$400 to spend, what upgrade would you get? - Page 3

Originally Posted by mtbdudex 

Re-posting the OP 1st post as sanity chk.
In a video forum 2 choices given, for biggest bang for buck analysis.
-darblet
-a lens
Then later audio choice thrown in by him
-mini dsp
(Imo The audio choice seem to be outta place in Video forum, apples to oranges thing.)
Open ended Q any other idea for $400 can be put on the table.
With all the talk on A-lens vs zooming, just wanted to recheck OP.
There are a few famous zooming vs a-lens threads, as well as CIH vs CIW threads. Rehash them inside here?
IMO, with him sticking with exact same gear he has - slightly dated and such, if he can get an a-lens for $400 that will give him 25% more brightness than zooming.
That is great bang for buck!
All this talk of 4k pj is good stuff, but outta scope of the OP.
There are threads where that is covered, right?
A new bulb is another good one, but I'd guess he does that every 1500 hrs approx give/take already.
So it comes down to more brightness vs the darblet effect .
If he's lived with the brightness of zooming, and over the years came to accept that, then the darblet seems like a "new thing" to do.
Something to try out.....heck this thread put the darblet onto my radar, as a $400 tweak to my slightly dated Sony VW60 pj + UH380 current video side combo.
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Originally Posted by humbland 

I apologize for hijacking the thread with AR options.
To try and help with the $400 question:
A simple addiition not mentioned, that is a tremendous bang for the buck in that price range, is to add tactile transducers to your seating.
We have a top of the line SVS sub, but adding Buttkcikers did a lot for the action/adventure genera. It's easy to do and quite dramatic.

Originally Posted by Frosteh 

I am likely going to make a slide myself using drawer slides and some thin wood. Then again, I may get lazy and just switch 16:9 content to 4:3 and keep the lens in place. Either way, I don't think I'll be giving up much since HDTV isn't really even 1080 anyway. I doubt I'll miss those few extra pixels. Both solutions are simple enough and it's pretty easy to get up and move the lens; sure as heck beats zooming and shifting.
Dang you!! Well shoot. Maybe I'll get myself a Darbee for Hanukkah if I decide to keep the lens.

Originally Posted by viperdriver5150 

I just had to post as everyone on here has been so helpful when a problem arises or good solid advice is needed. Like I said earlier, I would have never thought the picture could have looked that much better as I thought it already looked fantastic.
Another member also noted buttkickers or something of that caliber. I have 2 pair bought that are not installed yet but look forward to seeing what they add to the experience. Currently for bass I have 2 rhythmik 's and one velodyne 15 behind the rear seats. We have a baby coming home in a day or two and thought they could really be a benefit at low volumes.