work with a 10' throw and 103" diagonal, or larger screen sizes. 1) Panasonic AR100U - LCD, 10' throw, 104" diagonal max, lens shift. 2) Epsom 8350 - LCD, 10' throw, 103" diagonal max, lens shift. 3) Benq W1070 - DLP, 10' throw, 120" diagonal max, lens shift(but VERY limited). Only allows vertical shift of 10% of image height. It may work, but it depends on where you want the top of your screen.

Ok, so these are the 3 best options? Are there any "gotchas" or things to watch out for on any of these? Which is the best?

 

[schan1269]

DLP pros... Contrast Motion Film-like cons... Some people "see the rainbow" LCD pros... Brightness (basically the "same brightness" just costs less in LCD) cons... Same cons as LCD TVs (motion blur, lousy contrast...yada, yada) There might be a "newer" version of this article... http://www.projectorcentral.com/lcd_dlp_comparison.htm

 

[Jason Charlton]

Another DLP con is much less placement flexibility (incl. lens shift) when compared to LCD. The higher your ceiling, the easier it usually is to find a DLP that will work.

 

[djtech2k]

Hey guys, I just noticed some deals on woot. WOuld you mind having a look and let me know if any of these would work for and/or are a really good deal? http://tech.woot.com/plus/optoma-the-optimal-projector#

 

[Jason Charlton]

The Optoma HD33 (the one for $1049) is a very well-reviewed and highly regarded projector, but the woot (refurb.) price is only $300 less than a new one from www.projectorpeople.com. Also, at your 10' throw, that will only get you an image of 92".

 

[djtech2k]

The Optoma HD33 (the one for $1049) is a very well-reviewed and highly regarded projector, but the woot (refurb.) price is only $300 less than a new one from www.projectorpeople.com.  Also, at your 10' throw, that will only get you an image of 92".

Gotcha, ok. 92 is not horrible or anything, but I want to make the best of the opportunity to do this project right the first time. Based on more shopping I have done, I am considering bumping my budget up to about $6000 for the room. Even looking at non-Palliser furniture won't be cheap, so I may have to bump it. I still want to get the right Equipment as first priority though. If I have to get creative on the furniture, then I may just have to. I have read the reviews from those 3 recommended projectors. They seem to get mixed reviews. I am not familiar with the site enough to know their review style, but they seemed mixed to me. As of now, I am considering those as the 1st 3 candidates unless I get another suggestion or happen to catch a good sale on an item that may be worth it.

 

[schan1269]

The "problem" with reading reviews of

 

[Jim Mcc]

Ok, so these are the 3 best options? Are there any "gotchas" or things to watch out for on any of these? Which is the best?

Again, YES. These are the 3 best choices under $1,500. There is no "best". I am a DLP guy, so I'd go with the Benq. BUT it has to be placed accurately, because it only has a 10%(of image height) of lens shift. Approx. 5" for a 100" diagonal screen. Make sure to read the revies at Projectorcentral.com and Projectorreviews.com. There's also an ongoing thread for each of these at Avsforum.com.

 

[djtech2k]

Thanks. I am continuing to read reviews and do research so I can try to make an educated decision. Question: If I were to increase my budget to about $2000 for the projector, would have significant impact? Would those same 3 still be the best choices?

 

[schan1269]

"Would those same 3 still be the best choices?" Nope...cause that gets you to here...(sorta..there is a used one for $2195) http://www.amazon.com/JVC-DLAX3-Front-Projector-3-Chip/dp/B004EHLS4W/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1358462149&sr=1-5&keywords=JVC+dla Ebay (same projector) http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-DLA-RS40-3D-1080P-THX-REFERENCE-PROJECTOR-DLA-X3-/370652134667?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564c96bd0b Nets you a 98" screen http://www.projectorcentral.com/JVC-DLA-X3-projection-calculator-pro.htm or http://www.amazon.com/JVC-DLA-HD350-D-ILA-Theater-Projector/dp/B002BTNPX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1358462368&sr=1-1&keywords=JVC+hd350 Nets you 101" http://www.projectorcentral.com/JVC-DLA-HD350-projection-calculator-pro.htm It isn't "exactly fair" to lump these two JVC against your prior three... Those JVC are "discontinued clearance" projectors at "give them away prices". It is kinda like walking into Audi to buy a new A3 and you find an S6 sitting on the used lot with 25,000 miles on the ODO and is already 2 years old... Which do you buy?

 

[djtech2k]

I just looked at the projector chart for that JVC HD350, but it looked like it would only go to like 82" or something unless I am doing something wrong.

Did I do something wrong? I also just noticed these deals at costco. Again, When I used the calculator, it looked like the picture was around 80" if my throw is 10'. Again, I may be doing something wrong though. http://www.costco.com/projectors.html?refine=30797%2b12527

 

[Jim Mcc]

Thanks. I am continuing to read reviews and do research so I can try to make an educated decision. Question: If I were to increase my budget to about $2000 for the projector, would have significant impact? Would those same 3 still be the best choices?

Even at $2,000, those 3 are still the best. This is assuming the throw distance is still 10 feet, and a 100" diagonal screen size.

 

[schan1269]

When you use the PC calculator... 1. Move the "Image diagonal" to 95-105... 2. That "throw range box" where the range is in blue(put the "pointer" on that "blue home plate")...slide that "up to 10". When you do that the FL image and ambient light changes.

 

[Jim Mcc]

I just looked at the projector chart for that JVC HD350, but it looked like it would only go to like 82" or something unless I am doing something wrong.

Did I do something wrong? I also just noticed these deals at costco. Again, When I used the calculator, it looked like the picture was around 80" if my throw is 10'. Again, I may be doing something wrong though. http://www.costco.com/projectors.html?refine=30797%2b12527

With a 10' throw, the JVC 350 will give you an image from 50" to 102" diagonal.