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Buying a projector..

post #1 of 10
3/23/09 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 
So I am debating picking up a nice 1080P projector.

I found a used HD80 Optoma for $1200 shipped. Regular price on these are around $2500.

Since I don't have a TV, I figure a projector would be good enough. It seems to be able to do whatever I would need a regular TV to do, aside from having to change the bulb at 2000/3000 hours.

What do you guys think?
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post #2 of 10
3/23/09 at 5:53pm
If you have the room for them and the screen they are awesome! Though bulbs can get expensive and some of them have rather loud fans.
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post #3 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:06pm
Thread Starter 
What would be the needed distance for most projectors? I think I have ~7.5ft to play with.

I mean, I didn't think there was a minimal distance you can be. Only a maximum. The closer you got, the small the picture. The further back you got, the bigger the picture. Right?
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post #4 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skillz View Post
What would be the needed distance for most projectors? I think I have ~7.5ft to play with.

I mean, I didn't think there was a minimal distance you can be. Only a maximum. The closer you got, the small the picture. The further back you got, the bigger the picture. Right?
7.5 feet is way to close for a 1080p projector to me. The model you are looking at can do it though:
Projection Distance4.92’ to 32.8’ (1.5 to 10 m)

All specs:
http://www.optomausa.com/product_det...product_id=331
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post #5 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:16pm
I've debated getting one as well. Most are just too expensive for the quality that you would want. The bulb hours are so low, they're not even worth getting.
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post #6 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve@NBF View Post
I've debated getting one as well. Most are just too expensive for the quality that you would want. The bulb hours are so low, they're not even worth getting.
I have too. I just don't have room in my room for a LCD TV. Even if I mount it on the wall. No room for anything bigger than about 30" or so.

If I get a projector, I can get a screen that comes down from the ceiling. This will let me put the screen in front of the main door and closet door. Thus giving me a whole wall for a screen.

When I am done watching TV, I can just roll it back up and it'll be out of the way.

Plus at $1200 shipped, it's about the same price I'd pay for an LCD. Maybe even less. Bulbs I've seen go for around $200 on ebay and I wont be watching TV that much anyway, so it'll last me a couple years easily.
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post #7 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:41pm
We're talkin less than 800 hours of bulb life. LCDs have 10,000+ hours. If you watched only an hour of TV a day it wouldn't last 3 years. I don't sit down and watch TV, I have Sportscenter on at night, news in the morning, adult swim when I'm in bed etc etc. It all comes down to what you want to spend and if you mind replacing the bulbs. Myself, I'd go for a quality 30-40 inch LCD... between $800-$1100. Last you 9 years.
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post #8 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:44pm
Thread Starter 
According to that page. The bulb lasts ~3000 hours.

Another source says the bulb lasts ~2000 hours on the "high" settings and ~3000 hours on the low emitting setting; which is claimed to be plenty bight for most uses, since the bulb is brighter than most other projector's bulbs.
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post #9 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:46pm
If that's good enough for you go for it. I'd love to see your setup.
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post #10 of 10
3/23/09 at 6:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve@NBF View Post
If that's good enough for you go for it. I'd love to see your setup.
When I finally get done with it, I'll post up some pictures.

I still need a lot of stuff though, including a desk.
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