Hi there,
I've got upgrade fever... I am looking to upgrade my 2 1/2 yr old Sony HS60 to 1080p LCOS or 3LCD with good contrast, color, and shaprness.

Love my projector, but my biggest pet peeve is screen door effect (viewing distance of 11ft on a 106" BW Carada, ceiling mounted pj at 11.5ft). I have VB, but don't mind that as much as the SDE :mad:

My room is pretty dark, but occasionally I like to keep dim lights on for chicken wings and football.

I THINK that if I upgrade (under 3500.00 budget) that LCOS is the way to go... but if 3LCD can be had for 1000.00 less with the same performance maybe that's the way to go?

Any advice on what I should look out for is greatly appreciated!!! :)

If SDE is a major issue I'd look at the AE3000. Panasonic uses Smoothscreen Technology to slightly reduce the sharpness, minimizing SDE...

If SDE is a major issue I'd look at the AE3000. Panasonic uses Smoothscreen Technology to slightly reduce the sharpness, minimizing SDE...

Thanks, that PJ is definitely on the top of the 3LCD list...

Now to figure out if the jump to LCOS/SXRD is really worth it?

LCOS is a better overall technology. That being said, finding a newer LCOS under that price range might be tough (most start a bit higher and go up). The Panasonic does have Smoothscreen, but to many that is a negative as it tends to soften the image (I had one myself so that was my opinion). Have you seen any of the newest projectors? Going from your older Sony to the current offerings I HIGHLY doubt you would have a problem with pixel structure on almost any projector.

LCOS is a better overall technology. That being said, finding a newer LCOS under that price range might be tough (most start a bit higher and go up). The Panasonic does have Smoothscreen, but to many that is a negative as it tends to soften the image (I had one myself so that was my opinion). Have you seen any of the newest projectors? Going from your older Sony to the current offerings I HIGHLY doubt you would have a problem with pixel structure on almost any projector.

Thanks Jason, I have been looking at the Sony VPL HW-10 and actually finding it for sub 3k at reputable places! That one just shot up to the top of my list!

That is a very good projector. The comparable LCD's would have some pros and some cons, but never-the-less they all would not be disappointing.

I've been doing this LCD/LCOS debate too. For quite a while I've followed the AE3000 owner's thread and the dust blob issue turned me off. I stopped following the thread for a couple of months. Then, for the heck of it I looked at the thread again and there it was again: someone complaining about dust blobs again not more than two pages from the end of the thread. It just keeps coming up again and again.

I know that if I got the AE3000 I would be going nuts looking for dust blobs instead of enjoying the show. So, there's more to it for me than only PQ. Make sure to consider all factors and read those threads for those candidate PJs you have in mind.

I've been doing this LCD/LCOS debate too. For quite a while I've followed the AE3000 owner's thread and the dust blob issue turned me off. I stopped following the thread for a couple of months. Then, for the heck of it I looked at the thread again and there it was again: someone complaining about dust blobs again not more than two pages from the end of the thread. It just keeps coming up again and again.

I know that if I got the AE3000 I would be going nuts looking for dust blobs instead of enjoying the show. So, there's more to it for me than only PQ. Make sure to consider all factors and read those threads for those candidate PJs you have in mind.

Thanks, I hear ya. My understanding is that these LCOS units have sealed light paths, and superior display panels so they don't suffer any abnormal affects of heat, etc over time that messes up the picture.
I just feel more and more that for the price difference LCOS is really the way to go until something far better becomes affordable.

I've been doing this LCD/LCOS debate too. For quite a while I've followed the AE3000 owner's thread and the dust blob issue turned me off. I stopped following the thread for a couple of months. Then, for the heck of it I looked at the thread again and there it was again: someone complaining about dust blobs again not more than two pages from the end of the thread. It just keeps coming up again and again.

I know that if I got the AE3000 I would be going nuts looking for dust blobs instead of enjoying the show. So, there's more to it for me than only PQ. Make sure to consider all factors and read those threads for those candidate PJs you have in mind.

Go into any PJ thread on AVS and you will find unhappy people with issues.

I own a AE2000 and was scared to death about dust blobs, etc., but it's been perfectly fine for over a year now. The majority of people who buy a projector don't have problems - although I realize that doesn't make it any easier on those who do.

BTW, the LCOS I had previously did get a dust blob. Luckily it was near the edge and could be ignored.

Art

Most projectors of a specific model will be fine...if they were plagued with issues they'd just stop selling them. But the chances of certain issues happening on certain models can increase, depending on the specific problem...

Thanks, I hear ya. My understanding is that these LCOS units have sealed light paths, and superior display panels so they don't suffer any abnormal affects of heat, etc over time that messes up the picture.
I just feel more and more that for the price difference LCOS is really the way to go until something far better becomes affordable.

Most current LCD panels are newer generation that are not as prone to heat issues.

That said, my first PJ was LCD and had dust blobs. My second is an LCOS and I have had no reason to want to replace it for two+ years, nor do I expect to for several more (RS1).

Most current LCD panels are newer generation that are not as prone to heat issues.

That said, my first PJ was LCD and had dust blobs. My second is an LCOS and I have had no reason to want to replace it for two+ years, nor do I expect to for several more (RS1).

I would suggest leaving the AVSForum...as it usually goes, the more you read on the new stuff, the more tempting it becomes to upgrade. :)

Nah. I visit the PJ area a lot less frequently these days (probably once a week instead of twice daily), but the RS1, and pretty much any current PJ out there, are all good enough that I can resist the manic upgraditis that a lot of us succumb to.

Now if I could just manage the same for amplifiers . . .

Nah. I visit the PJ area a lot less frequently these days (probably once a week instead of twice daily), but the RS1, and pretty much any current PJ out there, are all good enough that I can resist the manic upgraditis that a lot of us succumb to.

Now if I could just manage the same for amplifiers . . .

Did you hear about the 100000:1 contrast LED, 2000 lumen DILA native 2.35:1 projector retailing for $5000 that is being released tomorrow? :D Kidding...

Nah. I visit the PJ area a lot less frequently these days (probably once a week instead of twice daily), but the RS1, and pretty much any current PJ out there, are all good enough that I can resist the manic upgraditis that a lot of us succumb to.

Now if I could just manage the same for amplifiers . . .

I think we need to get you into the lab, you may be key in developing a cure or vaccine for upgraditis!

Nah. I visit the PJ area a lot less frequently these days (probably once a week instead of twice daily), but the RS1, and pretty much any current PJ out there, are all good enough that I can resist the manic upgraditis that a lot of us succumb to.

Now if I could just manage the same for amplifiers . . .

I'm looking for amps...id be happy to take some off your hands for you and give you an excuse to upgrade... :D:D:D:D

Oh I never sell the old ones, I just add more.

Oh I never sell the old ones, I just add more.

lol nice...

Have you heard any Emotiva?

I have no place to demo and their prices have me very interested.

I have a B&K AVR 307 right now...that would be the benchmark.

A. I would not consider the Panny if you really want to see ALL the detail on your HD Media. Smoothscreen = a serious decrease in detail. Not acceptable to me.
I have had a Sony Qualia 004 LCOS for around 5 years now, and I am very happy with it.

B. I have the 3 channel Emotiva and I have been very happy with it.

Vern

Oh I never sell the old ones, I just add more.

I am sure your significant other loves you for that....racks and racks and racks of amps. :)

How is your electric bill? :D Although your heat bill probably dropped a lot since you didn't need the furnace anymore.

Well, one of them is a class D Exodus from DIY cable that I like quite a bit and which is really really efficient. Haven't heard an Emotiva. I am thinking of buying a Butler tube hybrid next though. Which oddly, is also fairly efficient.

But we really should stop hijacking arango1's thread. Plus you guys are making me come back to the projector forum more than my prescribed semi-weekly amount. :)

And I agree with Vern's assessment of smoothscreen, BTW. It's nice if screen door bugs you, but it is a slight tradeoff.

Smoothscreen is great for 720p projectors and close viewing. But with 1080p, usually it is no longer required and I agree it can be somewhat irritating (I owned one for a while).

A. I would not consider the Panny if you really want to see ALL the detail on your HD Media. Smoothscreen = a serious decrease in detail. Not acceptable to me.
I have had a Sony Qualia 004 LCOS for around 5 years now, and I am very happy with it.
Vern

That wasn't my experience. I replaced a Canon SX50 (with anamorphic lens) with an AE2000. The LCoS was very soft looking compared to the Panasonic. There is much more detail as well. ( I realize your Sony is in a completely different league than the Canon.) My point is that the newer implementions of smoothscreen is not the devil. :)

In saying that, my next PJ will probably be an Epson (for brightness and black level).

Art