"Keegan Alex" <keeganalex@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:d815f41a.0308041400.4af1fabe@posting.google.com...

> Hi folks,

>

> This Fall, I'm hoping to convert my garage into a home theater, and

> I'm debating on whether to go with a projector or a standard

> television. The last time I shopped for something like this, the

> common debate was LaserDisc or VHS, so I need some help from you guys.

>

> I use the LCD Projectors at work, so I'm familiar with them from that

> standpoint, but I've never actually watched a feature film on one. If

> I did go with an LCD Projector, the only thing I'm sure about is 2500

> - 3000 lumens so it's as bright as possible.

>

> Outside of this, what are the advantages or disadvantages of going

> with one over the other? I want good quality, but I don't mind

> sacrificing the BEST quality if I'm on a much larger screen with GREAT

> quality. Is there even such thing as an HDTV projector?

>

> I also know price is a factor. My budget for the video portion is

> $3000-$3500, but from what I've seen, this should be decent enough to

> accomplish what I want.

>

> Another factor I'm aware of are bulb costs with the projector. The

> ones at work cost $400, but they last generally 2 years with 3-5 hours

> per day of use.

>

> Anyway, can someone give pointers or maybe even websites that have

> such a comparison? Or if you went one way over another, why and what

> hardware did you go with?

I saw one $2000 Panasonic HDTV projector (Sony makes a similar one)

that projected a very sharp and satisfying image from 9' onto an 8.5'

wide light-grey screen. This was the first HDTV display (other than a

$13,000 50" Pioneer plasma display) that impressed me. The projector

does need a very dark room for viewing, though, and the blacks can

be good, but not perfect - but the image sharpness and smoothness were

worth the slight brilliance loss...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com