Using a projector with an xbox.

donCORK

Does anyone use a projector? are they any good? I was thinking about getting myself one for Xmas so if anyone could give me there opinion on them and recommend where i could get a decent one for a decent price I'd appreciate it.

Cheers.

J-blk

I've used a Panasonic AE700 for years now (though TBH, these days I gravitate towards my HDTV instead):

http://www.projectorcentral.com/panasonic_ae700.htm

Now, you'll notice that's an almost 5 year old projector at this stage. Still, it works very well. It has a dynamic mode that makes it work quite well in a pretty well lit room. For best results, you'd ideally want to darken the room as much as possible and use a screen (I just use a white wall...) but even without them, most modern HD projectors should cope quite well.

I got mine from Komplett:

http://www.komplett.ie/k/kl.aspx?bn=10686

(current model of the Panasonic is the PT-AX200)

Though for sheer practical use, I'd probably get an HDTV instead. Unless if you have a really small space and want a pretty huge screen, then the projector might be a better option for you.

mossym

have only a projector in my cinema room, and do a lot of gaming on it, would find it very hard to go back to a tv now, in fact when i do i am rubbish..gaming on a 108" screen in HD is well worth the outlay on a projector

nevelator

I have my xbox hooked up to a HD (720p) projector, It is especially handy for split screen games! I have an Optoma HD700X which has both HDMI and component inputs.

As mentioned above, you need some space to set it up correctly. You'd also have to have a separate sound system and also think how to run cables between and the bits 'n' bobs.

hobochris

I have mine hooked up to a projector with 5.1 sound. you cant beat it for gaming. the screen size is awesome.

Id love to get upgrade to a short throw projector though, I have an Optoma ds306 which is a bit dated now, it does 720p. I use a vga cable to hook it up to the Xbox.

Leadership

Mine is hooked up to a sony HD projector, nothing beats playing Tiger Woods than a 7ft tall golfer on my wall or call of duty with life size charcters storming the beach. Great playing rockband with a full line up at parties as well!

I do lose detail on very sunny days so I use a spare 19" monitor for those rare days.

Not sure I would reconmend my projector as its a couple of years old now. Best place to buy would be a stationary suppliers and haggle like mad on the price as they have around €35% margin to play with.

medici

Recently played COD4 on a PS3 in a mate's house using a HD projector. Multiplayer mode absolutely excellent imho. Cannot remember type of projector but was using just a blank white wall - still very good though I thought.

Note: watch out for bulb life, while they last a long time they are expensive enough to replace but friend found reasonably-priced ones after hunting around on ebay.

smooch71

This may sound like a stupid question but do you need a specific type of screen for a HD projector?

Does it make any difference to just playing it on a blank wall?

Placebo

whats a decent price range for one

Vic Vinegar

smooch71 wrote: »

This may sound like a stupid question but do you need a specific type of screen for a HD projector?

Does it make any difference to just playing it on a blank wall?

It's far better to have an actual screen cos they have tiny fragments of glass in them to reflect back light and improve picture quality, you can get away with having it project onto a wall but you're losing out if you do.

smooch71

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

It's far better to have an actual screen cos they have tiny fragments of glass in them to reflect back light and improve picture quality, you can get away with having it project onto a wall but you're losing out if you do.

Thanks

Will a standard screen do?

Vic Vinegar

smooch71 wrote: »

Thanks

Will a standard screen do?

What do you mean? a standard projector screen? they come in all types really ranging from cheap and cheerful (manual pulldown ones) to really expensive (motorised movement and gold plated handles )

A budget one will do a far better job than a blank wall could though.

smooch71

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

What do you mean? a standard projector screen? they come in all types really ranging from cheap and cheerful (manual pulldown ones) to really expensive (motorised movement and gold plated handles )

A budget one will do a far better job than a blank wall could though.

What I meant was is there a range of HD specific screens or will one that suits a standard projector do.

I like the idea of those gold plated handles though!!

Vic Vinegar

smooch71 wrote: »

What I meant was is there a range of HD specific screens or will one that suits a standard projector do.

I like the idea of those gold plated handles though!!

Ah right. Screens come in aspect ratios, ie 4:3 or 16:9, no HD specific ones as far as i know!

smooch71

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

Ah right. Screens come in aspect ratios, ie 4:3 or 16:9, no HD specific ones as far as i know!

Nice one

Thanks

nevelator

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

Ah right. Screens come in aspect ratios, ie 4:3 or 16:9, no HD specific ones as far as i know!

Most of the screens have the max size picture you can get on them. Bear in mind that the if you put a widescreen picture on the 4:3 screen you won't be able to reach that max picture size and probably vice versa. 16:9 would be the way to go for the xbox.

Vic Vinegar

nevelator wrote: »

16:9 would be the way to go for the xbox.

Undoubtedly!

Smoggy

104" screen and an Optoma HD65 - a cheap way to get into HD gaming and once you see your games on the whole side of your livingroom wall there is no turning back.

im sure you can find it for less than this

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=344100&cks=ASS&assoc=33B93A9A-5D6F-4008-8B95-5338CC3F2AA6&gclid=CKCqi5yezJ0CFY6CzAod2hEJuA

duploelabs

Not to be pendantic but full HD is 16:9 (1920X1080)

mossym

duploelabs wrote: »

Not to be pendantic but full HD is 16:9 (1920X1080)

you can project a full hd signal in 16:9 format onto a 4:3 screen , just the size will be smaller...you can adjust projected image size so can fit pretty much anything..you will of course have unused parts of the 4:3 screen, but the projected image will be 1920*1080 so still full hd 16:9

Smoggy

duploelabs wrote: »

Not to be pendantic but full HD is 16:9 (1920X1080)

So is 720p - what your point ?

1280x720 = 16:9

duploelabs

Smoggy wrote: »

So is 720p - what your point ?

1280x720 = 16:9

my point is that the previous poster said

Ah right. Screens come in aspect ratios, ie 4:3 or 16:9, no HD specific ones as far as i know

but HD (1080 or 720) is 16:9

mossym

duploelabs wrote: »

my point is that the previous poster said

but HD (1080 or 720) is 16:9

as i tried to say earlier you can project a full hd image onto a 4:3 screen(it may be a waste) .so if you really did want to be pedantic it is true to say there no specific hd screens