Need help selecting a big screen projector

[Rebel]

I am considering setting up a big movie screen at the family farm for our private viewings. One idea is to hang a large screen on the side of the barn and then we sit on lawn chairs or blankets on the ground. The other idea is to convert the barn loft into a more permanent little theater with surround sound. In the loft, the screen would be limited to 30 feet or less whereas the outside of the barn is much, much bigger. Inside of course would be more protected from the weather and thus could be used for a longer period of the year, but since it is not heated, it would not be usable the whole year. Outside would also be subject to more interference from light from natural light (ie moon) whereas we could make it almost pitch black in the loft if we wanted to do so.

What I need the most help with is figuring out what projector to buy. I have done some reading about lumens and focal distances and such, but I am not very confident about making a decision. I am looking for a projector that I can connect to my VCR, DVD player, or camcorder.

Does anyone have any experience with anything like this? If you have any recommendation or comments regarding any projectors, please let me know.

[wizzer]

i have the infocus x-1 and it's been a wonderful projector for us. i have it sitting on a table right now shinning onto a white wall. the maximum image size is about 300 inches diagonal. bought it at best buy for 999 bucks. i hate watching movies on a regular sized t.v. now.

i would make the movie house inside the loft if it were me but my projector is portable enough to move back and forth to wherever i want it.

[Rebel]

i have the infocus x-1 and it's been a wonderful projector for us. i have it sitting on a table right now shinning onto a white wall. the maximum image size is about 300 inches diagonal. bought it at best buy for 999 bucks. i hate watching movies on a regular sized t.v. now.

i would make the movie house inside the loft if it were me but my projector is portable enough to move back and forth to wherever i want it.

I was kind of hoping to find something capable of a larger image size, but I might be able to convince myself to settle.

How far from the wall do you place the projector to get the 300 inch size? Is the picture quality still good at that size?

[Disney Guru]

I have no clue I have just stuck with a TV!

[wizzer]

i have the infocus x-1 and it's been a wonderful projector for us. i have it sitting on a table right now shinning onto a white wall. the maximum image size is about 300 inches diagonal. bought it at best buy for 999 bucks. i hate watching movies on a regular sized t.v. now.

i would make the movie house inside the loft if it were me but my projector is portable enough to move back and forth to wherever i want it.

I was kind of hoping to find something capable of a larger image size, but I might be able to convince myself to settle.

How far from the wall do you place the projector to get the 300 inch size? Is the picture quality still good at that size?

here is a link http://www.infocus.com/products/product ... ite_lang=1

they seem to be advertising the x2 for 999 it looks the same as what i have but i noticed the lamp life is only 3000 hours where mine is good for 4000. i could go on and on about how much better this option is over a widescreen tv. i loooove my projector and watching all my dvds is like expiriencing the movie for the first time again at my own personal theater.

[Rebel]

Is wizzer the only person on this board who has a projector?

[ckdish]

Go with a projector that has DLP technology. It's the latest technology developed by TI (Texas Instruments). You'll get a much better picture. Check it out here http://www.dlp.com/home_entertainment/default.asp

[Mr. Toad]

Wizzer - if you wouldnt mind would you go on and on about why it is better? I too am looking over all the options of what I might want to do.

[wizzer]

Wizzer - if you wouldnt mind would you go on and on about why it is better? I too am looking over all the options of what I might want to do.

hehe. sure.in the begining, i was in the market for a new TV and spending alot of time in the dvd section at best buy, i would always make my way over to the TV isle to see what they had. on the bottom end, i saw a 43 inch widescreen tv for about $1699 and the really big 61 inch sony was like $4500. i could barely afford the small one and i was also interested in getting a new home theater system too. another problem was that i wasn't impressed with the HD sets at all. to me the picture looked terrible. maybe because i was standing 3 feet away from the screen but anyway i wasn't impressed at all. and anyway, when i think 'home theater' the screen in my head is bigger than 43 inches diagonal. so after much disscussion and persuasion from other board members on a different forum, i came to the decision to look into a projector. i chose the infocus x1 because of the price and the long lamp life and also it was suggested to me by someone else who owns one. at the same time i got a yamaha 6.1 receiver with all the speakers and and a 12 inch sub for $500 bucks. when i got it home i connected my dvd player to it via s-video cable and set it on a table and pointed it at a wall , and voila, 150+inches diagonal on my wall and the picture is amazing. the format is native 4x3 but i can switch it to 16x9 for anamorphic discs if you don't want black bars. i leave it on 4x3. after hooking up the sound system, i have a real movie theater in my house and every movie is a big event. i haven't had any problems whatsoever with my projector and at this point i would suggest them to anyone who is looking into a new home theater system. i think they don't have projectors on display at best buy because noone would buy big tvs any more. i'm definately not anti-HD as there are more expensive projectors that are HD ready. the first movie i watched blown up on my wall had me smileing ear to ear with happiness because a home movie screen such as this is exactly what i've always wanted. and i'm just shining the thing on my wall right now and don't really plan on upgrading but if you want to spend a little more the are nice projector screens you can buy. also TV=giant and heavy. projector=small and light. go get a projector now and you will thank me later.