Projectors, new way of viewing movies/games?

Basically, I checked around online for substitutes for alternative ways to play my games and watch movies without using a TV. I live in the dorms and I am always going to my friends place. Unfortunately, 90% of my friends do not have TV's, which makes gaming and watching tv very difficult. I came across pico projectors, which seem very affordable and portable to bring along. I was wondering what sorts of projectors or substitutes you guys think would make gaming more pleasurable? The picture I pulled is a p300 projector from aaxa technologies. I believe the screen is 120 inches, which is bigger than almost all hdtv's.

 

Is that the projector in the picture? Thing looks huge. This is a laptop forum, most of us don't have to worry about an extra tv or monitor, we have on built in to our computers. Comes in handy lol

 

Some creativity may be required. Pico projector will not be bright enough. Even with a normal projector, your challenge will be to block out light to get a good picture.

I recommend getting a normal projector, and find a way to non-destructively mount it to the ceiling, route the cables as out of the way as is possible.

Get a retractable screen, find a way to mount it to a window (ideal - you need to block out the light even for a normal bright projector) or a wall non-destructively.

You'll probably also want a reasonably high resolution projector if you're gaming.

 

I used a projector for years, although sold it a few years back. It's nothing new, and people have used them for over a decade. It's ok, but you're usually limited to 720p or lower for the more affordable ones otherwise over $1000 for a 1080p one. Many say they "support" 1080p but most just usually downscale to a 720p screen.

 

Wingnut is right. This is hardly a new idea. It's just not a solution that can be made practical in a dorm without a significant amount of effort, so you don't see it much.

 

Yep. It is nice to have if you have a decent projector with a powerful light output like masterchef noted. I bought the one at the time I had it mainly because it had a very high lumens output but with 1024x768 resolution. But those pocket projectors are good for a dark room only and not real far from the wall. I have a really cheap one that was on clearance (like $30, lol) made for kids. RCA 480p only and image was only like 240p, but it would only display if the room was pitch black.

 

As stated, that is not a Pico, that is a full size projector. Even full size projectors are not great if there is any glare or much ambient light. You would be better off buying an external monitor with some size. A large monitor will be usually cheaper than a large projector, and look a lot better. Just leave it where you play, or bring it along with you. They are very light in weight now.

 

The OP mentioned pico projectors, that's why we were commenting on them. And yes, you'll still need to dark out the room to get a good picture from a normal projector (much brighter).

 

LOL at 120in screen in a dorm room.

 

I used to have an Acer H5360 projector and would play on a 120 inch screen on the wall that I painted using a "Goo Systems" paint made specifically for projector images.

I have to say that I would highly recommend it for the experience even if you are limited to 720p. The particular projector supported stereo 3d and it was my first experience with it (using nvidia 3d shutter glasses).

I was blown away playing Left 4 dead 2 in stereo 3d having dozens of zombies flying towards me on such a huge screen. After a while I had to sell it because I moved to a different apartment and couldn't manage the space to fit the Projector in properly. I sold it and bought a 51 inch 3dtv.

I would go back to the projector though, it is a completely different feeling when dealing with a display that big.

 

Projectors used to be more cost economical before LCD / Plasma screens became much more affordable at larger sizes. In 2005 a 50 inch plasma would cost several thousand dollars at 720p. The 1024x768 projector I bought in 2004 or 2005 was only about $650 and even in the small area I used it, I still managed a 70" screen. Now you can get a 60 inch plasma or LCD/LED for about $1000, even much less if you avoid all the extras. There is an LG 60 inch plasma for $650 I believe. If you have the room, nothing can beat your own home theater with a 120" screen with a projector. But that requires lots of room and an unobstructed path for the projector.

 

Huh? projectors are in 4K era if you can afford it.

 

Sorry Chef, I wasn't clear on my answer. I was agreeing that with all you need to do to set up the full size projector, it still isn't all that great unless the setting is near black, and that the Pico would fall far short of a full size projector. Long day yesterday and the thoughts were flowing much faster than the typing.

 

Ok, $20K+ no thanks.

My point was that before you could buy a 1366x768 or 1024x768 projector for $600-800 when 720p 50 inch plasma's (I don't think LCD's were that big yet) cost thousands of dollars. Now you can get a large 60" 1080p plasma or LCD/LED for ~ $1000 with a much better image than any projector could offer.

 

HT has a good point.

I say if you have the space go for it...they are much much brighter even a 300 lumens projector is brighter than my brand new 1500 dollar tv

 

I don't know what TV you have, but that doesn't make any sense. Even proper projectors (~2500+ lumens) require you to make a serious attempt to block out most light to see the image clearly.

Generally, even budget TV's are very bright and are intended to be viewable during the day in brightly lit environments.

What $1500 TV did you buy that it is so dim that you have to be in near-total darkness to watch it?

 

Projectors are a lot more portable of course, if you want a big screen on the go. Can't see lugging around a 50 inch plasma, lol. But a 15 lbs projector that will fit in a backpack, ok.

 

That all sounds very interesting, but honestly I definitely do not have the budget for a decent sized HDTV. My budget is roughly around $500 max. I really been looking at this AAXA P300 model and I feel like it has everything I need. It can connect to my PS3, iPod, laptop. I can easily bring it around to my friends places by looking at the small size
. It is within my budget, but I don't know if "300 lumens" is light enough for gameplay and movies. I was wondering can anyone show me pictures, or let me know how bright that would be in a dimly lit room?