Home Theater Projector Archives - Page 3 of 4

Optoma HD142X Projector Pros & Cons

I’ll get right to the point here. Some of the greatest features (and most people agree on this) is that the picture quality is great (crisp and clear), the projector fan makes very little noise and you can hook up the projector to your own sound system for amazing audio.

You also get a lot of cool features and functions with this device, which I’ll go into below. The bottom line is that you can get high visual and audio quality at a good value and have no regrets with this investment.

Well, this may explain why this
sub-$600 Optoma projector is a best seller. 96% of customers are impressed, and quite possibly surprised.

Features of Optoma HD142X Projector:

1. 1920 x 1080p Full HD Resolution

Get sharper and more detailed projection. This model is great for watching Blu-ray movies. The HD142X also has Full 3D capability.

2. 3000 ANSI Lumens & a 23,000:1 Contrast Ratio

This means you get a bright screen with vibrant colors, and industry-leading crisp, clear contrast. You aren’t limited to just watching movies at night. You can watch them during the daytime or in rooms with ambient light.)

3. 8000-Hour Lamp Life

This translates to minimal maintenance and a low lifetime cost. Why buy a low-priced projector if you end up having to spend a lot of time and money on maintenance and replacement bulbs, right?

With an extended lamp life of an impressive 8,000 hours, even if you watch a two-hour movie every day, your projector’s lamp should last over 10 years.

4. Projected Screen Size & Image

The Optoma HD142x can fill an entire wall of a room from only 12 feet away. You don’t have to have a giant home theater to create the big screen experience at home.

This projector also has Keystone Correction, so you can get a perfect visual display without having the projector perfectly aligned with the wall.

Screen Size Range: 66-inches from 8 feet; 107-inches from 12 feet

5. MHL Connectivity

These days, we are just as likely to want to watch a video on our smartphone or tablet as we are a show on TV. The Optoma HD142X features MHL Connectivity (Mobile High-Definition Link).

Now you can connect all of these different electronics (or even wireless devices like the Roku Stick) to your projector, and you don’t even need a TV!

6. 10 Watt Built-in Speaker

Looking for powerful, crystal clear sound? This projector has great audio, and you don’t need exterior speakers to experience high quality audio. That said, you can connect it to your own sound system for an incredible home theater (or backyard movie night) experience.

Unboxing & Review:

What’s Not So Great:

Even though I really like the Optoma HD142X, keep in mind that this product sells as a “business projector” rather than a home theater system. Don’t compare it to a $1,500 package or you will be disappointed. Also, if you’re looking for a high-end home theater system with excellent sound, you can do better than this Optoma projector.

Some people argue that they don’t see why someone should buy the HD142X over the HD141X. However, there are some minor, yet significant upgrades, such as the 8,000 hour lamp life (vs 6,500)

How to Connect an iPad to a Projector, the Easy Way

What I love about projectors is that they can eliminate the need for an expensive, heavy and energy-sucking big screen TV.

Pros and Cons: TV vs iPad + Projector

Yes, we give up the precise definition that we could get from a hi-def TV, and we can’t get cable TV through our computers (not yet, at least). However, we can display a giant movie screen in our living room any time we want and pay a fraction of the cost to operate it.

We can also customize our set-up to be as portable as we’d like – even wireless. Take it to a friend’s house, the backyard, a camping trip. I’d say the sky’s the limit, but we can’t take it that far.

How to Connect an iPad to a Projector:

One of the most common ways to attach an iPad to a projector is through a VGA or HDMI cable.

You will also need a connecting VGA adapter or HMDI adapter, which can be purchased through Apple for between $40 and $50. Then, you simply attach the iPad to the appropriate adapter. Then, subsequently to the HDMI or VGA cable and lastly to the projector.

iPad + Adapter + HDMI or VGA Cable + Projector

VGA vs HDMI: HDMI will transfer the audio from the iPad or other device to the speakers located on the projector. On the other hand, the VGA does not transfer audio. Using VGA, the sound will come out of the iPad speakers. (Keep this in mind if you have a sound system that you prefer.)

The video below shows how to do it step-by-step, using the VGA cable first and then the HMDI cable:

If you watched the clip to the end, you know that there is a third connection option: through Apple TV. The main benefit to this option is that it is wireless.

Going Wireless!

With Apple TV, you don’t have to keep your iPad connected to the projector while you are watching videos or playing games on the big screen. The Apple TV unit plugs into the projector and therefore leaves your iPad (or other device) free to roam around.

This can be a big advantage (and maybe a no-brainer) if your projector is attached to the ceiling or far away from where you plan to sit. The downside is that this option is more expensive than going non-wireless (about $70, or $80 with cable included). That said, if you plan on using the other movie-watching features that Apple TV offers and prefer wireless, this is not a bad deal.

Here’s how to set it up:

Other alternatives to Apple TV include Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick, which essentially are HDMI “sticks” that you plug into the HDMI outlet of your projector (or TV for that matter). They allow users to wirelessly stream content that is on their ipad/phone/laptop browser onto the projector screen. Roku is yet another option.

Although choosing your connection device may require some thought, connecting an iPad to a projector is ridiculously simple. You don’t need much. In fact, this page shares 10 ways to do it, including ones we mentioned above and software programs that you can download online.

Note: Although many software programs are a cheaper option than using the Apple TV, they do require a laptop or computer to be connected to the projector at all times. You can then wirelessly show data from a tablet or iphone on the computer screen which projects through the projector, but it’s one additional step. Something to keep in mind.

Sony VPL HW45ES Home Theater & Gaming Projector 1-2-3

If you want to go big and create an immersive cinematic experience in your home, you don’t have to buy a ton of equipment. You don’t have to spend weeks and thousands of dollars remodeling your home either.

Step 1: Invest in a Cinematic Projector

A cinematic-quality device can deliver a bright, realistic, larger-than-life display. Therefore, you don’t have to get fancy furniture, blackout curtains or even a movie screen. In fact, if you invest in a premium level projector like Sony’s line of home cinema projectors, most of the work is already done for you.

You see, with a higher quality picture, you can project on virtually any wall in your home an get a clear image. (Sony’s upscale projectors are designed specifically for 85″ displays or larger.)

This means that you don’t have to limit the size of your movie or football game to the size of a pull-down screen. You can easily get immersed in a movie when you’ve got a giant screen, right?

Note: You don’t have to buy Sony’s top-of-the-line $60,000 model to create an impressive home theater. Start with their lowest-priced premium product, which costs under $2,000.

The Sony VPL HW45ES Projector May Be a Better Value than You Think…

In addition, the higher level of brightness allows you to watch television and sports events during the day without having to black out the room. Essentially, you can use your projector more often, therefore making it a much better value than a cheap projector that you hardly use.

As I mentioned above, there’s no need for a movie screen. Sony projectors are powerful enough to display a clear, bright image on virtually any wall. Their premium line is designed specifically for people who want a screen size larger than 85″.

See what I mean below. These guys are watching football on the big screen in broad daylight:

Awesome home theaters provide a great excuse to have friends over and host parties more often. They turn regular activities into special events, and you can do it all without leaving the comfort of your home.

Even though the Sony VPL HW45ES can transform a plain wall into an entire movie screen, this lightweight, compact and ultra portable device is easy to setup and move. Relocate it between rooms if you need to, or you can even use it outdoors in your backyard.

So, How Does the Sony VPL HW45ES Compare to Other Projectors?

Here are some key selling points that make this projector stand out from the rest:

Advanced SXRD panel technology gives you crisp, sharp full HD pictures.
1,800 lumens brightness combined with a high contrast ratio produces super clear images, even in well-lit rooms.
Motionflow technology minimizes blur during action shots.
Long-lasting 6,000 hour lamp translates to lower maintenance and reduced operating cost.
Wide zoom and shift lens provides easier and more flexible installation options.
Whisper-quiet fan emits only 22db while running. Quiet!
The fan faces the front. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about wall clearance, which in turn maximizes throw distance.
There are 9 unique settings for different viewing options, including cinema, gaming, photo and more. For example, it has “input lag reduction” mode for more responsive gaming.

Sony VPL HW45ES Specs:

Resolution: Full HD (1920 X 1080)
Screen Size: 40″ to 300″
Display Technology: SXRD
Brightness: 1,800 Lumens (color and white)
Image Contrast Ratio: 60,000:1
Connectivity: HDMI (2)
Lamp Life: 6,000 Hours
Projector Mount Sold Separately
Recommended 3D Glasses: TDG-BT500A
Model Year: 2016
Download the Spec Sheet
Get the Projector on Sale

Step 2: Get High Performance Surround Sound – But Pay Less

Next, get your sound. If you want a suggestion, the Elac Debut Series 5.1 System delivers an excellent deal. The package makes your audio easy, yet awesome.

It comes with 2 floor speakers, 2 bookshelf speakers, a center speaker and subwoofer. The complete system costs less than $1,200 but sounds better than even higher priced systems. I got this recommendation from The Wirecutter when researching surround sound speakers.

Of course, if you already have an audio system that you want to use, go for it. No need to buy anything new.

Sony makes an entire line of premium home theater projectors, from the VPL HW45ES up to the VPL VW5000ES home theater laser projector priced at $60,000.

As a leader in the industry, Sony’s Premium Home Cinema Projectors go above and beyond what you’d expect from a home theater. Expect to become fully immersed in the movie-watching experience – right in your own home.

Step 3: Create a Cozy Home Theater with Darker Walls, About $35

In my opinion (and many interior decorators), a key component to a great home theater is dark walls. Seriously, it’s amazing to see the difference that an inexpensive can of paint can make on a movie room. Plus, you can do it yourself.

You can paint an entire room a medium to dark grey color or just paint one wall. Of course, if you use a wall as your movie screen, leave that wall white.

Sony Projector Package Includes:

Sony VPL HW45ES Projector
RM-PJ28 Remote Control
2 Size AA Batteries
6-foot Power Cable
Lens Cap
Operating Instructions (CD) & Quick Reference Manual
Get it Here

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Epson EpiqVision Portable Projector - Stream Content Anywhere. Gaming, Movies & More. Giant, High-Quality Picture & Compact Design. Wireless Connectivity, Stereo Sound System, Android TV & Chromecast.

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