start cheap. there's nothing wrong with buying a projector you can't switch the bulb on, the bulb is usually as expensive as a new projector will be and not worth it. try to buy a decent one on sale, epson has some pretty decent ones you can get for around $400 on sale with 1080p
for projector screen try to buy something second hand, people usually sell them cheap because they just want to get rid of them, or buy something good enough on sale
the reason you don't want to spend an awful lot of money as a first timer, is because 90 percent of people building a small home theater just never end up using it. it's easier just using a tv or pc to watch something quick than to use a home cinema, turning on the projector, readying the screen and stuff like that. so you might as well don't spend an awful lot to start out with to see if it's something you're actually interested in

>>109430358
there was a projector for 200 bucks that had linux. can i ball without a screen? i have a big white wall
i could use the tv but it's a bit too small to be hanged on the wall and i want to free the table

i also found a 90 bucks projector but if it's so cheap i fear it might be bad even for the money
also, for the audio? any decent cheap soundbars would do?

>>109430104
just get the jvc dla-nz900

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>>109430750

>>109430104
Projetors kinda suck. The main reason you use one is so you can have your center speaker be identical in type and placement to your left and right speakers, placed behind an acoustically transparent screen. If you care a lot about audio or it's an audio room first that can make sense.

If we're talking about a SMALL home theater I think it makes a lot more sense to buy an OLED and have better image quality. If you're only having a small amount of seating, even just for one person, the center speaker is a lot less necessary anyway.

>>109430104
OK entry level projectors start at $800. if thats too hot for you then give up already. below that price they look like utter shit