I have a pretty unusual set-up, where i use a AE-2000 to display spreadsheets of text. My problem is that I need to display the text pretty small (6 pt), and that I can't get focus on the outside of the screen and at the center of the screen at the same time. If I get the center perfect the outside is slightly off, if I get the outsides prefect the center is slightly off. It's enough of a problem that numbers become hard to read (remember, this is with 6pt font - and yes, it has to be that way).

Are there any HD projectors out there that are able to have a perfectly flat focal plane? Or at least one that's better than the AE-2000? Note that the AE-2000 isn't bad at all. You would never notice this watching a movie, it's just the application I need it for is a bit peculiar.

In general you will have better luck with longer throws. Try changing the offset and moving the projector to the center of the screen and make sure you are square to the screen.

Single chip DLP will be sharper than three chip. Three chips DLPs have better lenses most of the time. What price range?

You have to look into dlps

The Sharp 20000, would probably be the best out there.

Single chip DLP will be sharper than three chip. Three chips DLPs have better lenses most of the time. What price range?

I'm looking up to $6K. Also, is it the three chip DLPs that have better lenses? And despite the worse lense, single chips focus better?

Thanks for the replies.

You have to look into dlps

The Sharp 20000, would probably be the best out there.

It looks like it's on the outside range of my price range, but maybe. Also, it's only 1000 lumens, vs the AE-2000's 1200. We use this projectors in non-light controlled environments (e.g. conference room) so brightness is somewhat important. I also know that the factory lumen ratings are somewhat misleading. Would the AE-2000 be substantially brighter than the Sharp?

Also, from projectorcentral (http://www.projectorcentral.com/lcd_dlp_update.htm):

Another area where these two technologies have differed is in image sharpness with data applications. LCD can usually deliver a slightly sharper image than DLP at any given resolution. The difference between the two is noticeable in the display of material like detailed financial spreadsheets. However, there is no visible difference in sharpness with video. This is not to say that DLP will project a fuzzy spreadsheet--it doesn't. When you look at a spreadsheet projected by a DLP projector it looks sharp enough. It's just that when a DLP unit is placed side-by-side with an LCD of the same resolution, the LCD typically looks a bit sharper in comparison.

The article is pretty old though, so that may have changed?

WHAT the.... Are they smoking crack when they wrote that artical?

Also are they running Native resolution?

WHAT the.... Are they smoking crack when they wrote that artical?

Also are they running Native resolution?

If you read the linked article then you know as much as I do. I would assume they would run at native res, but who knows...

It seems like one issue you could run into with the AE2000 vs any of these others is the Smooth Screen technology that Panasonic has in the AE2000. Do you need a 16:9 projector?

--Darin

It seems like one issue you could run into with the AE2000 vs any of these others is the Smooth Screen technology that Panasonic has in the AE2000. Do you need a 16:9 projector?

No, I just need a 1080P (or 1900x1200, or something with more pixels than 1280 x 1024). I don't think smoothscreen is the main issue (although I'm sure that doesn't help - a projector without smoothscreen would be better for my application) because the focus problems I'm seeing are pretty much in line with having a focal plane that is slightly curved, which I imagine is a pretty common phenomenon. Creating a perfectly flat focal plane with a non-thin lens is probably pretty tough to do.

No, I just need a 1080P (or 1900x1200, or something with more pixels than 1280 x 1024).Not that it would necessarily help your focus issues, but just wondering if you might be best off with something like the Canon SX6, although that is just 1400x1050. It is bright though.

Is this projector used for movies too?

--Darin

WHAT the.... Are they smoking crack when they wrote that artical?

Also are they running Native resolution?

Art from projectorreviews has also said lcd can be sharper. This is due to the more visible pixel structure of most lcds versus dlp or lcos. This may benefit text viewing on lcd, but may or may not be preferable for film.