Projector as a tv

[talannar]

How many people use their projector for everyday viewing? I've got a nice big wall that is begging for a large screen, but I do watch my share of SD television. The unfortunate thing is that the design of the room pretty much limits me to either the projector or an RPTV. Hence my delimma. Do I look at the RPTV, which will handle both jobs fairly well, or should I look at projectors?

I could probably swing an 84"-96" screen on the wall, and I'd be sitting about 12-13 feet from the wall. I don't think I can get the couch back any further.

[Clive]

Do both.

[wildfire99]

The best thing in the world is having a nice RPTV for casual daytime watching with the windows open, and a projector for use for serious theatrical watching with the room blacked out. Having used a projector as a TV for a while, it did get a bit old having to have the lights at least dimmed, although it's serviceable with lights on for non-serious viewing.

I also would look at the cost of bulbs in that usage, leaving the PJ on for 5+ hours a day as background noise or just to watch the news might be expensive (although all the digital RPTVs use bulbs too).

I still wish someone would make a DIY rear projection rig for projectors, so we could have the best of both worlds... large screen, ambient light immune.

[bhauseur]

I have been using a InFocus 4805 for about a year now as an every day TV in my family room. Even though the 4805 is only 480P the picture for high def programing is amazing. My friends with smaller "true" HD RP's and Plasmas think my picture is better. I am projecting on a piece of drywall painted with screengoo. I added a picture frame around the drywall to finish off the screen. It's 78". I love it. If I knew how to add photos I would show you the set up. I think it actually looks pretty good for a weekend DIY'er.

[Adz]

One of the bigger issues with using a front projector as your everyday TV is also the constant turning on and off which reduces the life of the bulb considerably.

[Brandon B]

I still wish someone would make a DIY rear projection rig for projectors, so we could have the best of both worlds... large screen, ambient light immune.

I actually sketched up a design where you can use an Epson TW10+ (it comes with really wide zoom range lens) to get a 48" diagonal image in 2' of depth, and then pull it out and use it as an FP.

Also, its lamps are only $200 and 3000 hour rated.

Ended up buying a JVC 56" instead to supplement my existing PJ, but I'd still be interested in helping someone figure out how to implement it.

BB

[Jack Gilvey]

Since I rarely watch any TV (only occasional HD sports like the World Series) the 4805 has served as the only display in the house for the last year. Even in daytime, the room can be completely blacked-out..this is a must for such use.

[George Bellefontaine]

I may watch the occasional sports event on the big screen in my HT, but I have a 36" Toshiba crt in my sitting room upstarirs and I pretty much use it for any tv watching, which is not a lot these days.

[Lex]

I have been watching a 4:3 899.00 projector (ViewSonic PJ-51) for well over a year, maybe 2 years? The bulb is at 3-4000 hours of total viewing, mostly TV via satalite/component feed. The little PJ shows no real signs of weakness at this stage. I started out going to watch a 32" plasma for most TV, but I found real quickly that I became hooked on the big image. I have a Studio Experience 2HD with very low hours, that when the old View Sonic gives up the ghost, I'll probably relegate the 2HD to daily viewing, and then search for a new primetime projector, if the timing is right.

Then again, I've been overall so happy with the Viewsonic, I may just get a bulb for it and go again. I do clean the filter every one hundred hours by basically blowing the dust out of it, and resetting to go again.

[Dean McManis]

I have used different projectors as my main TV for about 7 years now.

I watch movies every day, and pre-recorded Tivo shows, but I don't really watch broadcast TV, news, etc..

Usually if I'm going out for less than an hour and I'm watching something on the projector I'll just leave the projector running, as I believe that lamp strikes take up more bulb life than actual running hours.

I've always run my bulbs to the maximum lifespan, and often beyond without any incidents (implosion/shortened life). So I haven't had the daily use become a problem so far.

My earlier projectors had expensive ($1000) lower lifespan (1000hrs) bulbs, so I often watched less resolution-demanding material (TV shows, games, internet) on another one of my projectors with less expensive, longer lasting bulbs.

-Dean.

[Azeke]

I use my 4:3 projector primarily for viewing movies and sporting events. Periodically, I will watch regular tv but not often, lamp life is 2000 hrs @ $300.00 per bulb. I will upgrade soon, probably to a DLP projector, however I am waiting for Direct TV to go MPEG4 compressions.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke