Best buy data projector??

Wiggly_Worm

Looking to get a data projector to build our own home cinema type thing. Obviously they ain't cheap, and we want to spend as little as possible - anyone got any tips or recommendations? I don't really know much about them, apart from you get different types according to their intended purpose.

It's going to be hooked up to a laptop and a stereo, and used solely for DVD viewing, in a fairly small living room.

Any features/bugs we should be looking out for?

Thanks in advance, I know you money-saving dudes will have some good ieas up your sleeves

Abi

irnbru_2

Wiggly_Worm wrote:

Looking to get a data projector to build our own home cinema type thing. Obviously they ain't cheap, and we want to spend as little as possible - anyone got any tips or recommendations?

If your watching DVDs then you'll want a LCD widescreen projector, a CRT is probably out of your budget unless you want 2nd hand.

These can be had for between 400-500 brand new or less if you take 2nd hand. If you go down the 2nd hand route then you need to know if the guarantee is transferable.

Wiggly_Worm wrote:

Any features/bugs we should be looking out for?

For LCDs stuck pixels are the greatest annoyance.
Contrast ratio if viewing in a brightly lit room.
Connections - if you're using your laptop does it have SVideo?
Cables - buy a decent (length) connection cable, these can be found on EBay.
Bulb life - replacement bulbs can cost about 1/3 to 1/2 the projector cost.

avforums

2nd hand TW10H

Wiggly_Worm

Many mnay thanks for the tips, and the link to AVForums! Brilliant