I'm looking to purchase the SIM2 D80. Anyone have this projector and/or any advice on purchasing this projector. Picture quality, etc.?

donutss,
I'm having my local dealer/installer over tonight to give me an quote on installing the D80 which Alan has highly recommended. There hasn't been much info about it since most here are waiting for the JVC. The only negative I've heard about the D80 is it's not as bright as the HT3000 which costs about 6k more than the D80. I've heard the picture is awesome and no RBE, but others who have seen this projector will hopefully give you some more accurate info.

Pride9

I really give thumbs up on this machine. I have the HT3000. Both have the same features. I would have gone with the D80 but I needed the long throw lens option restricted to the HT otherwise I would own the D80.

Id love to hear some feedback from anyone if you get this machine.

Thanks!

I'm looking to purchase the SIM2 D80. Anyone have this projector and/or any advice on purchasing this projector. Picture quality, etc.?

donutss

I had a demo of the HT5000, C3X, D80 and D35 a couple of weeks ago. All very nice but ignoring the huge and costly HT5000 the C3X was the best of the bunch based on that demo. Reading other threads on this forum there apprears to be a big concerns over PJ operating noise levels. The Sim2's are not as quiet as some ~ 30db in low IIRC so you may want to check this out.

Dazzer

Alan (and anyone else),
As you know i was having 2 D80sa installed (still not 100% sure on the main PJ... Titan250 or HT5k, HT3k).I've been using this machine for a few weeks now so here's my opinion.
The image is razor sharp and super detailed. Well saturated and deep. Easily the best single chip image i've seen. Its basically a diet HT3000. Not as bright as the 3k but more than bright enough. Electronically the machines are the same but the HT 3k is for longer throw/ larger room apps. I don't want another flame war,but i was able to compare the D80 again to the JVC everyone is raving about. The JVC wins hands down in the value stakes but looses in key areas if you are willing to throw down for the Sim2. It wins in the following areas

1. Sharper image
2. Panel uniformity
3. Totally programmable aspect ratios with memory
4. Optical path alone costs more than the budget machine. No distortions on a test grid
5. Very flexible gamma options.
6. On board processing is far better than most ( scaling, de-interlacing etc.)
7. No possibility of haze due to front venting, as has been seen.

As I said, image is stellar and noise is not an issue. Sim2 aren't cheap but they dont claim to be, budget machines are best done by CE companies. They have excellent lamp life, good warranties and are super reliable.

If you have any Q's just ask.

Alan (and anyone else),
As you know i was having 2 D80sa installed (still not 100% sure on the main PJ... Titan250 or TT5ka, TT3ka).I've been using this machine for a few weeks now so here's my opinion.
The image is razor sharp and super detailed. Well saturated and deep. Easily the best single chip image i've seen. Its basically a diet HT3000. Not as bright as the 3k but more than bright enough. Electronically the machines are the same but the HT 3k is for longer throw/ larger room apps. I don't want another flame war,but i was able to compare the D80 again to the JVC everyone is raving about. The JVC wins hands down in the value stakes but looses in key areas if you are willing to throw down for the Sim2. It wins in the following areas

1. Sharper image
2. Panel uniformity
3. Totally programmable aspect ratios with memory
4. Optical path alone costs more than the budget machine. No distortions on a test grid
5. Very flexible gamma options.
6. On board processing is far better than most ( scaling, de-interlacing etc.)
7. No possibility of haze due to front venting, as has been seen.

As I said, image is stellar and noise is not an issue. Sim2 aren't cheap but they dont claim to be, budget machines are best done by CE companies. They have excellent lamp life, good warranties and are super reliable.

If you have any Q's just ask.

I had budgeted for the C3X but after demoing both this and the JVC I preferred the JVC in terms of PQ. But that's just my preference and the C3X was very good and better than the D80 IMO.

This is why it is so important to go view a PJ and take along familar material to give them a thorough workout. Make an informed purchasing decision based on what YOU see and what is important to YOU. Don't buy blind or be put off auditioning a product based on opinions, FUD or reviews from experts real of imagined.

You mention noise is not an issue but the units I demoed where not that quiet. What is the official Sim2 dB levels as they sounded louder than the Pearl or JVC.

Dazzer

That's all great info for me. Thanks to everyone. Anymore info on noise and picture quality is always appreciated.

I am also interested in a 1080 projector.

I saw the JVC and the Sim2 at CEDIA.

I would have liked to have seen them side-by-side, so it is interesting to me that JVC chose a Sony to side-by-side, rather than a Sim2.

Noise level of D80 is supposed to be less than 25db.

Noise level of D80 is supposed to be less than 25db.

Pete

A guy from Sim2 told me ~ 29dB and it did sound noticeably louder than the Pearl. It's difficult to find any "official" spec info on noise and lumens from Sim2. Again I would alway suggest people go see and hear a product first hand irrespective of the published spec.

Dazzer

Ive done 2 side by sides and there was a very marked difference.
Panel uniformity was a problem with all four corners washed out on the JVC. There was optical distortion on a test grid ( big difference in optics quality) and some hazing from the heat vents which ive never seen before so may be a one off. The Sim2 was far sharper too.Convergance was also an issue that when minimised it showed a blue error to the left on some parts of the screen but to the right on others. This seems like a manufacture issue. Lack of fully adustable scaling was also a huge failing

I do have to say in defence of the JVC that it performs well at its budget price point and there seems to be no competition in its sector of the market. It does seem unfair to compare it to a more expensive unit from a more respected company in the HT arena. If the money is not the main issue then the difference is well worth paying.

I do have to say in defence of the JVC that it performs well at its budget price point and there seems to be no competition in its sector of the market. It does seem unfair to compare it to a more expensive unit from a more respected company in the HT arena. If the money is not the main issue then the difference is well worth paying.


Coldmachine

I think that's a good point. If I were a small manufacturer or had paid a premium for "brand" I would certainly position my product as superior to anything that maybe a threat and attempt to downplay it as a "budget" model. Jaguar tried something similar in the UK to counter Lexus. BTW it's interesting to hear the Sim2 position on convergence of the $50k HT5000 or C3X. Do you know what it is ?

Once again my advice to anyone considering any PJ is to go for a demo and take along familiar material. A side by side of your contenders is great but not always possible. Then buy what YOU prefer rather than be biased by FUD or opinion of experts real of imagined. :) Also check out first hand the areas coldmachine mentions and see what YOU think. :rolleyes:

BTW where did you see the side by side of the JVC and D80 ? In the UK or US ? If I recall correctly you posted about a side by side demo you attended at an NY dealer in early Jan but would not say where for some reason. :confused:

Dazzer