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A DLP Projector vs a Rear Projection BIg Screen...

F

FortFunFoSho

Golden Member
Anyone well versed in this area?

What do you think of projectors? I have a buddy who just got one but I wanted to know the breakdown of them vs a rear-projection. For use as a TV I am referring to..

It was a lot cheaper...
 
A good DLP projector that can be used for a reasonably large (say 90") screen costs several times less than even the smallest DLP RPTV sets. End of story.
 
Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
So why wouldnt people always buy just a projector?
Click to expand...

The problem with a projector is....what if you want to have the lights on? As much as I want to get a projector, I can't get around the fact that for everyday TV watching, usually either me or my fiancee is also doing something else that requires a light on.

 
Originally posted by: Jzero
Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
So why wouldnt people always buy just a projector?
Click to expand...

The problem with a projector is....what if you want to have the lights on? As much as I want to get a projector, I can't get around the fact that for everyday TV watching, usually either me or my fiancee is also doing something else that requires a light on.
Click to expand...

Yep this is correct.... Projectors arent very nice on the lighted rooms and arent as good for everyday TV watching, but IMO projectors are better in everyway once you get the lights off.. Cheaper, movie feeling (100 inches or bigger, when I do my real theater im going 150 min, got 100 now), bigger picture, etc.
 
I use a DLP projector for my main TV set, have been for the past 2 years. My wife made some curtains backed with heavy duty blackout material. We can turn on any light in the living room and still be able to see the TV reasonably well during the day. At night, we can have the light on and it doesn't really look bad at all. It looks great with no lights on of course, but we have lamps on end tables and watch TV with no problem.

The screen is 96 inches wide diagonal, the projector is a NEC LT150, 800 Lumens I think. Maybe 1000 lumens. Just think if I had a newer projector with the 1500+ lumens that are cheap today.. 🙁

The downside is the projector lamp that I have to replace about every 9-10 months or so. Thats about $300.

 
Originally posted by: Jzero
Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
So why wouldnt people always buy just a projector?
Click to expand...

The problem with a projector is....what if you want to have the lights on? As much as I want to get a projector, I can't get around the fact that for everyday TV watching, usually either me or my fiancee is also doing something else that requires a light on.
Click to expand...

also you need a suffienct room to use a projector both are reasons that i got a RPTV DLP tv
 
Originally posted by: Krassus
A good DLP projector that can be used for a reasonably large (say 90") screen costs several times less than even the smallest DLP RPTV sets. End of story.
Click to expand...
Good point, why would anybody buy a largescreen rear projection television?

1) Rear projection units are brighter and aren't as susceptible to being washed out by ambient light.
2) Rear projection units, while much smaller, offer higher resolutions for their given price. Curious how much 1280x720 projectors cost?
3) Rear projectors offer more input/output connectors on the back.
4) Try watching the news or any other SDTV signal blown up on a 100" screen, and tell me how ugly it looks.
 
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: Krassus
A good DLP projector that can be used for a reasonably large (say 90") screen costs several times less than even the smallest DLP RPTV sets. End of story.
Click to expand...
Good point, why would anybody buy a largescreen rear projection television?

1) Rear projection units are brighter and aren't as susceptible to being washed out by ambient light.
2) Rear projection units, while much smaller, offer higher resolutions for their given price. Curious how much 1280x720 projectors cost?
3) Rear projectors offer more input/output connectors on the back.
4) Try watching the news or any other SDTV signal blown up on a 100" screen, and tell me how ugly it looks.
Click to expand...

SDTV looks like ass on a 65" screen too
rolleye.gif
, not to mention you could just drop the size of the projector with the greatest of ease.

Also, you don't need 1280x720 in a projector. The 1/4 HD resolution is quite good.
 
Originally posted by: Excelsior
SDTV looks like ass on a 65" screen too
rolleye.gif
Click to expand...
Most definitely. Blow up any low resolution source, and it will look like crap - which is why I find your comments about 1/4 HD being adequate f*cking ridiculous. 850 pixels across the width of a 100" screen is not enough unless you plan on sitting 15' or further from the screen. In that case, why even bother with such a large screen?
not to mention you could just drop the size of the projector with the greatest of ease.
Click to expand...
Care to explain to the masses how one would "drop the size"?! Projectors have a limited zoom range. If I have my projector ceiling mounted, how would I simply drop the size of the screen? Physically move the projector? Additional lenses? Please tell me you're joking.
Also, you don't need 1280x720 in a projector. The 1/4 HD resolution is quite good.
Click to expand...
Quite good compared to what?
 
With all that said, I have every intention of picking up an entry level DLP projector. The models on my radar are the Optoma H30, Infocus Screenplay 4805, and BenQ 6200 - all of which are well under $2000. The price/performance for these systems is phenomenal and cannot be matched for a beginner home theater. I have a crappy old CRT television that is more than adequate for watching sitcoms, news, etc. I need something for watching movies.

Watching regular TV with a front projector is retarded, IMO. Using a 50-60" RPTV is slightly less so.🙂
 
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
With all that said, I have every intention of picking up an entry level DLP projector. The models on my radar are the Optoma H30, Infocus Screenplay 4805, and BenQ 6200 - all of which are well under $2000. The price/performance for these systems is phenomenal and cannot be matched for a beginner home theater. I have a crappy old CRT television that is more than adequate for watching sitcoms, news, etc. I need something for watching movies.

Watching regular TV with a front projector is retarded, IMO. Using a 50-60" RPTV is slightly less so.🙂
Click to expand...

BenQ is a great company (the other are too)

I would love to have this one. the 8710

Has the next gen DLP chip.
 
Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
With all that said, I have every intention of picking up an entry level DLP projector. The models on my radar are the Optoma H30, Infocus Screenplay 4805, and BenQ 6200 - all of which are well under $2000. The price/performance for these systems is phenomenal and cannot be matched for a beginner home theater. I have a crappy old CRT television that is more than adequate for watching sitcoms, news, etc. I need something for watching movies.

Watching regular TV with a front projector is retarded, IMO. Using a 50-60" RPTV is slightly less so.🙂
Click to expand...

BenQ is a great company (the other are too)

I would love to have this one. the 8710

Has the next gen DLP chip.
Click to expand...
Awesome projector, but I'm not quite willing to shell out that kind of cash.😉

The way I see it, spend under $1500 on a decent entry level projector now and upgrade to a higher resolution, brighter projector in a couple years when the current high-end setups trickle down to mainstream prices.
 
I bought a projector and use that for movies but after awhile I got sick of watchin TV on such a small screen so I got a 50" toshiba off some guy on ebay for 1300 for normal everyday TV use.
 
Aside from ambient lighting issues, a big reason DLP projectors are not as good as TVs for every day viewing is lamp life. You will typically get 3-5X the life out of a TV lamp as they usually run at lower wattage, have larger reflectors, and larger arc gaps than projector lamps. At around $300 a lamp you can easily get to the point where you pay more for the projector + lamps than you would for the more expensive TV.

Projectors are best for people who do powerpoint presentations at work during the week but want a 90" screen for weekend movies or superbowl parties. I say this as someone who develops DLP projectors for a living.
 
Originally posted by: KnightBreed

2) Rear projection units, while much smaller, offer higher resolutions for their given price. Curious how much 1280x720 projectors cost?
Click to expand...

1280x720 native projectors start at $1700 shipped, new.
 
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: KnightBreed

2) Rear projection units, while much smaller, offer higher resolutions for their given price. Curious how much 1280x720 projectors cost?
Click to expand...

1280x720 native projectors start at $1700 shipped, new.
Click to expand...
We're talking DLP. Find me a DLP-based projector that supports 1280x720 native for under $5000.

edit: I assume you are referring to the Panasonic PT-L500U, while an awesome set for under $2000 it definitely uses LCDs. I'm kind of a DLP fanboy.😉
 
I have a BenQ 8700 (1280x720 dlp). Previously, I had a Panasonic PT-L300 (960x540 LCD). The benefits of projectors are that you can get a nice image on a nice big screen, however you need to keep the room pretty dark. If you were only doing like a 50-60" screen, you might be able to get away with more light, as the image will be brighter in a smaller area. I have mine in a dedicated theater room (no windows) on a 100" diagonal screen.

I'm not really sure I'd want to use it for a family room type environment for the following reasons:
1) light control - can't watch it in daylight without it washing out the image
2) mounting issues. You either need to ceiling mount it or table mount it. Either way its going to look wierd with cables running to it. Unless you can rip open your ceiling and run cables through there its going to look really bad on the ceiling, especially with some huge extension cord running up to it. I think a table mount is more appropriate for family room, however then you have problems with people walking in front of it, bumping the table, etc, plus its a tad noisy.
3) ease of use. With a tv you just get it and turn it on and all is well. With a projector you need a screen, need to position it somewhere, need separate receiver/speakers to handle audio, etc.

I mainly only watch movies on mine or high-definition tv. Watching normal tv on a 100" screen looks like crap and isn't all that enjoyable. I prefer just to watch that on a 32" regular tv. A long time ago I had a 56" hd rptv and regular tv didn't look all that good on that either.
 
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: KnightBreed

2) Rear projection units, while much smaller, offer higher resolutions for their given price. Curious how much 1280x720 projectors cost?
Click to expand...

1280x720 native projectors start at $1700 shipped, new.
Click to expand...
We're talking DLP. Find me a DLP-based projector that supports 1280x720 native for under $5000.

edit: I assume you are referring to the Panasonic PT-L500U, while an awesome set for under $2000 it definitely uses LCDs. I'm kind of a DLP fanboy.😉
Click to expand...

The Infocus SP7200 (along with the Toshiba TDP-MT8U) is under $5k, and will continue to fall with the release of the SP7205. The Benq PE8700 is under $5k too. The Sharp Z9000 is closer to the $3k mark now.

I personally am a LCOS/DILA fanboy, after much time with LCD and DLP projectors. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: KnightBreed

2) Rear projection units, while much smaller, offer higher resolutions for their given price. Curious how much 1280x720 projectors cost?
Click to expand...

1280x720 native projectors start at $1700 shipped, new.
Click to expand...
We're talking DLP. Find me a DLP-based projector that supports 1280x720 native for under $5000.

edit: I assume you are referring to the Panasonic PT-L500U, while an awesome set for under $2000 it definitely uses LCDs. I'm kind of a DLP fanboy.😉
Click to expand...

The Infocus SP7200 (along with the Toshiba TDP-MT8U) is under $5k, and will continue to fall with the release of the SP7205. The Benq PE8700 is under $5k too. The Sharp Z9000 is closer to the $3k mark now.

I personally am a LCOS/DILA fanboy, after much time with LCD and DLP projectors. 🙂
Click to expand...


Yep this is right... with the exception of the infocus its just a bit over 5k but Ive seen refurb Benq 8700's in the 3200 range. Im actually prob gonna end up with the Infocus 5700 (matterhorn chip) because its MSRP is 3999 which means it will street below that and from everybodys reviews its just as good as the 7200 PQ wise (Ie you dont notice the difference between the rez between them)
 
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: KnightBreed

2) Rear projection units, while much smaller, offer higher resolutions for their given price. Curious how much 1280x720 projectors cost?
Click to expand...

1280x720 native projectors start at $1700 shipped, new.
Click to expand...
We're talking DLP. Find me a DLP-based projector that supports 1280x720 native for under $5000.

edit: I assume you are referring to the Panasonic PT-L500U, while an awesome set for under $2000 it definitely uses LCDs. I'm kind of a DLP fanboy.😉
Click to expand...

The Infocus SP7200 (along with the Toshiba TDP-MT8U) is under $5k, and will continue to fall with the release of the SP7205. The Benq PE8700 is under $5k too. The Sharp Z9000 is closer to the $3k mark now.

I personally am a LCOS/DILA fanboy, after much time with LCD and DLP projectors. 🙂
Click to expand...
Whoa, I didn't realize they've dropped in price so much this year. Pretty cool.🙂

I love LCoS too, but more manufacturers need to bring out front/rear projectors based on these systems. It's still priced well out of my range, and DLP is already pushing my budget.:Q
 
Originally posted by: arod
Tell me you dont want DLP after looking at these Screenshots...

This is an Infocus 7200 btw. 🙂
Click to expand...

I don't, unless it's a 3-chip. Already have a JVC DLA-SX21. 🙂
 
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