This has come up before; there's a 2005 thread for where to see the RS-1 in Chicago that didn't get far. It's apparently still hard to find a dealer who has a RS-2 set up so you can see it. I'm in Champaign, IL. I called JVC and they sent me to their distributor, AUTCO in St. Louis. They scanned their database and concluded that no dealers in this region had them set up--they just ordered them for customers. I responded that I wanted to see one first and the rep. volunteered that for something that expensive she would want to see one first too. She was helpful but in the end couldn't help. This is obviously a very laid back approach to marketing!

So my question is if any of you know of a dealer in Chicagoland, St. Louis or Indy--or anywhere in that triangle--who has the RS2? Anybody want to show theirs off?

I am actually thinking of traveling up to AVS to see one but it isn't convenient right now.

While we're at it, does anyone know a dealer that has the Planar PD 8130/8150 in stock and on display yet?

Hey Audiobear,

There's an RS2 set up in a stereo/video store here in Fort Wayne. I saw it on Saturday, but I can't seem to remember the name of the place.

If you are willing to hop over to Fort Wayne or have some other reason to be here, I can get you the name and address.

In another month, I hope to have an RS1 set up in my theater (assuming I can buy one, LOL). So if you make the trip and would like to see an RS1 also, drop me a PM.

I'm going to attempt to light up a 133" 16:9 screen with it (1.3 gain). :D

John

Ah, here is the place in Fort Wayne:

http://www.classicstereo.tv/

They apparently have a showroom in Chicago as well. You should see if they have one there.

The one they had here in Fort Wayne was actually a JVC HD100, same as RS2 I believe. They did not have a 1080P source in the store however. They keep selling out of their BD players. LOL. I had to settle for 1080i to the projector, and the PJ was upscaling to 1080P. Still very impressive. They had 106" screen with modest gain (not much more than 1.0).

John

JohnG316

Many thanks. I just may plan to come over and see the HD100 (yes identical to RS2 except for cosmetic trim). I'll PM you if I do.

It will be interesting to see how that screen size works, I am using 110" at 1.3--a lot easier.

Strange about BD players. I could see the Epson Pro 1080UB and the Sony VPL-VW40 in Champaign but neither dealer had a BD player. Both said they were back-ordered 30 or 40 players and it would be weeks before they could show me a 1080p image. The news says that the demise of HD-DVD has not helped BD sales. I wonder what is going on--they are certainly selling players if not media.

Thanks again. Anyone else? How about Planar PD8130 0r 50?

Very strange about the player!

I told the guy in the store that he should pick up a 1080P HD-DVD player for cheap so he could demo the projector properly, and nobody would try to buy it out from under him.

I'm betting that most of these places keep minimal stock on hand and order most of what they install.

If I were going back, I'd take along my XA2 and a handful of HD-DVDs and see if they would let me connect to their receiver.

By the way, what was your impression of the VW40? I saw the VW60 and liked it.

Give me a shout if you decide to come to town!

John

You can come to my place in Indy and see it on a HighPower :)

Hmmmm, I go right thru Indy on the way to Ft. Wayne.....will PM if I want to take you up on that--Thanks.

JohnG316: I have seen the VW40 (twice--once 2 hrs ago) but not the VW60 so I can't compare. The VW40 is very nice but not awe-inspiring--translation: I did not feel like taking out my credit card. Not even sure I'd give up my Sanyo PLV-70 for it, but I would be happy with it if it was a first time purchase. I need to see a JVC RS1 and RS2 and the new Planars.

Maybe someone else here can tell us if there is a tangible difference between the VW40 and VW60.