Whether you live in a small apartment or a large family home, a projector can add some excitement to your TV or movie viewing experience. Unfortunately, most people think owning a projector does not fit their tight budget. The truth is however, that when projectors become more popular, they also become more affordable. For under a couple grand, you can set up a nice projector system in your living space.
Some features you’ll want to look for when shopping for an entry-level projector include:
HDMI connectivity
Portability or easy installation
Equipped with built-in speakers (or you can purchase them separately)
Quality light output
HD capability (3D optional)
LCD or LED (LED projectors offer a longer lamp life)
There are many affordable projectors on today’s market including:
1.) The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5030UB which offers great color and lens shift. It also comes with 3D glasses.
2.) The BenQ W1080ST – With full HD and 3D capability, it’s great for small apartments.
BenQ W1080ST
3.) The Optoma HD 28DSE – It’s lightweight and has greater quality for the price.
4.) The Epson EH-TW9200 – An economical option for those wanting 3D capabilities.
Epson EH-TW9200
5.) The BenQ GP10 – An LED projector that is both lightweight and compact.
6.) The BenQ TH670 – Extremely affordable with great color saturation.
7.) The Optoma HD142X – Comes with 3D capability and is a good choice for rooms with lots of light.
Once you’ve found the right projector, you’ll need to invest in a projector screen. You may also opt to set up a wall for viewing with the use of a special paint instead of using a screen. Other accessories you can buy to enhance your home theater include an advanced sound system, HDMI cables and a ceiling mounting kit.
If you already have a projector and the lamp needs replacing, MyProjectorLamps.com has you covered with an unbeatable selection of high-quality replacement lamps at low, affordable prices. Shop with us today and save!
Whether in a living room, basement or other location, a home theater is often the most popular hang-out spot for entertainment viewing. Along with being a place to gather for movie night, it also provides an exciting way to watch and enjoy basketball, hockey, football and other sports.
Make your home theater a stylish and comfortable meeting space for family and friends with the following set up tips and ideas:
The Projector – Choose the right projector for your space. Begin by assessing the amount of light in the room. If you have lots of light, you’ll need a projector with more lumens or brightness.
Seating – Cozy seating is important for setting up a comfortable home theater. Arrange for comfortable seats with quality back support such as stadium chairs or recliner sofas.
The Screen – Choose your projector screen based upon the amount of light in your room. For example, white screens are best for basement theaters while a gray screen will show images best in rooms with lots of light. Another important thing to keep in mind, is the screen size should be determined by the square footage of your room.
Sound – External speakers provide a great way to ensure you have quality sound in your home theater. For even better sound, place speakers in the corner of the room and on the side of your seating area.
Lighting – Minimize lighting when watching movies or games with black-out curtains or room darkening blinds.
Projector Placement – If you plan to use your projector in multiple rooms, you’ll want to opt for a lightweight, compact and portable one. Temporarily place your projector on an AV cart or small coffee table when in use. However, when possible, you should consider mounting it on your ceiling for saving space and added convenience.
If you already have a projector and the lamp needs replacing, MyProjectorLamps.com has you covered with an unbeatable selection of high-quality replacement lamps at low, affordable prices. Shop with us today and save!
Many movie watchers and television fans are opting for a projector in lieu of an LCD television. One reason is due to the increase in the number of home entertainment rooms that include comfortable seating inside a movie theater-style environment.
Nonetheless, there are many other reasons why projectors are preferred over flat screen televisions. Although both provide clear images and great picture quality, projectors provide many benefits over that of an LCD television such as:
The projector allows for viewing on a larger screen (about 102 inches compared to 60 or less with a television). Great for movie nights or for watching sporting events.
Today’s projectors are lightweight and therefore can be transported from room to room for added convenience.
Projectors are less costly than most LCD televisions. However, the initial cost of installation and set-up can be pricey.
Projectors work easily with your computer or tablet.
Pictures come alive in more detail for better visibility, as the projector allows for image adjusting.
Projectors and projector screens can be folded up and hidden away when not in use allowing for a more tidy and open living space.
3D and 4K projectors are now available to offer the best picture resolution.
Projectors are ideal for families that frequently host gatherings or watch movies. In the past, many have shied away from projectors thinking the devices might be too complex or difficult to use. However, with new advancements in technology, they are becoming more and more user-friendly. Televisions were also preferred in the past for smaller rooms or for rooms that were very brightly lit, but today’s projectors offer many features that still allow for clear, quality viewing despite these hindrances.
If you already have a projector but the lamp needs replacing, MyProjectorLamps.com has you covered with an unbeatable selection of high-quality replacement lamps at low, affordable prices. Shop with us today and save!
When it comes to home theater projectors, there are hundreds of options in the mid-range budget category, from about $1,500 to $3,500. Yet, few are as popular and widely used as the Epson Home Cinema 5030UB and the Panasonic PT-AE8000. Both combine the best features to deliver stunning HD images, excellent 3D performance, and quick and flexible installation.
Panasonic PT-AE8000 Projector
If you’ve narrowed your choices down to the Epson 5030UB and the Panasonic PT-AE8000, it can be a challenge to make that final selection. They’re just both such high-performing pieces of hardware. They’ll provide many of the features that you need, and they both deliver excellent image quality. But if you had to whittle it down to the best, which one would it be? How do the Epson 5030UB and Panasonic PT-AE8000 stack up against each other?
Epson Home Cinema 5030UB Projector
Image Quality: In terms of image quality, it’s an extremely close race. But ultimately, the Epson Home Cinema 5030UB slightly outperforms. Both projectors produce a pretty bright image rated at 2,400 lumens. But the Epson provides better contrast, thanks to the Epson Ultra Black technology. That makes dark colors even deeper, and greens, reds and blues more defined. The Panasonic, on the other hand, has a slightly lower contrast ratio, but it also uses the Pure Contrast Plates to produce dark black colors. Overall, though, the Epson produces colors that are brighter and images that are more defined, albeit slightly. Winner: Epson Home Cinema 5030UB
Standard Features: Both projectors are equipped with a long list of useful features, but in this regard, the Panasonic has a few added benefits. For instance, both projectors are 3D ready, but with the 3D Motion Remaster technology, the PT-AE8000 is a contender. Plus, the Panasonic features 3 HDMI ports, compared to 2, as well as lens memory. Both do share many similar features though, including vertical and horizontal lens shift, lens zoom and available sound. Winner: Panasonic PT-AE8000
Set-Up Flexibility: In terms of installation, both of these projectors have features that enable users tons of set-up flexibility. For instance, with horizontal and vertical lens shift, you can adjust picture size and shape without moving the projector. Those are features on both projectors. Plus, both are equipped with lens zoom, and they’re both considered long-throw projectors. So in terms of set-up flexibility, they’re practically even. Winner: Tie
Price: The price of Panasonic PT-AE8000 is slightly lower than the Epson. The Panasonic starts at $1,699, while the Epson comes in at $2,299. But the winner isn’t just the lower of the two – it’s more about value. What features are you getting for the price? Is the Epson a better value? Probably not. The features of the Epson are extensive and the image quality impressive, but there’s just too much overlap between the two. The Panasonic is the better value.Winner: Panasonic PT-AE8000
So what’s the bottom line? If you had to choose one of these projectors, which would it be? There’s just so much overlap; it’s really a touch decision to make. Yet, the Panasonic is a formidable opponent, and it comes out victorious. Here’s why: The Panasonic boasts impressive image quality that only slightly underperforms. In fact, to the untrained eye, the differences may only be negligible. Is that slight jump in image quality worth an extra $600? It’s not. Plus, you’ll find that there are no glaring features that the Epson has, that you don’t find in the Panasonic. Winner: Panasonic PT-AE8000
Are you on the market for a home theater projector? There’s an allure to using a projector in your home theater: ultra-large, crisp images, impressive image quality, you name it. Although HD TVs compete, there’s nothing quite like a projector. Home Theater Projector
But unlike TVs, buying a projector is a bit more complicated. You need to know things like what brightness you’ll need, the type of installation you’re planning, and the available features you’re looking for, among other factors. So which one is right for you? Here are four questions you should ask yourself before picking a projector:
How Bright Should My Projector Be?
Projector brightness is measured in lumens, and it’s an important factor to consider. If you choose a projector that’s not bright enough, your image will appear washed out and dull. Here’s a rule of thumb: If there’s more ambient light in your theater – whether natural light or light from lamps and other sources – you’ll need a projector with a brighter bulb.
Generally, most home theater projectors start at around 1,000 lumens. If you have a theater that’s very dark, a projector rated at 1,000 lumens and up will suffice. But if there is more natural light, that’s just not bright enough. For moderately lit rooms, you’ll need a projector that’s rated at about 1,500 lumens, and for brightest rooms, you’ll need to choose something at around 3,500 lumens.
How Will You Install Your Projector?
When you start exploring possible projectors, you should consider the way that you will be mounting it – whether from the ceiling, on a tabletop, or near the screen. Different types of mounts work better, depending on the space. For instance, if you have a small theater, you might get better results from a short-throw projector. Short-throw projectors can be placed closer to the screen, while still casting a large screen. Short Throw vs Long Throw Projector
Another option is a long-throw projector. These projectors need to be placed further from the screen, and they work well in larger spaces and with ceiling mounts. Plus, there are features that will make set-up easier. For instance, options like keystone correction, lens zoom and lens shift provide flexibility in your setup. All three allow you to adjust the picture to the screen, without moving the projector.
What Features Do You Want?
You should also narrow down the features that you want based on how you’ll be using your projector. For instance, if you’re interested in screening 3D content, you need a 3D-ready projector – which these days, includes the majority of home theater set-ups. For gaming set-ups, you’ll need a projector with high resolution, a high refresh rate, and one that’s capable of handling both data images and HD content. 3D Projector
Other features to consider include wireless HDMI connectivity. This is important because it allows you to connect devices to your projector wirelessly, which can help you avoid clutter and extra wiring. Plus, you might want to consider USB connectivity, built-in sound capabilities if you won’t be using a receiver, and image quality features like contrast ratio and native resolution.
What Will Your Viewing Habits Be?
Projector bulbs have “lamp lives,” which the amount of time you can run your projector before the lamp can only achieve half its original brightness. Generally, the majority of today’s LCD and DLP projector bulbs have lamp lives between 2,000 and 4,000 hours. That’s quite a long time – for instance, you can watch the entire Harry Potter series 204 times on a 4,000-hour bulb – but when your lamp is nearing the end of its life, it will need to be replaced.
Typically, projector bulbs start around $200, and they can be quickly and easily replaced by you at home. They’re designed to be taken out efficiently. Plus, today, there’s a trend to LED-based bulbs, which have much longer lamp lives of up to 20,000 hours or more. That’s another option.
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So which projector is right for your home theater? Of course, it depends on your budget and the theater experience you want to create. Here are a few Full HD suggestions in the sub-$1,000 price range, and also our favorite projectors of 2014. MyProjectorLamps.com is your source for low-cost, high-quality projector lamp bulbs. We provide an unbeatable selection and the best prices on projector bulbs from top manufacturers including BenQ, Epson, Optoma and Sony. Browse our selection today.
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