Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

Quamar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:45:25 GMT

how much is the Planar X-Screen for ????

good blog

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

Clare Newsome — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:09:09 GMT

The X-Screens don't come cheap - they cost from around £1000 - but they're incredibly well built: I can't see any reason why i'd want to replace mine for many, many years.

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

charlesnancarrow — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:25:37 GMT

Many thanks for the blog and great to hear some real life experiences of projectors. I'm taking the plunge - I've looked at some DLP designs and am now getting a demo of the new LCD designs - Panasonic PT AE 3000 and Mitsubishi 7000. Two quick questions.

1. Your friend in the blog had a pull up screen. I also have one (6.5 feet wide, 0.9 gain). Given that they are not as state of the art as pull down/fixed, how did it work out for your friend? It is something that worries me slightly since it is not perfectly flat and has a couple of (minor) ripples across it.

2. Given how important screens are for projector viewing, is there any chance that the magazine could do an article/ review of some different types?

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

Clare Newsome — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:01:34 GMT

1) I too had a pull-up screen for several years, and found it very effective (as well as discreet). You need to treat it well to stop it getting any kinks etc in it, plus it's best not being in a draft (eg near a radiator or door) to minimise movement. Obviously a good fixed or motorised screen will be better, but you can save up for one of those (if it suits!) at a later date.

2) Yes, we're looking at doing a screen round-up in the new year.

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

mcdonja — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:24:49 GMT

Great info Clare. I've been thinking about buying a new TV but now I might have a look at a projector.

May I ask you where you got the Planar X Screen? I've had a look on the web, but I cant find any for sale in the UK

Cheers

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

Clare Newsome — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:16:35 GMT

I got my Planar via CSE Solutions - link here:

http://www.csesolutions.co.uk/product-detail.asp?PID=2963

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

mcdonja — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:03:45 GMT

Thanks Clare, appreciate your help

Cheers

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

arashid — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:49:17 GMT

Hi Clare. Thanks for this blog. I was about to buy a 42 inch viera but read your article and bought a projector instead. I got one of the new E series Sony projectors (VLP-EW5) and it's just AMAZING seeing the laptop output, the digital TV and DVD's on this. I am going to purchase a Blu-ray player soon - but the picture quality on the 3 other sources is so good I don't feel the urge to go buy a Blu-ray immediately. Now for the questions, how would readers and your team rate DLP designs compared to LCD. Personally when I did a demo of both, I found DLP magnificent - amazing colors and contract - like the cinema, but my eyes were a bit sensitive to it. Which is why in the end I went for an LCD design which has equally good colors and contrast. Any comments from others would be appreciated. What fun though watching Top Gun on this (I didn't see it in cinema when it first came out). This is a life-changer !!

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

mandeep — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:58:46 GMT

but what about the recurring high costs of replacement lamps every 2-3 years approx.

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

Clare Newsome — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:59:51 GMT

Lamp costs are coming down along with cost of projectors. If I shop around, for example, I could get a replacement lamp for my InFocus IN83 for @£200. If the bulb lasts even just two years (and mine's been going for longer...) that's less than £10 a month. I probably save that on lower electricity costs compared to the cost of running a large flatscreen and having the lights on!

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

arashid — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:12:39 GMT

Clare, what is your usage pattern of the projector? Do you use it for absolutely everything i.e. movies, TV, News?

Thanks

Ali

re: Projectors are for life, not just for cinemas

juanlenhe — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:58:12 GMT

Hi Clare

In youre response of 21 November, above, you say you are looking at doing a screen round-up in the new year. Any idea of when?

I don't think I'm the only one that could do with seeing reviews of these more often in the magazine and the prospect of finally getting some in-depth info on them played a big part on my keeping my subscription for another year.

Thanks for your help.

Juan