New to Projectors, help....

[ijokr]

I've been looking at some projectors because I might save some money and pull the trigger in december. So far these projectors are possible http://www.projectorcentral.com/part...952&pid_4=4268

Why does in HDTV formats the panny says 1080p_60 and 1080p_24 if it's only 720p?


How good does 720p looks in screen sizes over 80"? It seems like a big stretch.

How good are the blacks on these projectors compared to a plasma and lcd? I know they're obvioulsy not Kuro black but I want at least like a good lcd

Finally, I've seen that the HD20 has uniformity of 70%, is that bad? I've read somewhere to look for at least 85%, how trues is this?

[eljay]

Why does in HDTV formats the panny says 1080p_60 and 1080p_24 if it's only 720p?

Those are the input resolutions it will accept.

How good does 720p looks in screen sizes over 80"? It seems like a big stretch.

How good are the blacks on these projectors ...

I've got 720p (InFocus SP7210 DLP) on a 100" screen and it looks awsome. When the lights are out and I'm watching a good-quality transfer (either on Blu-ray or DVD), images are sharp, colours are vivid and blacks are good and dark. (Ditto my buddy's InFocus SP7205 on his 106" screen.)

[Oddiophile]

IMO 720p looks good up to about 100", then the picture starts getting noticeably soft. But some of that will depend on the quality of the optics used on the projector and your throw.

The only projector that will get you even close to Kuro like blacks is a JVC. Pick up a HD750/RS20 and you will be in black level heaven. I have an RS10 and it's the most CRT like I have ever seen a digital front projector.

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by ijokr

I've been looking at some projectors because I might save some money and pull the trigger in december. So far these projectors are possible http://www.projectorcentral.com/part...952&pid_4=4268

Why does in HDTV formats the panny says 1080p_60 and 1080p_24 if it's only 720p?


How good does 720p looks in screen sizes over 80"? It seems like a big stretch.

How good are the blacks on these projectors compared to a plasma and lcd? I know they're obvioulsy not Kuro black but I want at least like a good lcd



Finally, I've seen that the HD20 has uniformity of 70%, is that bad? I've read somewhere to look for at least 85%, how trues is this?

Projectors have come a long way. I had the same questions that you did when before I bought mine - and I was so blown away by the clarity AND the size, I haven't looked back since. My back room Toshiba pretty much only gets used for Dish now.

[ijokr]

I just can´t imagine having a 100" screen in 720p. I have to be wrong since a lot of people in here keep saying that it looks very good, Is one of those things that I have to look for myself. If in tv's 720p starts coming short in 60", I just can't picture it.

[eljay]

I'm not sure what you wanted to hear, but you've got three people (so far) in this thread telling you that 720p on a large screen can and does look good. Whether or not you choose to believe it is entirely up to you.

[brokenthumb]

Originally Posted by ijokr

I just can´t imagine having a 100" screen in 720p. I have to be wrong since a lot of people in here keep saying that it looks very good, Is one of those things that I have to look for myself. If in tv's 720p starts coming short in 60", I just can't picture it.

I had a 720p JVC 61" LCoS tv a few years ago and it looked crappy compared to my Z2 720p projector at 96". Especially on DVD's.

Projectors just have a whole different type of look and feel to them than a tv does in my opinion. With decent seating distance even 480p looks amazing at 96". I sit about 1.2x the screen width and blu's look unbelievable!

There are a couple of Star Wars shots on DVD in my gallery that was taken using a 720p projector from 9' back.

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by ijokr

I just can´t imagine having a 100" screen in 720p. I have to be wrong since a lot of people in here keep saying that it looks very good, Is one of those things that I have to look for myself. If in tv's 720p starts coming short in 60", I just can't picture it.

Well I kept my 720p at 92" and the picture looked very good. The Sony LCD rear projection TV I have in the living room with it's 1366X768 resolution did have a sharper picture then the front projector. But the front projector did also have 10X the contrast and had a cleaner looking picture then the rear projection did. For sh*ts and giggles I tried zooming up to 200" a little at a time and found once you go over 100" the image starts going flat and looses a lot of dept. On 720P the smaller the size the better it's going to look IMO. Going to 1080p on the same screen the picture was much improved and much more life like.

In front projection there are a lot of factors to think about. The resolution is only one piece of the puzzle. The optics are expensive and very important for a front projector and your throw ratio combined with the type of lens used will play a big part in where your projectors sweet spot is for picture quality. If your doing a super long throw from the back of the room you will want a different type of optics then if you have a short room and need a short throw. Some high end projectors have interchangeable lens that are sold separately from the projector for this reason. Some 720p three chip DLP projectors can give you a better picture then the lower level 1080p projectors.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by ijokr

I just can´t imagine having a 100" screen in 720p. I have to be wrong since a lot of people in here keep saying that it looks very good, Is one of those things that I have to look for myself. If in tv's 720p starts coming short in 60", I just can't picture it.

I have a 106" Elite Screen (Grey) and a Epson 720p Projector, look at my pics, they look really good but look much better in person. I also have it only 11' away and in a totally blacked out room which does help.

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by eljay

I'm not sure what you wanted to hear, but you've got three people (so far) in this thread telling you that 720p on a large screen can and does look good. Whether or not you choose to believe it is entirely up to you.

Yeah I know, I'm new to projectors and the problem is that here in Mexico there aren'r many stores or if any were I can look at some of them. I might be going to the States this weekend to pick up a sub and while I'm there check some stores that have projectors. In your opinion, would it be better to buy a good 720p rather than an entry level 1080p?

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by Oddiophile

Well I kept my 720p at 92" and the picture looked very good. The Sony LCD rear projection TV I have in the living room with it's 1366X768 resolution did have a sharper picture then the front projector. But the front projector did also have 10X the contrast and had a cleaner looking picture then the rear projection did. For sh*ts and giggles I tried zooming up to 200" a little at a time and found once you go over 100" the image starts going flat and looses a lot of dept. On 720P the smaller the size the better it's going to look IMO. Going to 1080p on the same screen the picture was much improved and much more life like.

In front projection there are a lot of factors to think about. The resolution is only one piece of the puzzle. The optics are expensive and very important for a front projector and your throw ratio combined with the type of lens used will play a big part in where your projectors sweet spot is for picture quality. If your doing a super long throw from the back of the room you will want a different type of optics then if you have a short room and need a short throw. Some high end projectors have interchangeable lens that are sold separately from the projector for this reason. Some 720p three chip DLP projectors can give you a better picture then the lower level 1080p projectors.

You're right it seems that the more I get into this the more things come up, that's one of the reasons why I'm planning it from now because I don't want to rush a decision. Thanks for the input

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by ijokr

Yeah I know, I'm new to projectors and the problem is that here in Mexico there aren'r many stores or if any were I can look at some of them. I might be going to the States this weekend to pick up a sub and while I'm there check some stores that have projectors. In your opinion, would it be better to buy a good 720p rather than an entry level 1080p?

Although there are a decent amount of 720p projectors that are better than most entry level 1080p ones..... if a 1080p projector can be done within your budget, it'll be in your best interest..... The top of the line 720p projectors are still more used, than an entry level 1080p unit at this point.

What total budget are you working with (it may be posted, I'll have to scroll up )

EDIT:

I'm awful at taking pictures (cheapie 5mp camera too) so these look terrible, but this is my 720p projector at 106"





If you look at the "pause" icon... it's blurry.... but I assure you, it's not in person. Either way, you can tell the blacks aren't "great" but they're probably equal to my Sharp Aquos... and maybe a little worse than my Samsung

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by dolphinc

I have a 106" Elite Screen (Grey) and a Epson 720p Projector, look at my pics, they look really good but look much better in person. I also have it only 11' away and in a totally blacked out room which does help.

Very nice setup and the pics do look very good, thanks for sharing

[eljay]

In your opinion, would it be better to buy a good 720p rather than an entry level 1080p?

I'd choose a 720p FP with good optics and electronics over an entry-level 1080p FP.

In my case, reviews like this one, and the fact that I was able to buy a $7,000 USD (MSRP) projector for $1,400 CDN, made the decision very easy. (For pics, just click on the link to my HT Gallery.)

When this projector does eventually die - something I don't expect will happen for at least several more years - I plan to invest in a good-quality 1080p FP...and probably a used one at that.

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Although there are a decent amount of 720p projectors that are better than most entry level 1080p ones..... if a 1080p projector can be done within your budget, it'll be in your best interest..... The top of the line 720p projectors are still more used, than an entry level 1080p unit at this point.

What total budget are you working with (it may be posted, I'll have to scroll up )

I might be able to spend $1,500 approx I hope is enough to get a decent projector. The thing is I'll either get a bigger plasma or a projector. My concern here is that with that budget I can buy a very good 50" plasma like the G10, plus I'll be selling mine, so I'm not sure if it'll be better getting an entry level projector, of course way bigger which is the big plus.

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by eljay

I'd choose a 720p FP with good optics and electronics over an entry-level 1080p FP.

In my case, reviews like this one, and the fact that I was able to buy a $7,000 USD (MSRP) projector for $1,400 CDN, made the decision very easy.

(When this projector dies - something I don't expect will happen for at least several more years - I plan to invest in a good-quality 1080p FP.)

wow, nice find, kudos to you, that wouldn't be hard to decide......One question, can you upgrade projectors? let say to get better black, lumens, etc..?

[eljay]

If, by "upgrade projectors", you mean "replace or upgrade the internal components of a unit", I don't know if that's possible. If it is, I imagine it's not cheap to do.

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'm awful at taking pictures (cheapie 5mp camera too) so these look terrible, but this is my 720p projector at 106"





If you look at the "pause" icon... it's blurry.... but I assure you, it's not in person. Either way, you can tell the blacks aren't "great" but they're probably equal to my Sharp Aquos... and maybe a little worse than my Samsung

This is exactly what I wanted to hear, a comparison of blacks with a tv, even with your "bad" pics if say, they look really good and the size of screen I'm planning would be smaller due to my space.

[eljay]

The thing is I'll either get a bigger plasma or a projector.

If it hasn't already been mentioned, keep in mind that unless you have complete control over lighting - that is, you're able to darken the room completely - a front projector is NOT the way to go.

[ijokr]

that's another issue, I'll be able to shut the windows and even without that it gets very very dark in here but I'm not sure if I can get it pitc black, of course some modifications will be needed