Cheapest Decent Gaming Projector?

commandercup · Jun 2, 2008, 12:13 AM

I've got a free room in the basement that I'd like to convert into my little 'pad' if you will, and it is large enough to fit a decent projector...

So, how much is the cheapest projector that can decently run games? (ie. Good brightness, nice contrast ratio, w/e specs are needed)

I'll be getting around $500 soon from selling my paintball gear and other stuff on various forums and thus would like to create that little room as neccesary.

I've already got a sound system, my PC is fine for me and I've got a 19" ws LCD and a 15" CRT...

I was thinking maybe dual 22" monitors instead of a projector... that would be sweet and affordable (~400) although i would hate having the edges of the monitors creating dead space inbetween the picture...

Solaris17 · Jun 2, 2008, 12:22 AM

well almost anything that supports a rez over 1024x768 is close to a grand...however

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...24400+-+%24500 depending on how far away you want to go these may suit you the veiw sonics at the bottum appear to be the best of the bunch. throw distance is good and the brightness is good not entirely sure how sharp they'll be but anything over 800x600 is mad expensive.

commandercup · Jun 2, 2008, 12:24 AM

wow, a $100 rebate!? dang... expires today lol

how much of a difference will resolution make?

I just want to make sure that I can read text in games and on webpages etc. with decent visual quality during games/movies

Solaris17 · Jun 2, 2008, 12:25 AM

resolution matters more for small things and the farther away you will be projecting.

commandercup · Jun 2, 2008, 12:27 AM

The room itself is actually pretty small

putting the projector close to the wall is no problem since the room isn't that large

Solaris17 · Jun 2, 2008, 12:30 AM

well than id go for it make sure it gets dark though that would be the best for gaming etc.

commandercup · Jun 2, 2008, 12:32 AM

ok cool

yeah, light is no problem since its in the basement and theres only 1 window which is a small rectangular slit thats maybe a foot across and 4 inches tall. (I can cover it with some towels or paper or something)

thanks!

Solaris17 · Jun 2, 2008, 12:34 AM

best bet

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824116389

commandercup · Jun 2, 2008, 12:36 AM

ahh yeah, I was looking at that just now

only $10 more (besides the rebate) and it has a bit better brightness, zoom, more input compatability etc.

although... if that other one gets a rebate again, I'll definately pick that up...

I'll try to find some reviews to see how well it shows text

ShadowFold · Jun 2, 2008, 12:39 AM

Dual monitors aint that bad. There is a little cut-off but my friend has dual 24'' ws and its pretty tight.

commandercup · Jun 2, 2008, 12:40 AM

eh, it would be awesome for movies and stuff, but for gaming...

edit:

new qeustion

how important is a screen for the projector? The room has plain white walls with nothing on them... will that suffice?

Jun 2, 2008, 12:13 AM	#1
commandercup Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 542 (0.29/day) Thanks: 51 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts System Specs	Cheapest Decent Gaming Projector? I've got a free room in the basement that I'd like to convert into my little 'pad' if you will, and it is large enough to fit a decent projector... So, how much is the cheapest projector that can decently run games? (ie. Good brightness, nice contrast ratio, w/e specs are needed) I'll be getting around $500 soon from selling my paintball gear and other stuff on various forums and thus would like to create that little room as neccesary. I've already got a sound system, my PC is fine for me and I've got a 19" ws LCD and a 15" CRT... I was thinking maybe dual 22" monitors instead of a projector... that would be sweet and affordable (~400) although i would hate having the edges of the monitors creating dead space inbetween the picture... __________________ Cuppy's B/S/T \| Heatware \| eBay Feedback \| SlaughterBox \| bjkDesign

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Jun 2, 2008, 12:22 AM	#2
Solaris17 Creator Solaris Utility DVD Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Reinacting scenes from platoon with Charlie Sheen Posts: 13,708 (4.83/day) Thanks: 4,366 Thanked 3,295 Times in 2,311 Posts System Specs	well almost anything that supports a rez over 1024x768 is close to a grand...however http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...24400+-+%24500 depending on how far away you want to go these may suit you the veiw sonics at the bottum appear to be the best of the bunch. throw distance is good and the brightness is good not entirely sure how sharp they'll be but anything over 800x600 is mad expensive. __________________ I Made the Millionth post! \| "Please come to WI now so I can beat you over the head with a bratwurst."-Kreij PS3 mod 8500/8600GT Mod Guide Rebuild a Copperhead Heat Ware NF4 Ultra SLI Mod Solaris Utility DVD 4.0 Broken CPU pin guide Vista Mark

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Jun 2, 2008, 12:24 AM	#3
commandercup Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 542 (0.29/day) Thanks: 51 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts System Specs	wow, a $100 rebate!? dang... expires today lol how much of a difference will resolution make? I just want to make sure that I can read text in games and on webpages etc. with decent visual quality during games/movies __________________ Cuppy's B/S/T \| Heatware \| eBay Feedback \| SlaughterBox \| bjkDesign

Jun 2, 2008, 12:25 AM	#4
Solaris17 Creator Solaris Utility DVD Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Reinacting scenes from platoon with Charlie Sheen Posts: 13,708 (4.83/day) Thanks: 4,366 Thanked 3,295 Times in 2,311 Posts System Specs	resolution matters more for small things and the farther away you will be projecting. __________________ I Made the Millionth post! \| "Please come to WI now so I can beat you over the head with a bratwurst."-Kreij PS3 mod 8500/8600GT Mod Guide Rebuild a Copperhead Heat Ware NF4 Ultra SLI Mod Solaris Utility DVD 4.0 Broken CPU pin guide Vista Mark

Jun 2, 2008, 12:27 AM	#5
commandercup Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 542 (0.29/day) Thanks: 51 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts System Specs	The room itself is actually pretty small putting the projector close to the wall is no problem since the room isn't that large __________________ Cuppy's B/S/T \| Heatware \| eBay Feedback \| SlaughterBox \| bjkDesign

Jun 2, 2008, 12:30 AM	#6
Solaris17 Creator Solaris Utility DVD Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Reinacting scenes from platoon with Charlie Sheen Posts: 13,708 (4.83/day) Thanks: 4,366 Thanked 3,295 Times in 2,311 Posts System Specs	well than id go for it make sure it gets dark though that would be the best for gaming etc. __________________ I Made the Millionth post! \| "Please come to WI now so I can beat you over the head with a bratwurst."-Kreij PS3 mod 8500/8600GT Mod Guide Rebuild a Copperhead Heat Ware NF4 Ultra SLI Mod Solaris Utility DVD 4.0 Broken CPU pin guide Vista Mark

Jun 2, 2008, 12:32 AM	#7
commandercup Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 542 (0.29/day) Thanks: 51 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts System Specs	ok cool yeah, light is no problem since its in the basement and theres only 1 window which is a small rectangular slit thats maybe a foot across and 4 inches tall. (I can cover it with some towels or paper or something) thanks! __________________ Cuppy's B/S/T \| Heatware \| eBay Feedback \| SlaughterBox \| bjkDesign

Jun 2, 2008, 12:34 AM	#8
Solaris17 Creator Solaris Utility DVD Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Reinacting scenes from platoon with Charlie Sheen Posts: 13,708 (4.83/day) Thanks: 4,366 Thanked 3,295 Times in 2,311 Posts System Specs	best bet http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824116389 __________________ I Made the Millionth post! \| "Please come to WI now so I can beat you over the head with a bratwurst."-Kreij PS3 mod 8500/8600GT Mod Guide Rebuild a Copperhead Heat Ware NF4 Ultra SLI Mod Solaris Utility DVD 4.0 Broken CPU pin guide Vista Mark

Jun 2, 2008, 12:36 AM	#9
commandercup Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 542 (0.29/day) Thanks: 51 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts System Specs	ahh yeah, I was looking at that just now only $10 more (besides the rebate) and it has a bit better brightness, zoom, more input compatability etc. although... if that other one gets a rebate again, I'll definately pick that up... I'll try to find some reviews to see how well it shows text __________________ Cuppy's B/S/T \| Heatware \| eBay Feedback \| SlaughterBox \| bjkDesign

Jun 2, 2008, 12:39 AM	#10
ShadowFold Eligible for custom title Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 12,855 (6.50/day) Thanks: 1,381 Thanked 1,681 Times in 1,498 Posts System Specs	Dual monitors aint that bad. There is a little cut-off but my friend has dual 24'' ws and its pretty tight.

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Jun 2, 2008, 12:40 AM	#11
commandercup Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 542 (0.29/day) Thanks: 51 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts System Specs	eh, it would be awesome for movies and stuff, but for gaming... edit: new qeustion how important is a screen for the projector? The room has plain white walls with nothing on them... will that suffice? __________________ Cuppy's B/S/T \| Heatware \| eBay Feedback \| SlaughterBox \| bjkDesign Last edited by commandercup; Jun 2, 2008 at 12:49 AM.

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