A humble home theater setup

[mushopea]

Hi guys, I'd like a simple setup to play mostly 720p videos from my laptop onto a large screen. (Think classroom projector scenario)

Because my place is rented, I cannot install any wall brackets to fit speakers or a projector screen - hence I have to buy everything standing.

My budget is low, around $1000.
My room is small; I'll be watching ~3m away so the projection/sound doesn't have to be so far/loud! I don't have very high requirements.

I've done a little research and I think I need:
1) A projector
2) A standing projector screen
3) Speakers


I would like to know:
1) Is there anything else I need to get?
2) What is a good place to buy these?
3) What products would you recommend?

I have read the sticky thread, "Tips on getting that new HT system - info, suggested brands and advice", and am still confused on how to achieve my setup. I would really appreciate your help! Thanks alot!!!

 

[petetherock]

Go to Sim Lim and source for an office projector and ask for a basic screen.
Look st the 2.1 speaker thread and get a set of power pc speakers.

 

[mushopea]

Go to Sim Lim and source for an office projector and ask for a basic screen.
Look st the 2.1 speaker thread and get a set of power pc speakers.

thanks! do you know any specific store in simlim that sells good projectors and screen?

 

[Sambuca78]

thanks! do you know any specific store in simlim that sells good projectors and screen?

I bot the ibeam projector (35 lumen) from Qoo10 n a Logitech Bluetooth boombox. Total cost less than 400 buck.

I connect both to my iPad n project it to wall.

 

[mushopea]

I bot the ibeam projector (35 lumen) from Qoo10 n a Logitech Bluetooth boombox. Total cost less than 400 buck.

I connect both to my iPad n project it to wall.

hii thanks for the link!

i checked qoo10 and found this: Qoo10 - 3D Portable Multi-media LED Projector. 1080P Full HD Home Movie Cinema... : TV/Major Applian... there's only 6 month warranty and no brand but it's very cheap. should i get it?

 

[Brandon Yuen]

It's pretty low-res... ad says 800x600, but the spec at the bottom says 800x480. Probably 800x600 for 4:3 video and 800x480 (480p) for widescreen.
Just something to take note of, in case it's an issue for you.

 

[tekster]

Y dun u just get a tv? 3m aint that far a distance

 

[batuchka]

i agree - these days 37-42" LED TV so cheap and with local warranty and can channel more funds to getting a nicer sound set up in the used market perhaps ^^

 

[Sambuca78]

hii thanks for the link!

i checked qoo10 and found this: Qoo10 - 3D Portable Multi-media LED Projector. 1080P Full HD Home Movie Cinema... : TV/Major Applian... there's only 6 month warranty and no brand but it's very cheap. should i get it?

Hello... It really depend on what you want and especially get it over Qoo10 does have its risk. For electronic stuff I will try to avoid china products (I bot a china car dvr from Qoo10, really not good).

This is the Projector I bot, it caught my attention as it is only 45mm cube, very basic, small, well built and very portable. I took the risk to purchase it from Qoo10 (shipped from South Korea) and no warrant, but luckily it served me well so far, beside the lousy battery life.

http://www.superadrianme.com/technology/gadget-review-smart-beam-pico-projector/
http://www.techbargains.com/reviews/357660

 

[mushopea]

Hello... It really depend on what you want and especially get it over Qoo10 does have its risk. For electronic stuff I will try to avoid china products (I bot a china car dvr from Qoo10, really not good).

This is the Projector I bot, it caught my attention as it is only 45mm cube, very basic, small, well built and very portable. I took the risk to purchase it from Qoo10 (shipped from South Korea) and no warrant, but luckily it served me well so far, beside the lousy battery life.

Gadget Review: Smart Beam Pico Projector | SUPERADRIANME
Innoio Smart Beam PICO Projector Review - July 08, 2013

Thanks for your input! It's a nice projector with a great reviews. I don't need something portable though, so maybe I can trade resolution quality (something more important to me) with portability and still get something for a reasonable price? Btw, I can't find this projector on qoo10 ^^;

 

[mushopea]

i agree - these days 37-42" LED TV so cheap and with local warranty and can channel more funds to getting a nicer sound set up in the used market perhaps ^^

thank you! but 40 inches still a little small for me, plus TVs are rather bulky. I will consider a TV though. thanks!

 

[mushopea]

It's pretty low-res... ad says 800x600, but the spec at the bottom says 800x480. Probably 800x600 for 4:3 video and 800x480 (480p) for widescreen.
Just something to take note of, in case it's an issue for you.

hi brandon! Why does it say it can support 1080p when it's clearly resoluted at 800x480 (a v. low resolution)? What kind of quality can I expect? If I require small subtitles to be read very often, maybe I should get the highest resolution?

 

[Sambuca78]

Thanks for your input! It's a nice projector with a great reviews. I don't need something portable though, so maybe I can trade resolution quality (something more important to me) with portability and still get something for a reasonable price? Btw, I can't find this projector on qoo10 ^^;

This was replace with a newer version.
http://list.qoo10.sg/item/SK-TELECOM-SK-SMART-BEAM-ART-BLACK-PICO-PORTABLE/415439444

The version I have is still available.
http://list.qoo10.sg/item/SK-SMART-BEAM-MHL-HDMI-MINI-PORTABLE/415104309

 

[Sambuca78]

hi brandon! Why does it say it can support 1080p when it's clearly resoluted at 800x480 (a v. low resolution)? What kind of quality can I expect? If I require small subtitles to be read very often, maybe I should get the highest resolution?

I usually watch 720p video using iPad. it have no problem displaying 720p/1080p content although it stated 640x480. It will only be detected as its native resolution (640x480 in this case) when connecting it to laptop or PC.

i using OPlayer in my iPad can easily zoom in/out the subtitles using 2 fingers.

 

[Brandon Yuen]

hi brandon! Why does it say it can support 1080p when it's clearly resoluted at 800x480 (a v. low resolution)? What kind of quality can I expect? If I require small subtitles to be read very often, maybe I should get the highest resolution?

My guess is that it can accept 1080p input, but the image/video will be scaled down to 800x480 for projection. Marketing "magic", to put it nicely. ;-)

If you need to make out fine details (like small subtitles), a higher-resolution projector may be a better idea but it could eat up most of your budget.

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

For $1000, you can get a 50 inch TV I'm sure.