I'll start by saying I don't know much about the inner workings of projectors and color wheels etc. In the bit or research I have done (reading projector central) I have decided on the optoma hd25lv due to its high advertised brightness. In reading some threads here it sounds as if it does not quite achieve that level of brightness at a proper color calibration (and some users getting upset at pleebs like me who fall for their advertising tactics of lumens!).
My situation. I'm looking at about a 130 inch screen at about a 13 foot throw (exact dimensions are not with me). The room has quite a bit of natural light leek that is only slightly mitigated by curtains. Other household lights will probably be on too. I will be watching movies and streaming sports (NFL gamepass)
That being said which projector would you recommend for large bang for the buck for color and brightness combination? Thanks a ton in advance!
Not only does the w1070 offer a bright and accurate colored image, but it is also one of the few projectors that can fill a 130" screen from only 13' away.
The w1070 uses a much more accurate colorwheel than the hd25lv while still using an equally powerful lamp and it costs about $200 less.
The only other color-accurate (plus high brightness) option is to look at an LCD model which will give a bit more brightness while giving up some clarity, fast-motion handling, and contrast (important for movies in a darker room). It's usually best to stick with DLP in the cheaper price ranges and the w1070 is one of the best by far.
I was also considering the HD25-LV, but now I'm also strongly the w1070 which is roughly $100 less.
From what I gather, both have around the same brightness levels, but the w1070 will have more accurate colors (I think it has something to do with having a better color wheel?) and less image noise, and the HD25-LV will have better blacks.
I'm also considering the w1080ST for it's flexibility. I have a dark basement room that I could set the projector up in, but it would also be nice if I could bring it up from time to time and set it on a coffee table somewhere when I don't feel like using it in the basement.
One minor thing I am concerned about is the 3D performance between the two. While 3D is not something I'm using at the moment, I would like the option of using it in the future. The Optoma supports both DLP Link and VESA 3D (RF), whereas the BenQ only supports DLP Link.
I know VESA 3D is newer, and I think technically better, but how noticeable is the difference in real world use? I've also read some complaints about DLP Link causing the image to look washed out, is this a real issue?
I've heard with the inexpensive but good Estar glasses you won't really see a difference between dlp-link and vesa. The wash-out is only a problem with very poor performing glasses..which is why the Sainsonic should usually be avoided. Ironically the cheaper $12 G15 glasses perform solidly. Also, vesa-use requires an additional purchase to make it work, so the Optoma becomes even more expensive. There's a dedicated thread on here reporting how different glasses perform too.
Both the 25lv and w1070 have similar black-levels. The w1070 has more accurate colors and is brighter for colored content and brighter after both are calibrated. The hd25lv is brighter for black&white content and somewhat brighter for pale content when set for least accurate color.
The less accurate but brighter white settings for the Optoma also add image-noise that looks like grainy/pixel halos around edges and outlines.
The w1080 is a coffee table's friend if you need one. A little trickier to get aimed all square with its short throw, but that's an issue with all short-throw projectors.
What accounts for the advertised 3,200 lumens (hd25lv) vs 2000 lumens (w1070) when people here are saying they have around the same brightness and lamp?
Also I know its early but are there any reviews on the Optoma HD26? How is it different then the HD25-LV. Also how does it stack up against the w1070?
How about the LCD models like Epson 730HD/750HD? those things are BRIGHT, however they are 720p, a HUGE deal breaker for some, and they have low contrast and black levels (or as others would say: "gray levels" ), but if you say they are going to be used in a bright environment, the black levels and contrast suffer a lot no matter the model of the projector (as I understand).
I am leaning towards the w1070/1080ST now, but I'm a little scared of a successor being released shortly after I get it since these models are nearly 2 years old.
I did notice that there now exist models w1070+ and HT1075, but neither of them seem to be significant upgrades over the w1070.
What are the chances of my purchase becoming "outdated"?
The w1070+/1080+ are the successors and there's nothing to worry about for the originals getting outdated.
The hd730/750 is brighter but the black-levels and contrast are much worse and bad enough to be seen in low-light situations and the pixel-gaps can be seen (like a screendoor) if you like to sit fairly close. In a bright room at a distance 2X the screen width, it should look fine for most.
The hd25lv gets its extra brightness rating because its black&white brightness IS brighter when the colors are at their least accurate setting and this is all that is measured for brightness. Projectors aren't calibrated before getting measured for specs-sheets..they are actually measured at peak green-ish white simply to get the highest number even if that particular setting would be considered totally unwatchable for most.
The 25lv colorwheel has less color segments and more white so colors are darker and less accurate while white is unbalanced but brighter..even though it looks weird unless it is dialed back down to match its dim colors.
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