What projector should I get? Budget around $1200.

[maseline98]

I was recently looking for a plasma for my gameroom, but I was talking to a buddy and he thought I had the room for a projector. I started doing some research and did not know the throw distance could accommodate the place where I could put it. Usable dimensions(123"w x 8'h x 13'L). I was thinking that I would get about 110" screen because I wanted to use my klipsch(and they are roughly 12" wide). I would be able to mount the projector about 9' for the screen. The room is in my basement. There is some light in there, but I could certainly treat with some dark curtains(the room is currently painted gray, but I talked to my wife and did NOT get the WAF to paint it darker...lol)

I was kind of narrowing my results to the following:

Projector:
BenQ - HT1075($850)
BenQ - w1070($698)
Optoma - HD141x($599)
Optoma HD26($699)

Screen:
Elite Screens 110 Inch 16:9 Spectrum Electric Projection Screen($205) - (54"Hx96"W)
I don't think I can get a bigger screen and not have my speakers cover it(though the 125 looks more appealing..lol)

I have absolutly zero experience with projectors. I would like something that gives decent viewing for both sports and movies. I know its not going match the inky blacks of my VT60, but I can probably throw a more hundred if there will be a large enough quality jump to justify extra money.

EDIT: I will try to use for some gaming so lag might be a problem. Also, is there anything that I might not be thinking of? Meaning a feature that I might need that I don't know I need because I'm a noob?

[pallpoul]

optoma hd141x. I love mine. very good pq

[maseline98]

Dec 22, 2014 10:20:01 GMT -5 pallpoul said:

optoma hd141x. I love mine. very good pq

How are the blacks? Are you able to game on it? Is there a latency lag? What size screen do you a have and how far back do you sit?

[LuisV]

Just purchased a BenQ HT1075 and Elite Starling Tab tensioned 100" screen. Love 'em both. The screen is mounted and the projector is on my coffee table for now... it will be ceiling mounted after Christmas. No console in my HT system so I can't comment on lag.

[Deleted]

I just got my screen put up the other day(100" elite), I'm using a benq w1070 and sit about 16' back. The black levels certainly don't compare to my plasma but I'm stunned at the detail and picture quality of this $800 combo. I haven't had a chance to do any gaming yet, maybe later today.... I'm super impressed by this little projector and highly recommend it.

Edit: I believe that the reviews I have read have stated the benq 1070 is acceptable for gaming with apprx 20ms lag.

[LuisV]

Agreed, for the price the BenQ 1070 or 1075 are had to beat. I'm about 15' from the screen and now my 58" plasma looks tiny. lol

[bootman]

www.projectorcentral.com/projector-reviews.cfm

The Optoma - HD141 got rave reviews.

[pallpoul]

I have it projecting on a 92" screen fixed. the picture is unbelievable. for the price amazon ahs it for u cant go wrong u get 50 dollars amazon card too.
I tried the Epson new line paid 1500 dollars, besides the lens shift I saw no difference in pq. no lag, use apple tv, bd, direct tv and yammi 1030 excellent. u can't go wrong.
I have the benq 1070 and it has a more powerful zoom, like 1.3 versus 1.1 on optoma . the pq ids also excellent. the optoma is cheaper and brighter I keep it on cinema mode. w

[Lsc]

I have the BenQ 1070 as well and it's really amazing what a great value it is. I also have a couple of 3D glasses and it's great. Also, I went into the ISF mode and the picture seem to be even better.

The 1075 is newer so that may be a better option if you budget is $1200.

[ansat]

Epson 30xx series was what I chose and really happy with. My only gripe is the lack of remote focus adjustment.

Tony

Tony

[maseline98]

I think you guys are making it harder for me...lol....I'm torn...maybe I will just both the benQ and optoma....my wife has a link to this forum page...I'm sure she would love that idea.

I read reviews for the benQs and Optomas. It seems I couldn't go wrong with any choice. If I stepped up my budget to say $1500(1700 w/screen), is there something that would justify the price increase? I was looking at the Epson 5030UB, but I think it's a little too much for our first projector.

[LuisV]

You can't go wrong with either one. If you're interested in the $1500 range I would look at Epson's new 3500 projector; however, reviews compare it to the BenQ 1070/1075 and say it's a toss up between them. It wasn't an easy decision for me either.

[strindl]

Dec 22, 2014 10:12:51 GMT -5 maseline98 said:

I was recently looking for a plasma for my gameroom, but I was talking to a buddy and he thought I had the room for a projector. I started doing some research and did not know the throw distance could accommodate the place where I could put it. Usable dimensions(123"w x 8'h x 13'L). I was thinking that I would get about 110" screen because I wanted to use my klipsch(and they are roughly 12" wide). I would be able to mount the projector about 9' for the screen. The room is in my basement. There is some light in there, but I could certainly treat with some dark curtains(the room is currently painted gray, but I talked to my wife and did NOT get the WAF to paint it darker...lol)

I was kind of narrowing my results to the following:

Projector:
BenQ - HT1075($850)
BenQ - w1070($698)
Optoma - HD141x($599)
Optoma HD26($699)

Screen:
Elite Screens 110 Inch 16:9 Spectrum Electric Projection Screen($205) - (54"Hx96"W)
I don't think I can get a bigger screen and not have my speakers cover it(though the 125 looks more appealing..lol)

I have absolutly zero experience with projectors. I would like something that gives decent viewing for both sports and movies. I know its not going match the inky blacks of my VT60, but I can probably throw a more hundred if there will be a large enough quality jump to justify extra money.

EDIT: I will try to use for some gaming so lag might be a problem. Also, is there anything that I might not be thinking of? Meaning a feature that I might need that I don't know I need because I'm a noob?

I have an LED projector from LG and I love it. The advantage of using an LED is, of course, a VERY long light source life...on the order of 30,000 hours. It doesn't have the lumen rating of most of the bulb ones, but in a darkened room, the vividness of the picture is great and the brightness all I could ask for.

Here is a link to it with more information:

www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-PF85U-Projector-Digital/dp/B00JST4RP8/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1419275858&sr=1-2&keywords=lg+projector#productDetails


I also have an Elite motorized screen that has worked perfectly. I have it drop down in front of a 61" Samsung flat panel set , flanked by a pair of Thiel 3.6 speakers. Because the screen does cover the speakers when it's lowered, I opted for the acoustically transparent version of that 100 " Elite screen. It works just fine.

Here's a picture of what it looks like in use:

[Lsc]

With 4K looming, I felt the BenQ was the ideal choice. With a 5000 hour lamp life I probably won't even have to buy a bulb. I'm less than 400 hours in 8 months.

I think the 4K projector is going to be killer but I'll have to wait for the price to come down...

Anyway, the picture on the BenQ is good enough to not want another projector ... It's pretty remarkable.

And it's cheap enough for me to part with pain free when I upgrade to the 4K in about 3-4 years.

[maseline98]

Dec 22, 2014 14:26:06 GMT -5 Lsc said:

With 4K looming, I felt the BenQ was the ideal choice. With a 5000 hour lamp life I probably won't even have to buy a bulb. I'm less than 400 hours in 8 months.

I think the 4K projector is going to be killer but I'll have to wait for the price to come down...

Anyway, the picture on the BenQ is good enough to not want another projector ... It's pretty remarkable.

And it's cheap enough for me to part with pain free when I upgrade to the 4K in about 3-4 years.

I'm kind of leaning the same way. In 3-4 years, I might be willing to drop 2500 - 3500 on a 4K projector, but I don't think it's worth it now to turn around and do it again for the enhanced resolution. Although it seems that the market is pushing 4K right now, I don't thin it's even worth buying anything under 80". The eye can only see so much. But with a 120", it certainly will make a difference(of course, if the content ever becomes mainstream).

Now the question remains, would I be wasting the $150 if I go with the ht1075 over the w1070?

[Lsc]

www.projectorreviews.com/benq/benq-ht1075-projector-review/

It seems like a pick 'em decision.

I agree, I fell in love with the Sony 4K projector that was $15,000. You know that'll be $3k max in about 3-4 years when 4K starts to be the standard. Technology doesn't stand still...

Personally, I'd buy the 1075 for a little more money but I can see the other side, you can get the 1070 and cover most of the screen cost for the price of the 1075.

[selkec]

I would look for a Panasonic PT AE8000U for around 800-1000$

[maseline98]

Just wanted to give you guys an update. I went with the BenQ HT1075 and Elite 110" Motorized screen. I probably could a fit a bigger screen if I would have gone with a fixed screen, but I liked the idea of still being able to use the wall space in case I wanted to add a flat panel later. I will give an update and a quick review o the BenQ when it comes in. The shipping seemed to be delayed from the holiday and the anticipation is killing me. I think I decided that I'm going to watch Star Wars A New Hope first.

[maseline98]

Dec 25, 2014 16:33:33 GMT -5 selkec said:

I would look for a Panasonic PT AE8000U for around 800-1000$

I was actually looking for a used one of these, but patience is not a virtue that I possess. They were selling new for a $1600 street.

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2014 11:57:59 GMT -5 maseline98 said:

Dec 25, 2014 16:33:33 GMT -5 selkec said:

I would look for a Panasonic PT AE8000U for around 800-1000$

I was actually looking for a used one of these, but patience is not a virtue that I possess. They were selling new for a $1600 street.

1600 is a bargain for that projector, they're 3000 retail in canada... Enjoy the Benq, I love mine.