Epson Home Cinema 3500 w/ 1080p, 3D, 3LCD Home Theater Projector Reviewed and Gaming Projector Demo

Epson Home Cinema 3500 1080p 3D 3LCD Home Theater Projector





Epson Home Cinema 3500 1080p 3D 3LCD Home Theater Projector

Installation is about as simple as it gets.

Unbox the projector and its container box of cables, instructions and 3D glasses.



Plug the projector in, and then plug in whatever your media source will be.

Turn it on, hit the right button on the remote and its on.



 The projector is BRIGHT. Like, movie theater bright and the image is as sharp as anything I think I've ever seen on a television set.



The science of projectors has come a long way.



 I actually think I prefer this image over my 60" LG mounted in my bedroom. I have a tv show that's gorgeous, with amazing photography (Skins Fire) and it has never looked better than it does on my wall.



 I plugged in an Xbox 360 and there was no delay, nothing but really lovely projection. All the details of Halo popped out at me and it felt like I was playing a game in the movies.



 I did not get to test the 3d capability (I don't have access to any 3d media at present) but at the brightness level offered, I have no question that it will be very good.



Usually, 3d content looks dull. If anything I may have to tamp down the image brightness. Its really bright.



 When I tested the unit, it was night, and there is not a lot of light coming into the basement from windows even at midday but the projector is bright enough that I think it would serve its images fine even in a very well lit room.



The blacks are deep (I cannot tell if they are perfect, they're perfect enough for me!)

The sound: The unit has its own speakers. Usually, when it comes to a projector, the speakers are add-ons because the manufacturer assumes you will hook up some kind of alternate sound system. I may still do that, but there is no hurry.



The sound coming from the unit is luxurious, lovely and can be turned up to nearly painful levels.

My only complaint: the projector size is large.



You will need a significant footprint to contain it...even if its on the ceiling. But the reality is that I believe this is a significant workhorse, not a toy meant to be toted from meeting to meeting.



Its meant for movies and television, games and televised concerts. Its meant to be the defining center of a living room where a family will gather round to enjoy....whatever. And this projector delivers.

Epson VS230, 3LCD Projector, SVGA, 2800 Lumens Projector

Epson VS230 SVGA, 2800 Lumens Color Brightness (color light output), 2800 Lumens White Brightness, 3LCD Projector

    Easy image adjustments — position your projector almost anywhere and still get a correctly      proportioned image with auto vertical correction and easy–slide horizontal image correction

    PC–free slideshows — via a USB thumb drive

    Instant Off/On — quickly power down the projector, pack up and go

    Sleep Mode (A/V Mute) — pause your presentation without turning the projector off

    Direct Power Off/On — control your projector with the flip of a switch

WHAT'S IN THE BOX

    VS230 projector

    Power cord

    Computer cable (VGA)

    Projector remote control

    Batteries

    User manual CD

    Projector software CD

    Quick Setup Sheet

    PrivateLine support card

    Password protection sticker

I wanted something that wasn't super expensive but still looks good. I did some research and found out that Epson is one of the most reliable brands out there. I was going to purchase the Epson VS220 because it got so many good reviews and was award winning but then I saw that the VS230 was the newer model and had 100 more lumens for the same price at the time, so I figured whichever projector had a cheaper replacement lamp would be one I would get. Turned out the replacement lamp for the VS220 was $200 but the VS230 only cost $100 to replace, and it also has more lumens so I took a leap of faith and decided on the VS230 and I'm so happy that I did. My living room looks like a small movie theater. Sports games look amazing on it, so if you're into watching games like I am that's a plus! Also if you like video games, they look great on it too! You can play all the next gen console games on it because of the HDMI port. I hope you like this projector as much as I do.

Why do I like it? It is VERY easy to operate even for a beginner. For me I had it unboxed, plugged in and projecting a movie on my wall within 10 minutes of UPS dropping it off at my door step. There are no customizations or setup you need to do, plug it in, turn it on and connect a video source. That's it. If you need to change the zoom level this one uses a digital style zoom to grow/shrink the picture, this did cause the pixels to get a little larger (in my opinion) but it wasn't bad at all. I really like that this projector has a slide cover to put over the lens when not in use to help protect it. The other projector I have doesn't have this and I worry about it getting scratched when not in use. Very unlikely scenario but it's possible,

Bottom line, I really like this projector and would recommend it for this price range.

Optoma ML750 3D Ready Portable DLP LED Projector Review

Optoma ML750 3D Ready Portable DLP LED Projector 

This is a video explaining the good and bad of the Optoma ML750 WXGA 700 Lumen 3D Ready Portable DLP LED Projector with MHL Enabled HDMI Port.

"The Optoma ML750 provides a compact design and vivid LED performance. Designed by the leader in LED-based projection, the ML750 sets a new standard for brightness at 700 ANSI Lumens. LED brightness cannot be easily compared to lamp-based brightness. LED brightness lets users create larger images in rooms with more light while still allowing for easy viewing. With a wider color gamut than standard lamp projectors, the ML750 delivers more vivid colors. Delivering Native WXGA resolution, this projector creates crisp, clear widescreen images of up to 100 inches on most surfaces. This DLP Pico projector allows users to share detailed presentations (with 10,000:1 contrast ratio) without being hooked up to a computer."
"State-of-the-Art DLP Technology

Projectors with Texas Instrument's DLP with BrilliantColor technology feature multi-color processing to produce accurate and vibrant colors on the screen. The Optoma ML750 multi-color processing system features an RGB LED light engine with a wide color gamut to achieve superb color saturation and accuracy for extraordinary image quality. In addition, incredibly high native contrast ratios ensure clean and crisp black and white to ensure that text and charts are easy to read."
The Optoma ML750, WXGA, 700 LED Lumens, 3D-Ready Mobile Projector comes with AC Power Adaptor, AC Power Cord, Universal-to-VGA Cable, Carrying Case, Remote Control, Battery for Remote and Quick Start Card.

Optoma HD26 Full 3D 1080p 3200 Lumen DLP Home Theater Projector Review

Optoma HD26 Full 3D 3200 Lumens Projector

Optoma HD26 Full 3D 1080p 3200 Lumen DLP Home Theater Projector with MHL Enabled HDMI Port

 "The all digital Optoma HD26 is the ideal projector for today’s digital home theater. Equipped with high performance video processing, it delivers a stunning 3200 lumens bright image with a 25,000:1 contrast ratio, the Optoma HD26 generates fantastic quality, full HD 1080p video with magnificent detail and superb color reproduction. Packed with advanced features, the Optoma HD26 will make your home theater shine with its HDMI connectivity, MHL compatibility, full 3D compatibility for seamless integration with your favorite Blu-ray 3D player, Xbox, PS3, PS4 and other gaming consoles, 3D VESA sync port for RF 3D compatibility, DynamicBlack for enhanced black levels, 12V jack for motorized screen automation, back-lit remote, up to 6500 hours of lamp life and whisper quiet fan for maximum viewing enjoyment.

 The Optoma HD26 has flexible brightness settings that allow customization for your viewing environment. In high bright mode the HD26 is optimized for viewing 3D content and 2D images in rooms with higher ambient light. The HD26 brightness can be adjusted to lower settings for use in dedicated home theaters and dimly lit rooms. When set at lower brightness lamp life is increased."

Optoma HD141X Full 3D 1080p 3000 Lumen DLP Home Theater Projector Review

Optoma HD141X Full 3D 1080p 3000 Lumen DLP Home Theater Projector with MHL Enabled HDMI Port

The Optoma HD 141X 3000 Lumen Projector is a new release from Optoma, and the #1 New Release in Video Projectors. With full HD 1080p resolution, it is perfect for watching movies, HDTV, Sports and for gaming on.

2 HDMI ports so you can connect it to all your HD Digital hardware. 3000 Lumens makes it one of the brightest in its class.

As you can see in the above picture, Optoma has done away with the standard rca ports and other ports rarely used and opted for 2 HDMI inputs instead, thus keeping costs lower.

The Optoma HD141X Projector also has a built-in 10 watt audio system which sounds real good for a basic built-in.

Optoma HD141X Full 3D 1080p 3000 Lumen DLP Home Theater Projector with MHL Enabled HDMI Port

Mitsubishi HC3800 1080p Home Theater DLP Projector Review

Here's a new picture of the Mitsubishi HC3800

Mitsubishi HC3800 Projector

Mitsubishi HC3800 1080p Home Theater DLP Projector

Mitsubishi HC3800 1080p Home Theater DLP Projector

This projector is full HD with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Finally, if you have a blue-ray player, the HC3800 will blow you away. Simply put: there were so many good projector reviews and feedback on this, I felt hard-pressed not to buy it. While it might be a couple of hundred dollars more expensive than similar projectors it is well worth the extra bucks.

Ideally the HC3800 DLP projector is suited best for a darkened home theater-like room, but it can be used just as effectively in a living room for the upcoming football season. If you're worried about size, don't be. The maximum screen size I've used with this projector is up to 150", however, you need to be incredibly careful about the light control. Without it, the screen can become a bit hazy.

My one concern when I received the Mitsubishi HC3800 1080p Home Theater DLP Projector is that there are no preset modes. What this basically boils down to is that you have several various gamma and colour temperature settings that you can play around with. These settings can be mixed and matched to get the perfect brightness and colour balance you'll need for your screen. Initially, while it seems confusing, this is a very good option. Once you've become used to this, you'll find it much better than the preset options.

The lumen output, while not the best in its range is 1300 (Which is still pretty good for a home theater projector). However, if you want to limit the lumen output, the projector has a low lamp mode. This reduces the light output by up to 15%. So little? You couldn't be more wrong. This Low Lamp mode can help your bulb last from the average 2000 hours to up to 5000 hours.

If you're quick about your decision to buy the Mitsubishi HC3800 1080p Home Theater DLP Projector, then you should know that currently there are stores that are providing an extra bulb as well when you buy the initial DLP projector. 10000 hours worth of viewing time? You won't need to fork out any money for a bulb anytime soon.

 

BenQ W1080ST 1080p 3D Short Throw DLP Home Theater Projector Review

A review of the BenQ W1080ST 1080p 3D Short Throw DLP Home Theater Projector , White

BenQ W1080ST 1080p 3D Short Throw DLP Home Theater Projector (White)

 Set up: Very easy (took maybe 10min, most was moving calbe wires and stuff). Anyone semi familar with an HD TV should have no problems navigating the menu on the Benq. Changing the colors, brightness and contrast will seem familar. Setting the lamp to the power setting is too easy (econo is still bright enough to use for everything). Setting the zoom and adjusting the focus is easy and fun to play around with. As with most other reviews I would highly recommend an additional sound system of some type.

 Picture Quality: The TV I replaced was a 46inch Samsung. I can honestly say this has a better picture. It is bright, crisp and clear. If you have some form of Comcast (Xfinity) most show are displayed in 720p. That is no fault of the benq but the original broadcast signal. Still looks really good. Any 3d movie rental on comcast is displayed in 1080i. That looks very close to movie theater 3D. Bluray and Bluray 3D display at 1080p. When I saw the picture for the first time in 1080p 3d, I laughed in hysteria because I could not believe my eyes! It was amazing! The nice thing about the benq is that every time you either change a channel or switch inputs, on the top left of the display it show the input source and image (720p, 1080i or 1080p). That is how I discovered Comcast was broadcasting in 720p and quick call in confrimed this. However you watch or whatever you watch the picture is going to be bright. Adjust the colors alittle and you have a great looking movie theater in your house.

This is the back of the BenQ 1080st

 The Benq 1080st projector itself:

Very good quality. The unit feels very well built. It looks nice and sleek. The fan noise to me is almost non-existant. It not nearly as loud as an Xbox 360. It does have a fan to keep everything cool and I would say it is not even as loud as a computer. Really it is a non issue. All the correct inputs are there. I even had a conversation with my friend on how the Benq must have been made so there would be no issues. The people at Benq must really looked at every customer complaint before making the 1080st. It is very impressive.

 3D quality: Very good. At first in to be very honest I was not too impressed. Then I adjusted the brightness down and contrast up, changed the gamma level and adjusted the CMYK color levels up by 12 on each.....my jaw dropped (changing these setting is very easy to do). It has good depth and is very clear. I bought the rechargable 3D glasses and would highly recommend them. The screen does have a red hue when your glasses are not on and 3D is playing, agian a non-issue. It is simply amazing lifting the glasses up on your face and then putting them back down and seeing how the 3D works. Regular boradcast 3D in 720p is not bad at all and if you do plan on gettig a 3D bluray play you will be amazed. No reason to ever to the movies again. I found myself constantly talking through the movie on how great it looked and how it doesnt seem fair to have this in my house. Overall this is worth every penny. Every single person that has been lucky enough (lol) to see this in my house thinks I spent at least 5k on this projector. Thats what you get from Benq: big picture small price. I have read hundreds of reviews before my purchase of the 1080st. All I have to say is read this review and then buy it. You will be very happy you did. Enjoy!!

Review of The ViewSonic PJD5134 SVGA DLP Projector w/HDMI

From the Manufacturer a Product Description:
The PJD5134 is a high-performance SVGA 800x600 DLP projector with 3000 ANSI lumens and 15000:1 contrast ratio. This projector is packed with features including HDMI, DynamicECO, multiple PC and video input options, 1.1x optical zoom, keystone correction and integrated speakers. With its HDMI input, the PJD5134 can display 3D content directly from a 3D Blu-ray player. Presenters can put the PJD5134 in “standby” mode reducing brightness down to 30% with DynamicECO technology when they need to shift audience’s focus without restarting the projector. Filter-less design and energy-saving eco mode provide for virtually zero maintenance and enhanced product reliability. The PJD5134 portable design is ideal for tabletop use or mounting on a ceiling in both classrooms and corporate offices.

Here is a good picture of the back so you can see all the inputs.

Here are some of the Most Helpful Customer Reviews

486 of 509 people found the following review helpful
Blown away!!
By Adam C. Murtland on March 4, 2013
Style Name: SVGAColor Name: Black Verified Purchase
I can't say enough good things about this projector. It is an amazing value and delivers a superb theater experience in my living room. Just a little background in my home theater experience... In college, one of my buddies had an old auditorium projector in his dorm room. We fashioned a screen out of a grid of computer paper on his wall so that he could still open his door haha. When we got an apartment together during our senior year, we made a screen out of a California King sheet. We stretched the sheet tight and made a border out of black duct tape. We enjoyed a year of movies and shows on our 155" screen.....Read More Here

188 of 208 people found the following review helpful
Waste no more time looking
By gjkim on March 18, 2013
Style Name: SVGAColor Name: Black Verified Purchase
Like a lot of people, I was interested in buying a projector simply for a larger TV viewing and video game experience. If you look through a lot of these reviews and product discriptions like I did, you will probably be frustrated with all the different things to consider. I bought it just to get a little experience with projectors, and I am very satisfied.... More Here

74 of 82 people found the following review helpful
ViewSonic PJD5134 Projector Review
By Cody T. Meredith on July 13, 2013
Style Name: SVGAColor Name: Black Verified Purchase
First off, let me say that this is a great projector. You simply cannot beat the price!
I use this projector as an in home theater projector for movies, tv, and video games.

Let me start with the price. For $350 (what I paid) I haven't come across many other projectors that have as much value. It is a good buy. It is also very compact and small as well.

Most importantly, the picture. The picture on this thing is great. I use an HDMI cord to view my Blu-Ray player....Continued Here

Most helpful critical review

111 of 136 people found the following review helpful
Fine for movies, not so great with text
By C. S. Thompsonon January 30, 2014
Bought this for our office to use in presentations, and wish I'd done just a bit more research first. We project from laptops - widescreens with high native resolutions - and this projector just isn't up to snuff for that application. We lose a lot of clarity, especially in text. I don't want to dock the projector ratings too much, as it seems like a fine projector for movies; but not a good choice for an office that needs to have readable text presentations from relatively close distances....Continued Here

Now it seems most people just love this projector while a few have a couple bad things to say but they still like it. Remember that most of these people paid top price of  $549.99 while the price is now only $349.99, a savings of 35%
Personally I love this projector a this price point. It lets me get advanced features of a higher priced projector without the costs and you gotta love that.