Projector or TV

[Jez]

With your wallspace limitations, I'm going to suggest the plasma route, and that's despite using a projector 100% of the time for TV, movies and games. Plasmas have big advantages in their usability during normal lighting conditions and also their contrast ratios. Don't get me wrong, if you have a wall space say 100"+, then a projector is the only sensibly priced option, but for your space, I'd look at a Panny plasma.

My view on the bulbs is so what. Depreciation costs for any TV screen (plasma, LCD or projector) are all so high because of the turnover of new models, that even £200 on a bulb is not that much of a killer.

Agreed.

I have used projectors for years and years, i even did a stint of 100% projector usage. Recently decided that i couldnt live with it any longer though, it is nice to have the option to have the room lit while something is on, for example if friends are over, or you simply want it on in the background while doing other things. There are also the issues with the fact that if i wanted to simply turn it on for a second to record something, or whatever, i didnt like doing that to a projector.

I now simply have both, a standard looking setup with a plasma TV, and then a motorised projection screen which lowers itself infront of the plasma for when i want to watch a movie or some form of "special" event.

 

[FrankJH]

The other thing you need to be aware of is pj noise - and therefore amplification.

If you are new to pj's then this cant be stressed firmly enough (imo anyway), most tv's are now completely silent (from a machine noise point of view) where as only realy high costing pj's are truelly silent (or even nearly so).

Of course pj's dont come with speakers or an amp (which Im sure the op had already considered) but with pj's thei own noise can vary considerably - one may set your teeth on edge whereas another model you may find easier to bare with. This also requires better / more powerful amplification for any kind of viewing to compensate for the pj noise

Yes quality plasmas are expensive - and I was in the same predicament you were and eventually went with a Pioneer Kuro instead (even though even these dont come with speakers as standard) and havent regretted it for a moment

Depending on the unit pj's are best in dedicated rooms - or at least in a ceiling bracket or on a table and left permanently, otherewise you may find yourself spending more time configuring it each time rather than actually using it.

I truelly wish you luck with whatever you choose - I just thought it worth posting these (hopefully helpful) pointers

 

[arctine]

Some more good information there, thanks Frank.

I've already got a Packard Bell home theater system i've had for a few years which includes an amp, i reckon it'll do me fine for a while.

I'm planning on mounting the projector permanently to the ceiling in my bedroom so it points at the wall opposite my bed. I don't want the screen to be there when i'm not using it though so i'm thinking of going for a pull down screen, are these any good or?

Also like to point out, this won't be used as often as my lounge tv. I just want it for sort of watching films in bed when i feel like doing so

 

[arctine]

Another question as well in regards to mounting the projector, is it possible to mount the projector higher up and tilt it downwards so it's pointed at the wall without affecting the image?

 

[Rroff]

Not sure about the HD65 off hand but my HD70 is designed to be mounted upside down from the ceiling without compromising image quality - the 65 looks like its designed for standing on a table tho in which case you'd have to use keystoning if you tilted it which does marginally degrade image quality.

I've never found fan noise a problem with the optomas in eco mode - which is more than bright enough for normal useage - if you turn the lamp brightness up the fan does kick in tho but you only really need that for a lamp/day lit room. But it is something you should be aware of as Frank said.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Another question as well in regards to mounting the projector, is it possible to mount the projector higher up and tilt it downwards so it's pointed at the wall without affecting the image?

Most projectors that I've come across have the ability to later the angles of the screen to cater for the fact that the projector has been mounted off from projecting centrally at a screen. Having said that, the ones I've used added some odd distortion when using this type of correction. Where possible, try to get the projector perpendicular (in all planes) to the screen. Mine is mounted on a shelf on the wall directly opposite the screen.

 

[Andy D]

I'm on my second projector which is a Panasonic AE 1000 model. My first was an Infocus which at the time got rave reviews and was marketed well.
THE most important issue when choosing a projector in my opionion is getting one that you can not hear. My Panasonic is almost silent, compared to the Infocus which sounded like a hovercraft compared. In all the quiet bits in movies my attention used to always be drawn to the fans in the Infocus.
Listening in the shop the Infocus sounded quiet, but it's when you get home, set it up and then listen do you realise.

Go for a projector, and have a small 28/32 LCD that the screen pulls down over for 'normal' TV use. Get the most silent projector you can buy too
I do recommend the Panasonic AE models too as picture quality is excellent, plus has no digital artifacts with horizontal scrolling games that the Infocus had.

 

[Andy D]

BTW, making a fixed screen using a piece of plywood covered by 0 gain matt white screen material (with black border pained around) is a very good method !
I have black out blinds behind my curtains in my lounge when I need light control

 

[Jez]

BTW, making a fixed screen using a piece of plywood covered by 0 gain matt white screen material (with black border pained around) is a very good method !
I have black out blinds behind my curtains in my lounge when I need light control

Looks pretty nasty though, i did that very thing for a few years. I'd always advise the motorised screen for overall ease of use and aesthetics. Plus tbh a projection screen is generally going to need to lower infront of a fixed direct view display such as a plasma, so you would have to hinge the DIY screen from the ceiling, looking even more gash.

 

[Andy D]

Aye, but tab tensioned motorized screens are like £1000+ though.
I lowered the stand on my TV and the Centre speaker is under that. Best option is as you say motorized screen that falls down over a wall mounted flat screen that has the centre speak on a shelf just under the lcd/plasma.

I will be changing to the above method as soon as I stop spending silly amounts of money upgrading already my PC

 

[Jez]

Yeah, thats what i do. Works best really as you dont want to be using the projector day to day, for that a plasma is miles better. Then you can bring the screen down when needed for the extra wow factor

 

[Rroff]

I could never go back to a normal TV now - I use my PC display for general viewing (23" 2048x) and the projector for movies - go around peoples' houses to watch stuff and even those with 50+" plasmas just look pathetic in comparison.