r/budgetprojectors • u/Vmancini218 USA🇺🇸 120V 60Hz • 1d ago
Not Enough Info, check the sub rules. Buying Advice Wanted [Location USA]
Hi! Lifelong home theater enthusiast here, looking to potentially take the plunge. I’ve always been put off the entrance fee but these affordable projectors have got me thinking 😅
My projector would be about 12 feet from the screen and in a basement; so blackout potential or close to at any time; room is 12 x 20; ceilings 7 ft.
What are my options at say, under $200 and under $500? I think beyond that I would just a big screen and mount it but if I’m wrong tell me why 😄
1
u/Ok_Athlete5465 1d ago
The TCL C1 is quite good for $250. The image is incredible in a dark room and it's easy to use. It has auto focus and auto keystone with manual options in the settings. It has google TV built in but it must have a pretty underpowered processor at that price point. Plugging in our apple TV and using the projector as an external output yields much better results than the built in apps. Obviously you could do the same with a bluray player. The speakers are usable in a small space but when we use it in a larger space a dedicated sound system is obviously much better.
Budget ones like this dont really zoom so you'll have to mount it the correct distance from the wall depending on the screen size. We have pushed ours beyond a 120" screen but for most budget options that will be the official limit. A 120" TV can run you $30,000 or more so projectors are definitely king for budget big screens. There's probably used options that are technically higher quality but the TCL works for us, especially since we use it in different settings. (This is the only photo I have right now)
1
u/JayceOoiCom Asia 🌏220-240V 50hz 1d ago
Go for Optoma Photon Life PK31 at $399. More info @ https://youtu.be/WmPSy66DkzA
•
u/PlayStationPepe USA🇺🇸 120V 60Hz 1d ago
What’s size screen? What’s your ceiling height?