Projectors

**Paulo** · 01-10-2005

Anyone use a projector for games?

If so what one are you using and how decent is it?

thanks
Paulo

**Evangelion-01** · 01-10-2005

want HDTV on it? or just 640x480? 640x480 are kind of cheap now, but better to buy a decent 30inch widescreen "flat" tv huh? or maybe you can do the overhead projector with an old lcd monitor mod :P

**Zilog Jones** · 01-10-2005

That guide's here.

If you want to go the sane route and buy one, though, look around for ones with features you'd want. If you're planning on using it with consoles, you'll probably want one with RGB SCART inputs which unfortunately aren't too common with projectors (they usually sell the same models worldwide) - Panasonic seem to do a few with them, though.

A lot of projectors are only around 640x480 - it's OK for NTSC/PAL-60 stuff, but it doesn't really do justice for 50Hz PAL as that has 576 horizontal lines. HDTV isn't gonna be much use in the UK for a while, so I wouldn't worry about it.

**Paulo** · 01-10-2005

Thinking of getting either a new Epson EMP-TW10H or a second hand Sony CS5 i think plus a new bulb.

Paulo

**Zilog Jones** · 01-10-2005

Hmm, pretty tricky on which to decide as they're both quite different models. And I can't seem to find too much info on the Sony as it appears to be a discontinued model. The only useful thing I found on any Sony site was this, but it's all in Japanese and all I can read are the spec's.

Basically, the Sony has better brightness and higher resolution (Sony: 800x600; Epson: 854 x 480) - so this means the Sony should be able to handle PAL-50 without having to downsize. The Epson has a better screen size range (30-300", vs. the Sony's 40-150"), however. The Sony's smaller, and IMO it looks cool. But the Epson is newer, and newer technology, so the refresh rate may be better (which is quite important with LCDs, as slow ones can look pretty blurry with motion) - I'm don't know what the refresh rates of these two projectors are though.

They both apparantly can handle RGB with composite sync with scanrates of 15kHz horizontal and 50/60Hz vertical, so *technically* they could do RGB SCART inputs, but you'll have to wire up something to put the signal into the VGA-type D-Sub as that's all they have for RGB inputs. But BE WARNED - this may not be possible! I've used some NEC projector before thinking this may be possible, but half-way through the manual it said the RGB-in will only take 24kHz (H) and higher. So you may have to stick to s-video/composite, and component were available.

Also, the Epson websites say that projector can handle PAL60, but I can't see anything about the CS5 being able to support this. That doesn't necessarily mean it can't - maybe the spec's just aren't differentiating between PAL at 50 and 60Hz. You may want to check up on this.

Personally I'd recommend the Sony (assuming it can do RGB at TV scanrates), but the PAL-60 thing and 150" distance limit could be issues depending on your situation.

**Paulo** · 01-10-2005

The specs on the sony are here...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony-VPL-CS5.htm

Hard choice isnt it?

The sony rplacement bulbs can be had on ebay for around £100-£200. Maybe less???

Anyways the bulbs for Epson are aparently £150ish from shops...

Also its getting glowing reviews from all the av folk who have it!

No idea what ill do.

**LeGIt** · 01-10-2005

I wouldnt bother with a projector for games. Bulbs are expensive to replace and will die after a month of use or something , and the picture looks shit.

Topic Archive · 01-10-2005

Yep, have to agree with Legit there, spot on reply :smt023

**Paulo** · 01-10-2005

Bulbs last for 2000 hours... Ive used at least 4 different projectors and they are great for games even on a white wall.

Paulo

**Alchy** · 01-10-2005

Room has to be too dark for my liking, it's not convenient if you don't have a dedicated room. Also some projectors seem to have a very slight delay on them - not noticeable if you're doing a powerpoint presentation, but very noticeable if you're playing Quake.

**LeGIt** · 01-10-2005

Originally Posted by Paulo

Bulbs last for 2000 hours... Ive used at least 4 different projectors and they are great for games even on a white wall.

Paulo

less than 100 days of gaming! + they're 2nd hand projectors so the bulb could have had 1999 hours use and are now obsolete models, hence the sale. Buy yourself an eyetrek if anything ...

Topic Archive · 01-10-2005

...Am I missing something here?

Question from Paulo:

"Anyone use a projector for games?

If so what one are you using and how decent is it?"

Answer from Paulo:

"Ive used at least 4 different projectors and they are great for games even on a white wall."

**Paulo** · 01-10-2005

Originally Posted by oldengineer

...Am I missing something here?

Question from Paulo:

"Anyone use a projector for games?

If so what one are you using and how decent is it?"

Its like asking what tv are you using? Im looking for what models are PEOPLE using and what are their experience with that model!

The ones ive used have since gone and are models i wont be able to get new. Well mind you i cant get the sony new but ive used its lower models (2 of them) and they were very good.

Originally Posted by LeGIt

Originally Posted by Paulo

Bulbs last for 2000 hours... Ive used at least 4 different projectors and they are great for games even on a white wall.

Paulo

less than 100 days of gaming! + they're 2nd hand projectors so the bulb could have had 1999 hours use and are now obsolete models, hence the sale. Buy yourself an eyetrek if anything ...

Well at least 2000 hours of use mostly. I was reading the AVforums and people were having 4000 hours from some bulbs. Also bulbs are easy to replace and you can get them cheap on ebay now and then.

Also legit if the bulb died at exacly 2000 hours. (some last more some last abit less) lets take 2000. At 8 hours a day i would have 250 days of use. A new bulb for the Epson one is £150 new.

Given im only gonna play xbox for about 4-6 hours a week plus a film at most a week....

Ps: The projector im gonna buy is most likely to be a new one and almost anything you buy is always obsolete by the time you get it.

**Zilog Jones** · 01-10-2005

I assume Paulo used them elsewhere. I've used one with emulators a couple of times too and they're not bad.

And I forgot two things about the Epson - it's widescreen, unlike the Sony, and games run at 60Hz/NTSC will look better on the Epson as 480 (horizontal) lines is its native resolution (the Sony will have to resize to 600 lines, which will make things look shit and blurry).

Though Legit may have been assuming we're playing games 24-hours a day, even if you're using the projector for 6 hours a day a bulb's only gonna last 1 to 1 and a half years - not really practical for everyday use, unless you're willing to pay...

EDIT: I was writing this as you posted that!

**Paulo** · 01-10-2005

Originally Posted by Zilog Jones

And I forgot two things about the Epson - it's widescreen, unlike the Sony, and games run at 60Hz/NTSC will look better on the Epson as 480 (horizontal) lines is its native resolution (the Sony will have to resize to 600 lines, which will make things look shit and blurry).

Yeah i think ive made the decision on the epson for couple of reasons one its the widescreen thing and second is the bulbs are cheap at retail and will be chaper when they start to want to get rid of them. So i can stock up with one or two.

Originally Posted by Zilog Jones

Though Legit may have been assuming we're playing games 24-hours a day, even if you're using the projector for 6 hours a day a bulb's only gonna last 1 to 1 and a half years - not really practical for everyday use, unless you're willing to pay...

Going to be used at most 10 hours a week i would say. I have used them for games before but was mostly looking for someone whos had one for time to tell me what they have. Ive had a few for a little time when friends had them.

**Evangelion-01** · 01-10-2005

well... i dont really thing 200punds is cheap.... but ok, i would rather get a nice HDTV for about 1000 bucks. nice stuff.

**yourTom** · 01-11-2005

i`m using a Hitachi PJ TX100 for HDTV games+movies and i`m very happy with it. its native resolution is 1280x720 , so its perfect for 720p games aswell as 1080i games (movies).

http://www.hitachi.ca/forhome/PJ-TX100.html

**Zilog Jones** · 01-11-2005

Nice, but it's probably out of Paulo's price range (it's about £300 more than the Epson), and as I said before HDTV's pretty useless over here at the moment.

**yourTom** · 01-11-2005

well , if i were Paulo , i`d save some more money and go with a HDTV beamer ( hitachi TX100 / Panasonic ae700/ sanyo Z3).

if you buy a non hdtv beamer now its a total waste of money.
panasonic just released the first medium price (~300euro) DVD player (s97) with build in scaler , you can actually watch all your standart DVDs in 720p or 1080i and trust me , that makes a huge difference.

and as you might know hd-dvd is comming soon and the soccer WM will also be aired in HDTV (2006).

if your looking for a cheaper HDTV LCD projektor check out the Panasonic AE500 , since the new model was just release , you should get the ae 500 pretty "cheap".

**Zilog Jones** · 01-11-2005

But AFAIK there are very few games with HDTV support, and I think that's what Paulo mainly wants it for, especially if he's playing older stuff.

And is "beamer" german for projector or something?

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