Epson Home Cinema 700 Projector HD 720P, and 100" screen

[funboy6942]

Linkage

Review one

And much thanks to Yoyo, review 2

Linkage to screen.

Video I tried my best to take with my camera.

it is in "HD", the video, both in 720p, taken with my Panasonic TZ5, the audio sucks, and video is not much better, but its about the video no audio anyway. I tried my best in the dark scenes to get it to stop making it much more darker and in red, but couldnt, and in the brighter scenes it did much better in almost capturing the colors almost as they are in person. I also zoomed in at full 10x optical to try and get the "screen door" effect and it didnt get it, but backed out at 2x there is some noise that looks like it, and thats what it is is noise, for if it were screen door, it wouldnt be slanted 😉

I bought this one back when I got the settlement when I got rear ended and it is the shite!
I was using a Optoma H31, the bulbs for this are $150~ vs $350~, the lamp life is 4000 hours vs 3000 hours in ECO mode or 3000 to 2000 in standard.

Has HDMI, is 2000 lumen and is a light canon compaired to my old H31, and if you buy from the link they sell a Lamp warranty for $149 bucks, BUY IT, no hour limit, through GE, and they send you a number to get your house HVAC though them as well, I got the 5 year package on mine for $800 for the 5 years through GE along with the lamp for my Projector.

But get the warranty and you get an extra 1 year on top of the 2 year on the pj making it 3 years, and 2 years and 90 days on the lamp for around $800.

Then goto Tigerdirect and get the Elite 100" screen for around $70-$80 and you will have a kick ass home theater set up.

And again to get perspective on size, you can fit 4 50" widescreen tv sets into one 100" screen, now thats a big screen! And with this one, its 720P not 1080P, but at 15" away your eyes will not tell the difference at all, and I pump everything into mine from my PS2, to my PC running it at 1920x1080, and it just looks breath taking, and anyone who comes over and sees it is just taken by it, and when I tell them how much I got into it, they cannot believe it for it is cheaper then most 46" flat tvs at the store, and that includes even the price of the Logitech Z5500 in with the PJ, screen, and the audio.

But anyway here are the specs, you would be a fool to pass it up and the warranty if your looking for something like this.

Epson HOME CINEMA 700 Projector Specifications:

Native Res.: 720p
Brightness: 2000 ANSI lumens
Colors: 16.7 million colors
Aspect Ratio: 16:10; 4:3
Technology: 3LCD - PolySilicon TFT
Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
Compatibility: ?Native: 1280x800
?Computer: VGA, SVGA, WVGA, XGA, WXGA, [SXGA, WXGA+, SXGA+, UXGA (Compatible)], Mac
?Video: 480i/p, 720p, 1080i/p - Displays Up to 720p
?Video/Color Signal: NTSC, PAL, SECAM
Inputs (Video): HDMI (HDCP); Mini D-Sub 15 (RGB/VGA); RCA Component; S-Video; RCA Composite
Outputs (Video): N/A
Inputs (Audio): RCA Stereo Audio (L&R)
Outputs (Audio): N/A
Weight: 6.2 lbs.
Dimensions: 12.9in W 4.0in H 9.6in D
Features:
SD Slot for Family SLIDE SHOWS
Easily Portable 6.2 lbs
Incredible Brightness
10-bit Color Processing
16:10 Widescreen
HDMI Input
Warranty: 2 Years Limited Parts and Labor, 90 Days on Lamp, Epson HomeService Program and Epson PrivateLine Dedicated Toll-Free Support
Projector Uses: ?Power Consumption: 246w (3W Standby)
?Power Requirements: AC 100-240V ±10% 50/60Hz
?Viewable Size: 27"-270" (2.25'-22.5')
?Projection Distance: 2.8'-28.6'
?Uniformity: N/A
?Digital Keystone Correction: ±20° Vert. (Auto/Manual); ±20° Horiz. (Manual)
?Lens Shift: N/A
?Lens Throw Ratio: 1.47-1.77:1 (16:10); 1.77-2.12:1 (4:3)
?Zoom/Focus Adjustment: 1.2x Zoom (Manual)
?Fan Noise: 35dB(High); 28dB(Low)
?Control Inputs: USB Type A; USB Type B; SD Card Slot
?Control Outputs: N/A
?Audio: 7W Mono Speaker
Projection Calculator:

Though it says 16:10 it has a 16:9 select so it will fit in a 16:9 screen, I know, as I said I have this PJ, and I have it on a Elite 16:9 100", I never post things up I dont know much about 😉

Ebay sells a universal mount for $20, I got it, it kicks ass, made putting this up a breeze to do and super cheap compared to the one listed on the site, and thats $20 shipped 😉
If the mods will let me I will link to the ebay store I got mine from.

Here is a 16:10 screen at tigerdirect for $159+ship

And here is a Ultra 100" 16:9 for $70+Ship at tigerdirect

Still made by Elite, and is the one I have but mine WAS is black, and when it broke I took the media out of the can, contacted Elite about it being broken, they had me send them the spring part of the screen can to them and they sent me a whole new screen I sold locally, and I made a frame for the broken one I took the fabric out of and have it hanging in my HT room. So for $70 I got 2 screens or the one price. So when yours breaks, make sure to keep your receipt, contact Ultra, and do the same, and keep the 2nd as a spare.

point is though, back on track, for around $1100, give or take, you get a "HD" projection tv, with a big ass larger then life screen, 3 year warranty on the unit, which is better then most tv's. a 2 year 90 day warranty on the bulb, which if its not a thin tv but a tv in a box, it will take a bulb, and that means after its 90 period, you will be paying $200+ for its bulb when it blows, a 100"-106" big ass screen, and you can squeeze in there a just loud enough 5.1, THX, Logitech Z5500 set in there that will shake the shit of your walls, for less then a 46"-55" flat tv at best buy.

And yes, these look just as if you took that 55" tv, stretched the picture, but LOST NO picture quality! Nothing like back in the school days when it got bigger, it looked shittier.

Logitech Z5500 Speakers at Newegg with FREE Shipping

 

[tbogstad]

Price lowered $20.00, now only $679.00 shipped, even better deal.

Wish I had the money I would be all over this.

 

[eplebnista]

Thanks! :beer:

 

[Glavinsolo]

Don't forget a 12 pack of projector bulbs

 

[BBock727]

Ehh, great for someone who just wants a large viewing size. I wouldn't touch this projector with a 200 foot pole. Being a videophile, tvs and especially projectors are just something that I will not buy based on price. The specs on this projector are mediocre at best. While it might be a deal b/c it retails higher, I do not see this as a deal at all. It would be a 700$ paperweight for my home.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: funboy6942

And again to get perspective on size, you can fit 4 50" widescreen tv sets into one 100" screen, now thats a big screen! And with this one, its 720P not 1080P, but at 15" away your eyes will not tell the difference at all,

Not sure I agree with this statement OP. On a 46" TV sure, you probably can't see the difference, but a 100" screen has almost 4 times the viewing area. With such a large picture, I'd imagine it would be much easier to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Other than that it looks like a pretty good deal. Not top-of-the-line but not too shabby for the price.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: funboy6942

And again to get perspective on size, you can fit 4 50" widescreen tv sets into one 100" screen, now thats a big screen! And with this one, its 720P not 1080P, but at 15" away your eyes will not tell the difference at all,

Not sure I agree with this statement OP. On a 46" TV sure, you probably can't see the difference, but a 100" screen has almost 4 times the viewing area. With such a large picture, I'd imagine it would be much easier to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.

Other than that it looks like a pretty good deal. Not top-of-the-line but not too shabby for the price.

With a front projection tv, the only benefit you will gain from say a sd, to 720 to 1080, with a front projection mind you, not a rear projection tv in a box or flat screen. With front projection it boils down to really in fact how close you can get to the screen before you start to see the pixels, or screen door effect, the further out you go from the screen, the same they start to look, no matter what format the projector is as HD content is being pumped into it. With my H31, my friends would be speechless, while I played Transformers of my 360, at around 18 feet, it looked amazing, and it was on my H31, a SD PJ, that took in 1080I but played it back at SD rate, but at 18 feet away, it looked beautiful, as if it were HD,a nd Id tell them its hd but output SD, at 18 feet away it looks like this, they were just blown away for it to them, and me, looked HD anyway, it all just popped off the screen.

But from around 15 feet and further out with a front projection tv it would be very hard for your eyes to tell which one is running a 720p video and which is running a 1080P video, that is untill you start to get right up close to the screen, even worse for SD projection, but even so for them, if you get further then 18 feet away, you will still have a hard time when you pump a HD video into a SD projector, for they will take it, just sd size it, but past 18 feet, if you had it all running on 3 sets, and sat at say 20 feet away, Id bet you have one hell of a time pointing out ON A FRONT PROJECTION TV, which was SD-720P-1080P, but when you got up close, it would be a piece of cake.

Feel free to google this.

I did, again, just for the hell of it.


And here is a viewing chart
taken
From HERE

That shows, anything past this distance, in its rez, and your eyes just cant make out all the eye candy, and you cant make out whats hidef, and whats not, so again, the further out you get from a tv, most noticeable with Front Projection sets since they are usually bought for very large screens, and sit further back from, the most benefit you will really get from buying one, when you looking for a cheap one, is really how close you really plan on sitting next to the screen before you start to see the screen door effect, for once you start to get past 15 feet away, and depending on the set you bought, and what your watching, it wont really matter then if it is a SD PJ, a 720 PJ, or a 1080P PJ, you sit far enough back, your eyes are only going to be able to make out just enough.

And only way to test this out for real, for I know mine looks great too, but to prove this and put a nail in it, would be to get the other 2 sets, and hook them up in your home, and play them all together, so you can sit back at 20 feet, and then go, "HMM, funboy was right. By itself it looked great, but now with the other 2 sitting next to mine, I cant tell which is which", and I would be right there with you, for Im just stating the facts, which again is after 15 feet, with a front PJ, and depending on the content, and the unit showing said content, it would be hard for the eyes to tell, provided you had other projections and screens going all at the same time too, which is SD, 720P, 1080P, and the distance would even be shorter then this for flat tv's or rear projection tvs.

But do feel free to google more. I spent over 3 months o my life looking this crap up, 8 hours a day about 2 years ago when SD and HD were having wars in the $900 range when my CRT 65" tv went belly up and was looking for a replacement. Im disabled, and had to wait 3 months for Toshiba to ut me a check, and I really didnt want a 720 30" tv at the time with as much as I was getting back for I got the tv at a steal of a deal, and I didnt want a Phillips tv in a box, and figured if I had to replace a bulb in one o them, I may as well go all out, so I looked up LCD and DLP projection tvs for 3 months, and at the time I was doing so it was better to buy a SD projection because the HD ones, at tihe time, we making all the SD content, tv, dvd, video games, look like crap upscaled to 720P, where the SD optoma H31 took in HD content and make it look kick ass, and SD looked kick ass because it was a SD projection tv to boot. But in reading on it I read many reviews stating between SD and 720P when you got past 15 feet, and they had a SD and 720P side by side, running the same movie, in hd, they themselves couldnt make out the which was the HD projector, and which was the SD Projector, for the image past 15 feet away, looked exactly the same to them, and this was from several sites saying this, and since I sat 17+ feet from my screen, I bought the H31 when I kept reading that, and the fact the HD sets, at the time, were having trouble with upscaling SD content making it look really bad.

But obviously even though its been 2 years since I read up on it, and just did again, nothing really has changed, you just get to sit a little further back, or can sit a little loser is all now.

 

[Kwint Sommer]

Originally posted by: BBock727
Ehh, great for someone who just wants a large viewing size. I wouldn't touch this projector with a 200 foot pole. Being a videophile, tvs and especially projectors are just something that I will not buy based on price. The specs on this projector are mediocre at best. While it might be a deal b/c it retails higher, I do not see this as a deal at all. It would be a 700$ paperweight for my home.

I agree. LCD projectors do not give a nice image until you get into the $3k range.

If you're looking for a nice projector on a budget then you're only real option is resurrecting an old CRT projector. They produce vastly better contrast ratios and will actually give true black unlike virtually every LCD projector I've ever seen and they'll do it for a fraction of the cost.

What's the catch? They're big, heavy, require a lot more maintenance and setup takes hours but they're worth every second.

If we're talking sub $1k LCD and DLP projectors, they're not good for much more than replacing an analogue television or showing slides at a meeting. If you want to project quality video, either cough up several grand or figure out how you're going to mount a 120 pound monster to your ceiling.

All of that trash talking aside, if this is the quality and type of projector you want then it is an excellent price. It's not my cup of tea but if it were I'd be all over this. Nice find funboy, this is the first one of yours I won't be buying in a while. 🙂

 

[funboy6942]

Shame. I had the DLP H31, and this is my first LD one, and really this one is pretty good. Better picture then the dlp one, brighter, and no rainbows. For around $1000 and wanting a big tv, and dont have to have the absolute best eyecandy, want good for your money, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this at all, IMO, or for any front projection tv at all really, again IMO.

I had a 65" CRT tv before these two, and aside of the fact yes blacks and darks were better, were talking apples and oranges here. If you want big, can settle for great, not perfect. and are on a budget, there is nothing wrong with these at all, and it would give my old CRT 65" HDTV a run for its money big time, either one of these really.

Im not trying to talk anyone into this at all, I just feel that my hot deal is being taken off track a bit when your bringing in $3000 projectors against a $680 one. This is means to someone who is piss ass broke, like me, who wants a taste of the good life. I pride myself as being the poor mans deal finder, and for $700~ and the ability to go 100" and much larger then that, if on a budget, you really cant be talking about $3000 projectors in here for thats NOT what this thread is about.

Sure its specs wont be close, and sure your a videophile and you wont have part of this, but this isnt supposed to be meant for you if thats your thing, why in the world would you even be mentioning anything about your tastes in a $700~ LCD Projection thread anyway if this isnt for you if you got the money or own a much better projection tv? I just dont understand some of the replies 😱 Who owns a Lamborghini and walks into a Chevy dealer an bitches about their cars and how they never own one??

The poitn here is, if your strapped, looking at a cheap tv, a 30-50" but wouldnt mind having a super larger one, and want a great picture, here is your chance, I own this, I can testify on how great it looks, thats what this is about 😉

 

[Doomer]

Originally posted by: BBock727
Ehh, great for someone who just wants a large viewing size. I wouldn't touch this projector with a 200 foot pole. Being a videophile, tvs and especially projectors are just something that I will not buy based on price. The specs on this projector are mediocre at best. While it might be a deal b/c it retails higher, I do not see this as a deal at all. It would be a 700$ paperweight for my home.

Gee wiz Mr. Conceit, not everyone has deep pockets. This is a great entry level projector for those who would otherwise do without. I doubt your opinion is much appreciated by them.

 

[onza]

Originally posted by: BBock727
Ehh, great for someone who just wants a large viewing size. I wouldn't touch this projector with a 200 foot pole. Being a videophile, tvs and especially projectors are just something that I will not buy based on price. The specs on this projector are mediocre at best. While it might be a deal b/c it retails higher, I do not see this as a deal at all. It would be a 700$ paperweight for my home.

I drink my tea with my pinky finger sticking out.

 

[funboy6942]

I know, when did all of a sudden hot deals not mean if you find something that used to go for $900, and now is $700 not be a hot deal, and ontop of that, because this tv doesnt look as good as a $3000 one, makes it even worse hot deal?

I just dont get it, why would someone who has not liking or want, or need for a $700 tv, or what ever, have to make a reply like that? It is seriously like hanging outside of a Chevy dealership sitting in your SV Lambo stopping people on test drives, and telling them,

"Id never buy or drive that, when for $200,000 dollars more you can have what Im driving. That thing wont even do 0-60 in 4 seconds, what a piece of crap, and just because the rebate on it makes it $8,000 less then it used to be, still not a great deal. Who cares you make $35K a year and cant afford it right now, go home, ride the bus for 70 years, eat cardboard, turn off your electricity, and gas, and in around 80 years or so you can get one of these bad boys because they are soooooo much more better and superior then a chevy, and Id do without before Id buy that hunk of crap."

I just dont understand? Maybe Im not meant to 😛 Rich people, or upper nose snobs are just a weird class of people all together I suppose. Its like I stuck a gun to his head and said "YOU BUY IT, AND YOU BUY IT NOW YOU SON OF A BITCH, OR A SWEAR TO GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY ON THIS DAMN GREEN SPINNING BALL YOU CALL EARTH, I WILL PULL THIS FUGGIN TRIGGER AND EAT YOUR END TRAILS WITH A SPORK IF YOU DON'T!"

"but I dont like it, I only like ones that cost more, I wont use it, it will just be a paper weight, oh look it only goes up to 720p, thats icky, i dont even wanna touch it, ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Oh fudge I broke a nail, Martha!"

😛 😱 With trees and flowers and chirping birds

 

[Lucifer Lost]

Heh, my first DLP projector, an InFocus cost me $4300, 4 or 5 years ago. Its got a native resolution of 1024x768 and I used to break the videophile code-of-ethics and shoot it on a wall. Looked great and that was the year I stopped going to theaters. And, yeah, I consider myself a video and audiophile too. And I'm betting this projector is a good entry point if you want a BIG and CHEAP video solution.

Heck, I've got around 10k in audio equipment, but you don't see me spamming other audio threads about how this and that doesn't stack up to something *of unequal value.* You can spend 100k on an audio setup if you're inclined, and for some it'll be 10 times better than what I have. But I'll be the first to admit that my 10k system is not likely to be 10 times better than a good 1k system for normal use.

That said, I do like apples to apples comparisons. If anyone has something constructive to say about another $700 projector that's better than this one, I'd love to hear it. Otherwise, you're just stroking your ego and wasting people's time.

 

[ShockwaveVT]

funboy42 you always post solid-to-hot deals, sometimes on novelty type items but they are all interesting = keep it up! don't let folks who only want to see $2,000 off of the $6,000 item type deals get you down

 

[Kwint Sommer]

Originally posted by: Lucifer Lost
That said, I do like apples to apples comparisons. If anyone has something constructive to say about another $700 projector that's better than this one, I'd love to hear it. Otherwise, you're just stroking your ego and wasting people's time.

Alright, here's one. Check out the Retro 808's going for $750.

Pro's:
much higher quality moving image than an LCD
readily projects 1080i (if you screw with the neck boards you can get out 1080p as well)
better contrast ratio
better blacks
much longer life on the tubes
vastly more options to adjust geometry and convergence
more color balancing options
truer colors though you may have to use a little tinted glycol
it's modular and meant to be serviced/upgraded, unlike an LCD that you throw out if it stops working

Con's:
Excessive Size/Weight
Long Setup time
Significant maintenance
not as bright (However, in a properly darkened room it's bright enough to go over 140")
if you want a larger than 50" image you'll have to find a set of old lenses (I've managed to get 4 sets in two years here at MIT so I assure you it's not hard)

$ for $, nothing compares to a CRT projector but they're not for the faint of heart.

Presently, I have two in my dorm room (one sees regular use and the other is being rebuilt) and the hall has two more. One of which has been in near continuous use for the last three years having only ~$300 in maintenance. The hall did the calculations, we'd have not just gone through an estimated 11 LCD projector bulbs but probably be on our third projector, none of which would have equaled the performance of that single Barco 808s that's still chugging along. We ended up with a much better image and at much less expense by going the CRT route. Sure, the old babe flakes out on us and has to be pulled apart and tested every so often and it needs it's monthly convergence but it's produces a beautiful image year after year.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Lots of snobbery in the thread. It's pointless to say only 3K projector is worth buying because prices are really going down so fast on them. I bought Sanyo PLV-Z2000 1080p LCD projector and I love it. MSRP was $3000 when announced, would you say it's an awesome projector based on price? Now, what would you say if I told you I got it for under $1700 shipped after rebates? Did it suddenly become worthless? Of course not, that's silly.

All that matters is how well this projector does against competition in the same price bracket and how well it does against more expensive projectors in terms of features and image quality, in other words, is it worth saving some money, or are you better off spending a little more for a different one.

That said, I don't know anything about this projector. It seems to be a new release, so there aren't any reviews on it. Quick google says it doesn't have lens shift, which can make mounting a little tricky for those who are new to projectors. Also, since this is LCD projector and 720p at that, it's possible it will have visible screendoor effect at higher diagonal images, but that depends on the projector, it may or may not have visible screendoor effect, I'm just warning you of the possibility.

 

[funboy6942]

I can tell you that unless you get within around 10 feet or closer you dont see the screen door effect, and Im using a cheap ass $20 universal mount from ebay, and had no problems mounting this projector with no lens shift. I just ired it up after I leveled it up, and moved my screen to match it, and that was it. Took about 15 minutes to reset my screen from where I had it set for my H31 before this one with my wifes help.

I own this PJ, feel free to ask me anything you like.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Well, since you own it you should know better about screendoor effect on this particular projector.

As far as Lens Shift goes, it may not be hard to set up projector without lens shift. However, you will have to do keystone correction unless you mount projector right at the center of the screen (which is rarely the case in a home theater). Keystone correction degrades picture quality more than lens shift. So all things considering lens shift is far preferable to keystone correction, and this projector doesn't have it.

 

[nichrf36]

Not a bad price....but for a few hundred more you can pick up the Panny 720p set same lumens better CR....

Wouldnt focus so much on the lumens depends on the amount of ambient light. I am using an Optoma HD70 with 1000 lumens (4000:1 CR) in a bright room but on a 120 inch da lite high power (2.8 gain)....picture jumps at you even in a brightly lit room.

My point here is there is more to it just than the projector if you have a good light controlled room go for a good CR but in a room with ambient light a good screen can make even more the difference than the porojector.

 

[imported_dryloch]

I have a Mitsubishi 720P DLP shooting at 100" screen and the picture is amazing. I paid under 1000 as well for it. Guess where we have the superbowl party every year? Funboy is 100% correct that from the distance you would watch this size screen it looks great. People need to remember that other then Blu Ray many "HD" sources are NOT 1080P or have been compressed. The majority of 360 and PS3 games are not 1080 and some are not even 720. Comcast and other cable companies sends you 1080 but then compress the quality down so they can have more channels. The end result looks terrible when compared to Verizons FIOS for instance. I have also noticed that DVDs and standard def looks better on 720P because it does not have to be blown up as much. I think if you gave this setup a shot in your house you would be very happy with it considering what you spent.

 

[EXman]

Originally posted by: onza

Originally posted by: BBock727
Ehh, great for someone who just wants a large viewing size. I wouldn't touch this projector with a 200 foot pole. Being a videophile, tvs and especially projectors are just something that I will not buy based on price. The specs on this projector are mediocre at best. While it might be a deal b/c it retails higher, I do not see this as a deal at all. It would be a 700$ paperweight for my home.

I drink my tea with my pinky finger sticking out.

We need to remind Bock that this is the HOT DEALS section and not the Snooty videophile section. I'm not a huge fan of this PJ but the price is nice. I just sold my HD80 1080P PJ and the colors it reproduced seemed noticablely richer than any 720P I have seen at any distance. BUT I have seen some pretty damn fine 720p projectors that I am happy with the color/contrast/sharpness. So much so I sold the 1080P PJ pocketed the extra $1000 and current looking for a nice used or refurbed (manufacturer only) 720p PJ. To ME at this point in my life 720p at 72" on a nice screen does it for me. I also like Maybachs but I drive a Mazda.

😉

 

[BBock727]

Originally posted by: Doomer

Originally posted by: BBock727
Ehh, great for someone who just wants a large viewing size. I wouldn't touch this projector with a 200 foot pole. Being a videophile, tvs and especially projectors are just something that I will not buy based on price. The specs on this projector are mediocre at best. While it might be a deal b/c it retails higher, I do not see this as a deal at all. It would be a 700$ paperweight for my home.

Gee wiz Mr. Conceit, not everyone has deep pockets. This is a great entry level projector for those who would otherwise do without. I doubt your opinion is much appreciated by them.

I am not being conceited in any way. I am trying to keep people who don't know much about projectors from wasting their money on this. Your 700$ is much better spent on a smaller LCD tv imo. After reading my original reply, I probably did not give a good enough explanation because I was pressed for time.

@funboy6942, if you read my original reply, I agreed that it was a good deal for someone who is into this projector b/c its cheaper than it retails in other outlets. From personal experience, I would not waste $700 on something like this for my viewing experience, I would go with a standard LCD/CRT tv. I also believe that a 720p projector is more than fine for most viewing experiences, I just do not like the specs on this specific projector. Don't take personal offense to this. Could it be that hundreds of other consumers share my view, causing retailers to cut the price of this item? I would put my money on it.

Again, these threads are here for a reason. I think i'm doing the forum justice by giving this opinion. If you don't agree w/ me ask other people at www.avsforum.com. When I get a few minutes, I can find better bang for the buck projectors in the $700-$1k range even though i still believe your best bang for the buck is in a LCD/CRT tv.

 

[Blonde]

Originally posted by: BBock727
I am not being conceited in any way. I am trying to keep people who don't know much about projectors from wasting their money on this. Your 700$ is much better spent on a smaller LCD tv imo. After reading my original reply, I probably did not give a good enough explanation because I was pressed for time.

@funboy6942, if you read my original reply, I agreed that it was a good deal for someone who is into this projector b/c its cheaper than it retails in other outlets. From personal experience, I would not waste $700 on something like this for my viewing experience, I would go with a standard LCD/CRT tv. I also believe that a 720p projector is more than fine for most viewing experiences, I just do not like the specs on this specific projector. Don't take personal offense to this. Could it be that hundreds of other consumers share my view, causing retailers to cut the price of this item? I would put my money on it.

Again, these threads are here for a reason. I think i'm doing the forum justice by giving this opinion. If you don't agree w/ me ask other people at www.avsforum.com. When I get a few minutes, I can find better bang for the buck projectors in the $700-$1k range even though i still believe your best bang for the buck is in a LCD/CRT tv.

I agree with BBock727. Posting a deal on a piece of junk is just clogging up the forum, and making the HOT deals harder to find. I mean yea, we had "projectors" in my elementary school when I was a kid for film strips. I'm sure you can get one of those for even less than $700. But it'd be just as helpful as this alleged projector "deal." If you can't afford a projector in the $1500-3000 price range, you're much better off with an LCD in terms of value and picture quality. Deals exist, but when it comes to projectors, I like to say, you get what you pay for. Thanks but no thanks OP!

 

[funboy6942]

You two are completely off your rockers.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: Kwint Sommer

Originally posted by: BBock727
Ehh, great for someone who just wants a large viewing size. I wouldn't touch this projector with a 200 foot pole. Being a videophile, tvs and especially projectors are just something that I will not buy based on price. The specs on this projector are mediocre at best. While it might be a deal b/c it retails higher, I do not see this as a deal at all. It would be a 700$ paperweight for my home.

I agree. LCD projectors do not give a nice image until you get into the $3k range.

If you're looking for a nice projector on a budget then you're only real option is resurrecting an old CRT projector. They produce vastly better contrast ratios and will actually give true black unlike virtually every LCD projector I've ever seen and they'll do it for a fraction of the cost.

What's the catch? They're big, heavy, require a lot more maintenance and setup takes hours but they're worth every second.

If we're talking sub $1k LCD and DLP projectors, they're not good for much more than replacing an analogue television or showing slides at a meeting. If you want to project quality video, either cough up several grand or figure out how you're going to mount a 120 pound monster to your ceiling.

All of that trash talking aside, if this is the quality and type of projector you want then it is an excellent price. It's not my cup of tea but if it were I'd be all over this. Nice find funboy, this is the first one of yours I won't be buying in a while. 🙂

You're kidding, right? Boy, I feel bad for the people that bought 3,000 dollar projectors two years ago as those are the ones that are sub-1000 now. I agree that DLP projectors are better than LCD but the specs on this one don't look shabby at all.

About 9 months ago I got an Epson Home Cinema 720 with an extra bulb for 1100 or 1200, and it's specs aren't all that different from this. While it took me a lot more effort than my old projector to get the color right, it now looks wonderful.

CRT projectors are horrible. Sure, they have a better contrast ratio, but you have to realign them, they're impossible to move, and they just..suck. It's like comparing a 10,000 dollar plasma TV to a $1500 one - sure, the more expensive one is better, but for most people that $1500 will wow them, and the price (convenience, in this case) difference isn't worth the cost.