I currently have a Runco CL-510 (DLP 720) on a 92" (diagonal screen). The projector is centered and hangs down from the ceiling on a mount. This is a finished room and I have only component cables run to get to the projector from the receiver and DVD stuff. Room was built with the house in 2004.

We moved into the house last year and like the picture fine on both DVD's and satellite HD movies. I know the picture can be better than what I have and love my 50 inch Pioneer plasma.

My dilemna is that the lamp for the Runco is $765 plus tax, and my lamp is close to the 1000 hr mark. According to the Runco literature the projector will shut off at 1000 hrs unless I reset the hour meter. I also heard if it blows it could cause damage (?True or Not)

1. When the lamp goes (or reaches 1000 hours) should I get a new lamp or upgrade to a newer system that is within the same price range ($1000)?

2. Are the $1000 units better than what I have, or should I spring for a better unit? If I get a better unit, then I know I should do Blu-ray at the same time, and then might as well run HDMI, ....$$$$'s adding up.

3. Will a burnt out lamp cause any damage?

Thanks,

TR

i think it's pretty rare, but if the bulb does physically blow up it could damage your projector. Your options:

1) replace with a new lamp, and keep going for a year or 2
2) sell the runco, and buy another good 720p (like the panny ax200, planar dc3, infocus in76 etc..many to choose from). This will be a good upgrade and you will have a new "more standard" projector that has better lamp life / cheaper bulb.
3) sell the runco, add a bit more money, and buy a good 1080p for $2000-2500 and be done with it for a while.

Of the 3 choices, i would pick 3, 2 if really limited to $1000 only, definitly not 1. You will be crazy to pay $700 for a bulb for a non hd projector.

But above all else, for chris sake GET A BLU-RAY PLAYER ALREADY! :)

Thanks for the input.

You broke it down just how I was seeing it. I originally went straight to number 3 but then reeled my self back in so I can think it through.

The Cl-510 is HD though but only to 720.

TR

There is no doubt you should upgrade especially with the infocus x10 1080p projector at about $1000

the CL-510 is only 576p (1024x576) not 720p and is probably worth nothing without a lamp (except maybe for spare parts) because you can get a better projector new and with a warranty that is 720p for less than the lamp cost. With a lamp it's probably worth $300

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Runco-Reflection_CL-510.htm

How much should I expect to get for my Runco cl 510? I doubt much.

TR

just dump it on ebay and let it fly, dont expect much at all. Because a good almost new 720p only go for ~$600ish nowdays.

And your runco is not HD, to satisfy 720p hd the native resolution must be 1280x720.

Since you have a dedicated theater room by the sound of it, i would seriously consider getting a 1080p and a bluray player. It will be a true massive upgrade to what you have now. And you dont have to deal or even think about upgrading for a long while to come. As oppose to doing it half ass, excuse the language.

10-4 guys. I'll push on the wife a little and see what happens.

True HD in 1080 would be amazing in my room.

TR

If your budget is your budget then don't be too reluctant to buy a good new 720p which is, BTW, still considered HiDef - maybe not full - but HiDef none the less.

We are still very, very happy with our older model Panasonic 720p and with up conversion and HDMI link to the PJ our eyeballs find the image on the wall screen to be very near HD to us.

I would consider buying a new 720p and wait while prices for everything 1080p continue to fall as they most certainly will.

Some people just can't live without the leading edge (sometimes bleeding edge) latest and most expensive stuff. Nothing wrong with that at all - we are not against 1080p native gadgets or even B.Ray content BUT we just aren't ready to plunk down the cash PLUS we have hundreds of standard dvd movies that we simply aren't ready to declare obsolete and, again, Up Converted makes them look very good even stretched to a 120 inch diagonal.

Besides, if you break your personal bank and jump into 1080p now you may find that you wish you had waited a short while for a projector fully 3D capable - daily more and more info is coming out from the entire film and entertainment industry saying that 3D is their next big evolutionary step in visual content and, BTW, it is being rolled out in a big way right now!! (don't take my word for it - do a Google!!)

Best of Luck whatever you decide!

If your budget is your budget then don't be too reluctant to buy a good new 720p which is, BTW, still considered HiDef - maybe not full - but HiDef none the less.

We are still very, very happy with our older model Panasonic 720p and with up conversion and HDMI link to the PJ our eyeballs find the image on the wall screen to be very near HD to us.

I would consider buying a new 720p and wait while prices for everything 1080p continue to fall as they most certainly will.

Some people just can't live without the leading edge (sometimes bleeding edge) latest and most expensive stuff. Nothing wrong with that at all - we are not against 1080p native gadgets or even B.Ray content BUT we just aren't ready to plunk down the cash PLUS we have hundreds of standard dvd movies that we simply aren't ready to declare obsolete and, again, Up Converted makes them look very good even stretched to a 120 inch diagonal.

Besides, if you break your personal bank and jump into 1080p now you may find that you wish you had waited a short while for a projector fully 3D capable - daily more and more info is coming out from the entire film and entertainment industry saying that 3D is their next big evolutionary step in visual content and, BTW, it is being rolled out in a big way right now!! (don't take my word for it - do a Google!!)

Best of Luck whatever you decide!

That's why I suggested the Planar PD7130...lol