I had a dead pixel on my optoma HD7100 so I sent it out for repair. I was told today that the warranty co. will more than likely not what to repair it due to the cost. So while they are making there discission I decided to start looking for a replacement. I have a dedicated theater in my attic. The projector is ceiling mounted 10ft 6in from a 100" dia. screen with a 1.5 gain screen. I would like to upgrade to a quality 1080p projector that is affordable and can be used in the same location as the HD7100. I would appreciate so suggestions.

attichometheater,

You may find the product face-offs at www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=4 useful/interesting. I did.

The split screen allows you to view two projectors side-by-side, at the same time. You select a brand in step 1 and then a model in step 2.

In step 3, you can select various tests such as: RGB levels, gray levels, contrast measurements, brightness, a 720p source and a 1080i/p source, among others.

1080p projectors for a head to head comparison include the: Panny 3000, Mits HC5500 and HC6500, Sanyo Z700 and Z3000, Optoma HD82, and the Sony HW10.

Worth a look, IMO.

The HD7100 has amazing sharpness and 3D, after getting use to that I don't think you'll enjoy any of the LCD type projectors. Try the HD8200 from Optoma if the throw works, check the throw at projector central or the online manual.

Ya Ive looked at some LCD models and they just dont look as good to my eyes. I love the dlp chip.

Attic- You also might want to consider the JVC DLA-RS10 now that the price has dropped considerably.

How about the Epson Home Cinema 6100? I saw a couple reviews on it and it looks really good for the money. I know its a 3LCD but if it looks good I can live with it.

I had the Optoma HD7100 and upgraded to the BenQ W5000. As good as the HD7100 is, the W5000 is even sharper and is of course 1080p. It's almost twice the size though but is extremely quiet. Great shadow detail and good blacks. The newer units with the recent firmware has the advanced CMS calibration.

Just my opinion of course but this is one you might consider.

Wayne

I have to concur with Mystery.

I have the BenQ W5000 and I really like it. The price is incredibly low for the outstanding picture.

Truth be told I wanted to get a Planar 8130 or 8150 but AVS was not a dealer at the time and there are no dealers within 150 miles of me so I said, heck, I'll just save the money and get the BenQ.

Mine is calibrated and it is everything I had hoped for and more. Someday I will get the Planar, probably when I build a new house, but for now I am happy as could be with the BenQ.

Coming from a DLP, my first bit of advise is to go see the other technologies. Though all have their own pros, DLP has a unique look to it that some often can find hard to get away from. Start there...

Spend the money and get a nice pj if you can.
I had the 7300 and got the FPJ1 Pioneer Elite (aka JVC) and it turned out to be a noteable upgrade in just about every aspect. Brightness is just about the same only similarity.

Thanks for the imput guys. I started to look at the BenQ W5000 and its looking like a front runner. I have a question about it. In some of the reviews they talk about the image noise. Did the firmware update fix that problem. Also my throw distance for the HD7100 is 10'6" onto a 100" 1.5 gain white screen. With this combo work with the BenQ? Hows the quality? I hopes its better than the Optoma.

I have limited experience with the W5000, but I have much with the Optoma. In this case the BenQ is indeed a better projector all around.

I'm an Optoma guy, and was convinced DLP was the only way to go. As a matter of fact I thought the HD8200 was going to be a no-brainer for me. THEN, I stopped by my local Home theater store and was asked if I'd like to see the Epson 7500u in action.
Sure, I knew LCD technology was not my cup of tea, but why not. WOW, WOW I was
amazed. The razor sharp image, the blacks, contrast and oh yeah, this thing was bright
but still very natural in skins tones.
I was so impressed, that with the current deal available, I've changed my mind about DLP being the only option for me. As of now the 7500 has moved to the head of the class. My HD8200 demo next week has a tall order to fill. I'll let you know which way I go.
Jason is absolutely correct, the new generation of LCD's look stunning. You owe it to yourself to demo both technologies.

I'm about 13' back from a 106" screen and the W5000 is on a shelf with the lens centered horizontally and vertically. With the vertical lens shift have some leeway for placement. It has a long throw lens though and I'm just filling the screen from this far back. Any closer and I'd need a smaller screen or some masking. You'll need to use a calculator like the one at ProjectorCentral.com to see if the dimensions of your room would be right. I agree with Jason that the W5000 is a step up from an already fine projector.

The image noise problem was way overblown and was merely a function of this projectors extremely sharp optics in my view. However, it would appear that BenQ has addressed the issue from some reports. I have either the very first firmware or close to it and image noise is only a problem with material that has image noise.

If you want your screen to look like a plasma, get this projector and pair it up with a Da-Lite High Power screen like I'm doing and you'll understand why the W5000 thread is so long. The advanced CMS calibration functions along with the newer firmware is almost unheard of on a projector at this price point.

I demoed the Epson 1080UB, comparing it to the W5000, and although the Epson is a fine projector, it was lacking the snap, crackle and pop (I call it the rice krispie factor :)) that the W5000 delivers. Some of this is probably due to the DLP/LCD comparison.

Anyway, I'm over 1000 hours on my original bulb at 14 months and I still have the lamp setting on low with the iris almost closed. It's a great projector.

Wayne

Thanks for the imput guys. I started to look at the BenQ W5000 and its looking like a front runner. I have a question about it. In some of the reviews they talk about the image noise. Did the firmware update fix that problem. Also my throw distance for the HD7100 is 10'6" onto a 100" 1.5 gain white screen. With this combo work with the BenQ? Hows the quality? I hopes its better than the Optoma.

I am also a user of the HD7100 and I project from 10' to a 92" diagonal screen. I would also like to know what 1080p dlp pjs can meet my space constraints w/o special short throw lenses, if any.
I have checked the W5000 with the Projector Calculator Pro tool of Projector Central (http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-W5000-projection-calculator-pro.htm) and at max zoom you would need 13'5" to get 100" diagonal picture size with the W5000. The image brightness on a 1.5 gain screen would be 30fl which for HT is way too bright.
Another way to solve your issue if the repairs to your pj fail would be to get another HD7100/7300 and save some money while another affordable dlp short throw pj comes to the market.
Good luck with your search!

LOL! I have to apologize for the writing in my post. I've been checking it during work hours and writing fast so I don't get busted. Anyway I really appreciate all the suggestions. This is going to be a tougher desicion then I fist thought. I see Benq also has a w2000. Has anyone seen that unit? ***Mystery what makes the Da-Lite High Power screen so good?

My screen is 2.8 gain and I've measured the foot lumens at about 14 the way I have it set up. I used the HCFR software and the i1 Lite colorimeter. I'm at approximately 13' lens to screen and I can just fill the entire 106" area from that distance.

This screen isn't for everyone. You do lose much of the brightness as you move off to either side of center but if you can view from the sweet spot just under or to the right or left of the lens the image is like a giant plasma. This is what happens with retro-reflective screens such as this. You get plasma like brightness but with a properly calibrated projector you will have accurate colors and grayscale as well. However, the trade-off is that you have a smaller viewing cone in which to view the extra brightness.

I'd never, ever go back to any other screen now that I've had this type for several years. I like images that pop so this screen combined with DLP is magic.

The W20000 is probably worth the extra money if you want that extra 20% black level but it's a fair bit of coin to cough up for what might be a small improvement. It's dark chip 3 whereas the W5000 is DC2. I know that the HD7100 is DC3 but I haven't noticed any problem going to DC2.

Wayne

More input please!

More input please!

Most are limited to 1 S-Video, 1 Composite Video, 2 HDMI, 1-2 Component...that's it. :D

Get this. I just got off the phone with the warranty co. and they said I could get an HD71 to replace my HD7100:mad:. YA right. Check out the picture quality difference, no Horiz./veritical lens shift, dark chip 2 not 3. Im not going to to a lower end model. They offered me $999.00 to buy me off. What do you guys think?

Well, as far as the DC2 vs. DC3 thing goes, I went from DC3 with the HD7100 to DC2 with the W5000 and my black levels aren't hurting any, at least in perception. Having said that, I did improve the resolution from 720p to 1080p.

I gave up horizontal resolution but still have vertcial and it's powered as well. I guess it all depends on your setup. If you can't live with a large offset then most of the Optoma projectors won't do you any good other than the HD7100.

I'd almost take the money, count your losses and apply the funds to something with lens shift and better resolution. I don't like Optoma's offer.

I had a problem with Optoma a few years back with the H31. They offered to upgrade me to the H57 for $500.00 and at the time it was a no brainer so I went for it.

Wayne

Try to work a deal for the new Optoma HD808 which is a $3500 retail which should be discounted a third of that. Get them to up your loss and lower to a non retail price on the HD808. If it goes through ok you'll be thrilled.

Does Optoma have a regular trade-in program? If they do, I didn't know they did this. I would have to see what I could do to trade up my H77 then.

Yes they have a trade up program. But you would be better off buying from a retailer at a nice discount. Optoma thinks in retail price. Dealers can be talked to. You could sell your H77 for a close to price of what Optoma would give. I figure they would only go $500 I may be wrong and it doesn't hurt to ask maybe it's a $1,000.

Ive got a new HD7100 on the way. For now it seems to be the best solution for me. I love the picture the 7100 projects and the $900 or so dollars extra for the Benq W5000 just doesnt seem like a large enough upgrade for the price. With the 7100 I will not have to re-do my set up and I have 2 new bulbs on my shelf. I also purchased a extended 3 yr warranty for 169.00 so Ill be covered for awhile. When they come out with a 1080p that has the throw distance I need then the HD7100 will become my outdoor theater projector when we go camping.

Ive got a new HD7100 on the way. For now it seems to be the best solution for me. I love the picture the 7100 projects and the $900 or so dollars extra for the Benq W5000 just doesnt seem like a large enough upgrade for the price. With the 7100 I will not have to re-do my set up and I have 2 new bulbs on my shelf. I also purchased a extended 3 yr warranty for 169.00 so Ill be covered for awhile. When they come out with a 1080p that has the throw distance I need then the HD7100 will become my outdoor theater projector when we go camping.

Congratulations!! You've probably managed to get the best solution possible for your space constraints.
Enjoy it. :)