Reddit mentions of Acer H5380BD 720p Home Theater Projector

I have an older projector, no where near as nice as the one in the image, it's an Acer H5380BD 720p. Refresh rate is 60hz. It gets the job done nicely for movies and games.

If you're willing to stretch your budget just a bit more, the BenQ w1070 is raved for it's price range and will compete with many pricier projectors. It's selling for $585 on amazon at the time of this post. There are newer models of it, but it was the gold standard <$1k projector when I was shopping around a year ago. Otherwise, the Optoma HD142X is also well received, athough again $48 over your price range. I personally purchased an Acer H5380BD a year ago around $400, with a factory refurb currently selling on amazon for $280 (steal price!!). If you're buying new though, I'd recommend stretching out for the w1070, or newer BenQ generation if you can save up to the $700 mark. The w1070 is worth the extra cash compared to my Acer, but I do enjoy my Acer quite a bit and would jump on that refurb if you're comfortable purchasing a refurb. Things have changed in the past year though, so might help to do a quick search on wire cutter or other sources for newer tech.

ninja edit: if the BenQ was <$600 when I got my Acer, would have purchased without a doubt. It was around $750 when I was holding out for it but got too impatient.

double edit: Acer 5382 is a brigher version of the 5380 for $420. These are 720p though and I'd still recommend the BenQ. As someone else mentioned, H6510BD is a solid projector as well, but the BenQ w1070 was repeatedly named best value for a reason.

What are you going to use it for? It's 1024x768 4:3. You can get a much better 720p projector for less than this price.

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-H5380BD-Theater-Projector-Model/dp/B00I0VRE6E

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0VRE6E

That sounds about right for a cheap Chinese projector. I'd seriously return it if you can, get store credit, and put money towards a projector from a real respectable company. That Taotaole is probably a fire hazard to be honest -- that it has 5 stars on Amazon is remarkable and just goes to show how pointless online reviews can be sometimes. This Acer is the bare minimum that's worth buying.

Bonus: This is why cheap projectors are so pointless.

Don't have all the answers but I do have some. I just got through piecing together a system for my one bedroom apartment.

This is the projector you are going to buy. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I0VRE6E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1452047986&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=acer+h5380bd

You will not. I repeat, you will not find a better quality to price ratio in any other model. For $383 shipped to your door you get...

720p native resolution. 16:9 aspect ratio 17000:1 contrast ratio 3000 ansi lumens 5000 (standard) lamp life along with 3d capability if that's your thing. It's not mine but it's available and that's nice right?

I bought that for $293 refurbished from their outlet store. So sub $300...Jesus Christ the value is unreal dude. Unreal.

I paired it with an elite screen 100" manual pull down 16:9 HD 4k screen for $78. It's crazy.

I decided to mount mine so I got a $25 ceiling mount. The total is $400 and you have a setup that will give any home theater fan a boner.

Now, Audio.

I picked this up today for $420.

Klipsch sf-2 towers(2 black)
Ksw10 sub
HK avr154 receiver

Truth be told. I'm planning on selling the sub (because I'm in an apartment) and buying a set of surrounds. Want to buy it? $100! lol

I really wanted to keep it under $800 for everything but with new speaker wires, a dark red matte paint for the walls and speaker wire I'm at $860.

This setup is pretty damn future proof as well. It's been out a few years already and will continue to be the best bang for the buck until they no longer make them.

There is my sub $900 home theater setup.

If I sell the sub for $100 (should be easy) I could grab a set of MB652 airs for the rears at $90 shipped.

I plan on making a post next week with pictures and more so if you have any questions feel free. I did extensive research on everything and am very happy with every single purchase.

Mine is a 720P projector that has been my principle TV since I started this project. I've had no problems using it for gaming, but it was specifically chosen because it was so good for that purpose.

I dont think you can get good stuff for that money, unless you buy used, which is not worth it in my opinion.

I havent seen a lot of 720p projectors working, but for a little more, you can get an Acer H5380BD for 430 dollars on amazon

Its close of your budget, but if it was me I would save for a 1080p projector... 720p on a 100"+ screen, wont look that nice, but it would look better than the one you selected first, in both resolution and light output

These projectors are all LED based instead of your standard bulb based projector.

LED Projectors:

• Aren't that bright (brightness = 'lumens') and just aren't good outside under very controlled conditions like under a gazebo projecting onto a dark wall. The less light, the better, especially for LED projectors.
  
• Colors may not be as vivid, as sharp/crisp looking as some bulb-based projectors but LED projectors are still good.
  
• Cheaper LED projectors don't usually have a lot of controls to set things up. They have an options menu like all other projectors but they don't have a lot of 'features'. They're very plug and play, which can be good and bad.
  
• Are much more portable and lighter than bulb-based projectors.
  
• Are a big bang for buck, you don't have to replace bulbs like you do in bulb projectors which are $80-$300 (they last for roughly 3,500-7,000 hours).
  
• Their picture doesn't really get 'dim' over time like bulb based projectors do.
  
• LED projectors will last for 20,000 to 30,000 hours but when they die then they are just done, similar to that of a TV.
  
  The brand is AAXA which isn't the worst and isn't the best. The majority of their projectors are smaller but have pretty good build quality from what I've seen. I can't really judge on the quality apart from the specifications (480p, 720p, lumens, etc) or looking at picture/video reviews. So, if you're interested, you can go looking through youtube or searching for it on Projector Central. :)
  
  AAXA LED Pico. Seems great for what it is and can project up to a 60" image, but the very, very low lumens means it's going to be in a dark room 1000% of the time. Has quite a few ports for such a small projector. Much better than many of the $100 no name chinese projectors you see on Amazon that are 480p SD (Standard Definition) or less because this one is 540p HD (weird res, but that's ok).
  
  AAXA P3-X. Looks like a better version of the LED Pico above, can project up to an 80" image, more lumens but still needs to be in a completely dark room to see anything, more battery life, more ports for different devices.
  
  AAXA P5. The best and most expensive of the three. It's 720p HD, can project up to 100", still needs to be in a very light controlled room because it's only 300 lumens, you get the idea. The only problem with this guy is that he's better than the 480p projectors but he's not as good as some of the $500-$600, 1080P HD bulb based projectors. So, he has a lot of competition from things like the LG PH300, the bulb-based Acer H5380BD and other used/refurbished projectors.
  
  Anyways, hope this helped. Feel free to ask questions, I know this was a little long-winded but I try to reply to posts like I'd reply to close friends and family. Even if you're only spending $150 on the LED PICO projector, I'd want you to get your moneys worth. :)
  

Woah, thanks for the in-depth response! I appreciate you taking the time.

I'd also just like to stress that I'm pretty much computer illiterate. I can sort of grope my way through most problems and get a vague understanding of how things work, but in general, I don't possess very much technical knowledge (i.e. I can't look at the parts at get a sense of what the build will be capable of).

I don't plan on streaming all that much. I'm not a huge Netflix/Hulu guy, so I'll be torrenting most of my stuff. Regardless, I live in an apartment just down the hall from my sister and I use her wi-fi.

And I was just looking into some wireless HDMI solutions, and the DVDO Air3 looks like it's in my price range. That being said, I still just might go with a longer HDMI cable for now (this is all located in my bedroom, so the distance is probably 15 feet at most).

While I've got you here (seeing as you're willing to hold my hand through this), can I get your opinion on this projector? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0VRE6E?colid=3NIWWRTEY37OD&coliid=I3GA7QPTTLAC8Y&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl

It has good reviews and it's in my price range, but I have absolutely zero experience with using/buying one.

With Full 5 star reviews on amazon I think it is worth a look. I will probably add it to the list up top as well.

Objectives for space:

• Create a space for 4-6 people can setup 1 computer per person to play games (LAN setup)
  
• This could be accomplished by either building custom or buying desks / tables
  
• All spaces for players/people do not need to be near each other
  
• Make use of projector as a large scale source of TV (not for LAN gaming)
  
• A couch / fouton would be nice for viewing projector
  
• Paint walls to a grey tone - potentially #CECECC
  
• Considering replacing carpet with something that would match a grey tone
  
• Replace / Rewire all outlets from 2-prong to 3-prong grounded outlets (in progress)
  
  Budget:
  
  
• TBD
  
  Constraints / Affordances:
  
  
• While the basement is much larger, the walls cannot be knocked down / removed. Doors will need to stay in the same places.
  
• All items (Desk, futon, table, etc) are removable
  
  What I need help with:
  
  
• How to create a gaming (LAN party) space for myself and friends without sacrificing an entertainment room for myself and my girlfriend.
  
  
  I'm happy to provide any other measurements / info if needed to help with my project!

Here is a much much much much much better projector and deal. I just picked this up refurbished from their outlet site for $293.

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-H5380BD-720p-Theater-Projector/dp/B00I0VRE6E

This is $383 shipped to your door and one of the best, if not THE, best values in projectors.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Acer-H5380BD.htm

There is a review for you. Enjoy.

> 5500 lumens (LED MAX)

would be what's written on the led bulb - if there really is one - not any kind of actual industry standard test result (which is what it is on a name brand projector).

It's probably more like 300 lumens.

A real HD projector, who's specs aren't fake, can be bought on Amazon for less than $400.

e.g.:
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-H5380BD-720p-Theater-Projector/dp/B00I0VRE6E/ref=lp_300334_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1450243634&sr=1-8

Why risk completely wasting $300 on a crappy unit with fake specs (perhaps worth less than $100)?

Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-H5380BD-720p-Theater-Projector/dp/B00I0VRE6E

Good price, Dark Chip 3 (for good contrast) and plenty of lumens so you could have some ambient light.

totally. imo you wont be doing any mapping on a $200 projector.

i have a couple of these, theyre great