Movie Projectors
 

Hi everyone! Sorry, I wasn't sure if I should have posted this in the Entertainment forum or this Tech forum.

I am doing research on Movie Projectors for my dad. But Movie Projectors were never really my area of expertise. I'm also not overly picky on image quality like most people are (heck, I don't even mind watching 480p Youtube Videos on my 65" 4k TV lol....). I'm also not familiar with a bunch of the brands for projectors. I always assumed the companies making TVs would also dominate the projector market, but apparently that isn't the case...?

I was wondering if anyone here has any experience and knowledge on some decent projectors in the $500-1000 price range.

Here are a few specs that we are aiming for (or somewhat close):

$500 to $1000
1080p HD
~2500 Lumen or higher brightness
10,000:1 Contrast Ratio or better
Capable of 3D (but not the "active" / battery powered glasses)

*hoping for LED bulbs for longer lifetime. (unless that isn't good for projectors?)



A model that I think is decent? is the Optoma HD27, which meets or exceeds most of the requirements at about $779 at Costco. But I think it requires active 3D glasses...

Anyway, if anyone has knowledge or suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

I think 3D is pretty much dead. I use a Benq HT 1070 and it's a fantastic projector. When I bought it nothing under 3k could beat it. You can get it for around $900.

https://www.amazon.ca/BenQ-HT1070-Vi...ds=benq+ht1070

Pardon my dumb question. When it comes to things like computers / laptops, I have a decent understanding of what cost differences can get you (why one is more expensive than another), but for Projectors, I have little clue.

The projector you're suggesting has lower brightness, and lower contrast ratio, and no 3D at all, compared to the one I posted; and actually costs more.

Where is the extra cost going towards? (If on paper, the specs are worse.)

As an uneducated consumer, why would I choose this one over another?

Sorry for the dumb question, please correct my understanding! Thank you in advance!

It does have 3D. I have never used 3D on mine but it does have it. Brightness and contrast are not always measured the same way. The Benq has a lot of light output. The 1070 is the most remanded PJ on avsforum.com

Good read.

Cheapest upgrade in every category over the BenQ W1070? - AVS Forum | Home Theater Discussions And Reviews

Hmmm thank you for the link. I guess there is still quite a bit I need to read on. One of the issues I guess is the fact that I am not the most sensitive when it comes to image quality for entertainment, and not being able to see through my dad's eyes :P

If the measurements for brightness and contrast ratio isn't always consistent, then that presents another problem for me when it comes to research / reading spec sheets.

Will recommend my dad to go see some demos to get a better idea what he prefers, and what areas he can compromise on.

Thank you again for your help and suggestion! I will do more reading on the BenQ.

You can do all the research but your not going to find anything better for under $2000. It's just that good of a value.

I agree, lumens is a good guideline but several companies give approximations for lumens and often are rated higher than they actually are.

Thank you guys!

I have told my dad about this model. At the end, it will be his choice, but this definitely helped!

Don't forget. A good projector screen is very important too.

damn a bit late

ive been using projectors for like 5-6 years now as my main screen.

i'm currently using this:
https://www.costco.ca/Epson-Home-Cin...100355501.html

super bright 4200 lumens. under 2000 bux. 10000 hour eco mode i think. 1200p, and costco warranty and epson customer service. no 3d. but who watches 3d these days lol.

second choice would be:
https://www.costco.ca/Epson-Home-Cin...100378733.html
3200 lumens, also 10000 hour eco i think. 1080p. only 800 bux. could have two of these for the cost of the one above lol.

unless you're a super visual buff, and u want super color accuracy and 4k and all that, you're looking to spend a lot more. plus cost of ultra short throw 4k laser projectors have come down in cost by prob 10x by end of next year you'd just save up for one of those instead lol.

Not too late! I think my dad is still looking around too. I have already recommended the one Manic suggested to my dad. Haven't really heard back from him.

He is a very patient shopper. I wouldn't be surprised if doesn't decide on one until after Christmas.

Thank you~

yeah and u can return these to costco within 90 days. so... like... duh. just rent it and see if u like it and keep it if u do LOL!

Hey Manic, the HT2050 seems like it's a newer revision of the 1070.. is there a reason to still get the older 1070 even though the 2050 seems to be similar in price?

I'm using an Epson 2040 and I have no complaints. https://epson.ca/For-Home/Projectors...p/V11H707020-F

An important thing to consider though is where the projector will be placed. If you have a big room and want the projector to be placed fairly far back, you would likely require a different projector than one that would be placed close to the screen. Will the projector be placed dead center or offset? Not all projectors can work with an offset placement.

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered it from Costco. 4200 lumens seems super-bright. Is there anything brighter for less than $3000?

next is projector screen for it....makes the difference in bright rooms for how much gain it has.

nope.

if u dont like it, return it within 90 days lol

^^^

Is the fan supposed to run for a while after you turn off the projector? Mine seems to turn off at the same time as the lamp.

After having a project in my media room for 10 years I would go a different route given the choice again. The picture degrades over time and the bulbs have to be replaced every few years depending on use. The size of the screen is nice but that novelty wears off after a while, I can't remember the last time I even turned mine on.

If I move this summer I'll be ditching the project for a regular TV.

In regards to the screen I made my own with a sheet of laminate on a frame and built a border around it wrapped with fabric, this one is 106".

^^ that was me... 8 years ago. it was fun way back in the day, but yes, i stopped using my projector completely after replacing the bulb once.

i also made my own screen, using blackout cloth though. you stretch it like canvas, and i also put a very slight curve to it.

I think Quasi was building yours shortly after my parents one i posted the build of..

my mom loves it still but mainly because its kind of her TV room.. other than that id say projectors really arent all their cracked up to be, like you said, fading image, replacing projectors, etc.

In my parents theatre theyve gone through 3 projectors in about 10 years. Only reason they dont switch to a big TV is because a decent projector is still about 1/2 the cost of a TV that would replace the spot of the projector

I just use my white wall as a screen lol

whats a good cheap option for something better?

I’m lazy. If I wanted my wall upgraded. I’d sand it flat. And then use projector paint on it.

THAT BEING SAID THIS BABY JUST CAME OUT

https://m.costco.ca/Epson-Home-Cinem...100395191.html

4000 lumens
1080p
ULTRA SHORT THROW LASER
20-30k hours (down side is laser isn’t replaceable)
120-130 inch screen.

1:250mm contrast ratio.

That. Is. Awesome.

Yeah it’s also 4grand lol.

Too bad it's only 1080P. dell has this 4k ultra short throw PJ but it's almost 8 grand.

Haha in the projector world you get what you pay for!

The 8 grand is already not bad. It was only a few years ago it was 30 grand. And only a couple years before that when it was 50 grand (the 4K Sony laser ultra short throw)

So 4K laser ultra short throw from 50g to 8g in 4-5 years is pretty good.

Another 2-3 years and it’ll be 3-4 grand.

I just wish they had 120hz 1080p ultra short throw lasers.

Or 120hz 4K.

Oh well one can wish.

I’ll prob replace my current projector with a 4K laser ultra short in 3-5 years. We’ll see what they have then.

The QLED “invisible” screens are cool but you can’t ever beat 80-200inch screen (and when it’s off it’s totally invisible if you project onto a wall lol)