Looking for killer image quality with a projector

[mazeroth]

I built a theater in a spare bedroom a few years ago using a Mitsubishi HD1000U projector that was DLP and 720p. For the screen I used Wilsonart Laminate white (I forget the exact model but it was the popular choice) and built it 100” 16:9. The room had complete light control. While the image looked very good, whenever I tried to PC game on it I felt the image couldn’t touch that of my computer LCD screens (a 24 and 28 inch TN panels, 1920x1200 res for both). Then our latest child came and I had to gut the theater.

We have an unfinished basement and I’ve set myself a 6 month timeline to get the new, dedicated theater installed. I wasn’t too concerned about PC gaming down there but after seeing the new Skyrim E3 demo videos I’m really thinking I want to try gaming on the big screen again.

I don’t have an unlimited budget and wanted to keep the new projector under $1500 and the screen around $300. I will build the screen myself. The screen must be acoustically transparent material as I will be mounting the LCR behind it.

What I’m wondering is are any of you having luck getting a killer image on the big screen? One that can rival, or come very close, to what you get on your computer monitor? Are my expectations realistic with my budget?
Any help and insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[JackBurton]

Dude, you put "killer image quality" in your title and then give me a $1500 budget to work with? How about an "OK" image quality for that budget?

 

[Anubis]

yea your gonna want to at least dbl your PJ budget

 

[mazeroth]

Ok, I can go up to $2500. I'll just have to sell a few things. Now, talk to me. How good can it look?

 

[sdifox]

What are you guys smoking? There are entry level 1080p projectors in the 1000 dollar range that are fairly nice.


http://www.projectorcentral.com/home-theater-multimedia-projectors.htm

 

[vi edit]

Mitsubishi HC4000

Excellent PQ, warranty, and bulb life for the price. Biggest cons are placement constraints and lack of image adjustments via the remote. If you can do a ceiling mount (shelf won't work) then it's one of the best pictures you'll get for $1200.

 

[soulcougher73]

Mitsubishi HC4000

Excellent PQ, warranty, and bulb life for the price. Biggest cons are placement constraints and lack of image adjustments via the remote. If you can do a ceiling mount (shelf won't work) then it's one of the best pictures you'll get for $1200.

This. This is what i came here to post. I would have gotten this but the placement part bit me in the butt. Plus i got one of those great Sony B-Stock PJs for a steal

 

[The-Noid]

If you are going for image quality at that price I would go with DLP.

Just because it is 1080p doesn't make it a "sharp" image.

To get a really good sharp image out of an LCD you are looking at LCoS and $5000+, not a 3LCD.

DLPs are good at throwing a vibrant sharp image for a fairly cheap price. I agree on HC4000 for the money.

Projectors are truly the never ending money game though. I went from an Epson to a JVC to a Sim3.

 

[queequeg99]

There are a number of options, all with pros and cons. As noted, there is the HC4000. That is clearly within your original price range. If you're willing to step up the price a bit, there are some other excellent options.

Benq W6000. I just got one for $1,800 delivered and it is great. This projector has plummeted in price over the past year or so, making it a feasible first projector. Like the HC4000, it is DLP and therefore has a razor sharp image and a sealed image pathway (i.e. no dust blob problems). It is brighter than the HC4000 but if you have total light control, that should be worth too much. Unlike the HC4000, the W6000 has a dynamic iris, which helps black levels significantly (a problem that is inherent to DLP projectors). Finally, the W6000 has adjustable lens shift, which is unheard of in DLP projectors in this price range. This will give you much more flexibility in placement of the projector. The Benq has a marginal picture out of the box and will require some calibration (which you can do yourself with some time and effort).

Panasonic AE4000. You can find this in the $1,800-2,000 range. This is a 3 LCD unit. Black levels are excellent and the out-of-the-box picture is very good. As with all 3 LCD solutions, the Panny's picture sometimes tends to be a bit softer because of minor convergence issues. But the images I have seen have all looked very good and I haven't read about widespread serious problems with convergence (i.e. convergence issues so bad that you needed to get a replacement unit). Lens shift is huge (typical of LCD units). Finally, you will have to contend with a possible dust blob problem as the image pathway is not sealed. There is an air filter that requires cleaning on a regular basis (a problem that is typical of LCD solutions). Another really cool feature in the Panny is lens memory. That is, the Panny can detect the aspect ratio of the material being played and can adjust its zoom automatically. This is really handy if (i) you watch a lot more 2.35:1 video than 1.78:1, and (ii) have the room for a huge 2.35:1 screen. Lens memory allows you to eliminate the upper and lower black boxes when viewing the 2.35:1 movies but then allows you to pull back the zoom to watch the occasional 1.78:1 show (which will obviously have black bars on the sides).

Epson 8700UB. This unit is very similar to the Panny and has many of the pros and cons of the Panny (a 3 LCD unit). It is a bit pricier, at $2,000. I haven't personally seen it, but I've read that the black levels are not entirely up to the Panny's level (but still better than any of your DLP options). I've read that otherwise, the picture of the Epson tends to be a bit better than the Panny. The one big downside is (i) convergence problems, and (ii) bulb issues. Convergence tends to be more of a problem with Epson projectors. However, they seem to have excellent customer service and readily replace units that have really bad issues. But still not something I would want to go through. Also, their bulbs tend to expire prematurely. But they are offering a coupon for a free bulb through March 2012. The Epson does NOT have the lens memory feature that the Panny has. There are some lesser Epson units (8500UB and 8350) but if you get down into those units, I would definitely opt for the HC4000, W6000, or AE4000.

Finally, before you go with a DLP projector, find someone or some vendor that has one with the same number of color segments and the same speed of color wheel of whatever unit you're considering and go watch it. Bring along a movie like Sin City (or something else that has some black and white action scenes). You need to see if you are susceptible to seeing the rainbow effect. If your wife will be watching in this room, she should go as well.

 

[vi edit]

Another odd thing with projectors is that they really have an odd life in terms of picture and contrast quality. It took 50-100 hours for the bulb on my HC3800 to settle in. Once it did the blacks improved greatly. Once you get to a certain point in the bulb life they start fading out though.

The good thing about the Mitsubishi products is that you can easily run them in low lamp mode in a room with good light control and get 4000 hours out of them.

 

[wirednuts]

yeah i had the optoma HD71, and while it was a lot of fun.. a LOT... im not going to bother with any stoneage bulb tv again. replacement is a bit of a hassle, youre constantly changing picture levels to adjust to the bulbs wear, and they burn hot/costly on power usage.

LED lit projectors are making huge strides. THOSE will be king for budget projectors soon. forget about bulb replacements, forget about hungry power consumption, and get used to not changing any settings during its life.

that, and laser projectors will probably be the high class models. those have huge potential too

 

[The-Noid]

Another odd thing with projectors is that they really have an odd life in terms of picture and contrast quality. It took 50-100 hours for the bulb on my HC3800 to settle in. Once it did the blacks improved greatly. Once you get to a certain point in the bulb life they start fading out though.

The good thing about the Mitsubishi products is that you can easily run them in low lamp mode in a room with good light control and get 4000 hours out of them.

All of that is dependent on screen size. I am running 123", if you are running a small screen you can get away with a lot more.

I figure 1500 hours per bulb as at 2000 they are consistently 1/2 as bright as new.

 

[Chapbass]

All of that is dependent on screen size. I am running 123", if you are running a small screen you can get away with a lot more.

I figure 1500 hours per bulb as at 2000 they are consistently 1/2 as bright as new.

I hear that. Sitting at 4850 hours on my HC6500 and I'm finally thinking its time. Got a warranty through BBY so free bulb for me, apparently theyre going to make me send it out . Don't wanna be without my projo!

 

[Rage187]

I upgraded from a hd70 to an Epson 8350. Was $1300 at best buy. Very pleased. I throw 132" on to a wall painted with Behr ultra white.

And, Tron Legacy at 1080p24 using the 2:2 pulldown will make you soil your Levis. A M A Z I N G

 

[Rage187]

I hear that. Sitting at 4850 hours on my HC6500 and I'm finally thinking its time. Got a warranty through BBY so free bulb for me, apparently theyre going to make me send it out . Don't wanna be without my projo!

Nah, I had my bulb replaced through best buy. Just call the warranty line and tell them you need a new bulb. They shipped one to me and it was super easy. Don't go into a store for a replacement.

 

[queequeg99]

I upgraded from a hd70 to an Epson 8350. Was $1300 at best buy. Very pleased. I throw 132" on to a wall painted with Behr ultra white.

You can probably get away with a relatively white screen with a decent LCD projector. If you get the HC4000 or any other DLP (which has relative difficulty projecting good blacks), you may want to look at a slightly grey screen. There is a subforum over at avsforum.com that is dedicated to paint mixtures for DIY screens. There are some people who haunt that forum who I swear must do nothing other than mix paint. If you go with a DIY painted screen, I would definitely check out that forum. It made a HUGE difference in my picture quality.

 

[Rage187]

You can probably get away with a relatively white screen with a decent LCD projector. If you get the HC4000 or any other DLP (which has relative difficulty projecting good blacks), you may want to look at a slightly grey screen. There is a subforum over at avsforum.com that is dedicated to paint mixtures for DIY screens. There are some people who haunt that forum who I swear must do nothing other than mix paint. If you go with a DIY painted screen, I would definitely check out that forum. It made a HUGE difference in my picture quality.

I haunted that place for awhile 4 years ago when I started out. I used Behr Silver screen but it had some hot spots I wasn't willing to live with. The ultra white was perfect.

I may upgrade to Wilson Arts Designer white. I'd need a 5x10 roll but it is only $130. I recommend the ultra white though. $15 and looks great.

 

[Chapbass]

Nah, I had my bulb replaced through best buy. Just call the warranty line and tell them you need a new bulb. They shipped one to me and it was super easy. Don't go into a store for a replacement.

Depends on the model . I used to work there doing service stuff, and the whole user replaceable vs ship to you is completely random. :\