Recommend me a Projector and screen

[B3Svert]

I am looking for a new projector, currently using an old Sanyo Pro Xtrax Multiverse which although it "does the job" the clarity is nothing great. It's only used for playing Xbox and watching DVD's through my Sony DAV-DZ260 both of which are capable of 1080p apparently (Blueray will be added at a later date).

Due to budget constraints (new car comes first) I will probably only be buying a screen first, ideally motorized although not essential as the room it will be in is already a dedicated games room. I've seen a couple but as usual there's a vast choice and I have no idea what is good and what is cheap tat as i have no idea what is reasonable to pay for a screen. Don't have a budget in mind necessarily, so looking for recommendations and different price options from real people - hence asking on PH

Same goes for the projector, these seem to go from a few hundred to several thousand pounds. I am no audio or videophile but simply want to enjoy HD movies and games without spending silly money. PJ will be ceiling mounted, guess I will need an HDMI switcher(?) as I only want to run one long HDMI cable from the head end through to the PJ.

Guess I should also add viewing distance will be between 2.8 amd 4.8m from screen.

Cheers guys.

Edited by B3Svert on Thursday 12th March 10:56

[Plotloss]

A rough budget would help enormously.

[WZC1]

The Sony VPL-HW10 is the first full HD ( 1080P ) projector that we recommend and that would be a very good starting point. We are yet to see a unit below this price point that really delivers picture wise. The Sony is highly flexible with its placement, good with motion and nice and black. There is a three year warranty as well. The Panasonic PTAE3000 is the Sonys competitor and for a little more money brings even better motion handling and a crisper and deeper image.

Nick

[B3Svert]

Thanks guys, and Plotless you're right - an idea of budget would help enormously. Guess I should type posts while not on a conf call and concentrate properly

Maximum of £1.5-2k all in, but would prefer to spend less than that of course if at all possible.

Is this an unrealistic price? With the viewing distance in my previous post would I be better off looking at an HD plasma instead?

Edited by B3Svert on Thursday 12th March 12:11

[Plotloss]

B3Svert said:

Is this an unrealistic price? With the viewing distance in my previous post would I be better off looking at an HD plasma instead?

At the distances involved

2.8m from a 65" screen you will get some benefit from a 1080p signal
4.8m from a 65" screen you will get some benefit from a 720p/1080i signal (1080p will not be a factor, you're too far away)

So if 1080p is a real hard requirement from 4.8m then you're into projection with a 100"+ screen. In fact for 1080p to look as good as it possibly can, from 4.8m you'll need a 120" screen.

The upper end of your budget should just be achieveable depending on what you want from a screen.

[WZC1]

The Sony is £1850 so that should leave just enough to get a fixed frame screen. I would opt for 90-100" rather than maxing out the screen size. This will help the picture and your budget.
Nick

[thehawk]

I would recommend this :

http://vis.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/products/proje...