Why Change Your TV?

[Anonymous]

I absolutely agree. I bought a projector in 2006 ready for a new house which has a large basement, and installed a "home cinema" just for movies. I would say very strongly, that a projector and large screen (mine is 3M) blows the socks of any tv! Bear in mind my projector, a Toshiba MT400, is only 1024 x 576 (exactly fits the vertical resolution of PAL DVD).

I also have a Toshiba 42" full HD tv in the living room and a 32" (HD ready) Panasonic in the bedroom. These both have excellent pictures. Do I watch a DVD movie on them? No. They cannot compare to the projector. If you want the real movie experience, NOTHING compares to a projector, in a dark room. If you have the space, do it.

I am now looking at maybe upgrading the projector to full HD spec, however the picture I have now is so good that I'm having a hard time convincing myself to spend a chunk of cash.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Pete Bell: I absolutely agree. I bought a projector in 2006 ready for a new house which has a large basement, and installed a "home cinema" just for movies. I would say very strongly, that a projector and large screen (mine is 3M) blows the socks of any tv! Bear in mind my projector, a Toshiba MT400, is only 1024 x 576 (exactly fits the vertical resolution of PAL DVD).

I am now looking at maybe upgrading the projector to full HD spec, however the picture I have now is so good that I'm having a hard time convincing myself to spend a chunk of cash. I've been in this position a couple of times - my picture has been so good, how can it get better? Believe me, try a more recent 1080p projector and you'll be astounded at the difference!

 

[Frank Harvey]

yelnek: I am currently looking to change my Pioneer 42" TV for a 50" one. I've always wanted a projector but the wife in the past has made a few objections. I'm sure I can change her mind with a little persuasion but my only issue is this: if I spend approx £1500 on a decent projector, am I right in saying to get the best out of it, I will need to spend a similar amount on a good quality screen?There are many screens on the market, some budget, some not so. Prices for different types of screen vary too - manual pull down screens are the cheapest, with fixed frame and electric ones being more expensive. As an example, a 2m wide manual screen wil be around £210, a fixed one about £330, and an electric one about £700.

As long as the screen is good quality, it'll be fine.

I have approx £2k to spend on a new TV, do you think I could get a projector, decent screen and cabling for this. Keeping in mind I will install all this myself so there is no installation costs. Finally, if I did spend this, would the picture quality be as good if not better than the 5 star rated full HD TV. Oh, and in your opinion are they easy enough for a fairly competant DIY'er to install.

The last time I viewed a projector install was about 2/3 years ago and I wasn't impressed, I don't know of anyone fairly local to me that has a demo room set up (Middlesbbrough area - someone has to live there ).You should get what you need within your budget, as there are some excellent 1080p projectors around at the moment.

Comparing a good projector to an LCD or plasma, most TV's tend to overdo colours and brightness, but what you will get from a projector is a cleaner, much more lifelike picture, with more realistic colours and skin tones. If you can, pop along to your local dealer and have a look, I think you'll be quite surprised.....

 

[Frank Harvey]

FrankHarveyHiFi:Now that we have our Beamax account up and running, I've ordered a 7 foot 2.35:1 screen to replace my 16:9 5 footer - will be interesting to see how much more impact it will have for the relevant movies.....

Well, I have to say that even though I thought a 5 foot screen was about right for my viewing distance in my room (about 10 feet roughly), I'm staggered at how much difference the 7 foot screen has made! I've been watching 2.35:1/2.4:1 movies all last week and over the weekend, and it's totally transformed them! Anybody using a 5 or 6 foot screen, get a 7 or 8!! You'll not regret it......

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
FrankHarveyHiFi:Now that we have our Beamax account up and running, I've ordered a 7 foot 2.35:1 screen to replace my 16:9 5 footer - will be interesting to see how much more impact it will have for the relevant movies.....

Well, I have to say that even though I thought a 5 foot screen was about right for my viewing distance in my room (about 10 feet roughly), I'm staggered at how much difference the 7 foot screen has made! I've been watching 2.35:1/2.4:1 movies all last week and over the weekend, and it's totally transformed them! Anybody using a 5 or 6 foot screen, get a 7 or 8!! You'll not regret it......

hi david, iv got my first projector coming next week (infocus x10) can you reccomend me a quality manual screen? im not sure what gain i'll need, my walls are light cream but i'll only use the projector when its dark for movie watching! iv got about £300 id be most grateful for any tips you could give me? thanks.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Hi Fowler

I'm not really familiar with the X10, but this online review has a section for recommended screens. Whether these are in your price point or not I don't know, but Beamax produce quite a big range of cost effective screens - bought one myself recently and it's gre4at value for money, even if it's not as good a Stewart!

One thing I would recommend, if possible, is to use a darker colour for your room. I appreciate this just isn't possible in many situations, but it does help a projector's black level when there's less light reflected back into the room by light coloured walls.

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
Hi Fowler

I'm not really familiar with the X10, but this online review has a section for recommended screens. Whether these are in your price point or not I don't know, but Beamax produce quite a big range of cost effective screens - bought one myself recently and it's gre4at value for money, even if it's not as good a Stewart!

One thing I would recommend, if possible, is to use a darker colour for your room. I appreciate this just isn't possible in many situations, but it does help a projector's black level when there's less light reflected back into the room by light coloured walls.
thanks for the reply david , im afraid changing the colour of our room is out of the question (she would kill me haha) iv had a look on your site and theres only one beamax electrical on it, any idea were i can get a manual? am i right in thinking because iv got light walls i'll need a higher gain screen? sorry for all the questions but with it been my first projector i want to get it right first time! thanks

 

[Frank Harvey]

Like I said, many people aren't in the position to change their wall colour, so it's not a big issue. Probably more people have light coloured walls than dark, so you'll not be alone!

We've had a busy few months putting stuff on the website - we've opened accounts with Rotel, B&W, Panasonic, Beamax, JVC, as well as adding new products from our existing catalogue of manufacturers - unfortunately the screens have had to take a back seat to the electronics and speakers! Rest assured, there will be the whole range on the website over the next week or so.

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
Like I said, many people aren't in the position to change their wall colour, so it's not a big issue. Probably more people have light coloured walls than dark, so you'll not be alone!

We've had a busy few months putting stuff on the website - we've opened accounts with Rotel, B&W, Panasonic, Beamax, JVC, as well as adding new products from our existing catalogue of manufacturers - unfortunately the screens have had to take a back seat to the electronics and speakers! Rest assured, there will be the whole range on the website over the next week or so.
ok thanks david i'll check the site next week for the beamax screen!

 

[Anonymous]

hi david me again, this is my room colour, the screen will pull down over the pioneer would i need a screen with 1.0 gain? bearing in mind i'll be watching when its dark at night?

 

[Frank Harvey]

I wouldn't say I'm an expert on screens, but 1.0 should be fine. If you get a higher gain screen, it's just going to reflect more light back at you that's reflecting off the walls. If it's your first projector, it probably won't even bother you anyway

One thing I would do, is to angle in your left and right speakers as you'll be getting a lot of reflection off the side walls. Your room is already quite lively by the looks of it.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi David,

I was considering getting a new HDTV and after a long research I decided to go for a Pioneer KRP-600A (which I have not ordered yet), but I'm starting to consider projectors now. You see, what really bothers me about 16:9 tvs is that when watching 2.35:1 films, you end up with a smaller picture!

Could you recommend me suitable alternatives for the price of that tv set (viewing distance 3,75m approx)?

That would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[matengawhat]

Fowler - did you get your screen

I've just invested in a Grandview Cyber manual screen and am absolutly delighted with it - this is now my fourth screen and by far the best i have ever owned - only changed others due to increase in size - now have a 106" screen that I am very very pleased with

Projector rule even the 720p ones produce fantastic images i currently run a Optoma HD65 that i will be upgrading shortly but wanted to see how much use I would get out of it and i have never looked back - best investment in a long time - great images with hd material - nothing like a cinema in your own front room - never mind trying to watch on a tv just does not compare

just need to remount my projector now as I stupidly did all the measurements with the projector the right way up not upside down for ceiling mounting as I should have and my lens is off center so now 6 inches to the right - not happy chappy and didn't realise until put all tools away and booted up!!!! Important lesson make sure you remember it will be hung upside down!!!!

At 3.75m away depending on the projector your probably looking at around a 100" image vastly bigger than any tv you could afford to buy although different for everyone so make sure you check in the user manual or google projector distance screen size there is a nice tool online where you input projector and distance and calculates image size for you.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Hi J.Seb

That's the main reason I changed my screen. I had a 5ft screen, which was ok for 16:9, but when watching 2.35:1 and 2.4:1 movies, it was all looking a little too small, even though it was stil bigger than a 50" plasma/LCD. In the end I went for a 7ft wide 2.35:1 screen, which still allows me the same size 16:9, but letterboxed movies now look so impressive it's unbelievable!

3.75m is about the same distance our projectors used to be in our dem room before we shifted them to the back. We were getting 7ft wide easy at that distance, and could've stretched to 8ft, but moved the projectors back so we could have a 9ft screen instead - we were only limited by the height of the room in the end otherwise we'd have gone for 10ft!

I did mention earlier in this thread that I didn't really want to get into specific models of projectors as this isn't intended as a sales thread, more of a thread to make people aware. If you want to ask the same question in a new thread I'll happily answer it there

David

 

[Anonymous]

matengawhat:
Fowler - did you get your screen

I've just invested in a Grandview Cyber manual screen and am absolutly delighted with it - this is now my fourth screen and by far the best i have ever owned - only changed others due to increase in size - now have a 106" screen that I am very very pleased with

Projector rule even the 720p ones produce fantastic images i currently run a Optoma HD65 that i will be upgrading shortly but wanted to see how much use I would get out of it and i have never looked back - best investment in a long time - great images with hd material - nothing like a cinema in your own front room - never mind trying to watch on a tv just does not compare

just need to remount my projector now as I stupidly did all the measurements with the projector the right way up not upside down for ceiling mounting as I should have and my lens is off center so now 6 inches to the right - not happy chappy and didn't realise until put all tools away and booted up!!!! Important lesson make sure you remember it will be hung upside down!!!!

At 3.75m away depending on the projector your probably looking at around a 100" image vastly bigger than any tv you could afford to buy although different for everyone so make sure you check in the user manual or google projector distance screen size there is a nice tool online where you input projector and distance and calculates image size for you.
hi mate yes i got a 7 foot grandwiew cyber series manual pulldown screen model cb-sxx, it pulls down over my wall mounted pioneer and i couldnt be happier. im blown away by the picture quality of my x10 i didnt think you could get quality like this for such a low price. the x10 is amazing for the price, its near enough the same as a in80! the only thing is it gets quite hot and is quite noisy other than that im happy. how much power does a projector use compared to a 42 inch plasma? any one?

 

[matengawhat]

good choice on the screen !!! - first time i have come across them recently but i am so happy with mine

also have a look at projector review .com - they have indepth reviews which really helped me set up my projector and the picture is the best its ever been - def worth spending a while reading and adjusting the settings

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your quick response David and sorry I had not read the whole post, it's quite long now.

The other day I visited the panamorph lenses website and there was this video, while it was quite cheesy they had their point - with a 16:9 ratio you end up watching the evening news with a bigger picture than a scope movie!

At the end of the day those films are supposed to give you a bigger picture.

That philips 21:9 experiment is rather weird, you might as well get a 60" and you still get a bigger picture (and bigger news too!)

 

[Frank Harvey]

No problem

Using a bigger 16:9 screen to get bigger 2.35:1 movies does have the drawback of having oversized 16:9, but that's down to the individual to decide what would suit them best. But then, most people will have a TV of some sort they can watch the news on.

 

[Anonymous]

David,

You have me quite convinced, just need an extra push to join the dark(ened rooms) side.

Your opinion would be very much appreciated on this one:

http://community.whathifi.com/forums/302833/ShowThread.aspx#302833

Thanks

 

[Frank Harvey]

Taking a look now

 

[Frank Harvey]

So has anyone decided to get a projector instead of replacing their TV? This thread seemed to have got a few people thinking, but did it get anybody 'doing'? Would be interested to hear of anybody that did......

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, I think I'll go for the AE4000, from what I've read here it looks like a bargain:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/panasonic_ae4000_projector_review.htm

In a way, it's your fault actually!

 

[kinda]

Hello,

This is all looking a bit more appealing now with the comments about £1000 ish projectors. I can't darken the rooom all the time and I don't want to be spending loads on bulbs, but maybe a 37 - 40" TV and £1000 - 1500 projector for occasional use would be good.

I wondered do projectors suffer from poor off - centre picture quality or poor viewing angles like LCDs?

Any advice much appreciated as with a big screen in my current room, from the non-main positions, the angle might be a bit steep.

 

[Frank Harvey]

No, no viewing angle problems

 

[Alantiggger]

Hey there, right straight to the point....

Space enough for a projector ? ... we all have... it doesn't take up space.

Ceiling mounted screen or one you bring out from cupboard (or under/behind sofa).Ceiling mounted projector or sit one on your coffee table.

Price ? the money an awful lot of you say you spend you can well afford a projector, remembering fantastic projectors can be bought for 1.2 grand or there abouts.

I my self do not have one yet but my young brother has a DLP projector and from memory (he doesn't talk to me anymore, family fallout thingy) it was a Yamaha which at the time (about ten years ago) was around 1.8 grand. The pictures we watched were absolutely FANTASTIC ! I kid you not.

So i'm with Frank on this without doubt ... and it's waaaaay better watching on your own tv screen (even if from 9 foot away ...in my brother's lounge we were about that distance to 12 foot away)

So i'd say yeah... go for it as you WON'T be dissapointed.