Digital Projector...so many extra costs...

isnt HDMI for 1080p?

this will be a 720p projector.

agin i'm not up on hdmi... do you need HDMI cords/switcher for 720p?

also,I haven't been looking but I don't know where you can get a 60" plasma for under 2k, and I hear them to be a hassle.

I checked those links and the cost of equipment was generally less than half my projected (pardon the pun) numbers.

It seems well within reach, and in my basement there is a 10ft by 20ft+ area so the seating isnt an issue, though it may create an issue when i move out, lol.

I just need an education on the HDMI issue, do i need that stuff for 720p?

HDMI carries your surround sound as well as HD picture. With a projector, you would only need to run one HDMI cable from your Video-switching receiver or switchbox. If you use component video cables and optical audio you will have 4 of them for each component you connect to the projector.

Only the video in the form of DVI, VGA & Component.
100' cable how big is this room?
As others have stated buy the time you get all the extras, cielling mount, long cable, screen, room darking shades, etc. you could by a 60" plasma. John

Yea, I know that. I was just too busy counting cables that my braun ceased to function. Make that 3 per device instead of 1 HDMI. Any way you look at it, that is a pile of cables.

Do not forget to add in the cost of repeaters to relay the remote signals to the equipment closet and the expensive universal remote that you will want to control all the equipment and lighting.

Looks like all the low priced big plasmas are gone. Panasonic had a 58" 720p set that could be had for a little over 2K and Vizio had a 60" for about the same price. All the big ones are now 1080p and a lot pricier. You can get a lot of 50" plasmas under 2K and several 52" and smaller LCDs under 2K too.

I Still think that the cheap projector set-up along with a TV for regular viewing is a good way to go unless you are willing to spend the bucks to go all the way with projection. A pull-down screen over your TV would make a nice viewing area.

Before you buy, go to an A/V store that has several projectors set up in the same room. There is a dramatic difference in the more expensive projectors. To a point, you get what you pay for.

Some of the best video systems I have seen are front projection. You get what you pay for and if you want picture quality of a plasma you are going to spend a lot of money. Epson has a couple of new projection systems coming this summer or early fall. They are a 5.1 speaker system, 1080P LCD projector, 90 or 100" motorized screen, receiver/dvd player, universal remote, and all the cabling with plastic channeling for hiding wires if you don't run them in the wall all starting at about 4,000 dollars. This is the best value system I have seen. Yes there's better but like I said you pay a lot more. If you want to upgrade one of the best projectors on the market in my opinion right now is the Dreamvision dreambee model. It retails for 7500 dollars but incredible blacks, great on motion, very quiet, excellent color! Truly top notch. Even if you don't spend 4 thousand on a system I would strongly recommend talking to some other store than best buy that would know more about projectors and actually have them set up correctly.

I'm a lowly gamestop employee, I don't have the income to support such a fine system.

I initially thought I'd do this at around 2k, and was really excited when i saw a projector for 1k. the extra costs are making it look like 2k.

At the highest I could do around 3k, and just completely go broke.

I looked at Projector People. It looks cool, they offer whole packages. But with the links provided to me earlier I'm sure I could put it together seperately for cheaper. If nothing else, projector people will show me what I will need, and has the tools for planning out the placement of the equipment.

Is getting a projector setup ranging 1500-3500 even worth it? they look ok to me, just dont want to have any regrets

just build over time. First you'll need to know how flexible you can be with PJ mounting. Is there ONLY one place. Is it possible to have it closer to eye level? If rather only one place, how many feet away? This is not for me so much, but for when you talk to other more informed people. And PP employees as well. I'd ask at AVS too, BUT only after you have more information.

How light controlled is your environment? Or... at night, when you turn off the lights, can you still see your hand in front of your face?

To cut costs as much as possible, just keep all cable purchases as Monoprice. Then look into DIY screens. Here's one place to search:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=110

I am using a High Power screen that is very good at rejecting ambient light. I got it because my throw is a decent distance, and 159" is friggin giganormously larger than life. (I would LOVE to have an AT weave, but I don't even think they make em that big, and if they did, probably cost as much as a car I'd fear). However, IF high power is good for you, I think a 120" might be about $300. You don;t want this is you have too much brightness due to close throw, small screen, high lumens. You'd also want it near eye-level, the PJ I mean.

Enough about screens. Always the PJ first. Then throw at the blank wall. After enough time, then you will know the screen size you really want. After said purchase of PJ, with measurements of throw, and screen size desired, others will much better help you choose the technology of screen.

As for audio, I would opt for a stereo system. Cheap receiver + cheap speakers, for about $400 total. Next year, buy a good sub. The year after that, add the center channel. My thoughts for now.

I wish you luck.

That is great advice. Few of us could afford what we wanted when we first started in sterio or video. You buy the best you can at the time and upgrade as you can afford it. If you can find a projector at a reasonable cost that looks good to you, go for it. We do not mean to rain on your parade by suggesting you can get better for more money-of course you can, but the prices have come down while the quality has gone up. That $1K projector will look as good as that $3K one of just a few years ago.

I talked to Mike at PP and he put my mind at ease as far as stressing over which projector.

He's suggesting the Panasonic ax200U, as it has a very good black level for the money. $1245, and I hear that place doesnt charge tax or shipping, so pretty awesome.

He says he thinks my PC based speakers will do the job, they have an awesome woofer attached so I'm all set there.

So the parts remaining are as follows, and I'm thinking I can get these cheaper somewhere else:

a compatible mount - suggested Sanos, quoted $99
surround receiver (upconverting?) he suggested JVC D411S or D412B model, quoted $450-$500
HDMI cords - Comprehensive, 1.5 rating, quoted $95-$100

My costs are looking to be just under 2k if I do this right. The receiver seems pricey, do I really need that thing? even Best Buy was quoting 200 or less...

I'll check the links offered before, but if anyone has anyhting better please let me know.

forgot a screen.

he was saying just paint the wall white, but I think the drywall in my basement, with all the creases in it, will look like crap.

so thats anywhere up to 395, by their estimate.

Buy a screen! Don't paint your wall white. We sold a screen to a client that had a painted on version already in his house that he moved into. When we put up the screen there was a major difference. Better brightness, better color, more accurate color, better off axis viewing, the list goes on... Even purchasing an inexpensive screen is better than screen paint.

You have so much research left to do, its not even funny. Im sure you know this.

I talked to Mike at PP and he put my mind at ease as far as stressing over which projector.
Good. Now, go ask 20 more people.

He's suggesting the Panasonic ax200U, as it has a very good black level for the money. $1245, and I hear that place doesnt charge tax or shipping, so pretty awesome.
It is supposed to be a good value, this piece. However, I've no idea if this here is a good deal. Also, new PJs are coming out all the time. Bookmark AVS sub-$3k PJ forum, check in daily, put your finger on the pulse of this tech. I was considering the 2000u from Costco for a while, until I realized how far my money would go at AVS. There are many who paid twice as much as me. In fact, the last Videogon ad I saw was asking $800 more, even with a couple thousand hours logged on it.

He says he thinks my PC based speakers will do the job, they have an awesome woofer attached so I'm all set there.
I am very reluctant believe you. There I said it. I don't believe you.

So the parts remaining are as follows, and I'm thinking I can get these cheaper somewhere else:
Agreed. The whole idea of getting a package deal seems to be intuitive at first. I now understand its more often a ploy than not.

a compatible mount - suggested Sanos, quoted $99
Or you can you build a simply one yourself. Piece of wood and a couple of L brackets?

surround receiver (upconverting?) he suggested JVC D411S or D412B model, quoted $450-$500
Never heard of it. You might find a Yammy 663 for $350 or so. Search my posts to find out how.

HDMI cords - Comprehensive, 1.5 rating, quoted $95-$100
Have you been reading my posts? How long is the run, or the runs? Toooooo muuuuch missssing infoooooo all around. SERIOUSLY. we don't know your throw distance, the distance you sit from speakers, # of viewers, what you are going to connect, what you are going to watch, what kind of features you want, if scaling is necessary, if volumes will only be moderate or quite, how much light control you have (VERY IMPORTANT, OK? WILL DECIDE YOUR SCREEN POSSIBLY, BUT YOU WANT SOME MAGIC BULLET W/O TELLING US??????), if you eventually want 7.1, 7.2, 6.1, 5.1. Etcetera.

My costs are looking to be just under 2k if I do this right. The receiver seems pricey, do I really need that thing? even Best Buy was quoting 200 or less...

I'll check the links offered before, but if anyone has anyhting better please let me know.
Instead of offering a package price, maybe make it easier, and decide how much you want to spend on the PJ. How much, if any, on any screen. How much on audio. Can you imagine the # of different recs I would get if I said build me something for $5,000.

forgot a screen.
he was saying just paint the wall white, but I think the drywall in my basement, with all the creases in it, will look like crap.
so thats anywhere up to 395, by their estimate.
UGH. You OBVIOUSLY DO NOT READ MY LINKS. Three minutes, and you know that people sand and smooth. You are still missing key information, in case you do no read anything I am saying. We need:
-choice of PJ
-throw distance
-screen size desired
-amount of light-control

Back to Panaonic 3-lcd Pjs. Some people have uniformity issues. Maybe even hotspotting (but that's very dependent on screen as well). Something to investigate. Known for smooth pic, quiet operation. I recommend Costco if you can. They offer a reassuring safety net if it doesn't please you.

j

The biggest question would be. Do you want a good picture or just a big picture?

I am more concerned with size than quality, but I don't want people gawking at my picture either. The big screen I have now has never had spectacular color/sharpness or anything, but I've been more than satisfied for over 7 years. The Mitsubishi they displayed at at Best Buy was not bad, I could tell the blacks weren't great but even with the small amount of light coming from the main area into the showroom it looked great.

Sorry if it seems I'm not replying to your posts, it's just when I read the line about seating I felt we weren't on the same page. I was like "Seating? You mean... folding chairs and beanbags?" I mean, I might have an old sofa, lounger, and loveseat but that about the best its gonna get.

Anyways you guys are doing alot to help me so I'm gonna try to answer these questions, based mostly on the little bit I learned from Mike.

When he put my mind at ease over projector, it was over the whole 720p and 1080p difference. He said "The projector you buy is gonna be obsolete the moment you buy it. So buy something servicable now, and upgrade in a few years." It's funny because a friend said the same thing but I was fighting it because 1080p been out for a while now. Then the expert tells me the same thing and I finally take a breath.

You said check AVS so I did a quick Google. AV Science forums is it? Anyways, the Panasonic ax200U came up as 1049, and that was at a glance I haven't looked much more yet. Thats already about $200 difference, so I will start fudging around AVS as well. Thank you.

About my PC speakers, I believe theyre dual purpose. I'm not savvy with this stuff, as you can tell, this was a gift to me. But they're 5.1 surrounds, by Klipsch, has a center and a woofer and god knows how many wires I'm not even using.

Your suggestion on L brackets... even if you're going the ceiling route? You said keep at eye level, so if that's better I'm all for it, I'll pocket the money I save.

I will look into the Yammy 663, making notes as I go.

HDMI cords - Comprehensive, 1.5 rating.
trying to answer these, ooh, gonna be tough.

Don't even know what you mean by run(s).

From Mike, 13-15ft throw distance.

the distance you sit from speakers = cant be more than 6-7ft.

# of viewers = this will rarely exceed 4, although it might be nice to have a party sometime.

what you are going to connect - probably only dvd and a 360 for now, not jumping to blu ray yet.

what you are going to watch - well, I always wanted a projector, since I saw someone play Nintendo on it when I was 5-6 years old. So playing games on it would be mindblowing, a dream come true. 2nd, the resurgance of this dream came from seeing Speed Racer... god that movie is amazing to watch.

what kind of features you want - not sure what you mean by features, I don't need all the bells and whistles, just want a big picture in general.

if scaling is necessary - what are we scaling? ow my brain.

if volumes will only be moderate or quite - volume of stereo? my dad and I like to be noisy when we watch our epics, but normal the rest of the time. god i hope I'm not embarassing myself as much as I think I am.

how much light control you have - It gets almost pitch black in the basement at night. If i cover the stairway leading up it would be totally black.

and for the sound system 5.1 is fine, never had a problem with it before.


Decide how much you want to spend on the PJ - I would like to have the PJ and a warranty for under $1500.

How much, if any, on any screen - If these $400 screens do as much as you guys are saying, I'll ****ing do it.

How much on audio - still hoping these Klipsch are compatible, audio otherwise may be the dealbreaker on this whole thing.

You are still missing key information, in case you do no read anything I am saying. We need:

-choice of PJ - for lack of knowing what these different pictures will look like, I still like the sound of the Panasonic ax200U.

-throw distance - if accurate, he was talking 13-15ft. I think the max was 18ft. The room can accommodate 13-15ft easily.

-screen size desired - a 106" I think the 159" wouldnt fit down here.

-amount of light-control - We can get it down to almost pitch black. anyone who sleeps down here trips over everything, lol.

More terms I don't know...

uniformity
hotspotting


Sorry about my skimming, I've just been busy lately and only dip in for a moment. (basically long enough to see if my problems are magically solved )

The impression I get is this:

3-chip DLP > 3 panel LCD > single chip DLP. Mine is none of the above, but a 3 panel LCOS.

However, a lot of this is personal. DLPs have more "pop". LCDs have more "smoothness". DLPs are known to be more fatiguing. This is the impression I get from hanging out at AVS, in any case.

Its with large screen DLP fp's where you will see complaints of rainbow effect. Many of these same people say they don't suffer this issue with a typical RP DLP.

$505 is pretty good deal on that PJ. I once found a deal for that same PJ, but I bet the coupon is long since expired, $655. One of my numerous "Price Alert" posts.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7596_102-0.html?forumID=60&threadID=284640&messageID=2708737#2708737

I will say it again, if someone wants to be happy for the long term, 1080p is worth the premium. 1080 is arguable on some plasmas, LCDs, RPTVs, etc, but once you start talking about big screens... why wouldn't you? (of course, if you have the money... and the OP does...) College setup? Maybe a superceded 720 is not that bad of advice after all. This sort of advice is considered to be of the bad sort by some at the PJ hi-end AVS forum. They, however, would even vote to buy off the used market, if necessary.

my thoughts.

my god pickles, you are a sick ****, and i both love you and hate you for it.

I love knowing that a deal/steal is out there, but I don't know if I'm prepared to hunt it down.

God...damn/bless you.

Of course, 1080p is better, especially with a projector. I was just giving some advice from my personal experience, since Gmazing sounded like he was in a similar position I was in. However, Gmazing does have a much larger base than I did as far as money goes (I really couldn't spend more than $1,000). If he started really looking he could potentially find a steal on a 1080p projector that is still within his price range, and I would snag that quick if he does find one.

Josten- Your setup sounds amazing and I would love to see a setup like that sometime. That is something I've always wanted to do, but due to obvious financial reasons I'm a bit limited (of course I plan on doing it someday after I graduate). And since I figured Gmazing was in somewhat a similar situation, my advice might be pertinent. I know you won't get the *best* setup, but for a college setup (or someone who doesn't have a big cash base to work with) it's a pretty good one.

Also, that was the price I actually was originally planning on paying for my HD70. However, right before I bought it on Amazon, my mom called me (she knew I was looking for one, and she frequents deal forums), and said I should ask down at my local Best Buy because there were reports of it going for near-half price at some places due to clearance. The trick with my purchase is they obviously didn't want to sell it to me for that much. The guy in the A/V section blatently said they wouldn't price-match a clearance item, so I went to the manager, who price-matched it to another store about 400 miles away, saving me probably $200 total when you consider shipping and whatnot from purchasing online. The problem with this is these types of things often sell out faster than when a store gets Wii's in stock, and they aren't advertised at all (you really have to search and work for them), but they are out there.

Again, best of luck!

Considering your personal constraints and experiences, it sounds like you did very well for yourself. That's not a big surprise as you put some effort towards it.

Regarding the OP here: he has a flexible budget, if considering that something might be "really worth it". I think he might or might not understand that some research is necessary. You know... there are some people that make so much money, that they do NOT need to research. They figure (and even with normal incomes) that they can make enough X dollars per hour. Why don't wash their car themselves? Because that time working instead is profit (make money during that same time, even after paying the guy). Why do some people hire a maid? Because the time is not worth it, again, because with that same time they can make profit. Of course, some people like me still washes my own truck and cleans my own home. I also research the living crap out of my purchases, or at least most of the time, to my abilities. The thing is, as a self proclaimed game store employee, it WOULD be worth his time to research. This is the funny thing with some people, Im not picking on Gmazing, but a lot of people who need to make their cash go that extra mile don't fully realize how much "profit" one obtains by researching. Profit being quality for X dollars spent.

Thanks for the compliment. It really is amazing. Its only been up really for a couple of months or so, but my friends have already bought me double digit hi-def titles. They want to see their favorite movies on my system, and they don't have a hi-def player. If anyone can swing it, I really recommend the JVC RS-1 coupled with a high power screen if the screen is big (or anything less than optimal light control). Its flat out amazing. The blacks are so detailed, but the intra-scene contrast can still show colorful, powerful bright pop within the same scene. Its like a good plasma, at a very similar price, but its movie-theater big. The prices are so inviting now for the quality one can get. The difficulties are not money, IMO (well, for a lot of us), but simply having the space and light control. If you have those two, and you love your movies, an HT is ... well... ok, Im preaching to the choir... Anyways, the respected Art Feierman did a shoot-out of a whole bunch of PJ's, and he said just a few months ago, "The JVC RS1, simply, is, overall, the best home theater projector I have seen, under $10,000". Mine was had for $3,000. But I was also researching on a daily basis, keeping my eyes open. The firesale was sold out in just one single day. I am afraid the waiting list might be too long at this point.

Cheers Pickles.

When I was a 20 year old college student, I believe I had a 12" B&W TV with rabbit ears. But, of course, I had my Fischer 700T receiver, Dual 1009 turntable with Shure M91E cartridge at 0.75Gm tracking and my EV speaker with 12" woofers. Back then, we listend a lot more than we watched. Sterio was state of the art.

I do realize the research I need to do is extensive.

It may be a long time before I offer any real results with this. I do ultimately plan to make this purchase but I have sort of been scared off for the moment, lol.

thank you for providing me the tools to educate myself, I don't wish to waste anyone's time further in the thread, I will revisit this one or make another when I have done the necessary reading to make a decision and consult with you gentlemen.

thanks again,

Galen

no problem.

Our (if I can speak on everyone's behalf) was to get you to realize exactly that.

so, mission accomplished.

your money is going to go a lot farther, but unfortunately...

im sorry i got you addicted.

take your time... it all pays off