Anyone now much about Projectors ?

[Vinny]

A friend of mine has an Epson EMP 500, which he uses in his job.. However he is leaving and has to give it back. And wants a new one.

He thinks it is superb for watching DVD on. any thoughts on whether he should get another epson or are ther better ones out there ? must be able to connect to a laptop ? prices ?

thanks people

[Just]

Vinny, have a look here;

http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45254

[nigel_williams]

performance really depends on budget. There are several new projectors in the budget £1,500 - £2,000 bracket.

Moving up to true 16x9, high resolution you are looking at £3,000 to £4,000 (or more).

Sony HS-1 seems to be favourite budget home cinema projector at the moment, the VW11 widescreen projector for those with more money to burn.

Check the thread listed above.

[Vinny]

Thanks guys :)

[Dan Druff]

I recommend u get a grey screen as well - much more depth to the picture. :)

[Tempest]

Originally posted by Dan Druff
I recommend u get a grey screen as well - much more depth to the picture. :)

I thought you were supposed to (If you had the money) to buy one of the posh ones with glass beads in the surface so you had a nice bright image, the screen reflecting (not soaking up) as much light as possible.

Or have I got something wrong there ?

[nigel_williams]

It depends how bright the projector is (ANSI luminens). Anything close to 1,000 in a home environment probably won't need a high-gain surface.

The next thing is black levels, LCD is not completely black when such a bright light is used so a grey screen can help improve contrast.

The more expensive projectors use high power but maintain good black levels.

[Dan Druff]

Bought a white-board cut to 1.66:1. Black outside edges about 4" thick, inside white 72". Painted Matte medium grey. No shine or refection, superb image. Sharp Xv-C20E projector (http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbench/VideoProjectors/Sharp/SharpXV-C20E.shtml)