Update: $449!! LG PA70G 700-lumen LED projector - $549 + Free Ship

[Kaido]

Fry's has it on sale for $449: (looks like shipping is around $11)

http://www.frys.com/product/7196792

via Slickdeals:

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/79414/frys-lg-pa70g-1280x800-led-portable-projector

 

[TwiceOver]

So tempting now. Really wish I could see one in action.

 

[TwiceOver]

$400 Free Ship + tax where applicable... VERY tempting now.

 

[tneal50]

Sorry to bump an old thread but wanted to give anyone who was considering buying this a fair warning.

The brightness is not as high as they advertise. I found a youtube video on a similar model that shows it's not even as bright as a competitor's unit that's rated to be less bright.

I wonder if any other companies lie about their specs this much, just seems crazy to me.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvHLGEapUfY

 

[Kaido]

Sorry to bump an old thread but wanted to give anyone who was considering buying this a fair warning.

The brightness is not as high as they advertise. I found a youtube video on a similar model that shows it's not even as bright as a competitor's unit that's rated to be less bright.

I wonder if any other companies lie about their specs this much, just seems crazy to me.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvHLGEapUfY

Do you have a link to that claim? Most projectors aren't quite as bright as advertised (like anything else, marketers lie), but how much off are we talking? Has someone done measurements and posted them online somewhere?

 

[Kaido]

Pretty wild alternative version, only 500 lumens & more expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C197G0A

Vertical, Miracast, USB, Wi-fi, digital TV tuner. Definitely different!

 

[Jinny]

i had one but sold it a couple days ago.
there were some sharpness problems and it may be due to the design. the pixels are diamond shaped ( i think most if not all LED projectors are like this). i did like teh compactness but alas bought a more traditional projector which i like much more.

 

[Kaido]

i had one but sold it a couple days ago.
there were some sharpness problems and it may be due to the design. the pixels are diamond shaped ( i think most if not all LED projectors are like this). i did like teh compactness but alas bought a more traditional projector which i like much more.

I've been reading that there are various issues. I have a Viewsonic PLED-W500 that I've been very happy with, although having only 500 lumens stinks. I have to pretty much have it pitch black to really enjoy the picture. However, the contrast is ridiculously good, so it's worth it. Quick screenshot - every shade of color is perfectly visible:

https://twitter.com/weaksauce12/status/361326572646572032/photo/1

I was also checking out the new Optoma ML550 for $585:

http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-ML550-L.../dp/B00CY9PWKI

An even more ridiculous 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and almost 4" x 4" in size (external power brick, like a laptop). The ML500 was the competing model for my PLED-W500, so the ML550 is a step up in a smaller package, apparently. I've been doing various projects with these mini LED projectors from the Aaxa P300 to others and have really enjoyed working with them - just wish they had more lumens!

 

[Kaido]

For anyone looking for more lumens, Optoma released the ML1000, which is basically the same as all of these other 720p projectors (TI chip) but has 1000 lumens (15,000:1 contrast): ($999 online)

http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-ML1000-.../dp/B00E82L4MO

http://www.optomausa.com/products/detail/ML1000

There is also an 800-lumen (13,000:1 contrast) model for $799:

http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-ML800-L...dp/B00E19RFC2/

http://www.optomausa.com/products/detail/ML800

If you need to go really nuts, Casio has a Laser/LED hybrid with 3000 lumens (albeit at a lower 1,800:1 contrast) for $1400:

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-XJ-M255-.../dp/B00531RTVY

http://www.casio-usa.com/products/Projectors/Signature_Models/XJ-M255/

 

[Kaido]

FINALLY! LG has a 1080p model coming out:

http://www.lg.com/us/projectors/lg-PF85U-portable-led-projector

Discussion thread on AVS:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1489267/lg-pf80g-first-world-mini-projector-full-led-1080p

Pre-order at B&H, ships in 2 weeks:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._ansi_led.html

Not much in the way of specs - 1080p and apparently 1000-lumens, 1800:1 contrast, available November 2013. Review summary:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1489267/l...ni-projector-full-led-1080p/150#post_23827353

Looks like it doesn't have the focus issue that some of the previous models had, either. I'm in no rush to upgrade to 1080p - the 720p model has been fabulous - the only thing I'd like is more brightness. 500 lumens is still a little low for me. But I don't think I could ever go back to a non-LED projector...the contrast is amazing, instant-on is great, and no bulbs is of course the bomb.

 

[jalaram]

Kaido, can you fix your last post. It came during the time when AT was replacing all instances of "com" with "***".

 

[Kaido]

Kaido, can you fix your last post. It came during the time when AT was replacing all instances of "com" with "***".

All set.

Also, I have a Casio M255 Laser/LED hybrid projector coming in for a work project. Same idea as these other ones (LED + 1280x800 + DLP + 20K-hour bulb life), but it has a laser hybrid system and pumps out a whopping 3,000 lumens. Downside is the contrast ratio is only 1800:1 and the reviews say there is some rainbow effect when playing videos. Official site:

http://www.casio-usa.com/products/Projectors/Signature_Models/XJ-M255/

$1400 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-XJ-M255-.../dp/B00531RTVY

Specs at Projector Central:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Casio-XJ-M255.htm

Basic review at PC Mag:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2418315,00.asp

So they have the brightness issue figured out with the laser hybrid system; the downside is that it cuts down on the contrast (I'll test some videos on it to see how it looks compared to my Viewsonic PLED-W500) and the rainbow effect is also present. So I'm definitely curious to see how the 1000-lumen Optoma ML1000 fares (15000:1 contrast ratio), especially in terms of the rainbow effect. And following that, how the 1080p LG LED model fares since it's apparently also 1000-lumens, but only 1800:1 contrast.

My previous bulb-based Mitsubishi HD1000u projector was 1500-lumens with a 2500:1 contrast and looked great, whereas my current PLED-W500 is only 500-lumens (not very bright, and even in a dark room, I would like more brightness), but has a whopping 6000:1 contrast ratio, which is why I'm not willing to jump ship to anything else - the contrast makes movies look soooo good, despite not being super bright! So I'll definitely check out the Casio in terms of video performance & contrast and see how that compares.

 

[jessieqwert]

I have the PA75U which you should be able to find for the same price with a few more bells (HDTuner). Great projector, just needs a dark room.

Might upgrade to the PA85 once the price drops

 

[Kaido]

I have the PA75U which you should be able to find for the same price with a few more bells (HDTuner). Great projector, just needs a dark room.

Might upgrade to the PA85 once the price drops

Wow integrated HD Tuner? That's actually pretty huge! I'll have to pass that on...