New projector recommendations

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blackjack17

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#269859 11-Apr-2020 20:26

So I have a media room 4m by 1.8m. Internal so no windows and walls and ceiling painted black.

I am using a 10 year old projector that I got 8 years ago or so when my school was upgrading. An acer projector x1161p

I am currently projecting on to a piece of unpainted custom board and get a decent picture. I will be painting it up when weather and kids allow

However I want a better picture. In the $1000-$1500 bracket what should I be looking for? Should I look at second hand?

There seems to be a huge number of cheap ones out there and a real gap in the price range I am looking at.

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sen8or

1789 posts

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#2459738 12-Apr-2020 12:11

1.8m wide? is that a typo?

If not, you will very likely benefit more from a tv than a projector

Talkiet

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#2459755 12-Apr-2020 12:33

On your budget a secondhand 1080P unit like a Panasonic AE8000 ( https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/projectors/listing-2588015974.htm?rsqid=e3863181b5d94dd38c558efc99a21b79-004 ) would be easily the best choice.... However as per the post above, if the room is really 1.8M wide then just get a big TV.

Cheers _ N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

blackjack17

1705 posts

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#2459772 12-Apr-2020 12:58

Yes the size is really 1.8m. To get a TV screen that size would need to go 80inch wouldn't i? which is way out of budget

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-size/size-to-distance-relationship

Plus sitting with the kids eating popcorn is more fun In front of a projector.

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Dingbatt

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#2459782 12-Apr-2020 13:12

I have a Panasonic AE8000. I just measured up my viewing area. The white (viewing) part of my screen is 2m (horizontal) and I sit 3.5m back from the screen, for what I consider to be optimal viewing. The AE8000 has a large throw adjustment on it, which I needed because the projector is at the back of the HT room. So if you are projecting an image the full 1.8m in width you will still get that ‘theatre’ feel (IMO), but maybe akin to sitting more towards the back of the theatre :-)

Your current projector is a business one by the sound of things, so even a 1080p HT projector should improve your experience. I suffer from the rainbow effect caused by colour wheel projectors from the likes of Benq, so have stuck with LCD from Panasonic in my case.

Because our TVs are all 4K in the house I have become less enamoured with my 1080p theatre image but the move up to a 4K (or a dream 8K) laser projector is only a pipe dream in the current climate.

My projector is used sparingly so is still on its original bulb. They to drop in strength over time and I’m not sure how easily replacements can be obtained. I would certainly check how many hours a second hand one has done before shelling out cash.

Edit: The AE8000 is a big projector. Depending on where you put it it may dominate the room when not in use.

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networkn

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#2459784 12-Apr-2020 13:17

Acer have some unbelieveable <1K projectors one of my staff bought. I demo'd it before he had it and I was blown away. Had a lads weekend playing BL on it on a 100" screen it was superb.

blackjack17

1705 posts

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#2459787 12-Apr-2020 13:24

This is what the room looks like lights on and another with a movie playing (Has horrible keystoning at the moment because I have lost the remote and a new one is coming from aliexpress).

Note the first photo has been taken with a wide angle lens

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blackjack17

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#2459788 12-Apr-2020 13:33

Talkiet:

On your budget a secondhand 1080P unit like a Panasonic AE8000 ( https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/projectors/listing-2588015974.htm?rsqid=e3863181b5d94dd38c558efc99a21b79-004 ) would be easily the best choice.... However as per the post above, if the room is really 1.8M wide then just get a big TV.

Cheers _ N

Hamilton (and I am in Auckland) plus it is faulty?

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networkn

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#2459795 12-Apr-2020 13:43

@blackjack17 apologies, I meant Viewsonic, not Acer. The P700HD is the unit they bought. I was honestly blown away with it. PM me if you want a price on it.

blackjack17

1705 posts

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#2459797 12-Apr-2020 13:45

So would something like this be good value?

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/PROBEQ72952/BenQ-9HJG27727P-W1090-1080p-Home-Projector-for-Spo

There is no lens shift (projector would go on a shelf above the sofa).

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networkn

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#2459815 12-Apr-2020 13:48

If you ever want to play games, then look for input lag. Lower is better. I'd get a projector that has things like lens shift. Sometimes features like that come in handy in unexpected situations.

I'd look to be covering some of the common features even if you don't think you'll use them.

Talkiet

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#2459820 12-Apr-2020 14:00

blackjack17:

Talkiet:

On your budget a secondhand 1080P unit like a Panasonic AE8000 ( https://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/projectors/listing-2588015974.htm?rsqid=e3863181b5d94dd38c558efc99a21b79-004 ) would be easily the best choice.... However as per the post above, if the room is really 1.8M wide then just get a big TV.

Cheers _ N

Hamilton (and I am in Auckland) plus it is faulty?

Yeah - it was just an example of the model. As per the other advice, check hours... I sold an AE7000 with additional brand new legit OEM bulb a couple of years ago when I went 4K. The AE7000/8000 are amazing value for money even now (secondhand). I originally got a BenQ 4K HT projector and the Panasonic was better (more pleasing to watch). I have since upgraded to a good 4K though and it is amazing - as it should be for the price of a nice car!

Given you'd have a small throw distance - a slightly higher hour (dimmer) bulb wouldn't be that much of a concern, you're not trying to throw that much light - especially in a fully darkened room.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.