Standard Def Projectors

Tom|Nbk

Tom|Nbk

Tom|Nbk

Soldato
Joined
12 Mar 2006
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N.E England
These can be had for less than the price of new lamps now second hand. I mainly watch DVD's and rarely treat myself to HD content. I would be mainly using it for film usage but some occasional 360 usage may be nice. I guess a 360 on a standard def projector would be a bit sucky?

HD projectors are a bit out of my price range at the moment and I'm guessing that £200 won't get me one.

Thoughts?
 
Save your money till you have enough for an Optoma HD65. I've seen them had for £450 iirc including 84" screen, I assume that's with Costco. Lamps are cheap as chips (for lamps :p) and the image is pretty darn good. Waiting for 720p with a DLP chip is worth it imho. Just make sure you're not sensitive to rainbows effect RBE.
 
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For the price and quality difference (there have been leaps in projector technology in the last 5 years) I would go for 720p as a minimum resolution.
 
I just sold an HD72i with spare lamp for £300, that is/was in its day a good DLP-£1350 unit with fairly good optics. Certainly a better unit than a HD65, so around that, £300-£350 or so depending on lamp hours. The Optoma warranty is pretty good as long as you get the original receipt. 3 years based on the place it was bought when and the serial number. They arrange pick up and delivery for any problem.

Oh btw, I should mention the Optoma HD700X is actually a slightly (as in no difference) lower spec HD65. Just re-packaged tbh, anyway its a bit cheaper still. Ive seen them as low as £380. Easily found for £440 as I type.
 
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Could never fault my old Panasonic PTAE 200. However, as has been said before, massive steps have been made. A good second hand unit with 720p definition would probably offer a hell of a bargain at the moment.
 
Im guessing you ignored my addition to your wanted thread mate.

My optoma HD65 is gonna have to go because im joining the RAF and it wont get use. My price is very reasonable considering going rates on Ebay etc.
 
Guys I've decided that I'm only really going to play DVD's so standard definition should be more than enough, my 360 can just be played on my LCD till i can afford a HD proj.

Can anyone recommend me a good old gen projector as a compromise?
 
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Try and avoid any SD business models, light cannons basically. Horrid PQ compared to the older home theatre DLP's. If you do find some older stock, keep am eye on the lamp costs before you choose. You may find a new lamp is as expensive as the pj. Anyway, back in the day...something like a InFocus IN72 was well regarded. What else, BenQ W100 might suit.
 
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Yea I'm looking on ebay and people are literally giving them away I guess as it's old tech but it's still fairly adequate I guess, I'd obviously chose one with a low bulb usage as it will more than likely be thrown in the cupboard and upgraded when the bulb does go.

I'm going ghetto on a screen as well, cheap blackout blind from argos :p
 
Thats the thing about lamps, they can and do go way before they're rated. The cost is something to consider, nothing worse than paying more for a lamp than the pj.

The sort of thing you're looking at is fine as they go, I'm very hesitant to say its a good idea though. Personally from experience I wouldn't touch one without a long warranty. They can be very flaky when old. God knows why they hardly ever put dust filters on them. They get full of dust, you don't want to open them to clean (optics) then they overheat. My last one went back 4 times over 2 years...
 
Crap then?

Bah. Find me one :D

Got to remember, i've never ever had a projector setup in my life, i'd probably still be impressed if half the picture was missing :p
 
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If it were me I'd see what Hedge would go to for that HD65. It really is worth the extra.

One thing though, you might want to see a DLP before you buy one. Could be rainbow city for you.
 
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I went though a few cheap SD 4:3 projectors when I first got into it, and to be honest its just not worth it! within about 6 months I'd bought and sold on 3 of them trying to get better/brighter images. While they do the job and look cool for a few days (massive screen etc) I would def advise you to go for a half decent 720p projector instead of wastin time/money on somethin cheap off ebay.

As soon as I sold my last 4:3 pj I bought a Panasonic PT-AE500. My first 720p LCD projector and it was miles better than anything I'd had previously. the bulb in that went way before its time though (makes me wonder whether the guy I bought it off had reset the lamp counter or whether it generally just went that early). I contemplated buying a new bulb for it but decided it would be better to buy a new PJ instead that came with warranty lol.

I bought an Optoma HD70 which I'm still using with the original bulb and thats miles better than my Panny lol, it's also different tech (DLP) that looks a lot more vibrant and not to mention brighter than my old Panny LCD pj.

If I were you I'd wait a little bit longer, save up a bit more money and buy a HD700X or HD65 or something isntead. they will be a much better buy than any old 4:3 pj guaranteed, even if your only planning on using it for DVD and non HD material, it's still worth it and will still look a lot better
 
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