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Professional Projector vs. Big Screen TV?
jarb asks: "I've been wondering if I could pick up a business video projector for use as a home theater display. We use them in the office all the time and the picture quality is incredible. I've also been told that big screen TV's have short lifespans. Has anybody thought about this and what are the pros/cons?" Now this is a cool idea and one that I haven't thought of before. Of course, this could be due to the fact that I usually like to keep stuff on my walls...and that doesn't make them very good surfaces for projecting images.
Make sure to get one that has good ratings for Lumens/Brightness and Contrast Ratio. The higher ratings will ensure that you don't have to shut too many curtains to be able to see the image.
You'll pay for that, though. Both in the projector's cost (at least $2k) and the cost of replacement bulbs ($200-$400). Sure, you can buy lower-line projectors for under $1k, with their bulbs being standard halogen bulbs (like for transparency overhead projectors) that are only about $50. But the bulb-life is low enough that you'll probably spend as much in replacements over the long run. And then you really will have to darken the room to see anything.
You can improve the situation by getting reflective white paint, like the kind used in fire-plugs. Paint your primary viewing surface with it. It'll work just like a projector screen and probably be cheaper and more convenient.
Also, get one that can be used for both video and SVGA (at least 800x600 native). You'll be the hit of any LAN party!
In a related story, the IRS has recently ruled that the cost of Windows upgrades can NOT be deducted as a gambling loss.
In a related story, the IRS has recently ruled that the cost of Windows upgrades can NOT be deducted as a gambling loss.
You better run the numbers before you buy. The bulbs can be incredibly expensive, and they typically do not last very long (200-500 hrs).
If price doesn't matter I will also go for a projector. I've seen a very nice installation with a project. The only drawback is when there's already some light. But you can always buy a more 'luminous' projector or have also a standard TV.
The Projector Central site has much much information about ... projectors (!) and a quasi-exhaustive database, full of details.
#include "coucou.h"
You could buy a three tube CRT projector off of EBAY, and mount it to the ceiling (involves a bit of work to mount properly and safely - those things are HEAVY!). Such a projector can be had on EBAY for about $400.00-600.00 US (shipping though, can easily reach and exceed $200.00). If work needs to be done on it, a competent shop or technician can do it for you relatively cheaply. All in all, you can get such a setup, displaying 100" screen sizes and larger, for much less than an LCD projector (for which a good one starts at about $3000.00, and then the sky is the limit). Most of the 3 tube projectors allow seperate R, G, B inputs and sync inputs, so setting up a PC is no problem (though the res might not be the best).
I have to say, though - if you can get a good LCD projector, they are amazing to watch - I watched a video demo (actually help set it up - the screen, mainly - 12 feet tall!) during a pulse jet demo SRL recently put on here in Phoenix (for their forever upcoming show) - great res, nice and bright - huge picture (still, even with all that, it didn't do justice to a real SRL event)...
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As you are talking about data projectors which essentially aren't meant for video images there are two different options as far as I'm aware
DLP - a technology developed by TI(look it up if you have time - it's very cool stuff)
LCD
AFAIK the DLP projectors have better color depth and are generally speaking smaller and lighter then LCD modells.
I've used quite a few LCD Projectors(the most expensive at about 7000 USD so I don't know about absolut top of the line modells) and I always was able to see some kind of rasterisation and I also wasn't quite sadisfied with the color depth(you see that kind of thing when watching soccer games)
I recently have been able to try out two diffent DLP projectors, one from Compaq and the other from a small company that actualy manufactures them for compaq - still the base parts are always from TI - I can look up the exact specs of the ones I used if you mail me) and I liked them a lot.
As far as I know DLP is also the technology used in the first digital cinema projectors
Some other negative points about projectors:
The do make noise(both LCD and DLP) may not matter but still this can be disturbing
the Bulbs burn out pretty fast as someone already mentioned, and are ridiculously expensive
If you are a heavy smoker after time your picture will become blurred(doesn't apply that much if you use the thing at a bar or something tis may matter
If you really want the best picture quality and no nois at all get a 3 Color tube projector. Which in contrary are pretty bulky and expensive
"Mommy, mommy! The garbage man is here!" "Well, tell him we don't want any!" -- Groucho Marx
so I'd go with a projector, >2000 lux, and 1024x768res, but those cost $$.. ;-(