Economical HD Home Theater Projector

[korygrandy]

Can anyone recommend a decent home theater projector model a year or two old, or newer under $500 that can do 720p at a minimum and at least 2 HDMI inputs and coax ?

I have been reading about the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 705 HD 720p.

Pics of the room I will be using it are attached. I am going to mount on the drop ceiling just below and behind the HVAC casement. Wiring will be run via drop ceiling to the wiring closet in the room.

The projector will set about 11' 2" from the white painted wall that is 6' 6" x 10' 6".

Thanks for any input. The boat has been great and life has been great, I just bought an older 1965 home that needs some work. It's time to work on my man cave.

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: Economical HD Home Theater Projector

Epson is the brand to get. My Mitsubishi broke and am also looking to pick up a used projector. My home theather guru guy told me to look for an Epson unit, best for quality he says. If you have not had one before, you are in for a treat. I was wondering why you are not looking to get into a 1080p unit. Bluray on a 1080p projector is amazing. Sports will never be the same after one game I was hooked for life.
hope it works out for ya
Spud

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Economical HD Home Theater Projector

I just assumed I would pay a lot more for 1080p but that might not be the case. Good to hear Epson is a solid brand when it comes to Home Theater. I will continue my research in that brand and see what I can find.

 

[JB]

Re: Economical HD Home Theater Projector

Somehow the words "economical" and "HD home theater projector" seem to me like a megaoxymoron.

My 55" Sony 1080P has its own room, and I think of that as an ostentatious and frivolous luxury.

Of course, I grew up on some distant planet where having enough to eat was a luxury reserved to rich people.

 

[Hogger]

Re: Economical HD Home Theater Projector

I have an Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 720 on a 106" screen that I got as a refurb unit from Epson. It's basically brand new when they get done with it. I got mine about a year and a half ago for about $750. Looks like they are currently out, and the price came down, but they may have other models. Epson store. The Epsons are excellent projectors, I would highly recommend them. Although your going to have a really hard time finding a unit with 2 HDMI inputs anywhere near $500.
Take a look at projectorcentral.com. There is a ton if info there, reviews, specs, and calculators for each unit so you can set the distance properly for your projector and your seating.
Before the Epson, I had an Optoma HD70 on an 89" screen, also an excellent unit. The main difference is, one is LCD and the other is DLP. Both have their advantages, and disadvantages.
Might also look at an Optoma HD72.
Basically do your home work.
If your going to paint your screen on the wall. Be sure it's smooth and flat. And get a neutral grey pain. Behr makes a good one called Silver Screen, go figure. I used that with the Optoma. Another one, is called Mountain Mist(I think), that's what I have in the theater with the Epson. I don't think the Mountain Mist is made anymore, but I found a code for it online, and kept it just because it's an excellent color for screens. The grey can really help bring out the colors vs. a plain white screen.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Economical HD Home Theater Projector

Nice Hogger! Now we're talking. After seeing hoggers setup and now needing to be in private for a minute, I am curious what others setups look like to get some ideas for myself. I hear inFocus has some sort of distance calculator to help determine the distances I am working with. I will have to check it out.