The BenQ HT3050 is a 1080p favorite that features a factory cinema calibration for accurate picture quality right out of the box. The HT3050 is rated for 2000 Lumens of ANSI brightness and it has lens shift and zoom for greater placement flexibility. The HT3050's single chip DLP imaging system is 3D ready, and the projector integrates a pair of 10-watt stereo speakers for good sound without external amplification. Compared to the great value of the BenQ HT2050, the HT3050 provides greater color saturation for complete Rec. 709 coverage. Before purchasing any projector be sure to consult a good projection calculator to make sure it fits your needs in terms of placement and desired image size.
Favorite Projectors
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The LG LED Smart Home Theater Projector (PF1500W) is an incredibly flexible and easy to use 1080p display device: it weighs about 3-pounds, it has a built-in TV tuner and popular streaming apps, and you won't have to worry about replacing a burned out lamp. The PF1500W uses an array of robust RGB LEDs as a light source enabling very fast startup times (about 7 seconds!) and a lifespan exceeding 30,000-hours. The PF1500W's LEDs delivered ample brightness, and solid calibration controls proved effective at optimizing image quality. The projector's limited zoom range may make it less suited for a fixed-installation scenario, but I found its tripod mount and built-in stereo speakers ideal for impromptu use.
Read my review of the original LG PF1500 LED Projector
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The Sony VPL-HW45ES earns its place on this list with impressive 1080p projection quality at a very tempting price. Sony's 3-chip SXRD display technology delivers impressive picture contrast without the 'rainbow' artifacts of single-chip DLP projectors, and its low lag makes it ideal for big screen gaming too. As with any quality projector, the HW45ES features a lens-shift system for simplifying the alignment of its superb picture with the screen without any loss of detail.
As always, consult the Projection Calculator Pro before buying any front projector. Sony also offers its own projection simulator app that provides even more placement detail!
Need a ceiling mount? I have great options here.
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The Epson 5040UB is one of my favorite 3-chip projectors that creates beautiful imagery without the 'rainbow' artifacts of single-chip DLP projection systems. The 5040UB has good light output, comprehensive picture controls, and quality touches like horizontal and vertical lens shift for greater placement flexibility without image distortion! For even more placement convenience, there is a version of this projector that features a built-in wireless video link - DVDO also makes an excellent wireless HDMI product (read my review) that works with almost any display device.
Before you buy any projector, always consult Projector Central's Projection Calculator Pro to ensure an optimal fit for your room's layout and lighting.
Need a ceiling mount? I have great options here.
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The BenQ HT1075 Home Entertainment Projector is a good reminder that truly BIG screen 1080p video enjoyment doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. The new HT1075 produces a bright clear picture using single-chip DLP technology, and it features dual HDMI inputs (one MHL-enabled) and a built-in 10W speaker for quick and easy setup. An affordable screen can help any projector look its best, but the HT1075 can transform any relatively flat surface into an immersive viewing experience - perfect for movie night or console gaming sessions! For a few dollars more, the BenQ HT2050 offers improved contrast and color calibration options.
Always consult the Projection Calculator Pro for estimating room and screen size requirements before buying any front projector.
Need a ceiling mount? I have great options here.
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The Optoma GT760A is a terrific option for anyone looking for a bright and affordable HD projector. The GT760A uses single-chip DLP technology to produce 720p imagery with up to 3200 Lumens of light output. The short-throw lens design of the GT760A allows it to create a bright 80-inch diagonal image from about 3-feet away from the screen or wall - this is especially useful for indoor game console use where you want to minimize people walking in front of the light path. Video ports on the GT760A include HDMI, 2x VGA, S-Video, and composite. The GT760A has a fixed zoom lens design so it's important to consider where it will need to be placed for the desired image size - I suggest consulting Projector Central's terrific Projection Calculator Pro for more details.
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Projection in a dark room environment is the best case scenario as it doesn't take much light output to create a beautifully rich and detailed picture. For rooms where some ambient light reaches the screen, the best solution is a brighter projector. The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3600e is optimized for extra light output, and its 3-chip 1080p light engine maximizes color brightness while eliminating the color breakup artifacts of single-chip DLP projectors. The 3600e features two 10W speakers that provide convenient and ample volume, and its integrated WirelessHD video technology eliminates the need to run a video cable. If WirelessHD isn't needed, the otherwise similar Epson Home Cinema 3500 is a great value.
Read my review of the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3500.
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For projector enthusiasts on a budget, the Acer H5380BD is a terrific value for bright 720p imagery! The H5380BD features HDMI, composite, and S-Video inputs. It also features a 2W mono speaker for simplified plug-and-play use. The H5380BD uses single-chip DLP technology that is 3D capable with optional glasses, and the 3000 Lumens of output from its 190W lamp will help tame rooms with some ambient light. The H5380BD has manual zoom and focus lens controls, and its compatible with digital video signals up to 1920 x 1200 pixels. To better visualize the room setup for the Acer H5380BD, consult the excellent Projection Calculator Pro from the good folks at Projector Central.
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It's hard not to love the classic Epson Duet 80-inch Dual Aspect Ratio portable screen. The Duet features an aluminum tube tripod base with a durably encased screen that extends to 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio presets. When not in use, the Duet's retracted stand locks into the closed screen enclosure - an integrated woven carry handles make the package easy to transport and store. This is a favorite screen for impromptu outdoor and game console use.
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If you are going to do projection right, get a tensioned screen that resists wrinkles while providing a matte black border for contrast enhancement. Much more expensive screens can better optimize picture quality to a particular projector, but it's tough to beat Elite Screens for a value option! Elite Screens' fixed frame designs are available in a wide variety of sizes and screen materials that can enhance brightness for well-lit rooms or provide acoustical transparency for concealing loudspeakers. If your room has good ambient light control, or the projector will be fairly close to the screen, consider choosing the woven surface of the AcoustiPro1080P3 that has a reduced gain rating (1.0 vs 1.1) and improved diffusion uniformity.
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Silver Ticket projection screens feature easy assembly, excellent image quality, and value pricing. Given a choice, I prefer the more aggressive tensioning of Elite Screens, but benchmark tests have shown Silver Ticket is delivering imagery that's comparable to screens that cost many times more. Silver Ticket also offers a Gray Material screen with a slightly lower gain rating (1.0) that will better resist hot-spotting and improve off-axis viewing. Silver Ticket's 16:9 projection screens are available in (diagonal) sizes of 92-inches, 100-inches, 120-inches, 135-inches, and 150-inches.
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The Spectrum Tab-Tension Electric Screen from Elite Screens has everything I want in retractable projection screen system including:
- - Tab-tensioned screen to eliminate wrinkles, ripples, and curled edges
- - Wall and ceiling mount options
- - Infrared (IR) remote operation and detachable 3-way wall switch
- - Quite and reliable operation
- - Screen sizes: 100 inches and 125 inches
The Spectrum's 1.1 gain matte white screen adds a little extra punch to the picture while maintaining uniform light reflection for superb viewing angles. For rooms with high ceilings, consider the Elite Screens Starling Tab-Tension Series that features additional black matting above the screen surface to increase extension.
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