Author Topic: A budget 1080P projector setup (Read 5553 times)

dbchoong · « **on:** March 24, 2018, 17:07 »

Late last year, thought I'd try setting up a projector for my viewing pleasure. 4K projectors are still a bit pricey, so I can live with a good budget 1080P projector.

So, last Black Friday, bought the Optoma GT1080Darbee 1080P short throw (0.49 ratio) projector from Amazon USA to Singapore. The overall reviews were pretty good, so I just jumped in and bought it blind. This projector is labelled as a "gaming" projector as it has, supposedly, very good 16ms Enhanced Gaming Mode that enables rapid response time. It has Darbee Image Enhancement which helps make images pop for movies. It does not have horizontal or vertical lens shift. So, I knew ceiling mounted installation will be a challenge (as indicated by some of the Amazon reviewers). However, I think my DIY skills should be enough to do this myself.

I don't have a dedicated room for my home theatre. So, everything is in my living room. There is minimal ambient light control - the only thing I have are some simple curtains to block out the very bright sunlight from the balcony. Even with the curtains fully drawn, there's ambient light leaking out from many places. So, I had to choose a projector screen with some ambient light rejection and is affordable. So, I went to ezbuy and searched. Found this motorized 100" grey screen for S$93 and I just bought it. It took over a month to be delivered. As I'm an ezbuy Prime member, shipping cost was $2.99.

Also picked up this budget ceiling mount from ezbuy for $9. 8m long HDMI cable for $14.

I measured and marked out exactly where to install everything. First thing was to mount the projector screen. And after that, powered on the projector and switched on grid test. Held up the projector with bracket installed up against the ceiling and slowly moved it about till I found the best location. Marked the spot, drilled and mounted the projector. Ran the HDMI and power cables and all is ready.

In the end, I am extremely happy with this setup. I am getting 90+" displays that are absolutely beautiful to me. The Optoma Darbee enhancement is very good. The budget grey screen is pretty good too. With ambient light everywhere, the picture is not too washed out. It's not real ALR, but I have no complaints on the price and what it does. Heck, it's motorized too with remote. All for under S$100.

Optoma GT1080Darbee is a short throw projector. Installed about 1m away from screen to get about 92" display.

Light creep handled pretty well with the grey screen.

Screen will come down in front of the 55" LED TV.

Ceiling fan blades a couple of inches away. Screen a meter away.

ronildoq · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2018, 13:09 »

Very nice , your place looks very similar to mine, including the cornice with downlights. Am also contemplating adding a PJ soon, and waiting for the price to drop further . Having the same idea to have the screen come down in front of the tv, and the front heights and centre speakers tucked behind the pj screen.

Ccyao · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2018, 13:51 »

Quote from: ronildoq on March 25, 2018, 13:09

Very nice , your place looks very similar to mine, including the cornice with downlights. Am also contemplating adding a PJ soon, and waiting for the price to drop further . Having the same idea to have the screen come down in front of the tv, and the front heights and centre speakers tucked behind the pj screen.

I an also contemplating of have a PJ and have a drop down screen in front of the TV. I have front height speakers for Atmos. Wouldn't the sound be blocked by the drop down screen?
Anyone looking at Mi laser projector?

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ronildoq · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2018, 14:05 »

Acoustically transparent type of screen like the ones from Seymour. I have eyes set for the Sony , but they are not cheap, waiting for the price to drop...

Ccyao · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2018, 14:07 »

Quote from: ronildoq on March 25, 2018, 14:05

Acoustically transparent type of screen like the ones from Seymour. I have eyes set for the Sony , but they are not cheap, waiting for the price to drop...

Oh. Just checked the price from your website. Beyond my budget.

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sevenz · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2018, 21:13 »

Thanks for sharing this Bro

With this size of screen, and short throw and the price, it's a steal

I hope the hdr projectors price will drop to an affordable level one day.

dbchoong · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2018, 21:21 »

Quote from: Ccyao on March 25, 2018, 13:51

I an also contemplating of have a PJ and have a drop down screen in front of the TV. I have front height speakers for Atmos. Wouldn't the sound be blocked by the drop down screen?
Anyone looking at Mi laser projector?

My front height speakers for Atmos are placed just next to projector screen frame. So, no blockage for me.
Mi Laser looks very interesting, but the price is still a bit ex. Think it's about $2.2k (qoo10). Plus, I really hate the Mi TV OS. It's full of advertisements..

Ccyao · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2018, 21:29 »

Quote from: dbchoong on March 25, 2018, 21:21

My front height speakers for Atmos are placed just next to projector screen frame. So, no blockage for me.
Mi Laser looks very interesting, but the price is still a bit ex. Think it's about $2.2k (qoo10). Plus, I really hate the Mi TV OS. It's full of advertisements..

Thanks for sharing! Never use Mi products before. I am attracted to it because of the UST and laser. I'll probably only use it to project since I will be using Apple TV most of the time.
No hurry for me since I just got my oled tv. I need to think of how best to set up due to the numerous constraints that I have in my small HT room.

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DJQ · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2018, 00:08 »

nice bro. i think you need to replace your curtains to night curtains. total no light pass thru.

wechnivag · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2018, 12:40 »

Quote from: ronildoq on March 25, 2018, 14:05

Acoustically transparent type of screen like the ones from Seymour. I have eyes set for the Sony , but they are not cheap, waiting for the price to drop...

Drop down AT screens are rare? Usually AT screens are fixed...

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ronildoq · « **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2018, 12:53 »

Quote from: wechnivag on March 26, 2018, 12:40

Drop down AT screens are rare? Usually AT screens are fixed...

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Oh no, so less probability then. Hmm, anyway, will consult with you guys again towards year end when prices really drop and am ready to go for it... same like ccyao , I will have a lot to think about if placing it in the hall.

Nice sharing from db above. It just shows that with a decent Budget and skill, it is still possible to enjoy nice big screen quality HD videos

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dbchoong · « **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2018, 16:33 »

Forgot to mention that 3D also works great. I got a set of 4 pcs of Emgreat G15-DLP DLP-LINK Active Glasses from Amazon for about US$35.
The 3D images are really nice. However, rarely used cause still prefer good old 2D movies.

francis wu · « **Reply #12 on:** March 26, 2018, 23:41 »

How about popping over to Hkg and get this...
https://www.gizmochina.com/2018/03/26/buy-xiaomi-mi-ultra-short-throw-5000-laser-projector-for-only-1839-on-gearbest-coupon-code/

dbchoong · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2018, 23:53 »

US$1839 = S$2.4k. Qoo10 cheaper. . Lol

francis wu · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2018, 13:09 »

If you grab it direct from the stall, it will definitely be cheaper than going thru' an online store!

ecpaye · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2018, 23:16 »

Quote from: francis wu on March 27, 2018, 13:09

If you grab it direct from the stall, it will definitely be cheaper than going thru' an online store!

Hi Francis, can share which store in sg do carry Xiaomi UST 5000 LED? tq

Ccyao · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2018, 23:36 »

Quote from: ecpaye on March 28, 2018, 23:16

Hi Francis, can share which store in sg do carry Xiaomi UST 5000 LED? tq

Projector Xiaomi laser 4k projector Mi projector up to 150inches for S$2,380 https://sg.carousell.com/p/147958018

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francis wu · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2018, 23:46 »

Quote from: ecpaye on March 28, 2018, 23:16

Hi Francis, can share which store in sg do carry Xiaomi UST 5000 LED? tq

Well, you got the answer from bro Ccyao. My post was to get it direct from Xiaomi store in Shenzhen or if available in HKG.

ecpaye · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2018, 00:58 »

Quote from: Ccyao on March 28, 2018, 23:36

Projector Xiaomi laser 4k projector Mi projector up to 150inches for S$2,380 https://sg.carousell.com/p/147958018

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Noted tq

landis1 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2018, 10:32 »

good thread for those starting front projection on the cheap

fei · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2018, 10:55 »

Understand the Xiaomi is 4k only on input but output is 1080p, still darn attractive for getting a 100+inch screen output. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Xqws6cWXU

Ccyao · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2018, 20:51 »

Maybe can do a group buy.

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shk · « **Reply #22 on:** April 25, 2018, 12:29 »

Alternatively can consider the LG HF85JA.
http://www.lg.com/us/home-video/lg-HF85JA-projector

Pismo Mac · « **Reply #23 on:** April 25, 2018, 13:35 »

Quote from: shk on April 25, 2018, 12:29

Alternatively can consider the LG HF85JA.
http://www.lg.com/us/home-video/lg-HF85JA-projector

LG is available locally？ can’t seem to find it on the local LG website.

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econav · « **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2018, 04:24 »

JVC first DLP , anyone ?

chaozhoi · « **Reply #25 on:** April 30, 2018, 11:39 »

Quote from: econav on April 30, 2018, 04:24

JVC first DLP , anyone ?

Any confirmed specs and price? LX-UH1 right?

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keai · « **Reply #26 on:** April 30, 2018, 12:12 »

seriously this is LX-UH1? but LX-UH1 is 4k pj and not released yet, if it is LX-UH1, i am interested

Quote from: econav on April 30, 2018, 04:24

JVC first DLP , anyone ?

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econav · « **Reply #27 on:** April 30, 2018, 22:30 »

Yes, this is the one and only JVC DLP for now.

more .....

keai · « **Reply #28 on:** April 30, 2018, 22:40 »

Quote from: econav on April 30, 2018, 22:30

Yes, this is the one and only JVC DLP for now.
more .....

available locally now? heard only release this May, literally tomorrow,

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econav · « **Reply #29 on:** May 04, 2018, 00:44 »

Yes , was releasd 3 weeks ago in Shanghai and HK should also hv stock now.
SG JVC no longer handle projector sales .
Not for ppl who are sensitive to rainbow.
The set on it way back soon after another round in Jakarta and will be in time for the KL hifi show.

econav · « **Reply #30 on:** June 11, 2018, 15:31 »

Another 4k DLP @ $2k

chaozhoi · « **Reply #31 on:** June 11, 2018, 15:37 »

Quote from: econav on June 11, 2018, 15:31

Another 4k DLP @ $2k

Any comparison between this and jvc and optoma?

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keai · « **Reply #32 on:** June 11, 2018, 19:25 »

this is the same model as US HT2550, right?

dbchoong · « **Reply #33 on:** June 16, 2018, 23:30 »

World Cup @ 92"+ ... Nice.

The Optoma GT1080Darbee's gaming low-lag is good enough for smooth playback of the games.

sigurros · « **Reply #34 on:** July 31, 2018, 14:06 »

Quote from: econav on June 11, 2018, 15:31

Another 4k DLP @ $2k

How's this W1700 compared to the TK800?

keai · « **Reply #35 on:** July 31, 2018, 14:33 »

Quote from: sigurros on July 31, 2018, 14:06

How's this W1700 compared to the TK800?

TK800 brighter (3000 lumens vs. 2500). I might remember wrongly, but seems W1700 with better contrast and color.

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sigurros · « **Reply #36 on:** July 31, 2018, 14:51 »

Quote from: keai on July 31, 2018, 14:33

TK800 brighter (3000 lumens vs. 2500). I might remember wrongly, but seems W1700 with better contrast and color.

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Cheers. Any bros using this 2 projector as thought of getting either one?

Thanks

keai · « **Reply #37 on:** July 31, 2018, 14:58 »

Quote from: sigurros on July 31, 2018, 14:51

Cheers. Any bros using this 2 projector as thought of getting either one?

Thanks

bro ashenshugar is likely having w1700, i dropped him PM a few days ago but no reply so far

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sigurros · « **Reply #38 on:** July 31, 2018, 14:59 »

Quote from: keai on July 31, 2018, 14:58

bro ashenshugar is likely having w1700, i dropped him PM a few days ago but no reply so far

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Thanks.

Cos Lazada now got $100 off retail $2099 for the TK800 till 31st July.

Not too sure if the price is good at $1999

keai · « **Reply #39 on:** July 31, 2018, 15:12 »

Quote from: sigurros on July 31, 2018, 14:59

Thanks.

Cos Lazada now got $100 off retail $2099 for the TK800 till 31st July.

Not too sure if the price is good at $1999

with 3 years local warranty right? go get it bro, and open house for demo to forum bros,

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sigurros · « **Reply #40 on:** July 31, 2018, 15:31 »

Quote from: keai on July 31, 2018, 15:12

with 3 years local warranty right? go get it bro, and open house for demo to forum bros,

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Yah. As my setup will be in the living room with ambient lights (do have semi black out curtains), that's why considering the TK800 over the W1700.

Also the TK800 better for gaming so may just go for it.

WuffRuff · « **Reply #41 on:** November 13, 2018, 21:00 »

Where can I view and demo Benro and Optoma projectors in Singapore?

To the TS, how are you running your wires?
Can you share some photos of the wires?
Thanks.

econav · « **Reply #42 on:** November 15, 2018, 19:54 »

http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=263424.msg1262119#msg1262119

The New format Tv.....