Best cheap projector

[minimoose]

So I'm pretty new to the home theater world, right now I have a 39" LED TV and a quite nice 5.1 system my uncle gave me, however I'm very interested in stepping up to a projector instead of a TV, however I'm on a pretty limited budget so I'm looking for the best projector for the price, so my minimum requirements are these:

720P

Bright enough to be used in a room during the day, even if it doesn't look perfect

Capable of projecting an 80-90" screen from 12 feet

Decent color and contrast my current TV is nothing special so it doesn't have to be amazing

I'm not sure about LCD VS DLP it seems like LCD if more expensive not sure what the advantages are aside from bulb life.

I'd like to spend $300 or under, but let me know if that isn't realistic

Also I'm planning on projecting onto a white plaster wall that isn't completly smooth but pretty smooth, will that be good enough, or do I need a screen?

[dadasmithywinkle]

-snip-

This one has good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N349NU/?tag=viaimg-20

This one is a top seller: http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-PJD5134-Projector-Lumens-Blu-Ray/dp/B00A9S3OOC?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI33R7DM7RNAU5T2A&tag=via-best-20&linkCode=as2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00A9S3OOC

 

As for a screen, it'd be a good idea but most likely wont be required.

[SImoHayha]

So I'm pretty new to the home theater world, right now I have a 39" LED TV and a quite nice 5.1 system my uncle gave me, however I'm very interested in stepping up to a projector instead of a TV, however I'm on a pretty limited budget so I'm looking for the best projector for the price, so my minimum requirements are these:

720P

Bright enough to be used in a room during the day, even if it doesn't look perfect

Capable of projecting an 80-90" screen from 12 feet

Decent color and contrast my current TV is nothing special so it doesn't have to be amazing

I'm not sure about LCD VS DLP it seems like LCD if more expensive not sure what the advantages are aside from bulb life.

I'd like to spend $300 or under, but let me know if that isn't realistic

Also I'm planning on projecting onto a white plaster wall that isn't completly smooth but pretty smooth, will that be good enough, or do I need a screen?

Why would you want a Projector ? It has crummy Image...and well you can't see it in the day compared to a TV and the colors are more washed out.

[minimoose]

This one has good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N349NU/?tag=viaimg-20

This one is a top seller: http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-PJD5134-Projector-Lumens-Blu-Ray/dp/B00A9S3OOC?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI33R7DM7RNAU5T2A&tag=via-best-20&linkCode=as2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00A9S3OOC

As for a screen, it'd be a good idea but most likely wont be required.

Thanks, but both of those are 800x600 which is a bit hard to swallow coming from a 1080p TV

[minimoose]

Why would you want a Projector ? It has crummy Image...and well you can't see it in the day compared to a TV and the colors are more washed out.

Crummy image? We aren't talking about a film projector here....

Anyway, I want one because for ($300-$500) I can have a wall sized (90") screen that when off takes up no space, which is very useful and I rarely watch tv during the day and I can roll down my shades to aleviate the color loss

[dadasmithywinkle]

Thanks, but both of those are 800x600 which is a bit hard to swallow coming from a 1080p TV

True, but they upscale. Unless you're right next to them, you shouldnt notice it too much.

[minimoose]

True, but they upscale. Unless you're right next to them, you shouldnt notice it too much.

Ehh, you might be right, but at 90" I feel like 720P may be better, have you actually used one of these/ used an 800x600 projector?

[dadasmithywinkle]

Ehh, you might be right, but at 90" I feel like 720P may be better, have you actually used one of these/ used an 800x600 projector?

TBH, I have no experience with them. From basic research, though, it seems that most of the higher quality ones are above $300, but, these seem like decent options. .