| Many people wish to purchase a home projection | | | | One key to making a new projector purchase is |
| theater system but still have to work within the | | | | making sure the store where it is purchased has a |
| constraints of a budget. Can a budget projector be a | | | | good return policy. Ambient lighting, (while the most |
| viable alternative? While a thousand dollars is still a lot | | | | common factor, is not the only one) will cause many |
| of money, it really is not so much to pay for a good | | | | projector displays that look great in the store display |
| home theater projection system. A good home | | | | to function less than ideally in the purchaser's home. |
| theater will provide years of entertainment from | | | | It may well be that the seller did not ask the right |
| movies, to video and computer games to vacation | | | | questions when they bought the projector and they |
| picture slideshows. How though, can someone find a | | | | cannot return it. This happens more than most people |
| projector for less than one thousand dollars? How | | | | want to admit ... with any number of products, not |
| can anybody find a quality projector that also fits the | | | | just with projection units. Asking the correct |
| category of a cheap projector? How can they make | | | | questions can make it easier to figure out if the |
| sure it is going to suit their needs? | | | | projector will be right for your needs or not. |
| One of the most obvious options is through auctions. | | | | Ask the seller about the picture quality of the |
| This is a very difficult way to purchase a projector. | | | | projection unit they are selling. If the seller is specific |
| The main reason is that all you can do is asking | | | | and gives you an answer saying that it is not what |
| questions of someone who has already proven that | | | | they expected, there could be other mitigating |
| they are a motivated seller, proven by the very fact | | | | factors that will make this ideal for you to get a |
| that they have posted the projector on an online | | | | great deal on a great projection system for well |
| auction. Bidding online can be done with some level of | | | | under one thousand dollars. |
| confidence though. It is very easy to conceive of | | | | Find out what kind of projection screen they are |
| getting a very good multimedia projector for less | | | | using. If the projection screen is not ideally suited to |
| than a thousand dollars in this manner. | | | | the home theater projector they purchased, that |
| Making sure you ask the questions you want | | | | could be a point in favor of the buyer. Sometimes a |
| answered is the first challenge in finding a home | | | | person will spend a great deal of money on a |
| theater projector online. While this may sound easy | | | | projector and use the blank space on the wall to |
| enough, it really is not when you think about it. For | | | | project the multimedia displays. If the projector shuts |
| example: | | | | off or flickers. This could be an indication that the |
| Buyer: Why are you selling your projector? | | | | projector is fine (For the moment) but has been set |
| Seller: Because I am thinking about buying a new | | | | up somewhere that is either too dusty for the |
| projection system. (Thinking, looking, considering ... all | | | | projection unit filters to keep up or it has been set |
| are terms to make the buyer beware) | | | | up somewhere that there is not sufficient airflow and |
| Why would this simple question and answer dissuade | | | | the projection unit is overheating. Find out specific |
| someone from actively bidding on this projector? | | | | details about where the projector is. Do not be afraid |
| Take a moment to look at it more closely. The seller | | | | to ask questions. The worst that can happen is that |
| obviously wants to sell the projection unit that they | | | | they will refuse your bid and save you money. Not a |
| currently own. But "why do they want to sell it" is | | | | bad deal really, and certainly better than ending up |
| the relevant question. The answer states that they | | | | with a home projector that will not work at all or |
| are looking, considering, thinking about, or otherwise | | | | that needs substantive repairs. |
| contemplating the purchase of a new system, this is | | | | If you know that the projector is functioning well but |
| not to say that they are actively in the process of | | | | the picture quality is not what it should be, there |
| purchasing a new system. This in turn, should lead the | | | | could well be another frequently encountered |
| prospective purchaser of the online auction projector | | | | problem. This is known as the keystone effect. Most |
| to ask themselves, and the seller, a series of other | | | | projection units come with keystone adjustment |
| questions. Why are they selling the projector without | | | | features. The concept is to allow the optic lenses to |
| having found a new one they are sure of? | | | | be adjusted horizontally and vertically. While this can |
| While there are literally thousands of different | | | | be a great benefit in some projectors, some home |
| combinations of this simple question and answer "red | | | | theater systems will become quickly inundated with |
| flag," the key is the same in all of them. If the seller | | | | the keystone effect. To make a long story short, |
| will not give specifics then buyer beware. It is better | | | | the screen and the projector have pixels. The pixels |
| to lose a bid on a high quality projection theater | | | | are little concave shaped areas where light is |
| system than it is to win even with a low bid for a | | | | projected and displayed. The keystone effect occurs |
| damaged projection unit. The cost of repairs, while | | | | when the pixels on the screen are not correctly |
| relevant in the long term of projector life is | | | | aligned with the pixels being projected from the |
| important; it should not have to be a factor when | | | | projection unit. This will greatly detract from the |
| purchasing a new projector, no matter where it is | | | | viewing pleasure and often causes unpleasant |
| bought. | | | | sensations such as headaches to the viewer. |
| Things to look for that will indicate it may in fact be | | | | If a buyer is willing (And well informed enough) to |
| a quality cheap projector usually are some type of | | | | ask specific questions they should get specific |
| upgrade on the part of the seller. While they may still | | | | answers. If the seller refuses to be specific or to |
| be very happy with the unit they are selling, | | | | discuss details, than do not bid. Ever! The |
| somehow or another they have managed to put | | | | well-informed buyer will never end up with a seriously |
| together the money for a new home theater | | | | damaged projector, and just may, if they ask the |
| projector display and setup. Another factor may very | | | | right questions, end up with a high quality home |
| well be that they were uninformed when they made | | | | theater projection system for well under a thousand |
| the purchase. | | | | dollars. |