MPG
04-23-2006, 10:30 AM
I finally bought an LCD projector last week as well as a 16:9 240cm by 135cm (95"x51", 108" diagonal) projection screen. It's absolutely breathtaking. If any of you have been toying with the thought of buying a projector and put it off for example for financial reasons, all I can say is: Sell your car or get a second mortgage, this is the best investment you're ever going to make.
I was worried that the image would appear pale or fuzzy, but even in not-so-favorable lighting conditions, the colors are bright and the image is clear and crisp. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that it's clearly better than at the movie theatre - except for theatres with digital projection. I tried some "visually intense" movies first, like Star Wars:RotS (the space battle at the beginning is the perfect reference for any projector due to the colors and the deep blacks in the background) or Lord of the Rings:FotR and the results are absolutely breathtaking.
I can't imagine going to the movie theatre again anytime soon. I get a DVD for the price of two movie tickets and I don't have to deal with ringing cellphones, talking theatre-hopping kids who kick my seat, parents who bring their toddlers to the movies, 15 minutes of commercials before the movie as well as expensive concessions. As far as I'm concerned, cinema is dead.
It doesn't stop with movies - it's perfect for gaming as well. Playing F-Zero GX on the huge screen is an astonishing experience. I use a PC as DVD player in the living room, so I can also play Quake or any other computer game on the big screen. And then there's the upcoming soccer world cup, of course.
By the way, I have never cared much about Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, HDTV, etc., because I always thought that it was just another way to sell the same movies once again. Now I know that I was right. If I can get a perfect picture onto such a large screen out of a DVD with its fairly low NTSC or PAL resolution, then I really see no reason for upgrading my movie collection. Sure, the picture could end up being slightly better, but I doubt that it's a "necessary" improvement like that huge step from VHS to DVD was.
I was worried that the image would appear pale or fuzzy, but even in not-so-favorable lighting conditions, the colors are bright and the image is clear and crisp. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that it's clearly better than at the movie theatre - except for theatres with digital projection. I tried some "visually intense" movies first, like Star Wars:RotS (the space battle at the beginning is the perfect reference for any projector due to the colors and the deep blacks in the background) or Lord of the Rings:FotR and the results are absolutely breathtaking.
I can't imagine going to the movie theatre again anytime soon. I get a DVD for the price of two movie tickets and I don't have to deal with ringing cellphones, talking theatre-hopping kids who kick my seat, parents who bring their toddlers to the movies, 15 minutes of commercials before the movie as well as expensive concessions. As far as I'm concerned, cinema is dead.
It doesn't stop with movies - it's perfect for gaming as well. Playing F-Zero GX on the huge screen is an astonishing experience. I use a PC as DVD player in the living room, so I can also play Quake or any other computer game on the big screen. And then there's the upcoming soccer world cup, of course.
By the way, I have never cared much about Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, HDTV, etc., because I always thought that it was just another way to sell the same movies once again. Now I know that I was right. If I can get a perfect picture onto such a large screen out of a DVD with its fairly low NTSC or PAL resolution, then I really see no reason for upgrading my movie collection. Sure, the picture could end up being slightly better, but I doubt that it's a "necessary" improvement like that huge step from VHS to DVD was.