Hi- I could use some help. Any advice on best projector under 10K? Approx. 20ft throw to 120 screen. Will be used mostly night as will have plasma behind for daytime viewing. Have been told of planar8150 and sony vw70 or vw200. Thanks for any thoughts--:)

Probably most here would recommend the JVC RS20.

Probably most here would recommend the JVC RS20.

Hmmm. How is it compare to FPJ1 with LCos . Just wondering if contrast ratio of 50000 and THX make a huge difference on RS20 over FPJ1? Deep black levels are also very important Not sure if RS20 beaten FPJ1 in this. How are black levels on RS20?

This is the first time I have any other brand in comparison with Pioneer.

Yog,
The Pioneer unit is an OEM of JVC RS2 unit, so they use the same technology. Technologically speaking, the RS20 is an upgrade to the Pioneer (RS2) unit with new features and enhancements. There are a lot of posts on the RS2 vs the RS20 unit that might help. The largest issue you might have right now is the rather large price difference between the two units. Although the RS20 would be the superior projector, is is worth a few thousand + more than the performance you will get from the Pioneer. Most would say no however only your individual budget and needs can answer that.

The main drawback of the RS2/FPJ1 (FPJ1 is OEM RS2) is the brightness and lack of CMS/THX. If your screen is not too or you have excellent light control, the ~3-4k you save right now with the FPJ1 might be worth it. I went with the FPJ1 because the RS20 was beyond what I wanted to spend. I have a light controlled room and a smaller screen so the added brightness of the RS20 was not needed.

I would also nominate Planar pd8150 which was prefered to rs20 by one guy, and marantz vp11s2 (goes for like 9k refurbished)

Some might recommend and RS10 and Lumagen Radiance.
I am certainly not an expert but thought I'd throw that out there.

Mike

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like Sony is not in the running.

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like Sony is not in the running.
I have the RS20 and highly recommend it. I have compared it to two DLPs that are more expensive and prefer it.

Regarding the Lumagen Radiance, you could buy one of those later on and still be under 10K. If this is your first projector, there is no reason to overly complicate your system with a video processor out of the starting gate, anyway. Some RS20 owners are hearing the Lumagen Radiance will help dial the colors in perfectly, but you might be happy enough with the RS20 colors without a video processor.

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like Sony is not in the running.
The one demo I saw of Sony VW200 was dim, even on a 92" diagonal screen.

I have the RS20 and highly recommend it. I have compared it to two DLPs that are more expensive and prefer it.

Regarding the Lumagen Radiance, you could buy one of those later on and still be under 10K. If this is your first projector, there is no reason to overly complicate your system with a video processor out of the starting gate, anyway. Some RS20 owners are hearing the Lumagen Radiance will help dial the colors in perfectly, but you might be happy enough with the RS20 colors without a video processor.
I agree with hrd's assessment.
You can always add/upgrade later.

_IF_ you are interested in the RS20/Radiance review, it is under the calibration thread checkout the review by CraigR about using the RadianceXE and RS20 -- AVS link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15820551#post15820551) and CIR link (http://www.cir-engineering.com/rs20.php)

Good luck.

Mike

Hmmm. How is it compare to FPJ1 with LCos . Just wondering if contrast ratio of 50000 and THX make a huge difference on RS20 over FPJ1? Deep black levels are also very important Not sure if RS20 beaten FPJ1 in this. How are black levels on RS20?

This is the first time I have any other brand in comparison with Pioneer.

The pioneer is the older version of the RS20, the RS2. The RS2 is an exceptional machine, but the RS20 definitely has some improvements. If you can get a screaming deal on the RS2, it's a killer option, if you want the best, go with the current model the rs20.

"Some might recommend and RS10 and Lumagen Radiance."

It would seem more consistent to save $K and get the Vision HDP.

While not correcting color to nearly the extent that meter readers like, I've gathered that it adequately addresses the perceptible color issues.

The pioneer is the older version of the RS20, the RS2. The RS2 is an exceptional machine, but the RS20 definitely has some improvements. If you can get a screaming deal on the RS2, it's a killer option, if you want the best, go with the current model the rs20.
Oh yeah, it should be mentioned that AVS sells the RS20, etc.

Mike

I have the RS20 and highly recommend it. I have compared it to two DLPs that are more expensive and prefer it.
Which ones?

Which ones?
A SIM2 C3X1080 and a SIM2 HT380. Here are some comments by the SIM2 owners:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15512910&postcount=37

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15513258&postcount=40

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15670495&postcount=287

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15830084&postcount=273

Lots of options, but generally the RS20 has the most going for it on a whole, and is well under $10k. Have you seen any front projectors before?

Lots of options, but generally the RS20 has the most going for it on a whole, and is well under $10k. Have you seen any front projectors before?agreed,If I am not owned JVC D-ILA 1OK(just a new lamp changed last week),this RS20 is the one,less a lot of money without expensive scaler.But my installment company said this 10K is the best pj.and he showed me the grey scale compared with 650THX.What's your opinion?:)

I have been reading a lot of the posts about the RS20, but was wondering if anyone can comment on the sharpness. I have seen a BenQ W2000 and the picture is very sharp compared to what I am used to looking at. I have seen some screen shots that make the RS20 look down right blurry by comparison. Can anyone comment on the RS20 compared to the BenQ or the InFocus IN83?

I have been told that the RS 20 doesn't compare to the planar 8150 in terms of "brightness" of picture. Anyone compared these two?

the only thing in favor of JVC is the high on-off contrast. In any other aspects it does nothing a good dlp could do 3 times better.

agreed,If I am not owned JVC D-ILA 1OK(just a new lamp changed last week),this RS20 is the one,less a lot of money without expensive scaler.But my installment company said this 10K is the best pj.and he showed me the grey scale compared with 650THX.What's your opinion?:)

Do you mean the HD10K? Want to make sure I am clear...

I have been reading a lot of the posts about the RS20, but was wondering if anyone can comment on the sharpness. I have seen a BenQ W2000 and the picture is very sharp compared to what I am used to looking at. I have seen some screen shots that make the RS20 look down right blurry by comparison. Can anyone comment on the RS20 compared to the BenQ or the InFocus IN83?

The RS20 is not as sharp. There are a couple things going on...first off, you are comparing to DLP. DLP in general is the sharpest technology. Secondly, you are comparing to single chip DLP, which is even moreso the case because there is no chance for misconvergence (which can soften the image). That being said, the RS20 is one of the sharpest non-DLP's I have found, so most everyone is very happy with it. If you can, try and find a Sony SXRD or JVC obviously...they are extremely similar in overall look and would give you a better idea.

I have been told that the RS 20 doesn't compare to the planar 8150 in terms of "brightness" of picture. Anyone compared these two?
I had a Planar 8150 demonstrated in my local store last Autumn together with the latest Da-Lite Joe Kane's Affinity 92" screen. Even under the Standard lamp mode ( as opposed to the Economy mode), the picture was unacceptably dim, and the intra-scene contrast was unimpressive. A Pioneer clone of the previous generation of JVC RS2 looked much brighter with better intra-scene contrast on the same screen running the same Blu-ray disc (Ice-Age). Pioneer may have done something special to the RS2 to make it excel in such an obvious way. Of course, that's just my own opinion.

Actually the PD8150 is slightly brighter than the RS20 out of the box, so if you weren't seeing that it may have been a high hour lamp or such. However, it is pretty slight and does depend on how you setup each one.

Actually the PD8150 is slightly brighter than the RS20 out of the box, so if you weren't seeing that it may have been a high hour lamp or such. However, it is pretty slight and does depend on how you setup each one.
Hi Jason,
Was the RS20 operated in High Power Lamp Mode or Normal lamp Mode?

The best under 10K is the Marantz VP-11S2, but in the "best" mode may not be bright enough for that 120" screen.

Otherwise you can't go wrong with the RS20, or RS10/Radiance Combo.

Hi Jason,
Was the RS20 operated in High Power Lamp Mode or Normal lamp Mode?

This is assuming max output for both (both high lamp, iris open, short throw, etc...).

Do you mean the HD10K? Want to make sure I am clear...
Greeting,I meant HD10K.Your opinion,please.:)