Any good projectors out there for under $400? Projector will go in a basement room with no windows. I have had $150 projectors in there before and they are ok but wondering if I spend a few more hundred if it would make any difference? I’m guessing I would need to spend a lot more to get a better projector but thought I would ask.
Projector Advice
- Thread starter LowerLevelSeatA
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Unless you are doing a serious setup and using it for your main entertainment choice, I probably wouldn't get a real expensive one. Some of them cost more to replace bulbs than just buying another budget projector when it breaks. If I had a bigger budget, I would go with one of those short throw projectors.
I don't have a dedicated room for a nice projector yet. I just get by with those $150-$200 ones on Amazon. Works pretty well for what you are spending. Of course it is lacking in a few areas. It does have 1080p which is nice. Just a heads up, make sure the cheaper ones say native resolution 1080p because most will say 1080p but be 720p native resolution.
It is lacking in the sound department. Had to run a 3.5mm plug from the headphone jack to my surround sound receiver. It gives it surround sound but not anything like THX or Dolby Atmos. It also would be great to have the focus and keystone correction on the remote. With as large as the projection is I probably will look into 4K when I get another one.
With a real dark room it helps with these cheaper ones. I also bought some blackout cloth at Hobby Lobby and stretched it over a wood frame to project on. I think it only ran me about $40 for the wood and fabric when I made it and looks much better than just projecting on a wall. Just do your research before buying. I just looked up customer reviews on what I was interested in and watched a lot of videos on YouTube. Below is what mine looks like with only a little over $200 in the projector and screen.
Lights on
Lights off
I don't have a dedicated room for a nice projector yet. I just get by with those $150-$200 ones on Amazon. Works pretty well for what you are spending. Of course it is lacking in a few areas. It does have 1080p which is nice. Just a heads up, make sure the cheaper ones say native resolution 1080p because most will say 1080p but be 720p native resolution.
It is lacking in the sound department. Had to run a 3.5mm plug from the headphone jack to my surround sound receiver. It gives it surround sound but not anything like THX or Dolby Atmos. It also would be great to have the focus and keystone correction on the remote. With as large as the projection is I probably will look into 4K when I get another one.
With a real dark room it helps with these cheaper ones. I also bought some blackout cloth at Hobby Lobby and stretched it over a wood frame to project on. I think it only ran me about $40 for the wood and fabric when I made it and looks much better than just projecting on a wall. Just do your research before buying. I just looked up customer reviews on what I was interested in and watched a lot of videos on YouTube. Below is what mine looks like with only a little over $200 in the projector and screen.
Lights on
Lights off
That picture looks pretty good to me. I have one now but it’s a little blurry. I may have it set too far back. It’s about 13 feet back from the wall and maybe 130 inch screen, thinking about moving it closer to see if it clears up. How far back do you set yours?
If you don’t have an actual projection screen, I would get one before getting a new projector - just a guess on improving the picture.
You can order samples here to see if it helps: https://www.silverticketproducts.com/products/material-samples.
I think my screen was $300 and the projector was $600, but that was 3 years ago. The sound situation will also be easier at this level since it will be handled via HDMI.
You can order samples here to see if it helps: https://www.silverticketproducts.com/products/material-samples.
I think my screen was $300 and the projector was $600, but that was 3 years ago. The sound situation will also be easier at this level since it will be handled via HDMI.
I think 130" is pushing it with these budget ones. Don't believe the size they say. I'm probably about at the limit before it doesn't focus quite as good. I believe it is around 10' from the screen and has around a 108" projection. I might get another foot back and still work good but I'm almost all the way to the wall. I had to leave a little space in the back for my Roku stick. I think I had a slightly smaller projector with hookups on the side before this one and got up to 120" but that one was definitely at the limit.
Something you have to worry about with these cheaper ones is the outsides of the picture don't focus as good as the center. I'm guessing you have to have the projector right in the middle of the screen to help with that. The keystone correction probably isnt good enough to correct it. You should also look for one with a filter. Nothing worse than getting dust or a hair inside it. You will see a little shadow on the screen that can be annoying. You could also just cover it up when not in use, but when it's on it will suck in air and possible dust. I taped a fabric softener sheet on my old one to catch dust, but it might not keep it as cool that way.
I think this is the one I have. There's so many on Amazon but I know mine had Dr J on it. It is cheaper now and there's a $30 off coupon as well.
5G WiFi Bluetooth Projector, Full HD Native 1080P Projector 9500Lumens with Wireless Mirroring Screen, Compatible with TV Stick/HDMI/DVD Player/AV for Theater Movies [120" Projector Screen Included] https://a.co/d/9i0Sv72
Thanks for all the advice! That’s funny..that’s the one I got a week ago and have set up now. My son like to have the biggest screen possible to play video games but I think I’m going to move it closer more like yours and see if it helps.