Anyone game with a projector?

[boxpressed]

I have a number of projectors that Ive been using for backyard movies in the summer, but I recently cleared out a space in my game room that left a bare wall about the size of a 120" screen.

 

One of the projectors -- a huge Mitsubishi -- has a 720p resolution, and I hooked up an Xbox 360 and a PS3 to it. I was surprised by how great the image looked on just a white wall. I have a 120" pull down screen, but there's no need for it. I'm not noticing any lag, but I'm not too picky about that. I use an HDMI audio extractor to feed plain old two channel stereo into a sound bar.

 

I have to say, the experience is so good, I might use the projector over the TV now. Anyone else regularly game with a projector?

[Schizophretard]

Instead of retyping it here is my answer: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/286558-advice-needed-return-retrotink-go-emulation/page-2?do=findComment&comment=4188089

[boxpressed]

Good point about 480p being a good fit for SNES and NES. Used pre-HDMI projectors sell for peanuts these days, and those with DVI ports can use a cheap DVI to HDMI adapter + HDMI audio extractor.

 

I just played the Wii via component cable (the Mitsubishi has tons of inputs and a built-in speaker), and it was great fun. You do need one of those wireless sensor bars. Playing Wii Zapper games on a 120 inch screen is a blast.

[Schizophretard]

I need to check into the pre-HDMI ones you speak of. I have seen huge CRT ones but haven't looked for any other small cheap projectors with analog ports and lower than 480p if they exist. Mine has an aux for AV and a port for VGA though that I can test out. I want to live out these commercials:

 

 

[Schizophretard]

Wouldn't the 480p be a good fit for all classic consoles?

[+Atari_Warlord]

I've been gaming with a projector for the last 18 years. 14 of them were just on a white wall. I find it more immersive to have the lights dim and surround sound.

[boxpressed]

Wouldn't the 480p be a good fit for all classic consoles?

 

Yes, I was remembering your mention of the NES/SNES Classic consoles. I played a round of SNES Super Mario Kart from the Wii Virtual Console, and it looks great.

 

There are cheap pre-HDMI projectors on Shopgoodwill every day. You have to be willing to take chance on it working properly, however. Look for good brands like Optoma, Epson, Benq. Big brands like Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Sony, are usually pretty good too. Vivitek is a brand that often has dead pixel problems (image looks like a starfield). Look for one that comes with a remote. I'd stay away from older models (pre-2000) because the brightness levels usually aren't great. I've bought many of these brands for about $30-$40 shipped.

 

This site will tell you all you need to know about legacy projectors: https://www.projectorcentral.com/

[+Gemintronic]

Been using projectors for years. Literally exploded a bulb due to overuse.

 

50" or larger TVs will seem sad and wanting afterwards. Just make sure you get the most lumens humanly possible given your budget - starting at 3500. Also, use multiple sources for confirming lumen output. Sellers and even original manufacturers are sketchy about stats.

[Schizophretard]

Yes, I was remembering your mention of the NES/SNES Classic consoles. I played a round of SNES Super Mario Kart from the Wii Virtual Console, and it looks great.

 

There are cheap pre-HDMI projectors on Shopgoodwill every day. You have to be willing to take chance on it working properly, however. Look for good brands like Optoma, Epson, Benq. Big brands like Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Sony, are usually pretty good too. Vivitek is a brand that often has dead pixel problems (image looks like a starfield). Look for one that comes with a remote. I'd stay away from older models (pre-2000) because the brightness levels usually aren't great. I've bought many of these brands for about $30-$40 shipped.

 

This site will tell you all you need to know about legacy projectors: https://www.projectorcentral.com/

I looked through the site but the only thing I figured out is that it may be a good idea to get a grey screen for higher contrast. I'm not sure if pre-HDMI is what I'm concerned about since with mine it already has an AUX in for composite, VGA, and I could probably get one of those RetroTINK things from the other thread(interested in it for S-Video and especially component). What I'm wanting to know is if any exist less that 480p or are based on CRT tech but not huge? In other words, the options closest to a CRT as possible.

[boxpressed]

I looked through the site but the only thing I figured out is that it may be a good idea to get a grey screen for higher contrast. I'm not sure if pre-HDMI is what I'm concerned about since with mine it already has an AUX in for composite, VGA, and I could probably get one of those RetroTINK things from the other thread(interested in it for S-Video and especially component). What I'm wanting to know is if any exist less that 480p or are based on CRT tech but not huge? In other words, the options closest to a CRT as possible.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by CRT tech, but I haven't owned any projectors with a resolution less than VGA (640x480). They do exist, but I don't know anything about them. Some older "pocket" or "pico" projectors have resolution below 480p. The downside, however, will be brightness, especially if the model is an older one.

 

It seems to me that home theater and projectors supported the upscaler industry before retro games. Lines like the DVDO iScan were intended to connect DVD players to projectors via the 15-pin VGA input. So if you already have a DVDO or XRGB unit, you may not need to be as concerned about the native resolution of a projector.

[boxpressed]

Here's one with a resolution of 800x600 with VGA, S-video, and composite inputs (most good brands begin at 1024x768). This is an example of how cheap these old projectors are. I doubt this one will be bid over $20, so the shipped price will be a little more than $30. This one is a good brand but old with decent brightness. No remote. The Goodwill people say it turns on, but that doesn't mean it is working properly, so there is an element of risk because Goodwill doesn't take returns. It's just a cheap, fun thing to play around with and donate back if you get bored with it.

 

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/61996783

[Schizophretard]

I'm not sure what you mean by CRT tech, but I haven't owned any projectors with a resolution less than VGA (640x480). They do exist, but I don't know anything about them. Some older "pocket" or "pico" projectors have resolution below 480p. The downside, however, will be brightness, especially if the model is an older one.

 

It seems to me that home theater and projectors supported the upscaler industry before retro games. Lines like the DVDO iScan were intended to connect DVD players to projectors via the 15-pin VGA input. So if you already have a DVDO or XRGB unit, you may not need to be as concerned about the native resolution of a projector.

I mean kind of like those huge CRT projectors but tiny like a modern projector that would do standard definition(480i) in analog instead of enhanced definition(480p) in digital like what I have. If such projectors don't exist then I'm fine sticking with 480p but would be interested in one with better features like higher contrast, higher brightness, etc. So, with either option the goal would be for the projector to display a realistic looking high quality CRT like image. For an example, if I plugged composite into it then it would look like composite on a good CRT like a Trinitron but if I hooked RGB into it then it would look like RGB on a professional video monitor but in neither case would it look like it is plugged into an HDTV. Does That make sense?