Ok I am very new to AVS and this is my first thread. I am looking to build a theater on a small budget. I have recently been laid off work in my area due to a struggling local economy therefore I have alot of free time and feel this is a great time to get started on my HT. Because of the above mentioned unemployment my budget is minimal for now. I have read ALOT online and have decided on 2 possible projectors that I can get for a good price. The Optoma HD65 and the Mitsubishi HC1500. Now I know they both are older projectors and arent the "modern" technology thats out today but they fit nicely in my budget and they are my first projector so they seem to be good starter pj's. Anyone that has advice on which of these 2 projectors is best or another suggestion for a nice HT PJ that is near this price range I would greatly appreciate the insight. I am very new to the HT department so ANY and ALL advice is very very appreciated. Thanks for looking.

Im pretty much in the same situation atm...

HC1500
HD65
HD70

All are pretty much the same price from where im getting em.

Im pretty much in the same situation atm...

HC1500
HD65
HD70

All are pretty much the same price from where im getting em.

I have ruled out the 70 and added the Sharp DT510. Lets look for help together....lol

I'd love to add the Sharp DT-510 to my list, but cant.

I also am looking and have to ask you, why the mits 1500 instead of the 1600? And why have you eliminated the Sharp 510?

From other threads, I'm seeing the Optoma 65, Sharp 510, and the Mits 1600 in this price category/area.

I also am looking and have to ask you, why the mits 1500 instead of the 1600? And why have you eliminated the Sharp 510?

From other threads, I'm seeing the Optoma 65, Sharp 510, and the Mits 1600 in this price category/area.

Look for reviews on the Mits 1600 from all that I have read they went backwards in the desing from the 1500 and that the 1500 is a far better projector. As for the Sharp I didnt eliminate it I added it. I believe I said I elimintaed the Optoma HD70. All this said I am a newbie and learning as well before I buy, but i am SOOO ready to buy

I'd love to add the Sharp DT-510 to my list, but cant.

Why cant you?

I'd love to add the Sharp DT-510 to my list, but cant.

Let me guess - Like me, you're Canadian and can't get the thing here!

Look for reviews on the Mits 1600 from all that I have read they went backwards in the desing from the 1500 and that the 1500 is a far better projector. As for the Sharp I didnt eliminate it I added it. I believe I said I elimintaed the Optoma HD70. All this said I am a newbie and learning as well before I buy, but i am SOOO ready to buy

I'm not sure about that. From what I've read a lot of people simply bemoan the x2 colour wheel and end the debate there. From the reviews I've read the HC1600 seems like a good value for those not susceptible to rainbow effects:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/mitsubishi/hc1600/index.php

http://www.projectorcentral.com/mitsubishi_hc1600_review.htm

While the HD65 and HC1600 are both newer units, any reason why the W500 is not on the list?

Let me guess - Like me, you're Canadian and can't get the thing here!



I'm not sure about that. From what I've read a lot of people simply bemoan the x2 colour wheel and end the debate there. From the reviews I've read the HC1600 seems like a good value for those not susceptible to rainbow effects:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/mitsubishi/hc1600/index.php

http://www.projectorcentral.com/mitsubishi_hc1600_review.htm

While the HD65 and HC1600 are both newer units, any reason why the W500 is not on the list?

I personally didnt list because I am a newbie to HT. The 510 I believe is a newer unit than the 500 therefore it won out, any advice you have please throw out

Let me guess - Like me, you're Canadian and can't get the thing here!

Haha ya i'm Canadian and they dont have the DT where im planning on getting a projector..

I personally didnt list because I am a newbie to HT. The 510 I believe is a newer unit than the 500 therefore it won out, any advice you have please throw out

Should have been more clear...

The BenQ W500 is the model I was suggesting. It in fact is newer than the Sharp DT-510. Here are a couple of links about the W500:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/benq_w500_home_theater_projector.htm

http://www.projectorreviews.com/benq/w500/index.php

Again, it is an older machine. I believe it was most often compared to the HD70, but the machines were very different. The W500 being a 3LCD will have specific strengths/weaknesses when compared to something like the HD65. The W500 has an HQV chip that will give it an edge if you watch lots of non-hd source material, and you don't have to worry about rainbows.

That said, if it costs the same as an HD65, I'm not sure I'd get it. The reviews on the HD65 show it to be an excellent projector for the money.

I'm shopping for a new PJ as well, and where I am the HC1600 and W500 are the cheaper models. The Z60, HD65 and Home Cinema 720 cost more, and the Panny PT-AX200 and Infocus X9 cost quite a bit more!

You will also want to try to see a DLP in aciton first. The HC1600 is a x2 colour wheel DLP, so some people will see rainbow effects. The HD65 is, I think, a x4 speed BUT some people STILL complain of rainbows. If you are one of those people, you'll want to know before you buy to avoid the hassels of returns. If you do get to see one in action, and don't have any problems, then the DLP units are still in play. Otherwise, I'd urge you to look for the BenQ W500, Sanyo PLV-Z60, and the Epson Home Cinema 720.

I know I keep throwing out different models, but I can say this as a short stement: If you aren't prone to seeing rainbows, you'll be happy with the HD65. I mean, this review does demonstrate that:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/optoma/hd65/index.php

If you're not sure about the rainbow effect, you should most certainly take a look before you buy.

I have an HC1500 (which I bought over the 1600 for the wheel) and I do notice rainbows when I shift my vision -- for instance, if I want to reach for a drink, and I look over; I'll notice RBE.

I haven't noticed it when viewing a film, and I always ask my guests if they see it. Doesn't seem to be a problem for us.


(FWIW, YMMV, etc.)

The Sharp DT-510 and the Benq W500 are the same generation. The Benq shipped only a few months after the Sharp but the same year.

The Sharp is a good PJ and should stay on any bargain hunter's list until they cannot be found anymore.

The Sharp DT-510 and the Benq W500 are the same generation. The Benq shipped only a few months after the Sharp but the same year.

The Sharp is a good PJ and should stay on any bargain hunter's list until they cannot be found anymore.

Im leaning Optoma HD65 for some reason with the Sharp DT-510 a close second. I still have the Mits HC1500 on my list (for the x4 wheel) But cant seem to make up my mind. Can someone make it up for me??

Just a side note, a lot of manufacturers have dropped their prices in the last week, especially on the "older" models. Be sure to look around, before you buy - an don't hesitate to negotiate, you might be able to get a really good price.

Just a side note, a lot of manufacturers have dropped their prices in the last week, especially on the "older" models. Be sure to look around, before you buy - an don't hesitate to negotiate, you might be able to get a really good price.

Any more in-depth tips on this? Or places to look?

Im leaning Optoma HD65 for some reason with the Sharp DT-510 a close second. I still have the Mits HC1500 on my list (for the x4 wheel) But cant seem to make up my mind. Can someone make it up for me??

Sure, HD65. Now go get it!

Sure, HD65. Now go get it!

I second that - as long as rainbows aren't an issue, or you can return it if you find it be an issue, the HD65 offers a lot of performance for the money!

3rd that on the HD65, I had the W500 for a year, the HD65 is brighter, richer, and has a overall better picture. It may be a DLP vs LCD thing...but I much prefer the HD65, IF you don't mind the mounting restrictions of the HD65.

I purchased the HC1600 over the HD65 for many different reasons. My number one reason though was that I preferred the the way the HC1600 screen shots looked over the HD65:
HC1600 (http://www.projectorreviews.com/images-projectors-q3-08/HC1600_5thElement_Leeloo_large.jpg)
HD65 (http://www.projectorreviews.com/images-projectors-q2-08/HD65_5thElement_Leeloo_large.jpg)

The screen shots just look better to me. The screen shots of the HC1500 also look better to me so I would go with that one:
HC1500 (http://www.projectorreviews.com/images-projectors-Q3-07/hc1500_LOTRgandalfLG.jpg)
HD65 (http://www.projectorreviews.com/images-projectors-q2-08/HD65_LOTR_gandalf_large.jpg)

As for the HC1600 vs the HC1500.
The HC1500 has a 7 segment (R/G/B/W/R/G/B) color wheel while the HC1600 has a 5 segment (R/G/B/W/Y) color wheel. I believe the yellow segment was added to make the image brighter using BrilliantColor Technology:
http://dlp.com/downloads/white_paper...hite_paper.pdf

I have heard that the wheels in these projectors spin at the exact same RPM's. People are calling the HC1600 a 2x wheel because the HC1500's R, G, & B are displayed twice per revolution and the HC1600 is only once. Other than that these two Mits should be nearly identical.

Those screen shots were not shot on the same day...not even the same month. Do not use art's screen shots as a means of comparison (as he says in every article). Exposure might be a bit different, camera might be different, and really, they are there more to accentuate his points than to define them.

The HD65 in person looks very similar to the HC1600 shot from art's review.

Do not use art's screen shots as a means of comparison (as he says in every article).

Too late I already did. I thought he used the same camera for all three of those reviews? Only thing I think changed was a firmware upgrade at some point.

Too late I already did. I thought he used the same camera for all three of those reviews? Only thing I think changed was a firmware upgrade at some point.

It's not the same frame in the movie so there is no way to even infer anything from them. The text of the review seems to indicate Art thought the flesh tones from the HD65 were excellent whereas in the HC1600 article they were merely very good.

3rd that on the HD65, I had the W500 for a year, the HD65 is brighter, richer, and has a overall better picture. It may be a DLP vs LCD thing...but I much prefer the HD65, IF you don't mind the mounting restrictions of the HD65.

What are the restrictions you are referring to?

Any input on the the Pansonic AE900u ??

What are the restrictions you are referring to?

The HD65 has no lenshift and the zoom is so-so. So mounting can be an adventure, I made it work in my situation.

The HD65 has no lenshift and the zoom is so-so. So mounting can be an adventure, I made it work in my situation.
How did you make it work? I really have my heart set on mounting it as near to the back of my room as possible given that I have a low drop ceiling. My room is 16' long and 13'wide....am i in trouble?

What are the restrictions you are referring to?

Not restrictions, limitations. The HD65 has a 19% image offset and no lens shift so you have to mount it low and below the screen or high and above the screen and upside down. The lens must be so that it is aimed at the center of the screen.

The Panasonic AX200u has lens shift so you can mount it and then shift the lens to the right or left to move the image several inches and up or down to move the image as much as feet in distance.

Not restrictions, limitations. The HD65 has a 19% image offset and no lens shift so you have to mount it low and below the screen or high and above the screen and upside down. The lens must be so that it is aimed at the center of the screen.

The Panasonic AX200u has lens shift so you can mount it and then shift the lens to the right or left to move the image several inches and up or down to move the image as much as feet in distance.

Referring to the mounting on the 65.....if I have a drop ceiling (at or below 8ft) am I going to be able to mount it so that it will work or ? I want to put my screen almost againt the top of the wall since the wall is less than 8ft tall but i dont want my PJ to be hanging down 2 ft from the ceiling either? What is your opinion?

Also what is your opinion if any on the Panny AX200u compared to the 65?

Hope this helps.

My ceiling is 7'4". My mount puts the center of the lense 8 1/4" down from the ceiling. The front of the projector is 12'6" from the screen, which is 106" diag. The top of the screen is 16" from the ceiling and the bottom is 19" from the floor. Hope that helps.

Jason

Hope this helps.

My ceiling is 7'4". My mount puts the center of the lense 8 1/4" down from the ceiling. The front of the projector is 12'6" from the screen, which is 106" diag. The top of the screen is 16" from the ceiling and the bottom is 19" from the floor. Hope that helps.

Jason


Kind of helps. Is it going to be possible for me to put mine up at my ceiling (7'8") and still keep my screen within 4 inches of the ceiling? THe most important things to me are. 1) Keep the PJ as close to the ceiling as possible and as far to the back of the room as possible(16') 2.) Keep the screen (any size u guys think is best for this situation as I havent got on yet) as close to the ceiling as possible...This hopefully helps someone out there that is good with #s and can help me figure it out

I didn't catch which projector you decided on - but if you're considering the Mitsu still, here's a shot in my theater log that shows the screen as high up as I could get it -- and that's with the projector cocked upward, and the corners keystoned away. I am still fighting it as it drifts downward.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4453/img2880wk4.jpg

That's more like eight inches..

1) Keep the PJ as close to the ceiling as possible and as far to the back of the room as possible(16')
I was restraining myself, but since you mentioned budget AND throw I will bring up the low price leader in the "I can't believe its not HD" projector category. The Viewsonic PJ551D (XGA aka 576p) is currently priced for less than $500 and has a continuing free bulb offer. The warranty on the projector is for 3 years. I am itching to hook up a Blu-Ray player as it is clear that on some shows my ATSC tuner delivers a superior picture (compared to DVDs). The low price would allow you to "upgrade" your source material by putting that money toward HD tuners or players.
That said, about the only thing that would give me pause is a $100 rebate and free bulb offer from Mitsubishi (whoops:( ). The HC1600 gives a 120" (diagonal) picture at 16', the Viewsonic PJ551D a 109" picture, and the HD65 a 136" picture. Any other low priced 720p DLPs will be closer to the HD65 screen size.

The Sharp DT-500/510 is superior to the other projectors mentioned in this thread regarding image quality (it is not as bright as the HC1500/HC1600/HD65 however) .

- Jason

I was restraining myself, but since you mentioned budget AND throw I will bring up the low price leader in the "I can't believe its not HD" projector category. The Viewsonic PJ551D (XGA aka 576p) is currently priced for less than $500 and has a continuing free bulb offer. The warranty on the projector is for 3 years. I am itching to hook up a Blu-Ray player as it is clear that on some shows my ATSC tuner delivers a superior picture (compared to DVDs). The low price would allow you to "upgrade" your source material by putting that money toward HD tuners or players.
That said, about the only thing that would give me pause is a $100 rebate and free bulb offer from Mitsubishi (whoops:( ). The HC1600 gives a 120" (diagonal) picture at 16', the Viewsonic PJ551D a 109" picture, and the HD65 a 136" picture. Any other low priced 720p DLPs will be closer to the HD65 screen size.

Great advice/tips. Now the Viewsonic is that an LCD or DLP? and is it 720p? As far as throw dist since you have clear answers/knowledge what distance would I have to put the HD65 away to get a 120" screen? I need distance back and drop from the ceiling?( keep in mind I have low drop ceilings and need to keep it snug up to them if possible)

The Sharp DT-500/510 is superior to the other projectors mentioned in this thread regarding image quality (it is not as bright as the HC1500/HC1600/HD65 however) .

- Jason

As far as Sharp Dt-510 vs HD 65 which would you suggest personally then? And why?Assuming the prices was the same

I didn't catch which projector you decided on - but if you're considering the Mitsu still, here's a shot in my theater log that shows the screen as high up as I could get it -- and that's with the projector cocked upward, and the corners keystoned away. I am still fighting it as it drifts downward.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4453/img2880wk4.jpg

That's more like eight inches..

Mitsu hc1500,HD 65 or Sharp DT-510

As far as Sharp Dt-510 vs HD 65 which would you suggest personally then? And why?Assuming the prices was the same

Like I stated the DT-510 will offer better image quality than the HD65 ( better black level , better native contrast , better optics , more accurate out of the box ) ;) . If you need as many lumen's as you can get due to room/lighting conditions then certainly consider the HD65/HC1500/HC1600 .

- Jason

Like I stated the DT-510 will offer better image quality than the HD65 ( better black level , better native contrast , better optics , more accurate out of the box ) ;) . If you need as many lumen's as you can get due to room/lighting conditions then certainly consider the HD65/HC1500/HC1600 .

- Jason

Actually its a basement theater with no ambient light however I want a versatile unit that I can also use with some llights on if I want to host a party or card game. Which one is better in this situation

Is it going to be possible for me to put mine up at my ceiling (7'8") and still keep my screen within 4 inches of the ceiling? THe most important things to me are.
I am doing a bit of your homework here, but I got curious.
For a 100" screen, distance from lens center to edge of screen (from projectorcentral calculators and Sharp DT-500 manual):
HC1600: 16.4" (see the problems this is causing Cybe)
HD65: 9.3"
DT-510: ~8.5"
Also, you may be able to slightly recess the projector into the drop ceiling by removing a tile. For a 720p system with no keystoning (and given your lighting needs for poker), I'd say the HD65 is your best bet. You'd mount it around 14' to get a 120" image

Hope this helps.

My ceiling is 7'4". My mount puts the center of the lense 8 1/4" down from the ceiling. The front of the projector is 12'6" from the screen, which is 106" diag. The top of the screen is 16" from the ceiling and the bottom is 19" from the floor. Hope that helps.

Jason

If i mount it 14' How close to the ceiling can i mount it? I need to keep it tight so its out of the way in a low room. Just read this. I want to try to keep my screen as close to the ceiling as well since its a lower room. Can I mount the screen within say 6" of the ceiling and thereofre be able to put the proj higher?

Check this out http://www.optomausa.com/distancecalculator.asp

DLP projectors have an image offset. That means that the picture is going to be a certain distance below the lens when ceiling mounted. At a throw distance of 14' you are looking at a diag. screen size between 113" and 124". That is going to give you an image offset of 11.6". If you had the projector mounted within a few inches of the ceiling you are still looking at having the top of the screen down 15-18".

I should mention that my picture is not completely square, because my mount is out of level at the moment. It is slightly bigger at the bottom compared to the top. So you may be able to slightly tilt yours up to get the picture closer to the ceiling. It should not affect picture quality if you keep the tilt very minor.

Is there a reason you want/need the picture to be close to the ceiling? I would have a hard time watching with the picture up that high.

Jason

Check this out http://www.optomausa.com/distancecalculator.asp

DLP projectors have an image offset. That means that the picture is going to be a certain distance below the lens when ceiling mounted. At a throw distance of 14' you are looking at a diag. screen size between 113" and 124". That is going to give you an image offset of 11.6". If you had the projector mounted within a few inches of the ceiling you are still looking at having the top of the screen down 15-18".

I should mention that my picture is not completely square, because my mount is out of level at the moment. It is slightly bigger at the bottom compared to the top. So you may be able to slightly tilt yours up to get the picture closer to the ceiling. It should not affect picture quality if you keep the tilt very minor.

Is there a reason you want/need the picture to be close to the ceiling? I would have a hard time watching with the picture up that high.

Jason


I dont know..lol. I mean I have low ceilings which means shorter wall. The ceilings are roughly 7'6"-7'8" I just figured I would want it as high as possible to make viewing comfy and not have the screen go to the ground. I am new and never had a PJ before. How tall is a 120" screen? Maybe I have more room than I think. I just get nervous considering I have ceilings in the area of 7 1/2 feet and thought if i drop it down 18" or so I would be putting the screen near the floor but that may well be my ignorance on this subject

I dont know..lol. I mean I have low ceilings which means shorter wall. The ceilings are roughly 7'6"-7'8" I just figured I would want it as high as possible to make viewing comfy and not have the screen go to the ground. I am new and never had a PJ before. How tall is a 120" screen? Maybe I have more room than I think. I just get nervous considering I have ceilings in the area of 7 1/2 feet and thought if i drop it down 18" or so I would be putting the screen near the floor but that may well be my ignorance on this subject

About 59 or 60 inches for a 16:9 screen. About twelve inches from the floor if you're 18" down from the ceiling.