Hi everyone,

Now that they are about the same price, I am trying to decide between the Sharp DT-510 and the Mitsubishi HC-1500. I intend to use the projector to watch TV (analog AND digital, but mostly digital), DVDs (via an HD DVD player), and HD broadcast.

The projector will be placed in a room of the basement, which is entirely underground (except for a small rectangular window at a corner). That room is 14' x 12', with 8' ceiling. The screen size must be at least around 92", and will probably be a DIY screen. Regarding mounting the projector, I am open to ceiling mount, coffee table mount, or mounting it on a shelving unit on the back wall.

Based on the above-indicated variables, which one do you recommend, and why? Also, are these two projectors reliable?

Thanks in advance, and best regards from Northern Virginia!

Javier

They are both good projectors. I have worked on both models and after calibration I find them equal on many points but......

The DT-510 has:

An advantage in black level performance.

A better lens with less C.A.

A more uniform focus across the screen along with color uniformity.

A very impressive internal scaler.

Typical sharp reliability.

Hi. This is about all I can say about the differences between the two.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14181727#post14181727

I have my 510 temporarily set up on a tabletop, throwing a 100" image from a little over 10 feet back from the screen. The offset on this projector is PERFECT for a tabletop in a room your size. No need to ceiling mount if you don't want to. It would not work for a shelf mount, though.

As I've said many times, I love this projector. Other than being noisier than most DLPs in bright lamp mode, I can't thing of a single complaint. The image it throws is amazing for the price range, it's a breeze to set up and configure, and the case is solid and attractive. HD-DVDs look spectacular. Even my standard-def satellite receiver over the RCA cable looks shockingly decent. I can't wait until I get the HD-receiver.

I don't think you could go wrong with either projector, but I think the 510's superior offset would be a better match for your room.

edited to agree with Frank. The uniformity of the focus is very impressive. Plus, there is ZERO "bowing" in the image. It's absolutely, perfectly rectangular. At least with HD/TV input. I have no plans to use it with a PC, so I can't comment on that.

Yes, the lens offset ( or lack of ) make the 510 a perfect choice for tabletop or shelf mounting. It does have to be situated a lot closer to the screen to obtain the desired image size so a rear shelf mount is an issue in a long room. All in all I would choose the 510 over the 1500 especially when the prices are roughly the same.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/4035/offsette2.jpg

Here's a picture of my tabletop setup. The image is superimposed, just to let you see the throw angle. It's not that bright with the blinds open, trust me. :D

As you can see, it's just the right height for viewing at 100"+, using a standard height coffee table.

Here's a picture of my tabletop setup. The image is superimposed, just to let you see the throw angle. It's not that bright with the blinds open, trust me.

Before I read that, I was wondering what kind of amazing screen you were projecting on! The blacks were impossibly black for a lighted room.

Jim

Speaking of brightness, if there is anything to complain about besides the noise (although, the noise doesn't bother me at all, really--I just mention it for those sensitive to such things), it's that I wish it had a few more Lumens. In a dark room, it's gorgeous, but my basement isn't finished yet, and I live so far north that it's only completely dark for a few hours every night this time of year. So, as long as I keep it upstairs, I'm kind of limited in my summertime viewing.

The 1500 is definitely a lot brighter, and better suited for ambient light.

Hi. This is about all I can say about the differences between the two.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14181727#post14181727

I have my 510 temporarily set up on a tabletop, throwing a 100" image from a little over 10 feet back from the screen. The offset on this projector is PERFECT for a tabletop in a room your size. No need to ceiling mount if you don't want to. It would not work for a shelf mount, though.

As I've said many times, I love this projector. Other than being noisier than most DLPs in bright lamp mode, I can't thing of a single complaint. The image it throws is amazing for the price range, it's a breeze to set up and configure, and the case is solid and attractive. HD-DVDs look spectacular. Even my standard-def satellite receiver over the RCA cable looks shockingly decent. I can't wait until I get the HD-receiver.

I don't think you could go wrong with either projector, but I think the 510's superior offset would be a better match for your room.

edited to agree with Frank. The uniformity of the focus is very impressive. Plus, there is ZERO "bowing" in the image. It's absolutely, perfectly rectangular. At least with HD/TV input. I have no plans to use it with a PC, so I can't comment on that.

So you think the Dt-510 is worth the ~$75 more?

So you think the Dt-510 is worth the ~$75 more?

If you have light control, and are not overly sensitive to some fan noise, then, yes, definitely. My primary focus was image quality in a dark room, and that's where this projector really delivers. If you want to have a Superbowl party with some lights on, the 1500 is a better solution.

if I have a 100" screen and am ceiling mounting the projector roughly 14-15 feet from the screen, which projector would I get? The room is very dark but I do want to have superbowl parties in it too which means there may be a light on in the back at times. These are the 2 below $1000 projectors im looking at.

If you have light control, and are not overly sensitive to some fan noise, then, yes, definitely. My primary focus was image quality in a dark room, and that's where this projector really delivers. If you want to have a Superbowl party with some lights on, the 1500 is a better solution.

I have great light control, and I am certainly not overly sensitive to some fan noise. I have a pro amp in the corner running whenever I am listening to music or watching a movie.

:)

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/4035/offsette2.jpg

Here's a picture of my tabletop setup. The image is superimposed, just to let you see the throw angle. It's not that bright with the blinds open, trust me. :D

As you can see, it's just the right height for viewing at 100"+, using a standard height coffee table.

First of all, thanks for the kind replies. They are really helpful.

Steerforth, that is a great picture. In order to get that screen size (100" ??), how far is the front of the lens to the screen? And, do you notice any "screen door effect" at that distance?

Thanks again!

Javier

In order to get that screen size (100" ??), how far is the front of the lens to the screen? And, do you notice any "screen door effect" at that distance?

I have it set to max zoom, and you can get a 100" image at just under 10 feet from the lens to screen. The projection calculator for the 500 at projectorcentral says 9'11", and that is pretty much spot on for the 510, too.

This is typical of most DLP projectors, in that there is virtually no screen door effect at any distance. I can see the pixel structure if I walk right up to the screen and look closely, but the distance between the pixels is so small, the "grid" is just a faint, thin outline. It's virtually invisible. Not a concern, whatsoever.

Willd, I don't want to make it sound like it's a turbine engine, or anything. The noise doesn't bother me at all, so I doubt you'll notice it much. It's just that people here, understandably, are more discerning about small details, and I've noticed that "noise" is a consistent complaint from some owners. Those bothered by it simply prefer to use the ECO mode, where the fan "gears down", but the slight degradation of brightness in that mode bothers me more than the noise ever would. Sounds like the noise wouldn't be a problem for you, and, in that case, I think you'd love this projector.

I agree with most everything that has been said prior comparing the two. Having owned both projectors and having kept the DT500 let's you know which one I preferred. While it doesn't quite match the 3d depth/black levels of my 12000 mk II it's darn close. I wouldn't even consider the 1500 in the same class. While the 1500 is fine for an entry level PJ, it just doesn't come close to matching the PQ in a light controlled room (as others have mentioned). Knowing what I know now re: the PQ of the two PJ's I wouldn't even consider the 1500 unless it was significantly less money, and even then I still wouldn't buy it because PQ is that much better.

BTW, this pairs up nicely with a HP pulldown...

My .02.

Willd, I don't want to make it sound like it's a turbine engine, or anything. The noise doesn't bother me at all, so I doubt you'll notice it much. It's just that people here, understandably, are more discerning about small details, and I've noticed that "noise" is a consistent complaint from some owners. Those bothered by it simply prefer to use the ECO mode, where the fan "gears down", but the slight degradation of brightness in that mode bothers me more than the noise ever would. Sounds like the noise wouldn't be a problem for you, and, in that case, I think you'd love this projector.

Mine would be mounted on the ceiling, which is 9.5' tall, if that makes a difference. Don't know how much quieter it would be if it was ~4ft away. But at any rate, it sounds like the DT-510 is the PJ to get. I like the fact that it has a short throw, because a ceiling fan limits how far back I can put mine, at about 10-11ft.

can i get a 100" diag image if the DT-510 is mounted on an 8ft ceiling, 14 feet from the screen??

The further back you place the projector the 'larger' the image becomes. The zoom range of the lens determines how big or small the image will be from a given projector distance from the screen.

so can i make the image smaller to become 100" since i think at 14 feet it's going to be bigger?

so can i make the image smaller to become 100" since i think at 14 feet it's going to be bigger?

No. At 14', the range of picture size will be between 122-141". The farthest you can be to the screen for a 100" picture is 11'6".

there goes this projector than :( I must mount it around 14-15 feet away as my ceiling is prewired for it and i want it to look neat.

They are both good projectors. I have worked on both models and after calibration I find them equal on many points but......

The DT-510 has:

An advantage in black level performance.

A better lens with less C.A.

A more uniform focus across the screen along with color uniformity.

A very impressive internal scaler.

Typical sharp reliability.

SOLD. I can't speak for the 1500, however my DT has proven a faithful screen warrior over the past 18 months so giving the nod to the 510 only makes sense for me. I'm pretty certain both would win your favor, however.