Comments on: Projectors: The Future of Big Time Gaming http://arandomgamer.com/2009/02/projectors-the-future-of-big-time-gaming/ We Are Nerds... with opinions Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:06:54 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Riot9 http://arandomgamer.com/2009/02/projectors-the-future-of-big-time-gaming/comment-page-1/#comment-5931 Riot9 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:28:55 +0000 http://arandomgamer.com/?p=1582#comment-5931 Cell989: That may have been true with projectors from 5 years ago, but it is not the case today. Sure, for watching a movie the ideal setting would be a completely dark room, and a projector set on a cinema mode (usually around 500 lumens or less), but I can turn on all the lights in my house and still play my 360 just fine on my Otpoma HD70 (which maxes out at around 900 lumens at the brightest setting). If you're buying a projector that can do 1500-2000 lumens, you shouldn't really have problems. The only real problem is direct sunlight, but if you plan on putting in a projector, it's kind of assumed that you have blinds you can close, or curtains you can draw closed. There is absolutely no need to game in the dark with a modern projector. Cell989:
That may have been true with projectors from 5 years ago, but it is not the case today. Sure, for watching a movie the ideal setting would be a completely dark room, and a projector set on a cinema mode (usually around 500 lumens or less), but I can turn on all the lights in my house and still play my 360 just fine on my Otpoma HD70 (which maxes out at around 900 lumens at the brightest setting).
If you're buying a projector that can do 1500-2000 lumens, you shouldn't really have problems.
The only real problem is direct sunlight, but if you plan on putting in a projector, it's kind of assumed that you have blinds you can close, or curtains you can draw closed.

There is absolutely no need to game in the dark with a modern projector.

]]> By: cell989 http://arandomgamer.com/2009/02/projectors-the-future-of-big-time-gaming/comment-page-1/#comment-5733 cell989 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:35:00 +0000 http://arandomgamer.com/?p=1582#comment-5733 This is only true on a perfectly pitch black room. The slightest ray of light defeats the purpose of a projector. This is only true on a perfectly pitch black room. The slightest ray of light defeats the purpose of a projector.

]]> By: Riot9 http://arandomgamer.com/2009/02/projectors-the-future-of-big-time-gaming/comment-page-1/#comment-5705 Riot9 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:13:53 +0000 http://arandomgamer.com/?p=1582#comment-5705 Remember that the lamp in the projector will go bad eventually. Usually they have a life-span of around 2000 hours, but it could be less, or more. Regardless, you want to factor this in. I am at around 1500 hours on mine, and got a hold of a second lamp for backup when it does go out. Warranties can be a mixed bag. Online warranties that cover the bulb may have fine print that make it almost impossible to get the replacement bulb. The Epson 720 comes with an extra bulb when you buy it (mail in rebate as well), so this is a huge bonus. I went from a 46" experience (which was great) to a 100" experience, wich I'll never walk away from. TVs typically offer much better brightness and contrast, but I just can't go back to playing on a TV. I couldn't be happier with my setup. Remember that the lamp in the projector will go bad eventually. Usually they have a life-span of around 2000 hours, but it could be less, or more. Regardless, you want to factor this in. I am at around 1500 hours on mine, and got a hold of a second lamp for backup when it does go out.
Warranties can be a mixed bag. Online warranties that cover the bulb may have fine print that make it almost impossible to get the replacement bulb.
The Epson 720 comes with an extra bulb when you buy it (mail in rebate as well), so this is a huge bonus.

I went from a 46" experience (which was great) to a 100" experience, wich I'll never walk away from.
TVs typically offer much better brightness and contrast, but I just can't go back to playing on a TV.
I couldn't be happier with my setup.

]]> By: Riot9 http://arandomgamer.com/2009/02/projectors-the-future-of-big-time-gaming/comment-page-1/#comment-5703 Riot9 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:13:41 +0000 http://arandomgamer.com/?p=1582#comment-5703 For around 1000 dollars, you can get yourslef a wonderful projector that is native 720p, and works perfectly with gaming. Some good examples are the PT-AX200U, Epson HC 7200, Optoma HD65, and Mitsubishi 1500 (don't get the 1600, even though it's newer, it has a limited color wheel, and fast images like games look like crap). There are more, but those are just a few. Always read as much as you can in reviews before buying a projector. Reviews from projectorreviews.com or projectorcentral.com usually compare and contrast each with the competition. These two sites are very useful. For around 1000 dollars, you can get yourslef a wonderful projector that is native 720p, and works perfectly with gaming. Some good examples are the PT-AX200U, Epson HC 7200, Optoma HD65, and Mitsubishi 1500 (don't get the 1600, even though it's newer, it has a limited color wheel, and fast images like games look like crap). There are more, but those are just a few.

Always read as much as you can in reviews before buying a projector. Reviews from projectorreviews.com or projectorcentral.com usually compare and contrast each with the competition. These two sites are very useful.

]]> By: Riot9 http://arandomgamer.com/2009/02/projectors-the-future-of-big-time-gaming/comment-page-1/#comment-5704 Riot9 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:13:23 +0000 http://arandomgamer.com/?p=1582#comment-5704 I use a projector at home, and have for nearly two years. I'm no expert, but I have done quite a bit of research, and have a lot of hands on experience. Here is my advice: If you have any intention of playing games on this projector, do not buy anything with a native resolution lower than 720p. Although DLP typically has deeper darks, and a softer image, not all LCD based projectors should be written off. The Panasonic PT-AX200U and the Epson Home Cinema 720 are both excellent projectors. The Panasonic is especially good for gaming, offering special modes that increase refresh rates, and improve black levels. Unless you have a whole lot of ambient light in your house, something that puts out around 1500 lumens or more should work just fine. I use a projector at home, and have for nearly two years. I'm no expert, but I have done quite a bit of research, and have a lot of hands on experience. Here is my advice:

If you have any intention of playing games on this projector, do not buy anything with a native resolution lower than 720p.

Although DLP typically has deeper darks, and a softer image, not all LCD based projectors should be written off. The Panasonic PT-AX200U and the Epson Home Cinema 720 are both excellent projectors. The Panasonic is especially good for gaming, offering special modes that increase refresh rates, and improve black levels.

Unless you have a whole lot of ambient light in your house, something that puts out around 1500 lumens or more should work just fine.

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