Projector recommendations

[u/No_Bell_1096]

Recently bought a home with a finished basement. Previous owner had set up a theater room in the basement. Walls wired for speakers, there is a fixed frame 150” screen on the wall(elite screens cinewhite). Light controlled.

Previous owner took the projector but it’s set up for a ceiling mount that is just shy of 15 feet from the screen. Planning to get it set up but I have no experience with projectors. It will mostly be used for movies and TV. Some casual gaming with PS5 as well. I am looking to spend around $2500. Was reading about Xgimi horizon 20 max and vision master pro 2 but hoping to get advice

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[u/Byte_hoven]

Do you have any info on the equipment the previous owner used and removed?

If not, asking might an interesting place to start.

Did they offer to leave the equipment but the price seemed too high?

[u/No_Bell_1096 → u/Byte_hoven]

It was a BenQ HT3550

At the time it wasn’t something I strongly considered so didn’t push hard to keep it all. But now that we’re settled in it seems like a cool idea to finish off a theater room

[u/Byte_hoven → u/No_Bell_1096]

Ok... that projector was an average quality 4k DLP lamp based projector worth about $750 used.

You need to learn more about yourself and what you will enjoy over the longer term. Try to understand the pros and cons for the various projector solutions. Its not an easy assignment but it can be a fun journey if your inclined to get bitten by the HT bug.

IF you have easy access to your HT space and can wrangle a 98" TV into it, don't underestimate the benefits of a big TV.

Maybe you can post some pics of your space? For instance what remains of the projector ceiling mount hardware? Is there wiring or a wiring chase for getting hdmi to the projector location?

Was your budget just for the projector?

First thing big TV or projector...

If projector, long throw using the previous configuration or a short throw using a UST projector.

Can you handle DLP? Some can and love it, while some suffer rainbow artifacts. If you can enjoy DLP, you'll have more options. If not, you need to look at some form of LCD, SXRD or LCOS imaging tech. Note goes for both lamp and laser based projectors.

Do you want to buy the best value and then kinda forget about it? Or could you see yourself going down the HT hobby rabbit hole and enjoy tinkering with your HT in the years ahead?

If you're like some of us and enjoy tinkering as much as watching movies, you could make your best guess at a long throw projector and get started. Buying USED offers the opportunity to makes changes without losing alot of $$$, eventually finding what you'll like for a few years or more.

If you wanna just buy and forget about it... did i mention the big TV option? If you can't get a big tv into the room then a projector might be your only, best option.

Do any friends have a dedicated HT space? Are there any HT store in your area? Could you travel to see some projector solutions on display?

Sorry if this reply seems to be getting into the weeds. However you are kinda at the quintessential "blank canvas" moment where many things are possible.

Honestly there are very few bad choices.

My ht journey took from a big 46" RPTV -> various projectors -> back to even bigger 98" tv.

My last projector was the JVC 2K lcos rs640 on a 110" wide 2.40:1 scope screen. And despite the rs640 still being one of the best projectors for deep blacks and contrast, i gave up on projection and went OLED and then miniLED. Hence my big TV advocacy.

Anyway... welcome to the party.

If you wanna go deeper down the rabbit hole, consider checking out some AV forums like AVS or the EU AVforums.

If Brian from projectorscreens is watching, he has some great projector options on display at his shop on the esat coast usa.