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Best Home Theater Projector for the Money in 2013

Updated on January 3, 2013

Cheap, Affordable Projectors

The best home theater projectors for the money in 2012 will not be difficult to find if you know where to look. While paying thousands of dollars for a top-notch projector will give you amazing visual quality, you can get nearly the same results with ones that are only a couple hundred dollars. So why waste your money? Projectors are ideal for those who are avid sports or movie watchers. It really brings the big screen to the comfort of your own home. Unlike, LCD flat-screen TVs, projectors are very portable and can be used in many different places.

During lazy summer nights, I would bring my projector out to the backyard and screen movies for a few friends. And if the weather was not conducive, I would take my projector to my friend's house and hook it up to the Wii and play Mario Kart. Seeing Luigi race around the tracks on the big screen makes a huge difference and really changes the gaming experience. If you are also in to watching animal documentaries, I definitely recommend getting a projector. The first thing I watched when I got my projector was Planet Earth and the entire series blew me away. I felt like I was watching the animals from just a few feet away. Below, I will show you some of the best home theater projectors for the money.

Home Theater Projector Reviews 2012

When I was doing research to find the best projector I could find for a cheap price, I came across the ViewSonic PJD5123. Initially, I was worried about buying a cheap projector because I wasn't sure if the quality would live up to an ultra-expensive one. However, after reading tons of positive reviews, I decided to take the pludge and decided to buy it. The ViewSonic PJD5123 really exceeded all my expecations and to this day, I've watched countless number of movies and documentaries without having any serious glitches. If you project from about 6 feet away, the ViewSonic is comparable to a 40 inch LCD HDTV. I've used much more expensive projectors at work, and the ViewSonic is comparable in terms of quality and brightness. It is also quiet and doesn't heat up as much as other projectors sold on the market. It is easy to set-up and is compatible with my MacBook Pro, which is another plus. Contrary to popular belief, you really don't need to spend a thousand dollars on a projector.

Best Projector for Video Games 2012

If you are a hardcore gamer and want to experience playing video games on another level, I recommend the Optoma HD66. It is a bit pricier compared to the ViewSonic, but it comes with more advanced features. The Optoma HD66 can create 3D images for an intense gaming experience and has a 720P Widescreen Resolution. As long you have the right cable, you can pretty much hook up any device to this projector. I've been able to hook up my iPad, MacBook Pro, camcorder, iPhone and Playstation 3. My best friend owns this particular projector and every Friday night we would have a get together with some of our buddies and play Call of Duty and Gears of War deep into the night. You also don't need a screen to utilize this projector. You can just use a bare wall and dim the lights. While projectors may have been very expensive just a few years ago, nowdays they are much cheaper and more affordable to the typical everyday consumer.

Final Thoughts

Before purchasing a projector, think about what you are going to mainly use it for. If you are going to watch movies and documentaries most of the time, go with the VideoSonic PJD5123. However, if you are going to use it to watch sports or play video games, I definitely recommend the Optoma HD66. If you want more options you can check out the most affordable home theater projectors on Amazon. Amazon is the biggest online retail store in the world. Here you will be able to find a wide selection of projectors and tons of reviews from everyday customers.

If you follow the tips outlined above, you will find the best home theater projector for the money.

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