Hey guys,

I've had my Optoma H31 for about 2 years, and I LOVE it. Fantastic HD picture in my fully light controlled room (basement HT - 92" screen)

I'm thinking about upgrading to a Sanyo PLV-Z5, since my bulb is on it's last legs anyway.

I've read all the specs, and all there is to read about the Z5. However, to justify the cost, I need to SEE a big improvement in quality.

Given my happiness with the H31 - will I see a $1500 'improvement' in quality of image?

Should I just buy another bulb for the H31, and wait until the 1080P machines come down in price?

I know - kinda an ambiguous question, but I'm just looking for general comments about the 480P to 720P upgrade and if it's 'worth it' for most users.

ANY input would be appreciated! Thanks!

I've had my H31 for the last 2 years, and I've been very impressed with the picture. I bought a Toshiba HD-A2, and so I felt the need to upgrade to 720P. I just pulled the trigger on an Epson HC 400, due to the great review at www.Projectorreviews.com. Also, the $500 rebate didn't hurt! I'm sure the Z5 is great, but the Epson is much brighter, and the warranty is actually backed by the company! Good luck with your research, but give the Epson a look. At the present price after rebate it seems like a major deal.

Also read the thread on the BEnq W500. $1000 and has a very high end deinterlacer/scaler built in. Also accepts 1080p/24

Thanks for the tips on the other projectors.

However, my question still stands - is the difference THAT noticeable between a 480P and 720P projector? I don't have access to anyone with a 720P, so I'm still wondering if the cost justifies the increase in quality...

Considering the price of a new bulb versus the price of the HC400 after rebate I'd say it's a no brainer. The world has moved to HD, it's time we did too! And yes, I feel the difference is justified, as long as you have HD sources. Even upconverted DVDs should look better, and the higher resolution will let you sit closer to boot.

OP, I'm sort of in your position as well. I've got a DV-10 I'm considering upgrading for a bunch of reasons, but I'm very reluctant to do so. Virtually all I watch is DVDs I get through Netflix. I don't have a hi-def player and I don't want to get one when I know they'll be next to free (or obsoleted by streaming media) in the next couple of years. Given that my source is DVD, I can't really justify going to a more expensive projector. The increase in resolution will be largely wasted and if I went with an LCD projector it's possible that the contrast would actually be a step down from what I'm used to. If you've got lots of hidef sources, then I bet you'd notice a huge difference in image quality. I say that based on moving from standard-def TV to HDTV a few months ago. However, if you watch mostly DVDs it seems like more of a sideways move, or maybe a step down, depending on what you care about in an image.

I guess the big question is: what will you be watching?

I'm not too sure that it would be worth it, it may depend on how much 480p material you watch versus HD material.

I think standard televison vs HDTV may be a poor comparison, 480i vs 720p/1080i. I think EDTV vs HDTV may be a better comparison, 480p vs 720p/1080i.

When I've compared EDTV and HDTV in stores (granted they didn't have the best feeds), I did not see a whole lot of difference when you take a few steps away. They both looked like modern digital panels to me, very clean.

I think your request is a hard one to answer. If you are happy, I'd almost say wait until 1080p are affordable, otherwise you may be right back in this boat in a year or two wondering if you should go from 720p to 1080p.

Lastly, it's hard to qualify if something is worth $1,500. To LeBron games, it's without a doubt worth it. To the average Joe, it may not be (me included).

For the most part, it will be about 50% HD programming, 25% SD and DVD's, and the rest is Xbox360 gaming!

I think I might just get the bulb, and wait until the 1080's come down in price.

Thanks for the help!

I think standard televison vs HDTV may be a poor comparison, 480i vs 720p/1080i. I think EDTV vs HDTV may be a better comparison, 480p vs 720p/1080i.


Yeah -- I was thinking that given the size of a projected image, the difference the OP would notice between 480p and 720p on a projector would be more dramatic, sort of like moving from std-def TV to an HD feed on a smaller set.

I haven't compared the two in the same room, but we use the same screen and both rooms are completely light controlled, but on regular DVD's I can say that I actually prefer the image of my H31. I don't know what it is but somehow it actually seems just as sharp and maybe even more 3-D like (possibly from better inherent blacks....?).

With hidef the Z5 takes an edge and also if you sit close to the screen. I guess in my mind $1500 is not worth it right now. I'm waiting for another year and a half to two years and then I will buy a 1080p projector.

If you are happy with the H31 and consider $1500 a big investment, I say wait a little longer. If not, go nuts!

Have you considered a Mitsubishi HD1000? You can get one new for $900 and it has almost the same throw and offset as your Optoma which means you won't have to change your mount location. It has very similar performace but is brighter and 720p so high def will look sharper. If I were about to throw down $300 for a new bulb that is the move that I would make. You could sell it for half that when you decide to move to 1080p.

Moe