Help me pick out a projector

13

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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    So - I got to see the Sony at a local hi-fi store and although the image was good, I wasn't impressed. Overall the image lacked "punch" compared to the Panasonic, and black levels weren't that great either.

    However, recently I saw a 2000 lumen InFocus DLP (don't remember the model) and the picture had the "punch" that I was looking for. It was like watching a Plasma TV.

    Now this makes me wonder, should I go with a brighter projector since I may be using it with ambient light? With the InFocus, you could watch the picture with lights on and it still looked very good.

    Edit: I noticed that with CRT projectors, a darker black gives the impression of more "punch" as the dynamic range is nearly infinite (true blacks). On the other hand, with a digital projector, it seems like the picture has more "punch" with whiter whites, as the blacks are not true black so you need a very bright white to compensate for it. Does this make sense or are my eyes being fooled?
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2008
    you stand correct, Im not all that familiar with DLPs, though I have one in my home office paired with an 80 inch screen. Did you get to play with the Sony, the sony gets many good praises on allot of HT forums, could be setup issue. The Panny and the Epson are both awesome as well. If you want CRT blacks, better than what youve seen in the Sony and Panny, youre in a different ballpark. You need to demo either the JVCs, or Sims. But now youre talking serious coin( 4000- 15000)
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    Sherardp wrote: »
    you stand correct, Im not all that familiar with DLPs, though I have one in my home office paired with an 80 inch screen. Did you get to play with the Sony, the sony gets many good praises on allot of HT forums, could be setup issue. The Panny and the Epson are both awesome as well. If you want CRT blacks, better than what youve seen in the Sony and Panny, youre in a different ballpark. You need to demo either the JVCs, or Sims. But now youre talking serious coin( 4000- 15000)

    Yes, I got to play with the Sony. But it was already set up properly, as it wasn't in "Dynamic" mode, and everything was set right.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited February 2008
    It's official now, I pulled the trigger on the Epson 1080UB. $2909 shipped with $200 MIR later, for a total of $2709. I looked at VW50 at Fry's today, it's pretty good, black levels are nice but still not close to CRT levels. If your primary use is it get by until your CRT is fixed, and have budget enough for a $1600 projector, the PLV-Z2000 is a no-brainer. I opted for the more expensive 1080UB because it's said to have one of the best black levels, and one of best brightness out there. It's $1100 more but what the heck, you only live once...
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2008
    Excellent purchase Sami, I spoke with Grimster on the new model a few weeks back. I got to see one paired up with a 120 inch screen out here in Japan during a demo and was blown away by the PQ. They were feeding it SD DVD material though, still MI:III looked very good. You'll be more than happy with it, enjoy.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    It's official now, I pulled the trigger on the Epson 1080UB. $2909 shipped with $200 MIR later, for a total of $2709. I looked at VW50 at Fry's today, it's pretty good, black levels are nice but still not close to CRT levels. If your primary use is it get by until your CRT is fixed, and have budget enough for a $1600 projector, the PLV-Z2000 is a no-brainer. I opted for the more expensive 1080UB because it's said to have one of the best black levels, and one of best brightness out there. It's $1100 more but what the heck, you only live once...

    Congrats, I too think the PLV-Z2000 is a good deal however I'm looking for more DLP-like blacks. Plus for some reason I like super bright digitals because that's what they excel at, brightness, when compared to a CRT.
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  • hockeyboy
    hockeyboy Posts: 1,428
    edited February 2008
    Congratulations Sami. Good purchase.
    My Main Gear
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2008
    appadv wrote: »
    Congrats, I too think the PLV-Z2000 is a good deal however I'm looking for more DLP-like blacks. Plus for some reason I like super bright digitals because that's what they excel at, brightness, when compared to a CRT.

    I think you need to see the JVC HD1 in action. It sounds like the two of you would be very happy together. Theyre on sale at AVSforum for like 3800 bucks now, demo models though, however AVS still offers a 3 yr warranty.
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    It's official now, I pulled the trigger on the Epson 1080UB. $2909 shipped with $200 MIR later, for a total of $2709. I looked at VW50 at Fry's today, it's pretty good, black levels are nice but still not close to CRT levels. If your primary use is it get by until your CRT is fixed, and have budget enough for a $1600 projector, the PLV-Z2000 is a no-brainer. I opted for the more expensive 1080UB because it's said to have one of the best black levels, and one of best brightness out there. It's $1100 more but what the heck, you only live once...

    Sami,Let us know your thoughts after everything is in place...I'm in the "Want to go FP camp" also.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    Sherardp wrote: »
    I think you need to see the JVC HD1 in action. It sounds like the two of you would be very happy together. Theyre on sale at AVSforum for like 3800 bucks now, demo models though, however AVS still offers a 3 yr warranty.

    Yeah, I should see the JVC HD1. However, keep in mind - this is just going to be a *temporary* projector while I get my CRT projector fixed. So I really don't want to spend that much...something like, at most, $2500 would be preferred.

    Is there any other unit(s) you could suggest for a little less than the JVC HD1?
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited February 2008
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    Sami,Let us know your thoughts after everything is in place...I'm in the "Want to go FP camp" also.

    Will do...it's almost here:


    Feb 29, 2008 8:08 AM

    On FedEx vehicle for delivery

    DALLAS, TX

    :D
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    Just an update -

    I've decided to stick with my CRT projector! Going to order the boards I need and hope that it fixes the problem.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited February 2008
    appadv wrote: »
    Just an update -

    I've decided to stick with my CRT projector! Going to order the boards I need and hope that it fixes the problem.

    Update on the LCD I got today...if you decided to spend $2700 on a "temporary" solution for your projection needs and got the 1080UB, you wouldn't go back to to CRT. It is very good. The sun hasn't gone down, and my room isn't yet light controlled completely, yet I'm getting a damn good picture from it. When I get to pitch black conditions I will be able to give final judgment on black levels but so far they look impressive.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    I'd rather spend $300 or so to get the boards to fix my CRT than $2700 for a new projector. Besides both my mom and dad don't want me to spend that kind of money anyways. Parts = OK, new projector = No.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited February 2008
    Definitely a good choice if the part is only $300.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    Definitely a good choice if the part is only $300.

    I'm hoping that it's only the $300 part and not anything else.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited February 2008
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    Sami,Let us know your thoughts after everything is in place...I'm in the "Want to go FP camp" also.

    Ok, finished watching the first whole movie and I am impressed. Blacks are excellent for digital set, not where CRT's are but very nice regardless. Excellent sharpness on the picture and colours were pretty nice for stock settings without calibration.

    I know pictures don't do justice but here are some still shots anyway. Bigger size picture are in http://www.flickr.com/photos/sami_kallio/sets/72157604011742218/ (click on the image and then 'all sizes')

    2300919717_c25a043928.jpg
    2301712758_eff0e7c4a1.jpg
    2300919963_3d56f3f3c6.jpg
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited March 2008
    Sami...Shots look great,I must have missed it some where,but what size and brand of screen are you using?

    Thanks,Mike
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2008
    All this time I thought I had 116" but after further review, it's 135". The old picture was projected at 116" diagonal. :D

    It's DaLite Video Spectra 1.5, model C.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    All this time I thought I had 116" but after further review, it's 135". The old picture was projected at 116" diagonal. :D

    It's DaLite Video Spectra 1.5, model C.

    That's a great screen, I have the same screen except mine uses the High Power fabric.

    Hoping right now that the $300 board fixes my projector otherwise this will really suck...
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2008
    2303206651_fa7408b66c_b.jpg
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    Sami, nice pic!

    I'm feeling a little better now, as I've found out that most likely I will get my projector fixed (this time, finally) with the new board.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2008
    A friend came over to check the new projector. He said immediately he's ordering one today, and replace the Sony VPH-1272Q (I think that's it, not the G70) he has. He was surprised by the amount of pass-through lights, or the lack of it, that makes the screen gray instead of black. Granted, it's not the same as CRT's and on some scenes it still kills the mood but overall the benefits outgain that one fact since it's really in what, 1% of the movie.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    A friend came over to check the new projector. He said immediately he's ordering one today, and replace the Sony VPH-1272Q (I think that's it, not the G70) he has. He was surprised by the amount of pass-through lights, or the lack of it, that makes the screen gray instead of black. Granted, it's not the same as CRT's and on some scenes it still kills the mood but overall the benefits outgain that one fact since it's really in what, 1% of the movie.

    The 1272 IMO, while a good CRT projector, isn't nearly as sharp as some other units like the D50/G70/G90 for some reason. I think nowadays the higher-end digitals are coming close to 9" CRT PQ for a lot lower price.

    So I'm glad you're enjoying the Epson, it's really a great projector!!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2008
    Yes, it isn't sharp with HD material but some of it is due to its placement in my friends case. It's ceiling mounted to a wood frame, and at those weights it's bound to move. That causes the need to recalibrate. If you have a concrete slap to bolt the projector into, you can get a very very nice image with 9" tubes, something the digitals can't yet touch. For regular homeowners it's just much easier to setup a digital, it's much like plug-and-play when I compare to my first setup with a CRT. Then the issues with aging boards and tubes on the CRT's, you really need to get them refurbed by manufacturer to get the most out of them, yet another money hole.

    As you can see, I really wanted a 9" CRT but for practical reasons I chose digital. If I would have found a mint 9" locally I most likely would have gone for it but I can say I'm happy with what I have now. What's even more important is that my wife, who could give rats **** for the whole HT setup (other than being happy when she knows I enjoy it), said she's really happy I got the projector. She always has wanted to go out to movies instead of seeing them at home, and I'm the opposite. Now she said she's looking forward to seeing them at home instead.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    Well it looks like I'm making some progress with my dead projector - the board seems to be the one that is causing the problem, unless there is something *else* wrong with the set!!

    So in approx. 2 weeks when I get everything shipped to me I'll let you guys know.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    The board was not the problem!!

    This really sucks!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    Now I'm really screwed, I don't have a working projector AND there seems to be more than one problem with it!!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2008
    Time to cut the losses? Too bad you're not close, my friend would let his Sony go real cheap.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    Time to cut the losses? Too bad you're not close, my friend would let his Sony go real cheap.

    Sony 1272Q? I'd be all over this if it were located in NY.
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