Projectors

[funboy6942]

For me it was 3 months straight of looking at websites, forums where people have posted screen shots, and reviews on the ones that were in my price range. Then getting out the measuring tape and writing down all the measurements as far as throw distance, where it would be placed in my room, where to place the pj, where the screen would go, measure it out on the wall to get an idea of what size screen to get within my budget. Then it came down to finding the ones I was looking at, at the best price I could find and with as much free goodies I could find.

I never got to see the one I have in person, just read many reviews on it, and many forums, and what people have said as far as how they liked it, how many have said theirs died, price of replacing the bulbs, and ended up with a Optoma H31, and not once have a regretted my purchase.

But thats how I did it, there are no places close to me to go see one in person, so I just made sure not to go jump in without learning all I could about them, and the different makes of them like hd, sd, lcd, dlp, and such. Considering I dont work due to my condition I was able to dedicate 3 months, of 8 hours a day, into reading all I could about them, how they worked, and everything, before I decided on which make I wanted. About 6 months or so ago I could tell you anything you wanted to know about every sd projector on the market under $1000, now they are going for under $500

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: pcslookout
Do you all think its right to buy the a projector with a credit card locally, to test it out and see if you like it before buying it online, if you do buy it online then return the projector you bought locally? Especially if you have no place to test out projectors before buying them?

Well I already told you that I don't agree with that.

I think you should have researched more about the DV10 and tried to find some method of seeing it or a similar 480p DLP before you went out and bought it.

I was curious what others thought. I did. It was the only projector sold, at this time, that has this kind of short throw distance rate that is DLP.

All others are LCD

I'm not really sure what you have against LCD, I went from a DLP to an LCD. Both have pros and cons.

I guess at this point I would personally just stick with what I had purchased. In some HT related areas companies cater to this kind of "try it at home" testing and want people to have the chance to demo products after purchasing and offer trial periods for testing. Something like a projector though bought from a retail store isn't that kind of situation though.

I have nothing against LCDs but I was told you can see the screen door effect a lot easier. Isn't this true when you sit closer to LCD projectors?

As I said in the other thread, I have less SDE from my currend LCD projector than the DLP I had before it. It depends on the projector. I can use a much larger image from my AE900 and still have it look good compared to the SP4805.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: Quasmo

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: pcslookout
Do you all think its right to buy the a projector with a credit card locally, to test it out and see if you like it before buying it online, if you do buy it online then return the projector you bought locally? Especially if you have no place to test out projectors before buying them?

Well I already told you that I don't agree with that.

I think you should have researched more about the DV10 and tried to find some method of seeing it or a similar 480p DLP before you went out and bought it.

I was curious what others thought. I did. It was the only projector sold, at this time, that has this kind of short throw distance rate that is DLP.

All others are LCD

I'm not really sure what you have against LCD, I went from a DLP to an LCD. Both have pros and cons.

I guess at this point I would personally just stick with what I had purchased. In some HT related areas companies cater to this kind of "try it at home" testing and want people to have the chance to demo products after purchasing and offer trial periods for testing. Something like a projector though bought from a retail store isn't that kind of situation though.

I have nothing against LCDs but I was told you can see the screen door effect a lot easier. Isn't this true when you sit closer to LCD projectors?

How big of a screen are you going to have? The HD70 has a 78" diagonal at 9 feet.

Well isn't their no point of having a projector if you can't get at least very close to a 100" inch screen ?

I can get about a 88 to 91" screen right now from about 8 to 8.5 feet away with a DV10. Does any other DLP does that which is not a arm and a leg?

There's nothing magical about 100"

It's all about how far away you're sitting from the screen and what your preferences are for viewing angle.

35-40 is where I like it
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

 

[apac]

Suggestion to you - scour craigslist and buy a used projector to decide if you like it. After a few weeks I found a used infocus 4805 for $250. Since then I've found that the PQ is stunning in a dark room, but that issues with rainbows/sunlight/bulb conditioning/etc didn't justify the cost of investing in a much higher quality one. Most of these conclusions I wouldn't have drawn within a manufacturer's return window.

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
As I said in the other thread, I have less SDE from my currend LCD projector than the DLP I had before it. It depends on the projector. I can use a much larger image from my AE900 and still have it look good compared to the SP4805.

It's also the fact that the pixel density is going to be alot greater with an HD projector rather then a SD projector, so the SDE won't be as previlant.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Quasmo

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
As I said in the other thread, I have less SDE from my currend LCD projector than the DLP I had before it. It depends on the projector. I can use a much larger image from my AE900 and still have it look good compared to the SP4805.

It's also the fact that the pixel density is going to be alot greater with an HD projector rather then a SD projector, so the SDE won't be as previlant.

Yeah.

I think I almost evened out that difference personally since my 480p projector was shooting a ~75" image and I went up to 102" with 720p with seating distance remaining about the same. With Panasonic's smoothscreen tech, I really can't see the pixle structure at the distance I would have with the DLP.

My only complaint is I have some minor vertical banding on green that has developed

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Quasmo

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
As I said in the other thread, I have less SDE from my currend LCD projector than the DLP I had before it. It depends on the projector. I can use a much larger image from my AE900 and still have it look good compared to the SP4805.

It's also the fact that the pixel density is going to be alot greater with an HD projector rather then a SD projector, so the SDE won't be as previlant.

Yeah.

I think I almost evened out that difference personally since my 480p projector was shooting a ~75" image and I went up to 102" with 720p with seating distance remaining about the same. With Panasonic's smoothscreen tech, I really can't see the pixle structure at the distance I would have with the DLP.

My only complaint is I have some minor vertical banding on green that has developed

Sorry to hear that. I have balast problems so I can't use the low light setting, and I think I'm going to have to replace my bulb soon. Forutunately I have an extra.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm glad that things are moving along fast enough that hopefully by the time upgrading comes around again, there will be some very good options out there.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Quasmo
http://projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_400.htm

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 400 is pretty expensive and I know it has a really great short throw distance. Though does LCD still have those color problems with grays and blacks ?

I like Epson's three year year warranty with the free shipping to you next day to get a new projector if yours break!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The dynamic iris on newer LCD projectors is helping with black levels for them.

Where do you live? I was able to find several dealers with a variety of projectors fairly close to me.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Quasmo

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
As I said in the other thread, I have less SDE from my currend LCD projector than the DLP I had before it. It depends on the projector. I can use a much larger image from my AE900 and still have it look good compared to the SP4805.

It's also the fact that the pixel density is going to be alot greater with an HD projector rather then a SD projector, so the SDE won't be as previlant.

Yeah.

I think I almost evened out that difference personally since my 480p projector was shooting a ~75" image and I went up to 102" with 720p with seating distance remaining about the same. With Panasonic's smoothscreen tech, I really can't see the pixle structure at the distance I would have with the DLP.

My only complaint is I have some minor vertical banding on green that has developed

I have found in my reading, and one of the reasons I didnt go with a LCD PJ, is that is quite typical with the LCD that not all of them can get the 3 lcd's lined up perfectly. Panasonics were one that has a hard time, and lots of people complaining them being off by quite a bit on some, some as much as 3-5 pixels or even more. Mainly seen when there is text, like movie credits, or closed captioning, but that kinda kills it when you need them lined up just right to get the most res out of the picture. That would drive me insane. I can see the rainbow effect with a dlp, but only in bright white areas, and only if I move my eyes fast

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well I did go into the service menu and reduced the issue a bit. It's not a big deal really. I've had a few people over and they didn't see it even when I asked them if they saw it. I think it's one of those things I shouldn't have looked for

Rainbows bothered me more than the vertical banding.

 

[Luthien]

Just buy the one I have or if there is a newer version PT-AE900U and you will be happy. The throw distance is very good and short.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Luthien
Just buy the one I have or if there is a newer version PT-AE900U and you will be happy. The throw distance is very good and short.

Thats because its LCD. What do you think of these two projectors ? 3M DMS 700 and Toshiba TDP-ET20

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: Luthien
Just buy the one I have or if there is a newer version PT-AE900U and you will be happy. The throw distance is very good and short.

Thats because its LCD. What do you think of these two projectors ? 3M DMS 700 and Toshiba TDP-ET20

Both look awful, there is no zoom meaning you'll get a screen size of 197" at 8 feet. good luck with that. I have no problems with misaligned LCDs on my AE700.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Quasmo

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: Luthien
Just buy the one I have or if there is a newer version PT-AE900U and you will be happy. The throw distance is very good and short.

Thats because its LCD. What do you think of these two projectors ? 3M DMS 700 and Toshiba TDP-ET20

Both look awful, there is no zoom meaning you'll get a screen size of 197" at 8 feet. good luck with that. I have no problems with misaligned LCDs on my AE700.

Well thats not a problem I can just put the projector closer to the screen. How do you know they both look awful ?

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Well I did go into the service menu and reduced the issue a bit. It's not a big deal really. I've had a few people over and they didn't see it even when I asked them if they saw it. I think it's one of those things I shouldn't have looked for

Rainbows bothered me more than the vertical banding.

Had no one told me about the damn rainbows I wouldn't of gone looking for it either

My wife and kids dont see it and again, I only see them when there is a bright white line or like a light bulb in a movie and I move my eyes really really fast. If I just move them like a normal person, you cant see them at all.