The Hobbit
Hey all,
I'd heard many different opinions on this film, and I thought I was going to be one of those who wasn't a fan, especially as I got bored by 'The Lord of the Rings' by the end of the trilogy. But, I watched the Blu Ray of 'The Hobbit', over the weekend, on the projector and with the surround sound cranked up.
It was the most enjoyable, immersive cinematic experience that i've EVER had (and I do watch a sh+tload of films!)
To anyone that may be on the fence about getting a projector; this film will knock you right off that fence into 'i'm getting a projector's' garden. I have a pretty big screen (106") and a fairly modest projector, but the picture on this disc is just awesome. Pin-sharp and full of detail. I'm not joking when I say that this is the best picture i've ever seen (IMAX in Crawley, included). The new Gollum, on a projector, will absolutely blow your mind. For the whole time he was on screen, me and the missus couldn't stop talking about it. I remember seeing the old Gollum for the first time, at the cinema and being wowed because you could see the pores in his skin. This time round, I was wowed because his skin is transluscent and you can see his veins running underneath the skin. May not sound like a big deal, but wait til you see it!
Just quickly, I want to say that getting the new AV amp and the projector has made watching film a very different experience for me. There's something about a very big screen and great sound, in the home, that is a really engaging experience (I say 'in the home' because I don't get the same reaction at the cinema). I'm finding myself actually feeling emotions when watching a film now , whether it be shock, joy, excitement or sadness and that's a great thing.
I borrowed it from a mate. Is it not out yet? I presumed it was. Maybe it's an American disc?
No, it's not out in the US yet. Releasing 19th March.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BEZTMQ8/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/176-988781...
Oops 
Oops, indeed! Snidey films have come on in recent years, then. This disc was in proper Bluray packaging and the disc looked legit, too. I don't advocate piracy, so my advice would be to wait the few weeks til it's out officially!
Totally agree bretty, the big screen experience with a good surround sound system is hard to beat. it is better than the cinema in my experience as you have no interuptions from popcorn munchers, coke slurpers or annoying teenagers.
You actually make it an event as well , something you tend not to do with a TV.
I will certainly be watching the hobbit, when its out of course lol.
Except when you go to Bretty's house.....seems like they never shut up! bet he didn't put the mobile on silent either!)
On a separate note, can you get these projectors to work as a TV (and perhaps some kind of music player?????. Sorry if I'm being thick but I've never even considerd one before so have no idea what they do. It's just we've just had the kitchen/diner knocked into one and Mrs J is insistant we arent having that "horrible little TV or that old mini system" back in there BUT doesn't want the newly plastered walls messing up with wall mounted TV's and wires everywhere. The fact the end wall is now a blank 12ft x12ft space has sparked my imagination somewhat although I'm slow playing it at the moment, not wishing to appear as if Xmas has come early 
You'd just need to get a Freeview TV tuner with an HDMI output - this would then plug direct into the projector or AV receiver the same as the Blu-ray player would. If you just want the tuner, these cost £50 to £100, but you can also combine them with hard disks and twin tuners and get a PVR so you can record TV a là Sky+.
Music player wouldn't really work as the projector is designed to project pictures - you'd need a sound system of some sort (e.g. AV receiver and speakers / all-in-one home cinema unit / stereo amp + speakers / midi or mini system etc. etc.) to go with it to play the sound and the music player would just connect to this.
BTW - picture quality will suffer if you don't playback on a proper projection screen - that's not to say it can't be projected onto a blank wall, just don't expect the same quality you get from a TV. Screens can be wall / ceiling mounted, manual pull down / motorised or you could get a free standing one that can be put away when not in use.
Cheers Prof - I can feel a research project coming on :)
A projector screen paint could also work, but I have no experience in this. So I cannot comment on its performance.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PROJECTOR-SCREEN-PAINT-STANDARD-KIT/dp/B004N6XEDM
Ok, so now that it's available legally 
has anyone else seen it yet, and what did you reckon?
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Was wondering how you got a copy on Blu Ray so quickly ?
I want this for my collection, saw it at the cinema and it is great film. Didn't think it was out till April ? How do I get a copy now ?