Projection TV

[George K]

In 1985 or so, I spent a TON of cash for a 37" rear-projection television. It was great - as long as you sat on-axis, in a dark room, with no reflections from other sources, and didn't mind something that was huge.

I just saw an ad for a Viewsonic projector. It claims to be able to project 1080p from as little as 9 feet. It has HDMI and USB-c inputs.

About $400.

I have no need for, or place to put, such a beast.

Does anyone have any experience with projection TVs?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TKPKCWD?tag=toysrein-20&th=1

[Copper]

The problem I remember was that the room had to be dark, or the projector very bright.

They were ok in your darkened basement theatre, but not your living room during the day.

Also, in order to get a decent picture you had to spend a bundle on a high quality screen. It wouldn't work very well with a plain painted wall.

This information is dated, I shopped for these 15 or 20 years ago. You can probably get bigger, better faster cheaply today.

[George K]

Like I said, I'm not in the market.

We have 55" TVs in the living room and bedroom. They're more than adequate.

If I want a "theater experience," I'll go to the theater. In the long run, probably cheaper.

[Copper]

Now that I think about it, I did actually own a projection tv. A Hitachi 53" 1080i HD Rear-Projection Television , it weighed 245 pounds. I bought it around 1995. I used it for over 20 years, it worked great, no problem.

These TV's are just about worthless now. But, I saw a comment that there has been an uptick in sales (used) because people like the old TV to give an authentic feel to old video games.

[Mik]

Yeah, I’m not a video aficionado. I appreciate a good picture, but I watch content, not video quality. Just put a new Roku 32” (as big as would fit in the armoire) Roku tv in the bedroom today. $129. Replaced a 20 or so year old Panasonic 26” flat screen.

I considered a projection tv in 2003 when I finished our basement, but decided against if for the reasons Copper stated. Plus the bulbs were extremely expensive.

[LuFins Dad]

I’ve thought about buying a projector and a screen for out on our deck. Try to replicate the feel of an outdoor movie… Neighbors are too close, though. I would need to run a headphone system to make it feasible.

[Jolly]

Have a friend who does that. Usually along with grilling burgers or something else. Kind of a dinner and a movie thing...

[Jolly]

BTW, those projectors have gotten smaller, cheaper and better. I used to use one with a laptop for presentations. The less weight you have to schlep is all to the good.

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad said in Projection TV:

buying a projector and a screen for out on our deck

IIRC, @mark has a neighbor who does that. Invites the neighborhood.

[89th]

@LuFins-Dad for the backyard movies, you could hook up wireless/bluetooth headphones, maybe?

[LuFins Dad]

@89th said in Projection TV:

@LuFins-Dad for the backyard movies, you could hook up wireless/bluetooth headphones, maybe?

Hence my statement in the original post “I would need to run a headphones system.”

[89th]

I visualized you running long headphone cables