Home Theatre Projector?

[Baldrick]

I'm thinking of buying a projector. Max price $2000 and I will use my computer graphic card as video output(DVI output). I'm currently thinking of the Panasonic AE700 or the Sanyo PLV-Z3,
http://www.projectorcentral.com/panasonic_ae700_sanyo_z3.htm

and yes, I'm reading
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=68 .

But does anyone here have any projector experience?

[BJ_M]

i have a lot of experiance with projectors - but bigger ones ..

either of those little pups looks ok ..

this sums it up really:


"z3 offers better screen adjustment for those looking to flushmount to the ceiling, and better blacks using a special mode, but the brightness cuts off, so it would require a very dark room to take advantage of. Also they are more impressed with the lack of VB. ae700 has better zoom options, so would give better placement in a varied amount of rooms,assuming no lens shift. It is brighter overall as well. Looks like either would be a good buy"

[dphirschler]

My experience is more on the lower end. My projector is a Sanyo. 700 lumens, 800x600. I would consider that a minimum starting point. But if I were in the market right now, I would be looking for over 1300 lumens and 1024x768 res. Other than that I would consider lamp life and the cost of replacements. Also, I would make sure it would have enough adjustment to give you the size picture you want in your theater room.

One last thing is a current gripe I have with my projector. Although it can do 16x9 mode, it also stretches the image when I am watching TV. I would like a one-button quick way to switch aspect ratios.


Darryl

[Baldrick]

I have now seen a DLP projector, Infocus 4805, in action and it looked pretty good. I could see some rainbow artifacts but it wasn't that annoying...it maybe will be annoying after some hours of watching though. I will check an LCD on monday or tuesday so I can compare....cause some says that DLP is much better....and some LCD because they can't stand the rainbows...

[skebenin]

Does anyone know if anything is going on in the lamp picture. Anyone working on alternate lamp technology that is either much lower cost or much longer lifetime, or both.

The only thing that really stops me from getting a projector is the $300-$400 cost of lamp replacements. I watch enough TV that, at 1,000-2,000 hours, I think I'd be replacing lamps at least once a year. 1,000-2,000 hours is approximately 3-6 hours a day on average.

[gshelley61]

I've had a Samsung DLP RPTV for about 18 months and love it. Stunning picture and not too expensive. We have a DLP projector at work, and it smokes our LCD projector. Much brighter and clearer, even though they are the same res (1024x768) and have the same lumens rating.

[p_l]

Back in January, 2003, I was asking myself the same questions. Thanks in good part to the advice of BJ_M, I got an InFocus X1. They now also have the X2.

Check out the specs for the InFocus X1 http://www.infocus.com/products/productview.asp?site_lang=1&site_region=1&prod=x1&c=4


Fast forward a year and a half, and I'm still thrilled with my X1 and its awesome picture. I highly recommend it, especially since they're now going for half what I paid.

BTW, I saw rainbows the first week when I tried on purpose to see them, but I haven't seen them since.

[Jah_Rankin]

I've had a Samsung DLP RPTV for about 18 months and love it. Stunning picture and not too expensive. We have a DLP projector at work, and it smokes our LCD projector. Much brighter and clearer, even though they are the same res (1024x768) and have the same lumens rating.

The output of the projector is neck and neck, each have it's advantages. If you go with DLP those rainbow effects can be annoying unless you buy a high end six fly wheel DLP type . The LCD offers good pic quality without the rainbow effects but then there's the screendoor look, which can be compensated by turning the focus off a bit. The DLP bulbs also have a longer life span.

[MACCA350]

I agree with p_l, IMO DLP is a better choice for home theatre(less screendoor, most are higher contrast, etc)

I've had my X1 for almost a year now and have been very happy with the results, I too noticed the rainbow effect for only a couple of days, after that it was fine(I think your brain becomes used to it and compensates for it). If your worried about the rainbow effect look for models with 6 segment and 5x colour wheels, this will virtualy nullify the rainbow effect.

I will use my computer graphic card as video output(DVI output)

IMHO you should look for a good quality Progressive scan dvd player. I have the Denon 2200 and have found the resulting picture amazing. I have a computer hooked up to the system with digital coax, which I'm using as a mp3 dukebox and have played some dvd's through it to the projector, but I found the quality not even close to that of the denon.

If I had the extra money at the time I would have gone for a higher res DLP, ahhh...but thats what upgrading is for
Happy shopping

[BJ_M]

we are selling some projectors now that have 7000:1 contrast ratio and have 5000-7000 hour lamp life , 5000-7000 lm brightness and are DLP 1440 HD3+ chips ...

price on these babes start around 18k (US), which is pretty cheap really ...

[Baldrick]

Only $18000!!! I want two then......

I have ordered the Sony HS50....but it seems to be delayed (((((. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444560

DLP is good but I saw a lot rainbows...especially when I used subtitles and I prefer subs.