Games on huge screens

[yashiro]

As my gaming goes I'm currently suffering on 2 TV's. One 14 inch and one 29inch. (4:3)
I've been after a new TV for a while and here were my thoughts before today.

Large CRTs are very explensive but offer very crisp pictures and the best contrast ratios. Inputs are not a problem. You are limited to 36 or so inches. Getting a decent progressive scan capable set can be awkward.

Plasma and LCD are very sharp but contrast ratios are weak in comparison to CRT. They have perfect geometry and come in decent screen sizes. Inputs are generally not a problem. Very expensive.

Rear Projection sets are big and cheap. They generally have poor contrast ratios and can be incredibly dull.

These are just my personal opinions going on the sets I'd tested and seen.

Today, however, I got my first glimpse of a decent Panasonic (frontal) projector in action.
Amazing. Really amazing. It was incredibly bright and clear even during daylight. The only downside was a slight chickenwire effect from the LCD matrix.

Now after seeing this I REALLY want one. I'm looking at the starter end of the market and was wondering if any guys here had some tips/advice?
(It will mostly be used for games and perhaps the odd dvd.)

[Zed]

I've been looking into projectors also recently. Seems like quality has jumped up alot considering the price you pay, and they do give the biggest screen-size per pound.

If you go sub ?1500 pounds then you will probably get chicken-wire effects on LCD projectors, and rainbowing on DLP. Though saying that the sub-?1500 ones are getting better and better, and of course they are pushing more expensive older models down in price too.

If you go to the ?2000-?2500 range then you can double the resolution, so projectors like the Sony VPL-HS10 have no chicken wire effects at all, though it only has S-video and component.

Personally i'm thinking of waiting till crimbo and taking another look then, hopefully manufacturers, which have started making home-cinema projectors rather than computer/business ones, will also start catering more to gaming projectors with RGB and scart connectors. Certainly a few coming out soon are starting too.

I'll take a look through the notes i've made to date if you want to see the choices i have been considering? Anyway good luck, if you do get one lets us all know!

[yashiro]

After spending a few hours reading up:

The HS10 is an amazing bit of kit but it has some kind of crazy firmware / bulb problem. It also needs a lot of room to get a large picture (known as throw) (It does have component and DVI in btw)
This clocks in at ?2000

The rival, almost in this range @ ?1500, is the Panasonic AE300. It DVI,Component AND Scart inputs. A shorter throw too (ideal for a smaller room).

My current thinking though is to ignore these 2 completely, as they're both 16:9 native projectors. I'll be playing games mostly, and my space is fixed, so I'll get the biggest picture using a 4:3 native LCD.

[Zed]

I believe the new batch of HS10's dont have the problem anymore. Also which people say that if it dosent turn on first time, it always does the second. But yeah it had a few glitches.

as they're both 16:9 native projectors. I'll be playing games mostly, and my space is fixed, so I'll get the biggest picture using a 4:3 native LCD.

I laughed when i read that, it's a projector how big a picture do you want?! Gamers have said that if you get too big a picture (ie. your perphiaral vision cant take the whole screen in) you can get some weird brain effects. Have you measured up your room, and seating arrangement to see how big a picture you could theoritically get? My lounge is long enough throw isnt a prob for me. But since some companies are supporting 16:9 format games, and will probably get more common as widescreen becomes dominant, certainly next gen consoles would be 16:9 i'd say, do you really want a 4:3 and replace it in 3 years?

Anyway you asked about tips. I'd suggest:

- Confirm your budget. Remember that the projector needs sound (i'm thinking an all-in-one for ease) which will be another ?300-?500, screen for ?100-?200 (and thats a cheap one), and possibly cables. There are also things like blackout material if too much light leaks thru your windows, a stand, especially if you are going to roof mount it.
- Measure up your lounge. Thinking about furniture placement, and get the max distance you can sit the projector from a wall.
- Get max size a screen could fit in, usually not a prob unless you have funny windows etc.
- Demo both DLP and LCD. If rainbowing dosent effect you a DLP might be better as they dont suffer from chickenwire. Observe what the shop uses to connect the projector too. They sometimes use a ?2500 DVD player and super quality amp to give a better picture and sound than you will be getting.
- Check your house insurance. Some companies get anal and want to hype your fees if you get a projector.
- Buy and enjoy!

Cheap but well thought of projectors seem to be:
VPL-HS2
PTAE-200e
Sanyo PLV-Z1
Infocus X1
NEC LT75Z
Toshiba TDP-MT1100

Screens from this place:

http://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/screen.html

[yashiro]

Cheers. I'm gonna mull this lot over for a bit. My mate just picked up a Panasonic Projector so I think I may be paying him some extended visits to "evaluate" the gaming experience.

[choddo]

Totally agree on the chickenwire effect, but it becomes much less noticeable after a while and the Panny 100AE was being given away for about 600 quid recently... that's a throwaway purchase just for fun, and with a 16:9 lens iirc oh, and prog scan. lovely.