Comments on: Does the room have to be that dark to see the picture from a home theater projector?

By: Daniel B

Daniel B — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:10:36 +0000

No, but helps greatly

By: Keith W

Keith W — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:37:57 +0000

From not too dark to very dark based on the number of ANSI lumens that the projector has. I’m composing this on an InFocus SP-4805 projected picture at 106″ diagonal (almost nine feet) from a projector the size of a major citys phone book. You can pick one of these up for under $400. If you are a DVD fan and don’t plan to get Blu-ray or HD-DVD any time soon then the EDTV resolution of this PJ should be fine. HD broadcasts look phenomonal with it. I might suggest you go to the AVS forum and check out the 4805 thread. There are a bunch of avid fans out there ready and willing to help you with all your pj questions. As to why people buy huge boxes? Ignorance. I can get a 20′ picture on this projector if I take it outdoors for a dive in movie…try that with a 32″, $4000 tv.

By: toogerq

toogerq — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:42:55 +0000

It definately has to be darker than if you were watching a tv. In my apartment I would have to buy new heavy duty curtains to put over my windows.

By: Brianne H

Brianne H — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:01:09 +0000

No, but it’s not going to be that great of a picture. Watching it in a dimmed room is optimal. Dimmed to completely dark should work, but just no household lights or blinds/shades/curtains open. I would say that a lot of people shy away from HD projectors because of the space you need to use them efficiently. You need to have a free wall to use as the screen or a free wall to have a screen on or a screen to come down in front of, and to many people, that’s a big investment. TVs are familiar and basic so people like them.