projector set up help.

cstmar01 · January 2010

Sooo I have the chance to buy a projector. Its a Sharp XVZ9000U and it comes with a Faroudja NRS scaler and 50 feet of RGB 1.0 silver coated cable with RGB/BNC connectors.
Now this would be my first projector. I do know its a DLP projector for 16:9. The person stated that the scaler will scale to 720P and if I set my source to 720P it would look great. I'm not paying a whole lot for the projector and thought I would give it a try but I'm a little confused when it comes to it. If its a 16:9 projector if I watch 4:3 stuff would I have to change the screen or how does that work? I am not the clearest as to how it acutally works. Also it has 1,280-by-720-resolution, do you think this would be a good starting place? I'm currently using a 46" samsung Series 5 that I bought last year which is 1080P. now I know on things my size 1080P doesn't matter that much over 720P but I was thinking about going with a 110" screen for this possibly. I may go a bit smaller acutally depending on space.
Do you guys think I would be making a good move buying it or just wasting my money. I haven't seen the projector in action but from the reviews I can find, they all look positive. It is a few years old, but he did state he was using it in his current setup and replaced it with a 15K projector to get a better result.
My sources would be Pio Elite SC-05 receiver, Pio Elite BDP-05FD, Pio Elite DV-47AI, XBOX 360, and probably getting a PS3. I would use it for movies and some games only, but most of that would probably be movies as I wouldn't want to waste the bulb and think my TV still works just fine for HDTV viewing as gaming.
I guess I'm confused mostly at how to set it up to get the best picture possible with my gear, and how to handle the screen situation.
Thanks!

leroyjr1 · January 2010

I was running a 720p projector before I got my Pioneer plasmas and it showed good when watching HD but not so good when watching SD. I'd say take a look at it first to see how you like it. You're going to be giving up PQ for size. I definitely miss my projector and will be getting back into the projector screen very soon.

What's your budget?

sagasa · January 2010

I have a big screen tv but I only watch movie with my optoma HD projector.

cstmar01 · January 2010

see I was going to get a projector down the road and put about 2000-2500 or a little more into it as that about how much my tv ran. This I can get the scaler, projector, and cable for 450 bucks which is why I was going to do it because its not that expensive of equipment and I could try it out and see if I like it and if I don't could just sell it.

leroyjr1 · January 2010

For me PQ is just as important as SQ in a HT setup. Are you able to look at it before you buy it?

cstmar01 · January 2010

No I can't, I would be buying it without seeing it in person. He's at CES right now.

wallstreet · January 2010

How many hours are on the bulb and how much are you paying? 4x4 material will show up just like on your tv today. Most tv's stretch the picture so everyone looks fat and short. You can change it to show a regular picture with bars on the side. 110" will be fine if you can sit 10-12' back.

cstmar01 · January 2010

wallstreet wrote: »

How many hours are on the bulb and how much are you paying? 4x4 material will show up just like on your tv today. Most tv's stretch the picture so everyone looks fat and short. You can change it to show a regular picture with bars on the side. 110" will be fine if you can sit 10-12' back.

For the scaler, cable, and projector I would be paying 450.00. The bulb is a 2000 hour bulb with 1400 hours or so on it. I did look up bulbs and you can find them from 250-350 or so bucks.
The other thing is I will be moving into a house soon. I am going to be redoing the basement as its unfinished and about 1000-1500 sq ft. I was going to do a dedicated room and then probably a bar, ect. Right now I'm still in an apartment and I do have some room but couldn't do the 110" screen.

cstmar01 · January 2010

leroyjr1 wrote: »

For me PQ is just as important as SQ in a HT setup. Are you able to look at it before you buy it?

I also thing PQ is also very important. When I bought my TV it took some time for me to decide. I do really like my current TV but for a dedicate room that I would do wanted a projector. I really do like the Kuro's for TVs and heard some good things about the projector but it runs like 4000 used or so..

Kingface · January 2010

Not sure what your question is. If you're asking if you should get the projector...only you can answer that one. If it were me.....it wouldn't be IF I should get it...it would be...what's the first movie I'll be watching on it. To me it's a no brainer. The projector is a very nice projector that you'll be very happy with. It is a good way and cheep way to get into the WONDERFUL world of FP. Set up correctly and with the right sources you will be blown away. I still have an old Infocus 4805 which is only 480p that looks like a 92" plasma from 13 feet away. I have a nice 40 inch 1080p samsung that I watch for TV but NOTHING compares to watching movies on a real big screen.... Sorry folks....watching movies on a 50" screen is not a big screen. Do not worry about PQ. Tweek it...have fun...and you'll laugh inside when you watch a movie at a friends house who just spent $2500 on a 50" LCD.......... GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!! ;-)

Sherardp · January 2010

I agree with Kingface to an extent but the only concern I have is that the lamp life is very close to expiring. Meaning you have roughly 600 hrs left before you require replacement. By the time you buy this, plus a new lamp you're right in the ball park for a new 1080p unit. I would try viewing this before purchasing if possible, if not then I would pass. That's just me knowing that I could buy into a new model for right at 1k. A tough call to me though. GL OP.

Kingface · January 2010

Yep....excellent point Sherardp! I missed that it already had 1400 on it.... Bulbs can go considerably over that....or under the number set by the manufactor. There are so many variables with bulb life. I use my FP for about 2 movies a week. Figure, 5 hours a week for 2 years is a little over 400 hours. Some people use their FP's for a lot more than that. With that said....you have no idea how that bulb was maintained so I would test as Sheradp says and see if he'll come down a bit in price. If not...

Right now you can get an Optoma HD20 for under $1000 at some places. Make your own screen and you got yourself 1 heck of a setup for about a grand. Also check Ebay. Find some year old FP's that sound interesting t you and see what is out there for used stuff. There are some insane deals right now on Ebay....

cstmar01 · January 2010

Kingface wrote: »

Not sure what your question is. If you're asking if you should get the projector...only you can answer that one. If it were me.....it wouldn't be IF I should get it...it would be...what's the first movie I'll be watching on it. To me it's a no brainer. The projector is a very nice projector that you'll be very happy with. It is a good way and cheep way to get into the WONDERFUL world of FP. Set up correctly and with the right sources you will be blown away. I still have an old Infocus 4805 which is only 480p that looks like a 92" plasma from 13 feet away. I have a nice 40 inch 1080p samsung that I watch for TV but NOTHING compares to watching movies on a real big screen.... Sorry folks....watching movies on a 50" screen is not a big screen. Do not worry about PQ. Tweek it...have fun...and you'll laugh inside when you watch a movie at a friends house who just spent $2500 on a 50" LCD.......... GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!! ;-)

I'm still confused though about how it works for the screen. The projector is 16:9 and I know you can get 16:9 screen which is what I was going to do. how does it work when you are playing 4:3 films? do you need to change anything about the screen to make the image fit or do you just change the setting in the scaler to make it 16:9.

I can get a new bulb like I said for 250-350. So for a total cost of the scaler, projector, cable, and new bulb would be 700 which I didn't think would be too bad in terms of just starting out. I just didn't know if this would be an upgrade to what I have or more of a lateral move as in terms from going from a 1080P TV to a 720P projector.

I really don't have the option of trying it out as I'm buying from a guy in AZ and I live in WI so there isn't really a way I can test it out prior. The guy does a lot of transactions on audiogon, and videogon is where I found the info.

cstmar01 · January 2010

I have been to a few hi fi shops and seen what they have for projectors. I really really liked the picture on a few of them. One was a $3000 Epson which was super nice. I believe though it was only 720P but still was far better looking I think than my TV is.
I'm just newer to the world of projectors and such as I don't have anyone that I know personally that has one, or anything like that. my experience comes from being at the hi fi shops and thats about it and seeing people's set ups online.

Kingface · January 2010

All good questions.

1) the screen... a projector will work like your 16:9 tv. When watching 4:3 material you'll get bars down the sides. Some FP's have stretch modes like 16:9 TV's. You will NOT have to do any adjustment to a 16:9 screen when watching 4:3 material.

2) The FP you're looking at came out in 2002. It is obviously an older model...however it was a GREAT and state of the art unit when it came out. It had an original MSRP of $11,000!!!!!! With that said...DLP technology was very new then and models came out 2 years after that with similar options for less than a 3rd of that cost. To give you an idea.....the contrast ratio of the projector was 1,100:1. I bought my first FP...an Infocus 4805 3 years later for $900 and it had 2,200:1 CR. Yes the 4805 was only 480p but my point is that DLP technology took off VERY fast since the introduction of the FP you're looking at. That Sharp has some great features like mechanical focal, mechanical lens shift, very low fan noise etc. Honestly though.....$700 might be a bit much at this point in time. When for a couple hundred more you can get into BRAND NEW 1080p with 4,000:1 CR and more brilliant colors....it's a tough call.

For a great resource on what is out there for FP's check out www.projectorcentral.com They list a lot of great FP's...the price and have older ones to research too. Try to find a year or 2 old LCD or DLP then check out Ebay, Videogon etc.. for prices.

Kingface · January 2010

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

The Optoma's and Epson's seem like the most bang for your buck right now. Optoma HD65 is a beauty! 4,000:1CR, 3000 hour bulb, 720p for $699 brand new......Very nice.....

leroyjr1 · January 2010

2002 ???? Don't even waste your time with an 8 yr old projector. They have come a long way since then. Look at something new in the $700-$800 range if money is tight. I should have mine in the next couple weeks.

cstmar01 · January 2010

Ok I I get it now with the screen. Thank you for the info I was starring to read a bit on there before I came across this one. Do you think the scaler adds any value to the old system over a new projector? I know it's an NRS model and have seen them go for around 300 used on eBay and videogon for the same unit. I was also told you could send the scaler back to the company and they can set it for 1080p. I don't know if that would really be needed though if I would go with a 1080p projector itself. Hmmm choices to make......

cstmar01 · January 2010

leroyjr1 wrote: »

2002 ???? Don't even waste your time with an 8 yr old projector. They have come a long way since then. Look at something new in the $700-$800 range if money is tight. I should have mine in the next couple weeks.

And yeah that is what worried me about it. I know it's a bit old a know that some old CRT projectors can be really great but I didn't know a ton about dlp projectors. Hmm after getting your guys opinion I might skip it and pick up the one you had mentioned as it seems like it might be a better choice.

Sherardp · January 2010

Optoma HD20 would be the route to take. If you can find one, look for the Epson 6100, they are full 1080p units and were on closeout from Bestbuy for 699.00

cstmar01 · January 2010

Ok well I saw the optomas going for about 800 to 1000 on eBay so I might try to look out for one otherwise I might try to see about the Epsom. I normally go to ho fi heaven here in WI for stuff and will probably see how much they are going for there

btw I saw your pics of your theater and impressed I would like to do my room simalar to that once I get my house

Grimster74 · January 2010

Like Sherard said above, if you can find the Epson at your local BB for $699 that would be the way to go but good luck. I've been keeping my eye out for him here in Virginia for one and it seems next to impossible.

cstmar01 · January 2010

Grimster74 wrote: »

Like Sherard said above, if you can find the Epson at your local BB for $699 that would be the way to go but good luck. I've been keeping my eye out for him here in Virginia for one and it seems next to impossible.

yeah I doubt I'll find one at my local Best Buy. Seeing I live in a smaller town only like 24,000 or so our best buy doesn't carry a whole lot of nice stuff. I have to go about 1.5 hours to get to a store that acutally carries like the magnolia section which is Madison. The only projector I think I ever saw was like some Mitsubishi one at my local and that was like a year ago.

nguyendot · January 2010

I got a 4805 the other day too... decent quality. I just like the big picture. Not the greatest but I got it for $75 with only 500hr on the bulb

Kingface · January 2010

I like your system Nguy!! Sounds like mine.... RTI70, CS2451, RT/FX, Boston VR Sub and Yamaha rx-v800 for a grand total of $275........all from Craigslist....

I'll never understand why more people don't do this. People Talk about how great these Newegg deals are....truth is, there are MUCH better deals to be had if they look around a bit and it will blow the Monitor 70's out of the water that is currently being spoken about so much.

leroyjr1 · January 2010

This might fit the bill.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=12549

cstmar01 · January 2010

leroyjr1 wrote: »

This might fit the bill.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=12549

hmm I might have to try and do a little research on that one. just don't know when I'm gonna find the time now as I will probably never leave the office this week. woohooo...

projector set up help.

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