Optoma - HD30LV

For $700 it's an upgrade, but not an awesome one. You might find a better projector cheaper still. I picked up an Optoma HD30LV, 1920 x 1080 resolution, 22,000:1 contrast ratio for $587.43 all in on sale on Amazon. I see a used one on there for $414.32, heck, the [EX9240 is on ther](https://www.amazon.com/Epson-Pro-EX9240-Projector-Brightness/dp/B09L493SN3/ref=sr_1_2?crid=347VJOOQP23IG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WCL1tnPJDM3Pt3iZkC3VftARiG_cHMg7DlkHUJ9m8xpJ79rOGCH5hf_muFCtilVejzNeyTF9n1_a9dC2eZI6titFJnF9cyPfyUj9j_0TNtXnQAZu2sDgPivuvCSuZXu1bAzmkZGZvkjsec6d6XbeXfzBf1eq2fOQSPIdW3dkbaoyHoSVX_p_FAG1tQxTDTD1cAKaXgHLYtI025vQhdCKWlPYFgw97kG8sMOQpI18j6g.eo6SQUyFaBQPLOrcxZsb8qTD9A92KH_2pDSP_V7-Xao&dib_tag=se&keywords=epson+ex+9240&qid=1749228456&sprefix=EX+9240%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-2)e for $599, you could comparison shop and "test drive" one off there with no risk and see how it looks.

You cant know something you never had basically. But that projector, once it starts to get burn in, thats it... Ewaste. A proper projector (can find on ebay even as low as 300e) will have a bulb which is replaceable and last about 10k hours (depends on system) and the bulbs at least for me cost only 80euro. Colorwheels cost 5euro a pop. All very easy diy change out. My projector is now iirc 15years old. 1080p60hz, optoma, long throw, its on very often just like tv, i changed maybe 3 bulbs so far... Has gaming settings reduce latency etc. great colors and contrast. Never used a screen even for it. Any plain color wall worked better than any of the budget screens. Have repainted wall matt white now and it works very well instead of those budget screens. 

I have bought several used Projectors over the last few years, they work great for a while but always end up having bulb issues or fans issues and they overheat. Optomas are good to get used, easy to work on, but if you plan on using them in a theater setup, make sure they play nice with your receiver. I spent a lot of money on my set up, dropped 2500.00 on a Denon high end receiver ( used on inheritance money from grand parent that passed, only way i would ever be able to get something that high end.) Came across a good deal on a Optoma 1080 projector on FB Market place, think I paid like 80 bucks, it works great plugged into a streaming box like Apple TV, but when I plug it into my receiver, to get surround sound with the projector, the video will not come through and the receiver does not see the projector at all. So I use it as an outdoor projector for movie nights. I have a Benq HT1075 that a friend had that was overheating, paid like $200 for it, it works pretty good but has to be taken apart and cleaned every 6 months. I say all this to say you can find a good unit used, but be careful its like buying a used car, you don’t know if it was taken care of, and how much it was abused. It could turn into a money pit. I am waiting for UST laser projectors to become a little more affordable, then I will be will to drop 800 or so on one, and not have to worry about replacing a bulb at an inconvenient time for 150-200 bucks.

I have a 1080p Optoma projector in my HT. It is about 10 years old, so maybe due for an upgrade. For now, It gets the job done when it’s dark. But the image washes out quickly if a light is turned on and you can barely see anything. That’s why this caught my attention. With multiple strings of light bulb hanging, I could still see the display without any difficulty. I agree, this is not great but compared to the one I have at home currently the difference is night and day. What projector do you recommend from JVC?