New TV replacement for dead projector

[bluemonkmn]

I'm excited.  I got a 42-inch 1080p LCD TV yesterday to replace my blown-out projector!  I don't know why the projector blew up when I replaced the lamp but now it doesn't even show stand-by lights when I plug it in.  The old lamp (which could be valued around $250) still functions fine, I suspect, since it wasn't in the projector when it blew.  I returned the new lamp for a refund because I suspect it caused the projector to blow.  I hope I get that refund soon.  But I don't know what to do with the projector now.  It must be worth something to someone at least for the functioning lamp and the remote if nothing else.  It can probably be repaired for a couple hundred bucks (I contacted Optoma about repairs) and it was working great.  I just don't want to spend $145 risking that they won't be able to fix it.  But if anyone wants a to pick up a dead projector in Bloomington, MN, I'll let ya have it.  (Optoma EP719)  Otherwise I guess I'll post it on freecycle.org.

But I'm quite happy with my new Olevia 242FHD.  Nice and bright (after I turned up the brightness a little).

[durnurd]

Just one question:  It turns on faster than the projector, I hope?

[Jam0864]

whoa, it must look great!
PS: giant tv screens are fantastic as a pc monitor, when gaming.

[bluemonkmn]

Just one question:  It turns on faster than the projector, I hope?

Yes... I think (I haven't turned it on much yet).  The cool part is that it turns on even if an HDMI cable is plugged in and there's no signal on it, so I don't have to turn on the PS3 to get it to turn on.  That was a weird problem with the projector.  And instead of 4 remotes (TiVo, Projector, Digital Converter and Sound System), I can pretty much control everything with 1 now.  Still can't quite figure out the Picture-In-Picture feature.  I got it to come up, but I can't display Composite, S-Video or tuner signal at the same time I'm watching the tuner signal in the first picture.  Really odd that it rules out every other means I have of watching another TV channel when I'm watching a TV channel.  But I did play some PS3 games (on HDMI) at the same time as watching some Family Guy (from TiVo) yesterday.  Later in the day the sound from TiVo stopped working.  I'll have to investigate that.

whoa, it must look great!
PS: giant tv screens are fantastic as a pc monitor, when gaming.

Yeah, it's pretty good, especially when I found the brightness control and realized I could turn it much brighter than the projector would ever go.  Now I can see what I'm doing in Kingdom Hearts 2.   I think at some point I probably will hook up a computer there too.  I have an extra one, but I don't think it will fit very well in the shelves under the TV.  It probably would if I turned it sideways... not sure if a tower likes to run sideways, though.  Of course I'd need a cordless keyboard then too... and another wireless network adapter.

[durnurd]

Well, I do have a wireless keyboard that I don't use.  And a wireless adapter that I don't use.  The keyboard needs a bluetooth dongle though.  And while you're at it, you can use the PS3 controller connected to the computer as a joystick or a mouse.  Still no wireless support for that though, or for detecting motion.

[Jam0864]

http://xpadder.com/ <-- emulates keys on a controller to keys on a keyboard, mouse movement, or mouseclicks. Works great for any game that doesn't have controller support. I use it for my xbox 360 controller.