I think its time for a new projector

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post #1 of 5

7/15/10 at 6:32pm

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37 Posts. Joined 5/2007
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I purchased Mits HC1500 (serial number was in the low 100's) shortly after they came out....within 600 hrs the wheel started to whine....still under warranty, they replaced it....within 800 hrs on the second one the whine started...although 2 months past the end of the warranty, the company still covered it and adjusted the wheel....now after getting another 1300 hrs the whine is back again AND the low lamp life message is starting to appear.....now the whine was more of an irritation than a hindrance.....but now with the lamp going I am debating about getting a new projector (95% chance that I am) as opposed to replacing the lamp and living with the whine......I haven't kept up on the latest models so I am turning to you for a little guidance....I am looking to stay under $1500....my DIY screen is 103"....screen-to-lens length: 13'.....recliners at about 14'.....total light control (no windows).....room is W12'xL17'xH7'....mostly used for movies (DVD and Blu-Ray...oh and Netflix), gaming (PS3), and to a lesser extent sports and regular TV....prepare watching all in total darkness....don't think I'm interested in 3D just yet (want the tech to mature for alittle while, probably the projector after this one)......Now I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can give me ideas on what models to focus on and the reason(s) they recommending those models ...also, if there are models you think I should avoid, please do tell.....thanks in advance....

post #2 of 5

7/15/10 at 9:28pm

138 Posts. Joined 12/2009
Location: Washington
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Are you ceiling mounting and trying to re-use an existing mount location?
If you like DLP, first look into the Mits HC3800 for $1.2k and the Optoma HD20 for $1k. The BenQ W1000 would also work, but it has a slower color wheel (if you are RBE sensitive) and its main advantage is lumens which you apparently don't need.
If you want to look into LCD, check out the Epson 8100 and the Viewsonic Pro8100. Both are about $1.2k.

post #3 of 5

7/15/10 at 9:37pm

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yes ceiling mounted.....wold like to use the same location but can move forward or backward a foot...thanks for responding

post #4 of 5

7/16/10 at 9:59am

1,728 Posts. Joined 11/2001
Location: Monmouth County, NJ
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I had the HD1000, HC3000 and now the HC3800 so I'm familiar with its line of DLP projectors, pluses and minuses.

Plus - sharp, bright, contrast is better than the HD1000, and slightly better than HC3000. Both the 3000 and the 3800 are about the same in terms of fan noise, a slight edge over the 1000. Skin tone is better than my old Epson 400, but not sure about the 8100.

Cons - Light spill on the lower left, viewing from behind. Contrast is at the low end, due to the price and lack of an iris (some said a plus), comparing to the middle or high end LCD/LCOS. HDMI handshake is still an issue, as in all 3 models.

Color wheel is the same speed for all these models, except the 1600.

I've no experience with the Viewsonic brand. Optoma quality is simiar to Epson, Mitsu and BenQ. As this price range, you do get what you paid for. I've no issue with Mitsu's warranty service. Never need to use Epson's.

Good luck.

post #5 of 5

7/16/10 at 2:39pm

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