PJ for $1k, 1080, dark room. Is there one? [Text View]

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Fr. John

10-06-09, 09:14 PM

I'm looking for a projector strictly for movies. I currently have a 42" Panny plasma which I'm thoroughly happy with.

I'd like to get a 1080 PJ for a dark only room. I'm not looking for huge size here, somewhere in the 80-100" range I guess.

Is there anything that will be worth getting in the $1k range?

riotnrrd

10-06-09, 09:38 PM

chumpchange21

10-07-09, 02:47 AM

The Optoma HD20 is an extremely popular pick! So is the BenQ W1000.

They all fall in the same price range too! BenQ projectors have always seemed to boast and support more lumens then competing projectors. In this case the BenQ has lower audible noise, so this is something that perhaps you'd want to consider, especially (as riotnrrd mentioned) your projector will be near you.

Do make your own comparison with the following full specs = )

BenQ W1000
http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-W1000.htm

Optoma HD20
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-HD20.htm

patrickoneal

10-07-09, 03:23 PM

CT_Wiebe

10-07-09, 05:50 PM

Hotdogah

10-07-09, 10:41 PM

Ive been lurking for a while and have decided to get a Viewsonic Pro8100. It has better placement as a LCD and quiet. Also has excellent PQ. It was over 3k just a few months ago and can be had for under 1200 with some shopping w/ a MSRP installed of 5k its a steal. With some shopping. I would consider the benQ but it was to be out 2 months ago or so and has not been reviewed.

convexion

10-07-09, 11:37 PM

If I was going to buy now I'd probably go with the Pro8100 as well based on Art's Review and fellow forum member Rob Clark. Just beware the banding issues and decent but not great black levels.

If you want something better you'll have to pay for it or find a stellar deal on a high end 720p. FYI, I picked up my VP4001 for under a grand and it produces an excellent image. Not 1080p though.

Personally I have my eye on the Sharp XV-Z15000 because I prefer DLP. I'm hoping it will come down in price in the next couple months so I can get a little more bang for my buck. :D

fargus24

10-08-09, 08:36 PM

patrickoneal -- It isn't and PJC doesn't even have it listed in their "Popular PJs" either. I don't trust anything that PJC lists or reviews. However, their "Calculator Pro" is very good for calculating projector throw distances.

BTW, the Optoma HD20 would not be my choice, based on the review posted here: http://www.projectorreviews.com/optoma/hd20/index.php. Although Art does say that it is Ok for a sub-$1000 PJ.

Would REALLY like to know what pj would be your choice in this category, both LCD and DLP if you don't mind. I love reading your posts and have learned a lot. Thanks for all your nooB patience!!!!

tdog_2005

10-08-09, 09:28 PM

I have the optoma hd20 and i think its a great projector, i know there is better out there but i only wanted to spend in the 1k range also. If you can try it out somewhere that would be the best. Also the vivitek is another 1080p and also the benq has one which should be released soon.
Don't get discouraged from Arts review, he is biased to expensive projectors, when you rate something the dollar value should be a good way to base your review apon, you can rate a honda civic a 9 out 10 and you can rate a ferrai a 9 of 10 , also you can say the honda civic is lacking in acceleration, my point is demo it out, read reviews from actual users who own the projector you are looking to purchase and don't take one persons word.

TCARCIO

10-08-09, 09:37 PM

The W-1000 is available at the end of this month and can be had for less than $1000 here.....http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=24767&itmname=BenQ%20W1000

chumpchange21

10-12-09, 04:09 AM

I apologize for the misconception and perhaps misleading information that I wrote last time. I meant to say that the BenQ W1000 is a popular projector that many are talking about and are anticipating to see. So you should wait and see how it gets reviewed and performs before making a final decision :)

fleaman

10-13-09, 09:35 PM

I myself have the HC3800 at the top of my list, along with a high contrast 0.9 screen to help on contrast, which according to projector reviews, seems to do better (w/o a gray screen) on contrast compared to the rest of the PJ's in the 2nd posters list. Anyway, the HC3800 has the extra firepower for a gray screen...

zamdam

10-14-09, 12:06 AM

Totally! I'm in a similar quandary right now have "narrowed" the selections down to the following. These are all 1080p projectors (except the two Epsons, as noted); prices are approximate.

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 (720p) - $1000
Optoma HD20 - $1000
Mitsubishi HC3800 - $1400
Epson Home Cinema 705HD (720p) - $750
Vivitek H1080FD - $1000
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 - $1500
BenQ W1000 - $1300
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 - $1600
Viewsonic Pro8100 - $1300

The first question you may want to answer is whether you would prefer a DLP projector or one based on LCD technology. Also, do you have a great deal of flexibility in where you can put the projector, or does it have to be in one spot? Are you planning on mounting it on the ceiling? Will it be close enough to your head for noise to be an issue?

I am thinking about getting either the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 or the Optoma HD20..

But I dont know how the HD20 will compare to the Home Cinema 720, since the HD20 is 1080p.. But since its the cheapest 1080p pj and the epson 720 is the same price.. I just dont know which one to get?

I will have it in a dark room and it will be hooked up to my PC, PS3, and my XBOX360. Also, I dont really have a screen as of just yet, I bought some Silver Screen paint from Home depot and it helped a lot.. Currently I have a sharp XG-P25X that was given to me for FREE..

What do you guys think?

Star56

10-14-09, 04:03 AM

zamdam

10-14-09, 10:37 AM

Without directly comparing these two Pjs side by side it is hard to say definitively what the outcome would be. However, I have compared a well-respected 720P projector (Mits 1000u) and the HD20 shooting to 106" and the HD20 wins hands down. The increased detail is very significant at this screen size.

It will be in my garage that can be pretty much blacked out since there are no windows.. Currently my sharp XG-P25X is displaying a 140" diag picture at 1280 x 1024 via a DVI cable coming from my pc. It actually looks really good when I am watching a 1080p or 720p movie. The only thing is that it seems really bright, as in the blacks are more grey than black. I guess that has to do with it having 4000 lumens. I guess I cant complain since I got this pj for free.

riotnrrd

10-14-09, 01:43 PM

I am thinking about getting either the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 or the Optoma HD20..

But I dont know how the HD20 will compare to the Home Cinema 720, since the HD20 is 1080p.. But since its the cheapest 1080p pj and the epson 720 is the same price.. I just dont know which one to get?

It's hard to answer. If you are the kind of person who likes to buy a proven piece of kit and use it until it's "worn out" then the Epson is your best bet. It has the longer warantee (2 years vs. 1 year) comes with a free bulb (an extra 3000 hours of viewing time) and has a proven two year track record. It's the safe choice, and the picture quality is excellent although it's only 720p.

On the other hand, if you can deal with no lens shift and are willing to take a chance on a brand new model with a 1 year warantee, then the HD20 is a bargain. It gets you 1080p for cheap, is brighter than the Epson and, again, has good picture quality. Note, too, that the HD20 is a DLP projector and the rainbox effect can really bother some people (I only noticed it for a week or three when I got the projector and even then it didn't irritate me).

Obviously, viewing the two side by side would be the best way to decide but that might not be possible. Are there any A/V stores where you live that would loan you floor models to check out?

zamdam

10-14-09, 02:05 PM

It's hard to answer. If you are the kind of person who likes to buy a proven piece of kit and use it until it's "worn out" then the Epson is your best bet. It has the longer warantee (2 years vs. 1 year) comes with a free bulb (an extra 3000 hours of viewing time) and has a proven two year track record. It's the safe choice, and the picture quality is excellent although it's only 720p.

On the other hand, if you can deal with no lens shift and are willing to take a chance on a brand new model with a 1 year warantee, then the HD20 is a bargain. It gets you 1080p for cheap, is brighter than the Epson and, again, has good picture quality. Note, too, that the HD20 is a DLP projector and the rainbox effect can really bother some people (I only noticed it for a week or three when I got the projector and even then it didn't irritate me).

Obviously, viewing the two side by side would be the best way to decide but that might not be possible. Are there any A/V stores where you live that would loan you floor models to check out?

Im not for sure if there is a A/V store around here that would let me borrow one. There are a few best buys around, but I dont think they even have them on display. Also, there is a Fry's Electronics, but then again. I dont think they will let me borrow their floor model.

There is a high A/V store here, but they dont carry these cheap models.. Nothing below like 10k.

About DLP models, Ive seen on some models that say the color wheel will last for a certain amount of time. I thought the only thing that had to be replaced was the lamp?

riotnrrd

10-14-09, 02:21 PM

Im not for sure if there is a A/V store around here that would let me borrow one.

I hear ya. I have the same problem. I'm trying to decide between a few 1k-2k models and no business is really interested in helping me, so I have to go by reviews and people's opinions here, which is a poor substitute.

About DLP models, Ive seen on some models that say the color wheel will last for a certain amount of time. I thought the only thing that had to be replaced was the lamp?

That's a new one to me, if that's the case. I have had a BenQ DLP projector for years and the color wheel has never given me a problem. I've replaced the bulb and had to clean out dust blobs, but that's it.

zamdam

10-14-09, 02:41 PM

[QUOTE=riotnrrd;17354371}That's a new one to me, if that's the case. I have had a BenQ DLP projector for years and the color wheel has never given me a problem. I've replaced the bulb and had to clean out dust blobs, but that's it.[/QUOTE]

Very good to know about the color wheel, cause what I have been reading.. DLP's have a much better color reproduction than the lcd's. I think thats why I bought a Panny 50" Plasma instead of buying a LCD..

Speaking of cleaning the dust and stuff out, should I just take the lamp out and use a can of air to blow it out, or do I need to go further than that? I have a OLD 2002 Sharp XG-P25X.. I got it for free last week and now I have to buy a new one once this lamp goes out..

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sharp-XG-P25X.htm