Using a DLP Projector for Gaming - Things to be aware of?

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

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My search for a secondary large display for when I want to play a game with more than just myself has sent me nuts.

50" LCD/LED - No, too much lag (Apparently, although this varies depending on who you talk to).
50" Plasma - To get a decent Plasma with the desired effect costs above what I think they are worth.
Large gaming monitors - Not large enough.

So, I then start looking at Projectors and to be honest, I for some reason thought the money on a large TV was not worth it, HOWEVER, a projector on the other hand would be EPIC.

I have a large enough wall opposite where the PC is with a shelf directly opposite the wall, so would be great.

BUT...

What are the pitfalls of gaming from a projector, there has to be something?

Latency?
Motion handling?
FPS?

Any feedback welcome.

Thank you.
 
Projectors are awesome but they suffer minor lag issues. I wouldn't use them for fps competitive play but for any other game they are fine depending on which one you buy.
 
Dont know if things have improved, but some ppl see rainbowing with DLP. Projector is something you need to see a demo of I think.
 
Fred said:
Dont know if things have improved, but some ppl see rainbowing with DLP. Projector is something you need to see a demo of I think.
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Yes, just been reading about Rainbow Effect (RBE). Seems to be random just like 3D/FOV makes some people feel sick.
 
I enjoy mine for gaming but use it more for movies in all honesty. It's only 720p but still looks good. Skyrim and Arkham City looks amazing in 3d :)

Rainbow effect is more prevelent for some people than others, I dont find it bad at all, except maybe if there is a very dark background and white moving text eg credits at end of a film.
 
Rainbow effect depends on the person. You need to go and look at a dlp projector yourself to see how you are affected by it. I see zero rainbow on my JVC x3 then again it isn't a cheap projector either.
 
Very good 2d projector, you will always need a dark room to use them though.
When you try to use a projector in any sort of lighting situation other than darkness the picture looks washed out.
If you are serious about getting a projector I would go to avforums and read up on the specific models or just ask a general question as you have done here. They should help you out :)
 
I had an Optoma HD200x (DLP) which I sold last year.

It was a great projector and playing on a massive (105") screen was mind blowing, image quality was very good for the price (think I payed £600 at the time).

Primarily I got it for Bluray's, but ended up hooking up my pc and playing a variety of games.

I personally found driving games were the most satisfying to play - oddly I found FPS gave me a headache on a screen that big, although awesome to show off. I did play a bit of Skyrim, which was also very good, but despite the big screen found myself squinting to read text and small details because of the best viewing distance for the res/screen size. I found it almost a relief at times to just hook up to my monitor again.

Mine was DLP, I didn't see any rainbow effect - although obviously down to the individual. No noticable latency issues. Another thing to mention is if you go DLP, make sure you room can be made nice and dark - nothing more annoying than a washed out image.

I do plan on getting another this year, I think in regard to gaming I'd personally get a 27" monitor + projector for the best of both worlds.
 
A few points:

1 - Cost of replacement bulbs
2 - Cost of a decent screen (very important)
3 - Make sure you have enough room/choose the right projector for your distance to the screen
4 - "Rainbow effect" as already mentioned
5 - Potential lag issues, research thoroughly
6 - Need to play in a dark environment, light particularly ruins shadow detail
 
Perfect large screen display for PC gaming does not exist just do why I did buy a 60" Plasma & put up with the minor issues (not true blacks & minor RBE). As long as you turn off gaming mode input lag goes away its awesome for anything which does not need a mouse + kb.

I came to the conclusion long ago the perfect display just does not exist right now every model seems to have some minor issue its just a case of finding the best buy for your budget but recent Plasmas have come a long way & offer the cheapest way to have a massive display which can also be used for movies/TV etc etc.

This is my model got it for £900 new which is amazing considering the features & stunning PQ :eek:
http://www.lg.com/uk/tvs/lg-60PA650T-plasma-tv
 
Gimpymoo said:
All the literature points to it running at 24fps, is that the case for all content?
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Ok, it allows you select upto 60fps :)

AWPC said:
This is my model got it for £900 new which is amazing considering the features & stunning PQ :eek:
http://www.lg.com/uk/tvs/lg-60PA650T-plasma-tv
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My budget is £550, maximum and the Plasmas I have looked at in that price range are apparently, no better than a mid range LCD missing out all the positives you expect from a plasma set.

I think a projector (which is something I would never have considered prior, I just thought LCDs were awesome.. Oh how foolish) is the best option for myself and I feel best value for money.
 
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I used to game a bit on my Optoma HD70 (720p) and never noticed any input lag or issues with motion (tho I did change a couple of settings that were supposed to improve that aspect for gaming over movie useage but never tested with them in the movie mode to see). This is likely going to change from projector to projector tho so unless someones used a specific projector with the best settings for gaming you can't really know for sure i.e. some of the movie centric enhancements might introduce quite a bit of latency but go away entirely when disabled.

Do love having a wallsize display - not the most practical for (PC) FPS gaming unless you build the entire setup around FPS gaming but great for driving games or most console games and works fine for playing console FPS games with controller(s) if thats your thing.

EDIT: Regarding shadow detail/black levels, etc. the screen you use as well as the ambient light levels play a big part in that - my optoma works pretty well even in economy mode in indirect sunlit rooms aslong as you use a dark grey screen but not all projectors will work well with grey colored screens.
 
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Gimpymoo said:
Ok, it allows you select upto 60fps :)



My budget is £550, maximum and the Plasmas I have looked at in that price range are apparently, no better than a mid range LCD missing out all the positives you expect from a plasma set.

I think a projector (which is something I would never have considered prior, I just thought LCDs were awesome.. Oh how foolish) is the best option for myself and I feel best value for money.
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I've used Projectors :@ home for over 25 years :eek: trust me right now for the money Plasmas are better overall Projectors are hassle you always need to do bulb maintenance (some bulbs are very expensive & most do not come with a warranty so unless you store collect if it breaks in the post you eat the cost which can be £250-500 upwards depending on the model).

Just buy a 50" Plasma same model as the one I bought just get the 50" it will still look very good amazon.co.uk are selling for £449.00 right now with free delivery but a 1-3 week wait it will be worth it ;)
 
I got an 84" screen and a Optoma HD80, amazing gaming at 1080p and 84" don't notice any lag either, you get the rainbow effect but it aint as bad as people make it, I only really see it when I move my eyes side to side fast.
other than that it's perfect, I would recommend it to anybody, my setup:

pb120301.jpg


img2011111200370.jpg


pb120296.jpg


My rig that I use for it
pb120295.jpg


img0288xuo.jpg
 
AWPC said:
I've used Projectors :@ home for over 25 years :eek: trust me right now for the money Plasmas are better overall Projectors are hassle you always need to do bulb maintenance (some bulbs are very expensive & most do not come with a warranty so unless you store collect if it breaks in the post you eat the cost which can be £250-500 upwards depending on the model).

Just buy a 50" Plasma same model as the one I bought just get the 50" it will still look very good amazon.co.uk are selling for £449.00 right now with free delivery but a 1-3 week wait it will be worth it ;)
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True with projectors >6 years ago but these days very little bulb maintenance - most modern projectors have some type of "turbo" cooling system that lets you power them down in seconds rather than having to let the projector cooldown itself before turning it off, they handle motion a lot better/fine and some do really well even in fairly bright daylit rooms.

Bulbs can be a bit of hassle/cost in the long run and/or if you get unfortunate and one dies prematurely - I've been using mine fairly regularly since 2007 and only just starting to see signs the bulb might be coming towards the end of its life (takes a little longer to hit full brightness, not quite as bright as it used to be).
 
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