Buying my first projector: 1280x800 vs 1280x720

[AnyMal]

I am ready to buy my first projector and have been doing some research on the subject. The most confusing part is deciding which native resolution to go with. Naturally, I would prefer to have a projector that can output in HD and 720p would be more than acceptable. I am planning to have Xbox 360 and HTPC as the sources of video.

I am trying to understand if 1280 x 800 projectors will produce the same image quality as 1280 x 720 units. I am not sure of the primary difference in either resolution, other than the difference in aspect ratio. Will I be OK with 1280 x 800? My budget is ~$800 and I would prefer a projector with DVI input for the best possible quality.

Again, I am a complete n00b in this area, so go easy on me

 

[sdifox]

800? usually 768 if it has the extra rows to make the 4:3 not suck as much. my Optoma HD72 was 1280x768, so it can be used as 1024x768 for 4:3 content. I think it is time to skip 720p and go 1080p

 

[Excelsior]

With a budget of $800, I'd just get a good 720p projector. You really have to start with DLP vs LCD...

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: sdifox
800? usually 768 if it has the extra rows to make the 4:3 not suck as much. my Optoma HD72 was 1280x768, so it can be used as 1024x768 for 4:3 content. I think it is time to skip 720p and go 1080p

Yes, there are several projectors out there that output 1280 x 800 (WXGA) natively which is pretty much a standard on all low-cost laptops and PC's with wide monitors. 1080p is out of my price range unfortunately.[/quote]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
With a budget of $800, I'd just get a good 720p projector. You really have to start with DLP vs LCD...

Can you recommend anything specific? Also, are you saying that WXGA projector will not display 720p properly? As far as DLP vs LCD, it seems that there are far more DLP's in that price range, so maybe my wallet will make the final decision in that regard.

 

[AnyMal]

Sorry about DP

 

[Excelsior]

Can you recommend anything specific? Also, are you saying that WXGA projector will not display 720p properly? As far as DLP vs LCD, it seems that there are far more DLP's in that price range, so maybe my wallet will make the final decision in that regard.

Why bother with a WXGA projector when you'll be primarily displaying 720p source material? No need...

I'd check out http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb...php?s=&daysprune=&f=68.

 

[SonicIce]

All things being equal, why wouldnt you want the one with more pixels? as long as it can correctly letterbox 16:9 content

 

[Jugernot]

I just recently bought a Dell 1609WX WXGA projector (1280x800) and love it. Got it for just under $700 and with a 2500lumen rating, works great in my home theater when the lights are on. Contrast ratio is 1900:1, which isn't bad, but ain't the best. Best deal I could find on a projector with DVI-HDCP (which I converted over to HDMI). Since it has more pixels than 1280x720 projector, it is still a pixel for pixel display of the image, therefore the same quality as a 720p unit.

I totally recommend it unless you have a perfectly dark room that is going to stay dark all the time, in that case, buy one of those 720p home theater projectors with 900lumen ratings. They have better contrast ratios, but are many factors dimmer, so don't work well is a brightly lit room.

Jugs

 

[AnyMal]

Thanks for everyone's input! Jugs - that particular projector is at the top of my list. How did you manage to get it for under $700?

 

[Jugernot]

Last week they were on sale for $749 ($849 - $100) and I get a corporate discount through my employer of 7%. Total was like $697 shipped. I've seen it sale alot and just couldn't resist anymore as the reviews were all good. It's performance, features and ports can't be matched for the price. I watched Ironman on Bluray on Saturday and the detail and color was awesome.

Just IMO, I'd wait a week or two and they should put it back on sale at Dell Home or Dell Small Business (which anyone can buy from)....

Projector central compares 5 projectors including the 1609wx

I absolutely love mine!

Jugs

EDIT: mine is hooked up to the following: Directv HD DVR, PS3, Xbox 360 Elite w/ HD DVD drive, HTPC, and Laptop. I use a 5 port HDMI switch for all but the laptop and it works flawless.

 

[AnyMal]

thanks a ton!

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

dont want to hi-jack this forum but how does that projector comepare to this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889106017

i was going to buy it but if your dell is better for about the same price then ill go with that

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: Nvidiaguy07
dont want to hi-jack this forum but how does that projector comepare to this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16889106017

i was going to buy it but if your dell is better for about the same price then ill go with that

They're pretty close spec-wise. I'd go with Dell simply because it's brighter, has an additional VGA port, plus bit more pixels.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
All things being equal, why wouldnt you want the one with more pixels? as long as it can correctly letterbox 16:9 content

You want a HT projector and not a data projector.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: SonicIce
All things being equal, why wouldnt you want the one with more pixels? as long as it can correctly letterbox 16:9 content

You want a HT projector and not a data projector.

What's the difference as long as it has a good contrast ratio, properly reproduces colors, is quiet, and has a pixel for pixel reproduction of HD material. As I said, go with the HT projector if you have a perfectly dark room, but if you are like the rest of us, you don't. You'll probably want something that can be used in any light level, which 2500 lumens will provide. 900-1100 lumens, which is the light level most HT projectors produce, just won't cut it during the daytime with a window open.

I can personally tell you that the color reproduction is pretty top notch with this projector and the contrast ratio is good. It's bright enough on eco mode to watch during the daytime, which provides 4000hrs of bulb time, which is very good.

Nvidiaguy07, That projector has a better contrast ratio, but is less than half as bright. Keep that in mind when making your mind up, if you have a very dark room, the Benq unit would probably perform great. If you can't control the brightness very well, I'd consider a brighter unit.

Jugs

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Jugernot

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: SonicIce
All things being equal, why wouldnt you want the one with more pixels? as long as it can correctly letterbox 16:9 content

You want a HT projector and not a data projector.

What's the difference as long as it has a good contrast ratio, properly reproduces colors, is quiet, and has a pixel for pixel reproduction of HD material. As I said, go with the HT projector if you have a perfectly dark room, but if you are like the rest of us, you don't. You'll probably want something that can be used in any light level, which 2500 lumens will provide. 900-1100 lumens, which is the light level most HT projectors produce, just won't cut it during the daytime with a window open.

I can personally tell you that the color reproduction is pretty top notch with this projector and the contrast ratio is good. It's bright enough on eco mode to watch during the daytime, which provides 4000hrs of bulb time, which is very good.

Nvidiaguy07, That projector has a better contrast ratio, but is less than half as bright. Keep that in mind when making your mind up, if you have a very dark room, the Benq unit would probably perform great. If you can't control the brightness very well, I'd consider a brighter unit.

Jugs

Colour temperature is important for a ht projector, not so much on data. Data projectors are built for maximum light output, which in the case of a DLP pj involves adding white segments and I think shifted colour space in the LCD world.

The other big thing would be noise level. Data projectors tend to be louder, but they have gotten better so this may be a smaller point now.

I guess if all you want is a cheap big screen, sure go for that data projector. As long as you know what you want and what you get.