HD Projectors

[X-Ninja]

Hey guys! Long time no see... I have kind of stopped coming here, i know... sorry, been a little addicted to LittleBigPlanet recently.
Anyway, I was watching that Uncharted 2 trailer, and thought "Damn... i need a new TV... "

But, after lurking around the interwebs and finding tons of Killzone 2 footage, I decided "Damn... I need one giant-ass TV! Hey, why not just get a Projector? ". It was then that my wallet cried... So, i figured id come back here and ask you guys for help again.

Do 1080p projectors actually look any good? As in, compared to a 1080p TV? It is practically always dark in this room as there is only one tiny window which i can easily block off, and the wall is plenty big enough.
So, lets say these 1080p projectors look amazing and the exact same as a 1080p TV without any defects- What one(s) would you guys recommend?

Ive been looking around and found this. http://www.ultimateavmag.com/videoprojectors/504sony/ It seems to be what i want, but 3000 dollars seems a bit steep, no? Prices seem to vary depending on where to look causing confusion on my part.

So yeah, can you blu-ray people possibly point me in the direction of a 1080p projector? Preferably under 3000 dollars... if thats possible.


Edit: WHA!? "Prices: $26,999; lens, $2999." Jesus... Scratch that projector off the list.

Edit X2- http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-ente...-3k-254973.php Thats better. Anybody here have any problems or complaints about this?

[Driver_King]

Projectors>Regular TV.

[Blu Man]

Yes. I actually prefer projectors to TVs. They have the cinema effect and look just as good as a HD TV does. So the projectors the way to go.

[guitarist155]

i will third the projector, there really is nothing quite like it. if i could afford a new one i would take a long look at the sony black pearl ( vpl-vw60 ) but it's around 4000 there are alot of people around here who will chime in any sec with a suggestion. but first the big question.

Whats your budget?

[X-Ninja]

Originally Posted by guitarist155

i will third the projector, there really is nothing quite like it. if i could afford a new one i would take a long look at the sony black pearl ( vpl-vw60 ) but it's around 4000 there are alot of people around here who will chime in any sec with a suggestion. but first the big question.

Whats your budget?

My Budget is basically "As cheap as possible". The best thing i could find was a 1080i epson http://www.hd.ca/epsonprojectors/powerlite720.php for 1299... but it seems too suspicious after seeing the exact same thing for quadruple that price by different brands.
My budget is pretty much infinite. I can save for a year if i have to... Keep in mind that i am simply working a day job for cash at the moment... this will take some saving, but with Christmas and all i should receive some money to get me started.
Try and stay under 3000 will ya?

[Oddiophile]

Ya, once you go front projection you won't want to go back.

It's not for everyone, you need a light controlled room, the more ambient light in your room the more it washes out the picture. You can go with a gray or black screen the will help your blacks if you want to watch with some light in the room.



My Sony HS51a 720P front projector will be up for sale in another week if anyone is interested?

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by X-Ninja

Try and stay under 3000 will ya?

Check out the Panasonic PT-AE3000, $3500 MSRP, streets around $2500, 60,000:1 contrast ratio, 1080p LCD, a very good bang for the buck projector.

Another one to look at is the Epson 6500UB $3000 MSRP, Streeting as low as $2500, 75,000:1 contrast, 1080p LCD, doesn't have all the features of the AE3000 but what it give up in features it make up for in video performance.


EDIT:
You may also want to consider the Sanyo PLV-Z3000
It's the weaker performing of the three but still has killer performance and at a $2395 street price + $200 mail in rebate, an excellent value.

[Beta Man]

Although my projector is only capable of 1080i I think the PQ is very comparable to my 37", but when you consider the fact that you can fit about 8 of my LCD televisions inside the screen, it's really a no brainer.


I would find a audio/video store (not a BB Magnolia) and take a look at one with the lights off....... you'll be amazed at how great a FP can really look.

I don't think I'll ever buy a television over 32" or so again...... I'm going to be FP for life (until a new technology comes out!)

[Apache]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I don't think I'll ever buy a television over 32" or so again...... I'm going to be FP for life (until a new technology comes out!)

+1

[kpkelley]

Auction at videogon for a used Sony VW60, current bid is about 800. Hasn't met the seller's minimum, but might end up being a good deal.

A new one will cost you upwards of $3500.

[hifisyd]

I have the Epson Home Cinema 720 mentioned above projecting on a 92" FocuPix electronic screen and I LOVE it. It's operated by remote control and motors down in front of a Samsung 50" plasma (720P).
The picutre right out of the box is unreal and far exceeds my expectations. I bought it from Visual Apex for $1100 (with $100 rebate) and they gave me a free bulb ($350 value) and a dust cover. Blu Rays and games on the PS3 are amazing and HD sports from DTV are unreal. Bang for the buck, I don't think you can get much better. When friends and family see it for the first time, their jaws hit the floor. My initial thought is that I would really only use it for late night movies, but after buying some black-out curtains, I find myself using it 70% of the time I watch TV. Good luck.

[drago3451]

I have been looking into the front projector market and have narrowed it down to the new Epson Home Cinema 6100 ($1895.00) and the Mitsubishi HC5500 ($1979.00). I have read good things about the two. I am leaning towards the Epson for contrast, lumens, and ease of setup/use. My father in law has a Epson 1080UB and it looks amazing on 120" screen. This new epson is supposed to have better blacks and cost less.

[nicholas01]

Dude, just for fun, check out the Pioneer projector at a Pioneer store...its simply awesome. I saw it this past weekend at the Pioneer store at the South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA, playing TDK and its really like sitting at the cineplex. I don't know what model it was, but they said the screen and projector costs $15,000.

[X-Ninja]

Thanks everyone! Once i get some money, this thread will definitely come in handy. I'm personally liking these projectors you're listing that are sitting around 1000-1500 bucks. Ill start checking them all out after Christmas when i hopefully have some money. Until then though, feel free to keep listing.

@Above- Haha, I would gladly do that if i had a Pioneer store. :/ Sadly... Canada.

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by drago3451

I have been looking into the front projector market and have narrowed it down to the new Epson Home Cinema 6100 ($1895.00) and the Mitsubishi HC5500 ($1979.00). I have read good things about the two. I am leaning towards the Epson for contrast, lumens, and ease of setup/use. My father in law has a Epson 1080UB and it looks amazing on 120" screen. This new epson is supposed to have better blacks and cost less.

The new Epson 6500UB is the replacement for last years 1080UB, the 6500UB should have better blacks then the 1080UB along with a host of other improvements over the 1080UB.

The 6100 is the replacement for the Epson 1080, not to be confused with the 1080UB, two completely different models. The 6100 is a good entry level projector but if you can afford it you would be best to go for the 6500UB. The 6500UB will smoke the 6100 performance wise.

[love blu or go home!]

I just bought a new projector, Samsung SP-A800B cnet rated it higher then Sony VPL-VW200 and I think that one cost around 12 grand. I have it on a 110 inch stewart firehawk screen. I'm selling my old projector Sharp XV-Z12000, I paid 8 grand for it 3 years ago I want to sell it for 2 grand. It has 659 hour lamp time on it. It's only 720p 1080i though.

[Hendricks4333]

Im getting my Tax Refund in a week and a half and looking to upgrade from my 32" Samsung LCD. Now I still live at home and I use the basement for my tv at the moment. Its pretty big and a couple windows(small windows) with no curtains. I do most of my watching at night but half the year it stays light till 9 oclock in Michigan. I had it narrowed to a Panny 50" Plasma or the Pioneer 5020 if its still on sale for 2K when I get my money.

Now I have a bad feeling that the 5020 is going to feel small in a few months and Ill regret not having got a projector.

Also the chances that I move out in the next 6 months to a year are pretty high. I could end up in a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment which means the Projector could get severly limited by this. Chances are in an Apartment Ill be able to control the light enough to have a Projector, correct?

How close is the detail of a decent projector like the Mitsu 5500 or something for $1500-$2000 range compared to a higher end Plasma? I know it wont be close and the size will probably make up for it.

My guess is Ill be 5 to 9 feet away.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Now I still live at home and I use the basement for my tv at the moment. Its pretty big and a couple windows(small windows) with no curtains.

Just put something in front of the windows..... although I'd suggest focussing my cash on getting my own place FIRST.

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

. I had it narrowed to a Panny 50" Plasma or the Pioneer 5020 if its still on sale for 2K when I get my money.

Sounds good there

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Now I have a bad feeling that the 5020 is going to feel small in a few months and Ill regret not having got a projector.

probably

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Chances are in an Apartment Ill be able to control the light enough to have a Projector, correct?

Sure... you can control the light in a greenhouse if you want to..... just depends on what you're willing to do. If you dedicate a spare bedroom to a projector, you're talking about a few windows at most..... so it's just a matter of window treatments

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

How close is the detail of a decent projector like the Mitsu 5500 or something for $1500-$2000 range compared to a higher end Plasma? I know it wont be close and the size will probably make up for it.

My guess is Ill be 5 to 9 feet away.

I'm not sure I'd say it's "not close" because it certainly is.... A lot depends on the light (both ambient and reflective etc) as well as screen etc etc... but given your viewing distance, I'd recommend not even going down the projector road....... if you can get your own place, and have a 10-12' viewing distance, then 100" screen would certainly cause your friends to invite themselves over a lot more........

[Hendricks4333]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Just put something in front of the windows..... although I'd suggest focussing my cash on getting my own place FIRST.



Sounds good there



probably




Sure... you can control the light in a greenhouse if you want to..... just depends on what you're willing to do. If you dedicate a spare bedroom to a projector, you're talking about a few windows at most..... so it's just a matter of window treatments




I'm not sure I'd say it's "not close" because it certainly is.... A lot depends on the light (both ambient and reflective etc) as well as screen etc etc... but given your viewing distance, I'd recommend not even going down the projector road....... if you can get your own place, and have a 10-12' viewing distance, then 100" screen would certainly cause your friends to invite themselves over a lot more........

I guess Ill probably go the road of the Plasma and look at a projector down the line.

Well Im waiting to get my own place to see where job opportunities take me. I dont want to get stuck somewhere if Im going to be somewhere else in a few months(I may even go to another state). So Im living at home for free until I get somewhere that is permanent.

The Plasma will be amazing either way. Ill just have to sit close

[LoJo]

Benq w5000

Its the sharpest picture I've ever seen and I LOVE mine. I have it sent up on a 106" Graywolf 1.8 gain screen.

The only drawback is it is DLP, so those of you sensitive to DLP rainbow effect might prefer LCD/Lcos. I have had about 50 people watch it and so far no one has ever seen the ranbow effect so...I guess its kind of rare.

Anyhow I love it and all my friends love it. We are getting ready to watch the superbowl on it soon yay!