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[Solved] HD HT Projector Buying Advice

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Best answer from Wolfshadw.

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jay236   08-27-2009 at 03:30:36 AM

Hey guys, wondering if I could get some Home Theatre Projector buying advice.

Currently, I've been referring to this link for some advice:

http://www.overstock.com/guides/projector-buying-guide

However, the article seems a little dated...wondering if any Gurus out there could give me a hand.

Basically, here's the MINIMAL specifications I'm looking for:

Price Range: <$2000 CND
Resolution: 1920x1080@60Hz
Brightness: 1,000 ANSI lumens
Contrast Ratio: Preferably > 2,000:1
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (options for 16:10, 4:3, and 2.53....whatever:1 is nice too)
Initial Bulb Life: Not < 1,000 hours

Keep in mind this is a Canadian purchase...so whatever's available in my country.

The screen size is going to be approximately <150", in a dark basement with no windows shining on it. Might consider painting the wall white...or buying an inexpensive screen (<$300 CND). What do you guys think?

So far, I've seen some interesting projectors...what do you guys think about DLP vs. LCD projectors?

Check these ones out:

Optima HD200X @ $1,199.99 CND http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] ure=Optoma

Viewsonic Pro8100 LCD @ 1,439.99 CND http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] VqHCjCdwwp

Only thing I'm worried about on the Viewsonic projector is that the bulb life is approximately 2,000 hours...is that average?

EDIT: I also noticed that Viewsonic has a 3 year warranty while the Optima has a 1 year warranty. I'm able to get the Optima up to 2 years, and Viewsonic up to 4 years.


Message edited by jay236 on 08-27-2009 at 03:33:08 AM
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Best answer from Wolfshadw
Generally lamp life varies between 2000 and 3000 hours. At 2000 hours, if you watch one, two hour movie every night, the lamp should last over two and a half years. I've had my projector for that long and I haven't even hit 1000 hours of usage.

Another source of information that I refer to is http://projectorcentral.com/

Here's a link to the Optima: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-HD200X.htm
Here's a link to the Viewsonic: http://www.projectorcentral.com/ViewSonic-Pro8100.htm

This also has a image size/throw distance calculator for each projector, so you can find out just how much room you need.

I'm leaning towards the Viewsonic for it's lower powered lamp, given you have a dark basement, and it's less audible noise. You want to hear the movie, not the projector.

-Wolf sends
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Wolfshadw   08-27-2009 at 02:58:39 PM
Best answer

Generally lamp life varies between 2000 and 3000 hours. At 2000 hours, if you watch one, two hour movie every night, the lamp should last over two and a half years. I've had my projector for that long and I haven't even hit 1000 hours of usage.

Another source of information that I refer to is http://projectorcentral.com/

Here's a link to the Optima: http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-HD200X.htm
Here's a link to the Viewsonic: http://www.projectorcentral.com/ViewSonic-Pro8100.htm

This also has a image size/throw distance calculator for each projector, so you can find out just how much room you need.

I'm leaning towards the Viewsonic for it's lower powered lamp, given you have a dark basement, and it's less audible noise. You want to hear the movie, not the projector.

-Wolf sends

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jay236   08-27-2009 at 09:13:49 PM

Thanks for the advice! I was also thinking about leaning towards the Viewsonic...the only thing that bothered me was the weight and bulb life, but yeah I don't think I'll be watching a movie every night...going to run out of movies to watch haha.

Anyone else want to contribute?

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