Looking to buy new Projector. Your experience is wanted.

[pmac]

Hello. I am asking here because of the infinite experience on what to look for.

There is so much garble on the internet reviews and ratings. I don't know where to start.

I guess to say I am looking to buy a projector in March 2014 when Taxes come in. I currently have an Optoma, but it is getting quirky with taking a long time to turn on it cycles over and over sometimes till it just shuts off and I have to retry, and it finally comes on...a 10 minute ordeal sometimes.
I also find that it is too dark on movies, bulb is good it is always like this I have gone through several bulbs since I got it, it just isn't bright enough. I am looking at getting a "light cannon" as I have read some describe it

I am looking at about $2000 more is not going to work, less is always a plus.

Distance to wall from projector location is about 12-14 feet. Size of image is 140" approx. and it should have a left to right adjustment since the projector is placed on the left side of the room a bit by about a foot or two.

I am in Canada but I imagine that shouldn't make much difference.

Any suggestions where to start would be great, thanks in advance for reading my book!

EDIT: 3D is a bonus if it is available at this price point, but not a necessity. I seem to recall 3D projectors tend to have more light too but don't know if that is the case.

[cme4brain]

Originally Posted by pmac

Hello. I am asking here because of the infinite experience on what to look for.

There is so much garble on the internet reviews and ratings. I don't know where to start.

I guess to say I am looking to buy a projector in March 2014 when Taxes come in. I currently have an Optoma, but it is getting quirky with taking a long time to turn on it cycles over and over sometimes till it just shuts off and I have to retry, and it finally comes on...a 10 minute ordeal sometimes.
I also find that it is too dark on movies, bulb is good it is always like this I have gone through several bulbs since I got it, it just isn't bright enough. I am looking at getting a "light cannon" as I have read some describe it

I am looking at about $2000 more is not going to work, less is always a plus.

Distance to wall from projector location is about 12-14 feet. Size of image is 140" approx. and it should have a left to right adjustment since the projector is placed on the left side of the room a bit by about a foot or two.

I am in Canada but I imagine that shouldn't make much difference.

Any suggestions where to start would be great, thanks in advance for reading my book!

EDIT: 3D is a bonus if it is available at this price point, but not a necessity. I seem to recall 3D projectors tend to have more light too but don't know if that is the case.

You should either buy the Epson 8350 or the Panasonic PT-AR100U. The Epson is slightly better than the panny for black levels, but the panny is the light canon of the pair, better for daytime/high ambient light viewing. Both are great, so you cannot go wrong. Both have horizontal and vertical adjustments, an absolute requirement IMHO for placement.

[crazyBLUE]

Just my opinion

I am 2+ years with my Epson 8700UB & couldn't be happier with it in every way shape or form! Not saying you have to Travel that route but Look at the PJ's as to what you want. Epson makes some great PJ's from my experience & getting a good one for your price point should not be hard

[pmac]

Thanks guys, I have read a little bit about Epson being ok in the past a bit. I will look into these brands you 2 mentioned. Much Appreciated.

[Flatnate]

I have seen some good holiday deals on the Panasonic PT-AR8000U, however I'm unsure how or if those deals are to be north of the border where you are at. I have also heard that the Panasonic PT-AR100 is a really strong light cannon for the money if you are not interested in 3D. Let us know what you do.

[pmac]

Flatnate, thanks! I will post once I decide on what I am going to do. I am still a few months out from buying (March 2014, tax return).

Regards

[pmac]

Starting to look, to compare prices to start, see what ballpark i'm going to be in.
Won't buy till early march probably, but checked eBay, not shy to get a used one, my current one was lightly used and it has been with us for a couple years.

Thanks for bringing back the thread, unless I was just dumb as a door and missed it, but there's only a few threads.

[pmac]

I just learned a feature of the forum, it disappeared because of my default time frame to show threads from last 30 days or something.
Well, well you learn something new ...

Thank you, my apologies for being dumb...I've only been here since 2008, you'd think I know how to use the site by now lol

[jsil]

Check out the Mitsubishi HC7900DW going for $799 and 3D also.

[Infrared Sight]

I just bought the Panasonic PT-AR100U. This is my first projector ever so i have no comparison to any others, but I must say this is a very capable projector. I can watch tv on it with my kitchen lights on, it is plenty bright in movie mode, and I dont even notice it is on even though it's a few feet above my head when watching movies. It has lens shift horz&vert. This is a great projector and it can be had for around $1300. I bought mine at projector people.

[pmac]

Thanks for the suggestions I will look into them!

[pmac]

Originally Posted by jsil

Check out the Mitsubishi HC7900DW going for $799 and 3D also.

I don't know where you can get it for $800 I checked eBay as a starting point and it is $1200. Specs look ok ...I am wondering though....It has a 3D emitter..What is that? Glasses and emitter it comes with. Never heard of a 3D emitter before though. I'm pretty much 3D illiterate so don't let it surprise you.

[jsil]

Check here for $799 price http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...G&A=details&Q= and here for review on projector http://www.projectorreviews.com/mits...jector-review/. The 3D emitter is a signal emitted from the 3D emitter to your 3D glasses. Check out avsforum the have a thread on this projector. Here is http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...684187&SRCCODE deal.

[pmac]

Originally Posted by Infrared Sight

I just bought the Panasonic PT-AR100U. This is my first projector ever so i have no comparison to any others, but I must say this is a very capable projector. I can watch tv on it with my kitchen lights on, it is plenty bright in movie mode, and I dont even notice it is on even though it's a few feet above my head when watching movies. It has lens shift horz&vert. This is a great projector and it can be had for around $1300. I bought mine at projector people.

Right now, I am leaning in this direction. There were a few mentioned here, one 8000U was too expensive unfortunately. I also looked at an Optoma 8300 I think it is called, seller is an authorized Optoma Reseller has refurbished projectors. He sold one for a tad under $2k now the rest are listed at $2388CAD, so I have sent an inquiry as to why the big price gap when all purchased as a lot. But I'm wondering if it is bright enough. Expensive brand new but a decent price refurb.

Still with the light output of the 100U that tends to keep me liking it a little more than others.

Still open to other ideas. Vertical shift is a must though and horizontal too I imagine.

[Infrared Sight]

Cool. I have put about 50 hours into my projector so far and it is just so amazing. Had a Superbowl party and that went real well (except for the game lol.), the rest have been movies and every time the image just looks fantastic. Very happy with my purchase.

[JCG]

Originally Posted by pmac

Hello. I am asking here because of the infinite experience on what to look for.

There is so much garble on the internet reviews and ratings. I don't know where to start.

I guess to say I am looking to buy a projector in March 2014 when Taxes come in. I currently have an Optoma, but it is getting quirky with taking a long time to turn on it cycles over and over sometimes till it just shuts off and I have to retry, and it finally comes on...a 10 minute ordeal sometimes.
I also find that it is too dark on movies, bulb is good it is always like this I have gone through several bulbs since I got it, it just isn't bright enough. I am looking at getting a "light cannon" as I have read some describe it

I am looking at about $2000 more is not going to work, less is always a plus.

Distance to wall from projector location is about 12-14 feet. Size of image is 140" approx. and it should have a left to right adjustment since the projector is placed on the left side of the room a bit by about a foot or two.

I am in Canada but I imagine that shouldn't make much difference.

Any suggestions where to start would be great, thanks in advance for reading my book!

EDIT: 3D is a bonus if it is available at this price point, but not a necessity. I seem to recall 3D projectors tend to have more light too but don't know if that is the case.

I just bought a projector recently. I suggest spending time at the projector central website. That website is the ultimate source of information on projectors. If you do nothing else, spend 30 minutes or more at that website.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/top-3d-projectors.htm

You should get a 3d capable projector.

Also, I suggest you research at that website:
epson 2000, epson 2030, epson 3020.
Optoma HD25 LV and HD25e
and BenQ1070.

The website has extensive reviews of all of the projectors that you may be considering.

Good luck.

[pmac]

Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it.
I was looking at some Optoma's, I currently have one, which isn't the best on dark scenes. I always have to turn the brightness up.
I noticed Epson vs Optoma, the lumens is drastically lower on Optoma. I have the opportunity to get an Optoma 8600 for about $2600 Canadian, possibly lower. BUT the lumens discourage me, it is actually the same projector in my gallery of my fathers set up. I swear when he turned it on for me to watch something to watch, it was dark, too dark, and the iris was so noticable always ramping up and down (I think that is what was causing the shifting tone). Ya know I would love to have a high end unit but not at the cost of brightness.

[pmac]

Mark the day Money should be in my account March 6th. That si when I make up my mind that weekend sometime.

Getting excited now that taxes are actually efiled.

[pmac]

Originally Posted by JCG

I just bought a projector recently. I suggest spending time at the projector central website. That website is the ultimate source of information on projectors. If you do nothing else, spend 30 minutes or more at that website.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/top-3d-projectors.htm

You should get a 3d capable projector.

Also, I suggest you research at that website:
epson 2000, epson 2030, epson 3020.
Optoma HD25 LV and HD25e
and BenQ1070.

The website has extensive reviews of all of the projectors that you may be considering.

Good luck.

I believe the Optoma are out of the question although I like the specs on HD25LV but no lens shift on low end Optomas from what I recall
Epson have them, tough call on which one. There are a couple that have it all (as far as my needs go) but they are just outside the price cap the wife has set. $2600 for a couple of real nice projectors. Tough call. I'm starting to want 3d more and more to be ready when I want to start buying 3D movies.

[pmac]

Hi. It is coming down to it. This weekend I will take the plunge.
I have had a little bump to the budget, I was wondering what people thought about 2 units

Epson 5030UB vs Optoma HD8300 Optoma light output seems a little low, but are they more realistic with values as reviews always seem to be lower than advertised on units.

More questions to come I'm sure. Projector central seems to suggest the brightness is good on the Optoma