Projector Technology

[Fixit]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some advice here. I wanted to purchase a projector due to the fact that my 65 inch mitsubishi needs a main board among other expensive parts. Said projector would be my daily driver for everything, games, movies, television for my son and I will probably hook my PC to it at some point so I would like something that has good contrast and a low response time. I know there are different projector technologies out there like DLP (Which was what the Mitsubishi had), LCD, LED and I have even heard the term LCoS but I don't know much about that last one. I want to begin putting together a home theater setup in my basement now that it's finished but the main focus os going to be this projector.

 

[TrashyMG]

I've had DLP projectors for the last 12 years, it's great with motion, really good black levels and I believe still has the best color out of technologies. The more I read about LCoS the more I like it, it may be the next thing I try a few years down the road. I've heard LCD has gone a long way, but I still fear there may be issues with color fading over time.

 

[Fixit]

So the LCD still have "Bleaching" issues? No shock there. As for your DLP, do you notice any rainbow effect? I hear a lot of people mention it with certain projectors and not at all with others. I didn't notice it on my Mitsubishi when it worked so I really don't even know what this issue looks like. I do, on the other hand, know what a failing DLP chip looks like which is extremely frustrating. If I ever change another one I'm trying my own thermal compound instead of that stupid thermal pad. That thing looks useless!

 

[TrashyMG]

As for your DLP, do you notice any rainbow effect?

I'm one of those who doesn't, I only notice a Rainbow effect If I move my head around really fast, to the point where I'm purposely trying to see it. It could be an issue with cheaper projectors, maybe one with an uncalibrated color wheel or something.

 

[Fixit]

You mean kinda like how if you look away from an old CRT you kinda see an afterimage for about a split second?

 

[TrashyMG]

You mean kinda like how if you look away from an old CRT you kinda see an afterimage for about a split second?

No just rapidly moving your head around, but I mean real fast to catch it between scans.

 

[lukey]

Speaking of CRTs... You forgot CRT Projectors! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRT_projector
Theoretically they have infinite Resolution. According to this list there was a Projector that could do 2500x2000 in the Jear 1993.

 

[kuru]

IS there a tech with a hands-down most recommended for gaming?

 

[TrashyMG]

IS there a tech with a hands-down most recommended for gaming?

Every gaming site I see on a quick google search link to DLP projectors, although some are just links to Optoma's DLP Gaming projectors... Which I have been considering for my next upgrade as I do have a good home theatre model right now.

http://www.consumertop.com/best-projector-for-gaming/

 

[Mr_Loon]

@Fixit :

What's the budget?
What are you projecting on to?
What size image diagonal do you wish to achieve?
Do you plan to move the projector once it's in place?

 

[ekianjo]

I have a LCD projector (one of the better ones back when I bought it) and it works perfectly for gaming.

 

[EvilDragon]

I had both a DLP projector and an LCD projector (using one right now) and am looking into a new projector right now, since mine is dying (in case you want to know why: I got an Epson 5910 LCD, which is great, but Epson decided to make it a bit more silent and didn't cool it enough, so the filter wheel is dying... and that's not really repairable. Damn them!)

With my old DLP projector, I had terrible rainbow effect issues, but that was 8 years ago and it was a 3-segment 1-Chip DLP projector.

Looking through the details of all the tech, I found out the following:

Picture quality:
LCD doesn't have rainbow effects. The black usually is not as good as with DLPs, but honestly, I found the picture of mine great.
Unless you buy a 3-Chip DLP, you will have some rainbow effect (whether it's visible depends on yourself).
DLP Projectors for around 500 EUR will certainly have a visible rainbow effect, for about 1000 EUR and higher, you'll get 1-Chip DLP projectors with fast 6-segment wheels which will minimize the rainbow effect (making it invisible for most users). WIth even more money, you get even more segments and at some time 3-Chip DLPs.
DLPs are a bit sharper than LCDs, but I never really had an issue with the sharpness on mine
The brighter the picture on a DLP is, the more visible the rainbow effect will be, so you can imagine how a cheap one with high brightness will be!

3D:
If you want to watch 3D, LCDs have a ghosting issue. Mine also has that. My wife doesn't see that, but I can clearly see it. DLPs are supposed to be better here.
Be sure to get a 144Hz capable one, in case you want flicker-free 3D pics.

Gaming:
According to what I found, DLP projectors usually are a tad faster for gaming than LCDs (but whatever you get, be sure you can disable all picture enhancements, as that will slow down things for sure! It's often called gaming mode).
However, it always depends on the games you play. Most modern games are being built with some delay in mind, so they play fine.
I had no issues playing stuff like Sonic Generations or Duck Tales Remake on my projector, but playing old games like Sonic 2 or the original Duck Tales was simply impossible

Other tidbits:
From what I read, LCD needs a bit more cooling so is a bit louder than DLP.

My current favs I'm looking into is the Epson TW6600 (LCD), the BenQ W1110 and the Optoma HD144x

 

[DaMummy]

I use a ViewSonic 8200 Pro. First projector for me. Easily one of the best purchases I've ever made.

 

[Fzero]

I was just looking at that ViewSonic model, then linked through to the BenQ W1070

Looks generally decent reviews all round.
9 / 10 trusted reviews: http://www.trustedreviews.com/benq-w1070-review
4.7 / 5 google: https://www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/7898728643078618860/reviews
4.9 / 5 richersound customers: http://www.richersounds.com/product/projectors/benq/w1070/benq-w1070
3 / 5 whathifi: http://www.whathifi.com/benq/w1070/review

It's something I've sort of considered many times in the past, but never too seriously.
This thread, and happening to see a GameChasers episode recently where Chris was showing off his projector gaming setup, has whet my appetite once again.

Looks like the bulbs typically last 2000 on average before starting to fade out, so if viewing for 6 hours a day, looking to get a new bulb once a year, at another ~£150.

I wont be able to get one for a while anyway, but when I get into my next place I'm thinking I will get a projector instead of a telly this time

 

[benoitb]

I have an Optoma entry level 1080p DLP projector.

Pros:
- cheap (600€ with a screen)
- no ghosting at all, great for gaming
- sharp
- bright

Cons:
- color accuracy is not so good, noticeable on skin tones in certain movies
- rainbow effect, I don't notice it often, but on some material I do
- no lens shift, limited zoom options reduce the flexibility when installing it

I use it for movies and gaming, I really love it.

 

[EvilDragon]

I was just looking at that ViewSonic model, then linked through to the BenQ W1070

The W1110 (which I mentioned above) is the successor with some improvements, so it should be better.

Also, before getting the W1070, get the W1070+, as it is improved as well (better black levels, etc.)

 

[Fzero]

Ah yes, I would go with the W1110, there isn't much of a price difference between them, under £100

 

[TrashyMG]

Have to stop looking at the new projectors, mine is fine for now... I don't need another large purchase until the Pyra... must resist...

 

[comradekingu]

DPL projectors are also noisier because they have that colourwheel.
More still because their smaller size pushes manufacturers to minimize available space. In turn ending up with smaller fans. Which per volume of air, are noisier.

Colourwheels can be replaced, and arent that expencive.

I have 3 Projectors. 1 sanyo LCD, one sony lcd, and a optoma hd240x DLP

All of which are bought for nothing because prior owners didnt know how to fix, service, or in the simpler case, didn't know how to replace a bulb.

Bulbs can be bought cheaply now that these arent top end anymore. Also you can replace with LED(s), which is a more involved process.

HD projector and ebay bulb onto a straight wall is quite a lot for very little, these days. CRT projectors used to be what that is now, but those are much more work to maintain.

In black and white material it is most easy to notice a rainbow effect if you blink and then shift focus around on the canvas.

 

[Fixit]

@Fixit :

What's the budget?
What are you projecting on to?
What size image diagonal do you wish to achieve?
Do you plan to move the projector once it's in place?

Well... I didn't really have a budget right now was really just thinking out loud here. As for the projection surface, I wanted to slpurge a little and get a 125inch screen that utilizes the projector's 12 volt trigger to lower the screen down. That way when I power on the projector the screen will drop down too. As for moving, absolutely not. I intend for this ting to be permanent unless I move out of the house, then it'll have to move. This is more of a dream of mine right now because I am raising a 4 year old and a lot of my funds are focused on him right now. I know he would love this setup though. He thought the Mitsubishi was just the coolest thing when I turned on his colorful kids shows. Heck, the failing DLP chip didnt even bother him but of course he's four so he may not have even noticed all the black and white dots. Anyway, back on point here, I saw a review of the Optoma HT1080. A couple of sites claimed this one was one of the best for gaming. Any thoughts?
[doublepost=1454598920,1454598787][/doublepost]@lukey You are absolutely correct. I added it as an option to the poll