Best/most economical home theater projector? (1 Viewer)

[alco19357]

What's the best/most economical home theater? Like the ACER H5360 and HD66 level. Preferably 3d compatible.
throw distance of 12-13 feet. would like about 100" diagonal

 

[Jim Mcc]

You answered your own question. What is your budget?

 

[alco19357]

Hey Jim, you helped me before. I'm looking in the low 600's high 500's
Am I mistaken, but the two I listed are pretty similar... Acer is cheaper, but reviews say that the Acer goes dead after a year.
Of the two, which do you recommend?

 

[Jim Mcc]

I would go with the HD66. For a 100" diagonal screen, the HD66's lens needs to be mounted between 11' - 3" and 12' - 4" from the screen.
Visual Apex still has it for $549 with free shipping.
What will your seating distance be? It's a very bright projector, and you can easily go bigger than 100", depending on seating distance.

 

[alco19357]

Thanks Jim,
For that price at Visual Apex, the hd66 is a steal.
My only concern is the warranty. Does Visual Apex offer extended warranties like New Egg? 2 year extended for 69.99
Seating distance is a bed and my head will be 11-12 feet from the screen.
Also, I intend to use this projector 4hrs a day, 7 days a week. Is this okay for the projector? Any idea what a maximum usage is

 

[Jim Mcc]

You'll have to check on their ext. warranty options. If not, I recommend you buy one online from Mack, Warantech or Square Trade. I bought a Mack warranty online.100" to 106" diagonal is about right. 4 hours per day is no problem. You just can't turn a projector on and off numerous times a day like a TV. That really shortens the bulb life.

 

[alco19357]

Thanks Jim... just contacted Visual Apex. They said $249 for a 2 year extended warranty. That is outrageous!
I just did a quote from Square Trade. $75 for 3 year

 

[Jim Mcc]

That's more like it. I paid $79 for my 3 year ext. warranty from Mack.