We spent 44 hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top selections for this wiki. Treat yourself, your family, and your friends to the full cinema experience in the comfort of your own home with one of these stunning video projectors that can deliver an image as big as 300 inches. They work equally well for web content and video games, too.
Our list features everything from the highest-quality upscale models to more affordable options for the movie fan on a budget. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to support our work. We spent 44 hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top selections for this wiki.
Treat yourself, your family, and your friends to the full cinema experience in the comfort of your own home with one of these stunning video projectors that can deliver an image as big as 300 inches. They work equally well for web content and video games, too. Our list features everything from the highest-quality upscale models to more affordable options for the movie fan on a budget. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to support our work. To take your enjoyment of movies, shows, and console video game play up to the next level, you have to have a dedicated space for viewing or playing. A media room allows you to enjoy the content before you without the distractions of other sounds or sights, from clattering in the kitchen to whatever is walking past the windows. When you step into your media room, you can immerse yourself in the film you are about to watch or the world of the game you will play, and you will ultimately enjoy the experience much more.
Olympia Digital Smart Projector XX1800 PRO $ 4,990.00 $ 4,690.00. Olympia Digital X1050 Smart Mini Projector $ 2,790.00 $ 2,490.00. Olympia Digital X1080 Smart Mini Projector $ 2,990.00. Olympia Digital X2000 Pro Multimedia Projector $ 1,699.00 $ 1,599.00.
If you want to convert an existing space into a, the most important consideration is how you will control the lighting. If the room has no windows, or has windows that can easily be darkened with existing blinds and drapes, so much the better. If a room has windows that allow in light, then new window dressing is imperative. You can also consider using blackout window film to fully block light from entering your windows at minimal cost. Window film can usually be installed quickly and with ease, and it is not permanent, so you can always peel it off and use the windows for light and the view again later. A great media room also needs great audio. If you can afford a surround sound system and added acoustic insulation for the walls, then go ahead and treat yourself to an aural space par excellence.
But keep in mind that there are many options for small but powerful speakers that still put out plenty of sound. Better yet, there are many great, compact speakers that are Bluetooth ready, so you don't have to worry about wires or about permanent installation of audio hardware.
And finally, a great media room needs a great television. Rather than spending top dollar on a large TV that will take up space and requires either wall mounting or a media console, consider using a video projector in lieu of a television. All you need is a flat, smooth surface onto which you can project your favorite media to finish off your ideal home media room.
Choosing A Projector For Movie Magic There is a vast gulf between the price of a top tier video projector and between the most affordable options on the market. In fact, the most expensive, top quality units cost as much as ten times more than their cheapest counterparts, with prices near $1500 on the one end and $150 at the bottom end of the spectrum. You can expect to enjoy as much as 2000 lumens of output with these models, and detail as sharp as a 50,000:1 contrast ratio. There are two primary differences when it comes to selecting between a high end projector and a lower end mode, and these are light conditions and screen distance. To discuss light first, many of the more expensive projectors can create clear, crisp images with faithful color reproduction even in lighted rooms. These are great options for use as your everyday television, or for use in classrooms, conference rooms, or anywhere you need to show media or give a presentation where you can't (or don't want to) turn off the lights and shut the windows. Top tier projectors also tend to have a much longer projection distance across which they can maintain crisp images and colors.
You can expect to enjoy as much as 2000 lumens of output with these models, and detail as sharp as a 50,000:1 contrast ratio. (The difference between the 'darkest dark' and the 'brightest white' the projector can create, in basic terms.) However, one need not think of a projector that costs only a hundred and fifty dollars as an inferior unit, it is simply a machine that meets less exacting standards. If you are setting up a home theater that will be used with the lights turned off and where the screen (or projection surface) is only a dozen feet or so away from the projector, then a lower cost model is the smart choice.
There are many affordable video projectors that still create high definition images, boast 1,500 lumens of brightness, and that are fully compatible with all major input types, such as, USB, and more. The Video Projector As A Computer Monitor There are many reasons you might want to consider ditching the traditional computer monitor in favor of a projector, and they start with simple convenience. If you use a laptop as your primary computer, then keeping an external monitor perched on your desk for those times when you need a bigger screen or to use multiple screens can be an annoyance, especially if you have a smaller work (or play) area.
When you use a projector in place of a monitor, you can attach the projector to the ceiling or stick it on a shelf out of the way of your daily routine. Thus using a video projector as your computer monitor might be good for your health as well as a boon to your gaming or programming experience. A projector allows you to enjoy a much bigger screen than you could hope to find in a traditional monitor, even letting you turn a far wall into your work or gaming screen. Using a larger screen set farther away from you can help to mitigate the that can come with hours of using a computer. Thus using a video projector as your computer monitor might be good for your health as well as a boon to your gaming or programming experience. Video projectors are also a great choice for collaborative work. If you regularly work with colleagues on projects, it is much easier for you all to sit back and look at a large screen or wall than to huddle around a single desk.
If you are considering getting a projector to connect to your computer, just make sure to choose one that works well even in bright light. It would be a mistake to limit yourself to seeing your 'monitor' properly only when the lights are out and the sunlight blocked. Thanks for reading the fine print.
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Hate to kick a dead horse but I like mine, its a Digital Galaxy DG-737. Paid $265 off ebay, some were cheaper but shipped from china, this came out of Texas which i thought would be better for returns if/when it breaks, has a 1yr warrenty from seller.
I know a if I spent more money i would get a nicer one but I have no problems with the picture, it has everything from CoAx to HDMI inputs, but even with standard VGA input from my 5yr old portable DVD player it has a OK picture, and I am throwing about a 10ft by 5ft picture. Can't speak to bulb life but since it says it has 2000 lumens i doubt it is a desk lamp as someone up thread suggested, and the ebay seller had the spare bulbs for $30.
Here's a pic on my homemade blackout cloth 10.5'x4.5' (i went with letterbox) screen: (ps, screen was not done yet in this shot, lower left corner was waiting on gromets install as the 10 pack i bought only had 8). 640x480 will handle regular DVD with slight scaling and probably is an okay 'beginning' projector if you realize what you are buying. It's only a scam if it's sold to do 720p or 1080p or HD.
There are versions of these with native 800x600, which would be better, of course, for DVD which is 720x480 resolution. Actually, you can get a good used 720p projector on ebay these days for around $300-$400, so it would be better to spend a little more if you can. You get what you pay for, and sometimes you get less than you pay for.rarely more. Originally Posted by Verge2 white van scam IMO. It can't even natively display a dvd. Not even sure what a 'white van' scam is.
Is that the guy who tries to sell you meat out of his van or what? I don't know how 'native' the dvd display is but it will display them with what i feel (and everybody I have showed it to) is a acceptable picture, certainly more so then a 'toy' would. It is no doubt cheaply made Chinese junk but it does work well enough for my taste at i price i could afford and the 1 year warrenty gives me a little comfort. Originally Posted by wolf66 Native Resolution 640x480 pixels Maximum resolution 1024x768 pixels. They don't hide the 640x480 figure, just that that is the native and it will upscale i guess to 1024x768. Those figures mean it will accept a 1024x768 signal but downscale it to 640x480. A decent progressive scan dvd player should produce a better picture, depending on how good the deinterlacing is on the projector (I'm betting not that great).
Considering it has lower resolution than even a standard dvd (which is 720x480, albeit with non-square pixels), I'm betting blu ray will not produce an appreciably better picture. OK, I looked up 'white van scam', it those dudes who try to sell you fake audio stuff in parking lots and at lights.
I don't know, the ebay ad doesn't really claim it's some hi end unit, nor is the name 'Pioner' with one e or 'SONI' with a i and they do mention the 640x480. (they even bold face that line) They do say it is Chinese and they do say it's 'entry level' so they are fairly on the level there. For me I was going to buy a really cheap unit off Amazon that are toys and this was a step up. Plus $265 for the LCD unit, $80-$90 to make my 10'x5' screen and frame, $100 for a cheap 5.1 Surround Sound, $100 for a used Sony BluRay off Amazon/Ebay (haven't got that part yet) and we're at $550, and all just to have a movie night for my birthday later this week.
Heck I've bought cars for less. Originally Posted by Verge2 HC1600 = 0000000x Galaxy/Visionmax/whatever projectors. HC1600=$800 +$200 for a new bulb.ouchie 3x more $ for the projector and 6x more for the bulb. But I doubt if i would think the picture was 3x better.maybe though.but I would be surprised if i thought the pic was even twice as good.
'Course I am not really a video purist. Also at 16ft maybe my crappy picture looks ok enough?
Closer up I would see more of difference I bet. Anywho $800 is only ok if you have that much you can spend on it. But if you run across one used for $260ish I'll jump on it.