Help me upgrade from a Sharp-xvz12000 mkII

The title says it all, kinda. I'm curious about an upgrade sometime in the near to mid future and am wondering what the new hotness is.

I'm used to the optics on the Sharp, so I'm wondering what might wow me now but not break the bank. I'm on the 3k plus threads only because I'd consider something north of 3 grand, but I'm looking for value in that expenditure if I go there, you know?

I'd like to move to 1080, of course, and I'm at least mildly interested in 3D. I've always wanted to end up with a CIH setup, but realize that is another ball of wax entirely.

I have light control in a dedicated room. Usage is pretty equal between gaming a bluray. Im throwing about a 106" image. The room can handle short or long throw.


So what does one have to spend nowadays to be impressed over a unit like the Sharp? And what does that money buy you? Are the JVS RSxx units where I should be looking?

You know, if I could find a used Sharp xvz-20000 I'd go with that. I missed an opportunity a while back. I'm kind of kicking myself now. I supposed I can always just pick up yet another lamp for the 12k when the time comes.

I kind of feel I painted myself into a corner with this unit, heh. I bought it on firesale after all, so I basically stole this lens. And yeah, it's pretty hard to give up good optics once you've had it. I mean, it's a projector...I'd argue it main job is to uh, focus light on a surface. You kind of need a lens for that, and the better, the better.

There's no way I'd drop anything in the "teens" for an upgrade, though. I'd like to be able to have hobbies, like eating food, when I someday retire. I suppose I'll check into the JVC 45 or 55 as suggested to start my research.

Yeah, that's a gotcha with these units, for sure. 2,000 hour rated lamps that are very expensive.

That said, there were no lamps to be had in-country last time I picked up a new one for my XV-Z12000, but I did eventually get one.

I guess I'm used to the DLP look because it's all I've ever had (never was a fan of LCD when DLP vs. LCD was all the rage). However, I haven't so much as really seen the likes of LCOS or DILA in person (or even the newer LCDs for that matter). I've been kind of "out of the game" since buying the Sharp...just enjoying.

Is 3D to a state where I should really be even interested? I like the effect at the cinema (I don't understand most of the extremely negative reactions to it I've heard), but it's obviously not something for every film and all the time. However, I do find myself doing quite a bit of gaming on XBox now and I know some titles support this and am kind of intrigued. I can see Gears of War 3 or Modern Warfare 2 being pretty cool at 106" in a dark cave with a bit of perspective and depth. I'm wondering if 3D might be a part of the reason to upgrade.

I'm also kind of toying with a cheap implementation of CIH. Years ago I built an anamorphic lens of my own to pair with the mighty Infocus X1, and later went in on an experimental acrylic Panamorph. A friend recently did something using the zoom method that he likes. However, I'm again really kind of pampered by the sharpness and film-like nuance the Sharp is capable of, and if I go back to pixel city, or to LCD color blast, or to chromatic aberrations, or to soft focus, I wonder if I'd be at all impressed.

I do quite like what I'm reading about the RS55. I'd love to see one sometime. The SIM units I never hear anything about (perhaps I'm usually too busy "slumming it" to come across them).

I also see RS40's and 50's floating around for sale out there.

I'm just surprised that it's still so hard to make an obvious leap without considering more than a couple-few thousand. Dang lenses and their fine craftsmanship! It's like the man-cave version of diamond jewelry. "High-end Lenses: For just 3 month's salary, give him the gift that will last forever*"

*where forever is equal to 2-4 years of decline towards product obsolescence and full fair-market value depreciation.

Too bad projector lenses aren't like like camera lenses. You know, some kind of a standard that you can keep, just replacing camera bodies / projectors. I'll almost feel kind of bad if one day I have to junk this projector knowing such a fine piece of workmanship sits there in the optical path, in as perfect shape as it was one day one.

I guess my question then is this. Is it worth like 3 grand to upgrade from my 12k mkII to something like the Samsung SP-A900B? Or for the money should I be looking towards the newer stuff? I'd hate to spend a really significant amount on anything that might just seem an almost lateral move. I was considering the Sharp 20k I mentioned because it was little more than the price of a couple new lamps, in the end analysis.

And yeah, it's a pity Sharp left the game. I'm still trying to figure out why DLP sort of bit the dust in general. I find that weird, but then, my particular preferences never seem to align with popular opinion. I'm the stick-shift rear-wheel-drive coupe guy living in the world of SUVs. Heck I even really liked webOS, lol.

Tried to pick up a used XV-Z20000, but got a bad unit. So I'm stuck still looking for one.

I am looking at a Marantz 11S2 right now as well. I'm not sure if this would be better than the Sharp 20k, or not as good in terms of brightness. It at least has the same Konicka/Minolta type of lens setup. I don't think I could live with something less sharp than the...um...Sharp.

This is still really hard.

I actually already have a DaLite High Power (HP) paired with the XV-Z12000, so I'd be set for the Marantz 11S2. However, I wanted the XV-Z20000 partly for the brightness increase, which I feel the lack of on my 12k (especially for gaming). I'd hate to go with the Marantz only to find I should have stuck with my search for a 20k.

I understand how the retro screen works...my XV-Z12k lens is almost smack in the screen center, and my eyeballs are dead center and almost at the same height. It's optimal. Still don't consider there to be a comfortable amount of brightness overhead for games over the course of the first half of a lamp's life.

I think I'm kind of still stuck on finding a 20k. I just want a drop in replacement at this point, and I know I like it. The Marantz would be a bit of a gamble since I've never seen one, but I'd perhpas chance it if the price was right.

Just wish there was one to buy.

Lol, that's totally the one I bought. I'm in the process of returning it due to it not being as described (i.e. it, y'know, doesn't actually work). I was looking to rocking Halo 4 on that thing next week.

What drives me nuts are these online e-tailers who think they are still worth $6000+ because "ZOMG!!!!!1!!!!1! it used to sell for over $10,000!" Yeah, uh, some years ago before it was discontinued by a development and manufacturing division of Sharp that no longer exists... Way to stay on top of your inventory.

I'm a very niche buyer. It's like, would someone please just take my money in exchange for their dusty, crusty, space-wasting, discontinued and rapidly depreciating inventory. Please. It's not hard...here it's even all folded nicely and in order.

Maybe it's time to say screw it and go in for a JVC RSxx where xx equals whatever the current (or late model) number is these days.
Edited by Samurai Jack - 10/30/12 at 12:15pm