Ok So I just previously posted a topic about my Phillips cBright SV2 projector having some problems with color loss in the corners.

I also have a Dell 2300MP which I am currently using which the lamp has around 1000 hours or so of use in it. It is working great, has dropped a few times and is still working. But it only has one video and one s-video input.

I have a Playstation 3, but no HDTV, and I am dying to see the Playstations potential once I hook that baby up to a HD projector capable of HDMI.

I'm looking for something within the 500-750 dollar range. I have been doing alot of research but its hard to see what type of deals are too good to be true.

I came across an OX PRO Series 4, HDMI Video Projector for $450, but it just seemed too good to be true and suspected it to be a scam.

So what I am asking is if anyone would mind pointing me in the right direction or perhaps giving me some recomendations as to how to go about the type of projector that would fit my needs which is home movie viewing and gaming.

Thanks alot.

-eric

Going to simply agree on this one. You haven't had a home theater projector to this point, and you sound like you may be confused as to what a 720p/1080i/1080p projector really is.

Just because a projector accepts 1080i input, does not make it a 1080i projector.

You have to look at the native resolution (1024x768, 800x600, 1280x720, 1920x1080)

A 1080i projector basically doesn't exist.
A 1080p projector has a resolution of 1920x1080
A 720p projector has a resolution of 1280x720
A XGA projector (your Dell) has a resolution of 1024x768

Now, you may be confused when I say that a projector accepting 1080i doesn't make it a 1080i projector. It may make more sense if I draw an analogy...

Someone who understands French is not necessarily from France.
You may make the assumption that anyone who understands French is from France, but you know that they may be from elsewhere (Canadians eh?)
Furthermore, just because they understand French, they may not be able to speak it! Maybe they only speak English because they are natively English speakers. So, they have to translate from French (non-native) to English (native) when they want to repeat what they hear. In that process, something is always lost - maybe not a lot, but something.

This is the same with projectors. The actual resolution of the projector is its native resolution, and while it may handle many different formats, including 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i, XGA, VGA, etc. it will most often perform best when you feed it its native resolution.

These are by far the most helpful responses I have ever recieved on video/audio forum. I really appreciate it.

To AV: I dont know what confused my more, the 1080p or the analogy you used to help me understand it haha. But Im pretty sure I get the jist of thr whole thing, and your information was new to me and Im glad that I learned something. I've pretty much been in projector wonderland by simply hooking up whatever I can find to it.

My Dell just gave me a notification that the bulb/lamp is about to reach its death bed, and a frown was soon present on my face. My roomates and I were preparing for saving up and buying a new bulb, but now I have the option of either a Mitsu HC1600, Optoma HD65 , Sharp Dt-510.

As of now and on my own I would decide to prchase the Mitsu HC1600, 1. because its 700 dollars, and 2. because it just looks badass.

So before I decide to make this purchase is their anything else I need to know? Mounting? Secure cord installents? etc?

Thank You again to all who have helped me out and shared with me some newly acquired projector knowledge!