I never new looking for a projector would be this tough. I have about 2 weeks left before I have to make a choice. With all the talk lately about the JVC RS1 and how amazing it is, I'm wondering if anyone has compared it to the SIM2 D80 or HT3000.

It's pretty much come down to one of these three. I am going to be using a 100" screen in a basement room that is totally dark. 11' wide by 24' long by 8' high. I will have 1080p blu-ray and hd-dvd.

Any info to help me make a decision is highly appreciated! Thank you!

I never new looking for a projector would be this tough. I have about 2 weeks left before I have to make a choice. With all the talk lately about the JVC RS1 and how amazing it is, I'm wondering if anyone has compared it to the SIM2 D80 or HT3000.

It's pretty much come down to one of these three. I am going to be using a 100" screen in a basement room that is totally dark. 11' wide by 24' long by 8' high. I will have 1080p blu-ray and hd-dvd.

Any info to help me make a decision is highly appreciated! Thank you!


donutss

I have seen all three in action but not all of them side by side. I don't think you would be disappointed with any of them and out of the Sim2's I preferred the C3X for overall image.

If your HT has dark decor and no ambient light you should get the maximum benefit from the high native contrast of the JVC. If your viewing distance is ~ 1-1.2 screens the higher res of the D80 and JVC may offer additional benefit with BD.

There are obvious differences in cost and features with each projector so you need to asses how valuable each of these is for your requirements i.e. motorised zoom, CIH etc. Also do you want the added flexibility of an external video processor or a PJ that inludes a subset of VP type features? Again the cost difference may allow you to consider this now or as a future upgrade.

The benefit of an external VP is that you get a choice and can upgrade the VP without having to change the PJ. Also the external VP allows for a single cable cable run to the PJ if you wish and usually provides increased connectivity (types and # of connections), support for multiple displays etc. In addition the some VP's will convert BD/HD DVD to 24p ouput that will remove 3:2 judder.

There is also the different image "look" due to the technology that each of these PJ's use to generate the image to consider. I recommend you go for a thorough demo with familiar test material and base your decision on your first hand experience. I know this is probably not the answer you want but it is the best advice.

Dazzer

Your choice may also be determined by your throw distance. If the the PJ is at the rear the smallest image the D80 will throw is 12ft. This may mean the increased cost of an HT3000 for the shorter throw lens if you are not ceiling mounting.
The Sims are a bit more money than the JVC which is never good. This is offset by not needing external VP. As Allan has stated on here and i can verify.... These machines are the only ones encountered that negate the need for a VP, even a high-end one. We have both tested with VP in and VP out and the on board proved better. Most of the algorithms used are proprietary so not available elsewhere and tailored to suit not only the electronics but also the superb optics. All my sources are digital (bar one component) so an HDMI switch takes care of the only limitation regarding connections and multiple monitors and doesnt cost that much

I agree with Dazzer. If need a PJ with only limited VP then save your money and get the JVC. If you require flexible VP get a Sim2

I will be posting a detailed appraisal of the D80 in the next few days that may prove useful, and will include a detailed look at the extensive onboard VP.

colmachine,
I look forward to your comments on the D80 as I'm having mine installed on Friday with an 8'wide Da-Lite Screen. I have an Oppo 970 to feed it 480i out of HDMI and hoping the D80 does as well as you say it does. I can't wait till it's finished:)

Pride9

It so happens that mine are with 8ft Da-lites as well. I assume you have HD sources as well? My appraisal will be up at the weekend. If, in the meantime you have any detailed, or not so detailed questions then pm me.

Wow, sounds great. I can't wait to hear from both of you. I have been recommended a Da-lite screen as well to go along with the D80. Which Da-Lite screen are you both using?

Its the screen material that really matters. They are both Cinema Contour with the unity gain Cinema vision surface. I personally cant tolerate a high gain screen

I'm not sure exactly which screen I'm getting but I know it's a 1.1 gain screen. I'm trusting my installer to get everything right. I have an Oppo 970 and DirectTV HD-DVR as my sources, and maybe this summer I will add an HD or Blu-Ray player as well. First things first though, and if I'm not happy with the D80 I can always trade it up for the 3000. Maybe my dealer will be ready to get rid of his demo 3000 when I'm ready to decide whether the D80 meets my needs. Now comes the hard part, waiting for that last 24-48 hours till it's installed and working. Iam in no way a videophile so my review will be very unscientific:)

I do look forward to hearing others comments to see if they confirm what I see this weekend.

Now, excuse my while I go find something busy to do to make the time pass quickly.

Pride9

Feeding that machine a 480i signal may be rather underwhelming. Its multiplying the pixel count massively with no new information. Your HD Tv will be another matter. If you are not experienced with large screen full HD you are in for a treat. It will literally explode off your screen. Let him fully set it up before having a peak, if you can and the effect will be huge.

Its the screen material that really matters. They are both Cinema Contour with the unity gain Cinema vision surface. I personally cant tolerate a high gain screen

Isn't DaLite's Cinema Vision screen material a 1.3 gain, and therefore not a unity gain screen ? AFAIK only their Matte White has a unity gain of 1.0

It must be that one then. Its the unity gain.

Isn't DaLite's Cinema Vision screen material a 1.3 gain, and therefore not a unity gain screen ? AFAIK only their Matte White has a unity gain of 1.0


I don't think Da-lite offer their "Matte White" material as an option on fixed screen products. I believe the "Da-Mat" material has a gain of 1 and is unsupported for use in fixed applications. :)


Dazzer

Da-Mat is available for fixed screens.

http://www.da-lite.com/products/product.php?cID=20&pID=234

;) ;)

Da-Mat is available for fixed screens.

http://www.da-lite.com/products/product.php?cID=20&pID=234

;) ;)

"unsupported" as in doesn't have a backing material i.e. Matte White. Not "unsupported" as in not available. :)

"Da-Mat™

It is a highly flexible unsupported vinyl fabric and may be folded or rolled. Screen surface can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Flame retardant and mildew resistant."


Dazzer

My bad, what an idiot.

The Cinema Vision is a 1.3 gain, the DaMat is the unity 1.0 gain (as is the Matte White, but Matte White is not made for fixed frames).
If you have a 1.1 gain, that is either the High Contrast Cinema Vision or High Contrast Matte White (again, depending if it is fixed or retractable).

Pertaining to the question on hand...
The RS1 is the least expensive, and really the best "value". Specwise it definitely surpasses either Sim2 (if you only pay attention to specs). Personally, I think the HT3000 is a better overall performer if money isn't an object. The D80 I don't have a ton of experience with so I really cannot comment on it too much.

Unless you are at an extreme distance or screen sizes the 2 Sims with throw a virtually identical image. With a 7 or 8 ft screen at shortish throw distances you may have to back off the 3ks brightness bringing them even closer, possibly making it a waste of 6/7k in that situation. It you are throwing from really far or need a really big screen it must be the 3k

If you intend to go CIH then the Sims will scale properly (2.35 or 2.40) to any AR. Optics are very important in CIH,and the Sims are very good, one of the main reasons for the added expense. The HTs cluster is probably worth the price of a RS1
If you dont intend CIH ignore this paragraph.

No matter which one you choose you'll get a great image. They are 3 solutions to 3 different problems. Identify your particular issues then throw down some cake, baby.

The Cinema Vision is a 1.3 gain, the DaMat is the unity 1.0 gain (as is the Matte White, but Matte White is not made for fixed frames).
If you have a 1.1 gain, that is either the High Contrast Cinema Vision or High Contrast Matte White (again, depending if it is fixed or retractable).

Pertaining to the question on hand...
The RS1 is the least expensive, and really the best "value". Specwise it definitely surpasses either Sim2 (if you only pay attention to specs). Personally, I think the HT3000 is a better overall performer if money isn't an object. The D80 I don't have a ton of experience with so I really cannot comment on it too much.


How does the VP in the Sim2 handle BD/HD DVD film material input at 60Hz. Does it perform inverse telecine and then refresh at a rate that is a multiple of 24 or does it only do this with 24/48 input signals ?

Dazzer

coldmachine-

I have a small (80") Greyhawk screen (.95 gain) but was going to change-out the material for Firehawak G3 (1.3 gain). My HT3000 will be ceiling mounted about 120" from the screen. Do you think the modest upgrade in gain will have a negative effect on the image? (Stewart claims the G3 material is better for 1080p projectors)

TA

I dont think it will have a negative effect at all,but , it may not be a big improvement in useable brightness. On that small (relatively speaking) of a screen from 10ft you will have to dim the 3000 anyway. Full on at those dimensions will be like a frickin supernova. :D :D

I hate high gain screens but i think 1.3 isnt too crazy but with that candle you may suffer retina burns :D :D

Your dealer may have some samples lying around to lay on your screen.

Do you think the modest upgrade in gain will have a negative effect on the image? (Stewart claims the G3 material is better for 1080p projectors)

My new scope screen is the Firehawk G3 - I really like the picture I get from this screen!

I hate high gain screens but i think 1.3 isnt too crazy but with that candle you may suffer retina burns

If my dVision didn't have a manually adjustable iris I'd need welders goggles ( not really - but it is bright )! 1.3 gain seems fairly reasonable. It just gives a little punch to the picture.

coldmachine,
The Oppo will upconvert up to 1080i so should this be the signal I send the D80? I could go with the 981..............will upconvert to 1080p.........if that's a better option. I 'm still within the 30 day return period with the Oppo, so I guess I will ask the installers as well, what they think is the best option. I will be watching only Standard Def DVD's right now...

Pride9

To be honest id bet the PJ will do a better job of upconveting and de-interlacing than your DVD player. Id leave it at the DVDs native res. Change settings and see, but thats what ive found.

Alwayd remember ...whatever looks best to you IS best.

coldmachine,
The installers said the same thing. They said to go HDMI from the sat box and use component out the DVD player. They are going to check both ways to see which one is better, and after they leave I can switch and play around until I get the picture that's best for me.......as you said:)

I hope I'll be enjoying the D80 this evening.....................

Pride9

The only problem I have found with satellite through HDMI, is that because the lower quality and compress signal, sometimes the pure digital path of the HDMI can pass all the garbage through as well. Component can sometimes help hide that. You hit it on the head...you have to experiment to know what your setup will do best.

Jason,
The installers did do component out from the Sat box, and HDMI from my Oppo 970. I can't tell you how wowed I was with the D80 last night with only little calibrating by the installers. We watched a movie and it was awesome. I will write more about the D80 later......sorry, everyone, you're just going to have to wait.

Pride9

Cool. Sim2 makes top notch projectors so I'm certain this will bring you years of enjoyment.

I have a small (80") Greyhawk screen (.95 gain) but was going to change-out the material for Firehawak G3 (1.3 gain). My HT3000 will be ceiling mounted about 120" from the screen. Do you think the modest upgrade in gain will have a negative effect on the image? (Stewart claims the G3 material is better for 1080p projectors)I would recommend that you upgrade to Grawhawk RS instead. The formulation of the original Grayhawk was designed to compensate for lamp limitations in early digital projectors. The RS surface has superior colorimetry and flat spectral response.

I use that same screen size, and the extra gain is not needed with the HT3000.


Ken Whitcomb