Computer Projectors - Lots of fun in social gatherings

Hi,

Computer projectors are lots of fun for the deaf! With many of them now available new for only 3 figures, they are starting to become popular.... (For example: Epson PowerLite S1 Review .... these are only MSRP $999 .... heavens, computer projectors USED to cost as much as a car....Now 100 inches is almost as cheap as buying an 18" flat panel monitor...)

.... Social gatherings with a computer is more fun. Hook a wireless keyboard and pass the keyboard around all your friends sitting on the sofa. Typing to each other for fun. You can even buy more than 1 wireless keyboard and connect them all to the same computer. Then give everyone their own keyboard. (Just make sure only 1 person types at a time)

.... Mammoth sized DVD movies. They are a HOOT. DVD quality is good enough to look just as good as an average multiplex movie theater. throw movie parties. And movie parties are fun; you don't need to talk much during movies.

.... Mammoth sized videogames. Have the biggest video game screen in your neighbourhood. These computer projectors will also work with X-Box, GameCube and PlayStation2 too as well)

.... Internet on the big screen. You can all read websites together, like your favourite movie star website, or a QuickTime movie trailers website, etc. Turn computer from a solitary activity to a more SOCIAL activity.

.... High-Definition TV (HDTV) which is TV that looks better than DVD quality. Most of the new computer projectors do HDTV. Where else can you get a 100 inch HDTV for only 3 figures... (Please note: Make sure your HDTV provider supports closed captioning - for HDTV, captioning is done by the cable box instead of the projector or HDTV. Right now, Rogers Cable Canada plans to introduce HDTV CC in January 2004)

Having a computer projector display a 100 inch image on the wall can be more eye-grabbing and cheaper than having a 40 inch HDTV set.

Do any of you own your very own computer projector, now that basic models have fallen so much in price to the 3-figure price range instead of the 4 and 5 figure ranges?

(Note: I own a much higher end projector, the JVC G1000 DILA. Used to own an NEC XG135 CRT projector. Not many people are able to afford these models. However, projectors are only now becoming mainstream and more common, particularly the new sub-$1000 computer projectors that can also do good video and HDTV too!)

Mark Rejhon said:

(Note: I own a much higher end projector, the JVC G1000 DILA. Used to own an NEC XG135 CRT projector. Not many people are able to afford these models. However, projectors are only now becoming mainstream and more common, particularly the new sub-$1000 computer projectors that can also do good video and HDTV too!)

Click to expand...

How much would a JVC G1000 DILA cost?

G1000 DILA's are no longer being manufactured anymore. For something higher end I would highly recommend a Mustang HD2 DLP projector (1280x720) which typically costs about $7000 USD.

[Addendum: I think G1000's are sometimes available for under $2000 on ebay sometimes -- search for keyword "D-ILA" -- but be careful to buy only from somebody who you trust!!]

The new Mustang HD2 DLP projectors really stunning pictures much better looking than the local multiplex theater. (Yes, better than 35mm quality - at home! Unless you're lucky to live near Mann's Chinese Theater or The Majestic, which uses much better quality than average 35mm projectors and coveted dye-transfer reels of film)

If you have money to spend, I really liked the picture qualy of Sony's new Qualia SXRD projector which is a 1920x1080 digital projector with 3000:1 contrast ratio. This costs a whopping $30,000 or thereabouts I think. This is the cream of the crop. (I saw it at CEDIA 2003 in Indianapolis, when I travelled there on business earlier this fall.) Gee, at that price, most people would prefer to just get a $899-to-$999 conference room projector plus a Toyota car (LOL).

If you are shopping and do not like to see projectors sight-unseen, try to go to a large electronics convention such as CES to look at them first! If you live near Las Vegas, be sure to visit the CES 2004 show from January 8 through 11th ... you will see some of the best projectors available and some really cool technologies. CES 2004 is one of the world's largest electronics shows -- so it is a gadget freak's dream. (And many of you deafies are gadget freaks...) There is something like 5 miles of continuous exhibit front in some of the world's biggest convention rooms, and you need 2 full days just to see all the exhibits.

Of course, most people can't afford 4 or 5 figures for the world's best projectors capable of 15 feet wide wall sized images. But many of you who have spent thousands on hearing equipment, can now afford a $899 or $999 LCD projector capable of a 100 inch (7 feet screen)... considering how much fun they can be!

Here's my screen, running ActiveWorlds (AlphaWorld), which is a 3D chat environment. Although I don't visit there as often as I used to...

This is 92 inch diagonal. (I have since upgraded to a 120 inch screen, which is bigger than the one in this photo)

Hmm, that sounds pretty interesting.

There's another thing I want to know, how much would it cost to buy a silver screen sized from 92 and above?

Depends.... Between $50 and $5000

A can of special projector screen paint?
A barebones wall mounted screen?
A nice velvet-framed wall mounted screen?
A pulldown screen?
A motorized screen?

If you wanted to hit the middle-of-the-line that was better than a painted wall, try a Draper Cineperm or a Dalite fixed screen. I'd guesstimate a cost between $300-$700 USD including the metal frame, screen material, and mounting.

A cheaper pulldown-blinds screen like the one used for school would set you back about $100-$300

Most people buying $999 projectors tend to just use a painted wall which is not as good, and I have heard of people using homemade screen (i.e. Parkland Plastics white laminate from Home Depot). For more information about building your own homemade screen, click the Screens area of http://www.avsforum.com