What projectors are you using?

Epson 8100. Once you go to a PJ, a TV just won't cut it for movies or sports.

Strengths: Size, PQ is great, true theater experience
Weaknesses: This may be stupid, but with a PJ, I feel like I have to invest some time into watching if I power it up. Hook up is not always easy because you'll have a long cable run whether it be speaker cables or cable to the PJ. Generally speaking, you need a dedicated room with a PJ.

Also like to add, at this point most projectors are going to be pretty darn good. Digital projectors have come a long way, compared to a few yrs ago. They will continue to get better as most technology (LED/Laser) does with time. I don't think you would have any regret in the 2K or less price range. There is a alot of bang for buck out there, and that goes for screens as well OP.

Ok I'm done, feel free to ask any other questions you may have. There are quite a few of us using PJ's now so more experience/knowledge.

Are you guys having to run on High Lamp mode at all ? I find myself running on High Lamp mode around the 1K hr mark. Any of you guys having to do so with the Epson's or Panasonic models?

piker wrote: »

I owned the entry level Optoma HD20 for about a year and I loved it. Movies and sports were so awesome. Games were cool for the the size, but some (COD) you really notice the degradation as you get up there in picture size. Blacks aren't near as good as a decent Plasma set.

I am also using an Optoma HD20. No complaints here for the price.

Optoma 720p here for first projector. I am working on replacing both Sony CRT 27" TVs with projection. DLP projectors are the best, better contrast therefore better black levels and they can also be operated in brighter rooms.

At this point, I am sampling Epson Accolade Duet ELPSC80 projection screen for the bedroom, living room, and portable duty. I am considering a new NEC projector, DLP and apparently provides for short throw projection (approx. 3') which would provide for better performance (the closer the projection the less demanding for a perfect picture).

I have to wait for our sister company to receive theirs and do the testing and evaluation. If the new NEC meets my expectations, I will move away from Optoma for my 2nd PJ, we use the NEC on a daily basis here at work and they are fine projector for the price so if that new short throw meets my expectation this is what I will get as 2nd PJ.

You mentioned CRT ruling and you are right however, with this garbage plasma and LCD panels out there CRT is no longer an option. The pros of LCD and Plasma is their light weight compared to CRT and take less footprint however, the cons is the short life span which is ridiculous when you consider price paid.

IMHO, projectors are of better value then any panels as except for the lamp, the lifespan is simple based on how good you treat them and at least they are repairable. When you think about it, projection in most instances will even take less footprint then panels. Panels provide TV experience while projection provides Theater experience. I do not think I will ever buy a panel for my home.

aviator wrote: »

I wish I had a projector instead of a wishlist!

Dreams and wishes do come true. On a budget

Projector w/ Full warranty

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/projector-specifications.asp?for-the=Home-Cinema-8100-R

At least 100" inch screen

http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_Widescreen_Pro_SlowMotion_Screen_100_p/fm169ax-100ms.htm

All in the 1K price range.

Sherardp wrote: »

Are you guys having to run on High Lamp mode at all ? I find myself running on High Lamp mode around the 1K hr mark. Any of you guys having to do so with the Epson's or Panasonic models?

The Epson bulbs are rated for the same life in both full and eco mode, so I've run mine in full since day one. Plus, in eco mode, the color temp tends to shift to being a little too pink. 2,400 hours and counting on it, and it is still damn near blinding when a bright scene comes on and black levels are good enough that I don't use the auto-iris. Beats the hell out of the Sanyo I had before it (and their bulbs go dim FAST... like at 700 hours). Not to mention the fact that Epson has been running promos where you get a free bulb, so you'd be good for a while.

Went to a JVC HD1 here from an Epson Home Cinema, never once second guess my decision on going to a JVC projector. The one thing I miss the most about the Epson was it was half the size and weight of my JVC. Epson makes a solid performer at their price point so don't shy away from them. If moneys not an object, definately look into the King of Blacks, JVC all the way.

I have a Infocus X1 that is about 8 years old and still has a great picture. It is mounted to the ceiling of my bonus room as a dedicated home theater. Once you watch movies on a projection system with a good surround sound system you will not want to watch movies again on a tv. My only complaint with the new projectors is that they are native 16:9. The Infocus is a 4:3. My screen is 4:3 at 120".

Anybody had any experience with Vapex Screens?

http://www.visualapex.com/Projector-Screens/Projector_Screen_Details.asp?chPartNumber=VAPEX9100&AR=HT

I was looking to pick up one of these in the 100'' size, I really like the 3'' boarder and the black backing. Anyone know how they compare to the Elites in the same $350 range?

Went thru a bunch... originally used a 150 lb NEC XG135 CRT projector, then went to a Davis DL450 (800x600) projector, then to a NEC HT1000 (1024x7680, Marantz VP12S3 and settled down on a JVC RS1. Screen is a 108" (diagonal) Stewart Filmscreen 1.3 gain microperf Studiotek.

Another very affordable and highly rated screen is from these folks.

http://seymourav.com/

I hope to start on my dedicated HT after the first of the year.

CNWDI wrote: »

I don't have the equipment on order yet, but right now I'm planning to do a 130" diagonal (120" wide x 50" tall) Monoprice screen (which is possibly a relabeled/OEM Grandview):
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10829&cs_id=1082909&p_id=7960&seq=1&format=2
with an Epson 8700UB projector.

Total "street" cost should hopefully be < $2500, maybe much less if I can find a sale.

I buy 90% of everything on Amazon, but the Monoprice screens appear to be a much better deal to me...

Bigger is better, but keep in mind you will lose about 30-40% brightness as the lamp ages during use. So you may want to consider something little smaller unless you don't mind running the projector on High lamp and footing the bill for lamps.