Hi All,

We are looking for a small projector to use to watch movies at our cabin. We do not have Wi-Fi at the cabin and plan on keeping it that way. We typically download movies onto a laptop and then watch them on that. That’s OK, but bigger would be better.

We’d simply like to connect a projector to the laptop via HDMI cable and screen-mirror (or other method).

Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Todd

Could you add wifi but without internet? That would allow you to screen mirror with app from computer or iPad/phone.

If you're stringing an HDMI cable around anyway, just plug into computer, +/- adapter/dongle as needed?

Wait - you want to project them? Unless you're looking to do super large or outdoors, a TV is likely cheaper than a screen and projector. With better image quality even in a cheapo TV.

All the ones I've used are based on the Texas Instruments DLP technology. Very pleased.

But to be honest, it's been about 6 years since I've bought one, so maybe technology has moved on from DLP.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
...a TV is likely cheaper than a screen and projector. With better image quality even in a cheapo TV.

Yep, decent projectors are not cheap, at least none I've seen.

Easier to toss in a cheap router to create a small local network, pick a TV and cast to it.

You will be far more pleased with what you see on a large flat screen monitor than with a projector. Issues with focus, keystoning, and image washout due to ambient lighting make the latter a pain to deal with in most situations. If you plan on moving it, as opposed to a permanent mount, be prepared to have to re-tune it for every use. Even if permanently mounted, changes in temperature, location/angle, etc. will require adjustments as well.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
You will be far more pleased with what you see on a large flat screen monitor than with a projector. Issues with focus, keystoning, and image washout due to ambient lighting make the latter a pain to deal with in most situations. If you plan on moving it, as opposed to a permanent mount, be prepared to have to re-tune it for every use. Even if permanently mounted, changes in temperature, location/angle, etc. will require adjustments as well.

This, in spades. If you don't want wifi, you don't want the headaches a good projector setup will bring, let alone a cheap one. Pick a TV size, find the cheapest one - it will cost double to triple or more to get a decent projected picture and it will have nowhere near the ambient light tolerance.

Buy a TV in size/budget you want & a long enough HDMI cable to set the laptop out of the way.
You will have to change the settings for when you close the laptop (not to sleep) or leave it open (facing a wall or furniture will keep it from distracting you).
You can also have wifi w/o an internet provider & most TVs will have a 'cast' capability. Personally, that's just another half-baked solution to troubleshoot and whatever app you use might want to connect to the internet to let the mothership know you are watching a chic flick for the 100th time.... A wire is always going to be more reliable & easier to setup.

Thank you for the replies everyone. A monitor seems like the best solution in our case.