Thinking about going large :-)

[Nicolidakies]

Here's the story. I first bought a Panasonic 50G20. Had some minor issues with it so decided to bring it back. Second plan was to buy a used Pioneer Kuro LX5090. I found one but the fact I don't have warranty left on it is making me reconsider the whole thing. Now my last option is to buy a decent projector. After seeing a couple of threads over here and seeing what can be achieved,it really got my juices flowing .

I have a dedicated room that can be made pitch black.My budget is around 3K (for projector and screen). A guy who runs a respected home-cinema company over here recommended me the Epson TW5500.I will also be able to have a demonstration of it in his showroom.Does anyone have this projector? And if so,what is your take on it?

This will be my first home-cinema involved purchase but I want it to be very solid from the beginning,since I have compulsive issues about changing my mind every ten seconds (as you can read above). Will my budget grant me an overall performance competing with a high-end plasma?

Why do most movie fanatics prefer plasma vs lcd but on the other end prefer projector vs plasma in some cases?Can anyone explain this? If anyone can forgive me for this bordering-to-insanity-rant and take the time to take this through with me it would be much appreciated .

Ps: If my grammar and overall sentence structure is a bit off,please keep in mind i'm from Belgium and doing the best I can to express myself..

[Disky76]

Hi there, welcome to the world of front projection home theaters.

When I converted a room in my house to a front projection cinema, it really brought the movie theater experience home. I have only been out to the local movie theater once since doing that, and that was two years ago.

Your home cinema will become the envy of whomever you share it with. Even the simplest setups on this forum will not fail to impress visitors who watch movies at your house in stunning Blu-Ray on a massive screen that offers immersion that NO TV can currently match.

I think, to answer your question about peoples' preferences - I think there are a lot of people who prefer the functionality of an LCD or Plasma TV as opposed to a projector. Projectors require light control, lots of space, and the light bulbs are expensive to replace. Also, anyone who table mounts their projector also has the light path to consider and stay out of.

I myself fell in love with projection once I got my theater setup. I have an LCD as well, which gets much more regular use than the Cinema, but having a large room with a projector is:

A Conversation Piece
Great for Parties and Sporting Events Gatherings
The Only Way to Watch a Movie at Home!

Enjoy your projector once its setup. While I don't have advice on the specific model you are setting up, I would recommend getting the projector of your choice first, before choosing your screen. Most HD projectors these days are fantastic, but they need to be paired with the correct screen - size and gain - to display to their maximum potential.

I would recommend seeing if there is a Home Cinema dealer that will do an in-home demonstration. In-store demos are great, but you won't REALLY know what it's going to look like until it's in your home.

Good Luck!

[Nicolidakies]

Thanks for that .

[Bytor2112]

i was on the fence about getting a projector too, but once i got it, i can't stand watching a movie on the small screen anymore, and my small screen is a 50" plasma!!! i have a 120" diagnol 16:9 and i absolutely love it. HD sports look fantastic on it and it will be a treat to watch the superbowl on it again this year.

but movies it where it really shines! throw some nice looking blu's on it and all your friends will be in awe! like it was said before up above, it brings the theater to your home and i can't remember the last time i actually went out to the movies.

check my gallery and see for yourself. if you go with a projector, i can guarantee that you will not be disappointed, and it will make for the greatest home viewing experience.

[Nicolidakies]

The idea is growing on me by the day. On monday i'm going to the store which sells them to get some demo's from different models. I can't wait. Epson is considered on top of the game price/performance wise. I can imagine having good times with a nice set-up

[GunZenBomZ]

Go big my friend, not thought about going JVC??

I'd recommend a cheap glass-beam screen, spend the bulk on a projector!! You won't regret it, although you need to let the projector bulb 'cool-down' before switching it off.

Also if you have a bit extra or trouble with electricity in your home area. Get a UPS unit, so if the power turns off, it will not kill your bulb (potentially).

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/09/23/jv...eral-3d-model/ (PRESS RELEASE BUTTON)


JVC UNVEILS ENTRY-LEVEL D-ILA HOME THEATER PROJECTOR

ATLANTA, September 23, 2010 – JVC U.S.A. today introduced a low-cost home theater projector that for the first time provides advanced D-ILA technology at an entry-level price. The new projector, to be marketed as the DLA-HD250 by JVC Consumer and the DLA-HD250Pro by JVC Professional, is priced below $3,000 and delivers 25,000:1 native contrast ratio and 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness.

The DLA-HD250/250Pro features three 0.7-inch 1920x1080 D-ILA devices for a naturally rich, flicker-free picture with true blacks and extraordinary luminance detail. Combined with JVC's wire-grid optical engine, the new projector provides outstanding native contrast – without a dynamic iris to artificially inflate contrast specifications. Plus, an advanced HQV Reon-VX video processor by Silicon Optix ensures excellent image reproduction with precision I/P conversion and scaling.

Other features include a high-performance 2x motorized zoom lens with auto dust cover, as well as on-screen, customizable gamma control and ultra-quiet (19dB) operation. While ideal for use in a dedicated home theater, the DLA-HD250/250Pro is also suitable for brighter environments, such as great rooms or bar and restaurant installations, thanks to its 1,000 lumens of brightness.

[Blown 4.3]

Originally Posted by Nicolidakies

The idea is growing on me by the day. On monday i'm going to the store which sells them to get some demo's from different models. I can't wait. Epson is considered on top of the game price/performance wise. I can imagine having good times with a nice set-up

the only thing to think about, is if you want to spend the money needed. and if you have the space.

sure, go to the stores. but don't expect much. i have been to many stores around here. a few "high end" stores. and their stuff is never set up correctly and/or properly tuned. and i am talking $5000+ projectors & $2000 screens.
my $2000 projector/screen blows them all away.

i don't recommend a over $2000 projector, unless you are made of cash.
as they have a pretty limited life span (for one reason or another)

[victorvondoom88]

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Panasonic AE-4000U (~ 2,000)and I highly recommend Carada screens.
I have their 120"(~97-97" when viewing 16:9) 2.35:1 Criterion screen in Brilliant White it was under 1,000.00.
That puts you right @ 3k a little less if you go with a smaller screen.

If you are unfamiliar with the Panasonic it has a lens memory function that allows you to zoom in and fill a 2.35:1 screen (w/scope movies)= no black bars. You have a CIH set-up without the expense of the anamorphic lens.
You can add a lens down the road as the 4000U does support it.
Got my last two pj's from visual apex and Carada you buy direct.

Projector Central is a good place to do research. There isn't anyplace to seriously demo a pj in my area (~90 miles west of Chicago). I have made my last two purchases sight unseen it was quite a leap of faith but it panned out.

[mutelight]

Originally Posted by victorvondoom88

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Panasonic AE-4000U (~ 2,000)and I highly recommend Carada screens.
I have their 120"(~97-97" when viewing 16:9) 2.35:1 Criterion screen in Brilliant White it was under 1,000.00.
That puts you right @ 3k a little less if you go with a smaller screen.

If you are unfamiliar with the Panasonic it has a lens memory function that allows you to zoom in and fill a 2.35:1 screen (w/scope movies)= no black bars. You have a CIH set-up without the expense of the anamorphic lens.
You can add a lens down the road as the 4000U does support it.
Got my last two pj's from visual apex and Carada you buy direct.

Projector Central is a good place to do research. There isn't anyplace to seriously demo a pj in my area (~90 miles west of Chicago). I have made my last two purchases sight unseen it was quite a leap of faith but it panned out.

Great recommendations! I used to run a Sanyo PLV-Z2000 and was very happy at the time. I then decided on the AE4000 after going to Projectorcentral.com and it has been an absolute night and day difference.

[victorvondoom88]

Originally Posted by mutelight

Great recommendations! I used to run a Sanyo PLV-Z2000 and was very happy at the time. I then decided on the AE4000 after going to Projectorcentral.com and it has been an absolute night and day difference.

Thanks ! I used to and still do for sd material run a Sanyo PLV-Z5 had that since 06 just stepped up to the 4000U a couple months ago and man was it a step up! I still geek out at the picture my expression most of the time watching blu-ray =
The AE-4000U was with out a doubt the single greatest improvement to my HT I have ever made period.

I can't say enough about Carada their customer service was top notch. I dealt with Rex Bittle answered all my questions and was honest with me about lead times to get my screen made. I was ordering before a holiday and wanted to put in the upgrades over the break so time was an issue.

[Nicolidakies]

I must say.The Panasonic AE-4000U screenshots i've seen so far are very impressive. How does it put up with let's say the Epson 8500? It is less pricey but can it compete?

[victorvondoom88]

http://www.projectorcentral.com/part...=5157&add=5240

Here is a comparison overall they are very similar. You will see that the Epson is rated at twice the contrast ratio, don't get swayed by that. Contrast ratio's are one of those specs the manufacturers love to be rather optimistic about. Read this: http://www.projectorcentral.com/contrast_ratios.htm

Don't misunderstand me I'm sure they are both excellent pj's. In fact projectors in general have progressed to the point where the differences have become quite small.
My brother has a 65" Diamond series Mitsubishi CRT which have blacker than black blacks and he is now considering going to a set-up like mine. He was blown away at the black level performance.

When I was looking for a projector I wanted to do a CIH set-up so the 4000U's lens memory function put it ahead of all the rest. A anamorphic lens was beyond my budget at the time.

You need to decide what you need/want. I based my decision on my viewing habits. I felt I already had a large enough screen(100") for most of my viewing but wanted that larger than life image when watching a epic movie.To get a more cinematic feel for movies like the LoTR trilogy,The Bourne trilogy for example. I still have a 97" picture with 16:9 stuff so I gave up 3" most of the time to gain 20" for "scope" movies.

CIH:Usually requires an anamorphic lens or manually adjusting the zoom and focus for each time you switch formats. Using the 4000U's memory function you simply push a button. It has an auto feature but I turned that off due to a number of movies having intro material that is both formats. I just check the movie and set it for what I'm going to watch. (first two images from projector central)

2.35:1/2.40:1 fills my screen completely



1.78:1/16:9/1.85:1 still fills it vertically but I have unused sections on both sides.



Iron Man 2 on my set-up (taken with a PoS point & shoot)


FWIW the Panasonic is now coming with a free replacement lamp (~$400.00). http://www.panasonic.com/business-so...AE4000FREELAMP
I went through visual apex for both my projectors never had a problem and they are quick and communicate well.