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Either getting Pearl or JVC RS-1

post #1 of 29
2/25/07 at 5:34am
Thread Starter 
I have a dedicated HT room with a 120" screen planned. I have two rows of seats. Front row is 12' back and the back row is 17' back on a 8" riser. The back walls are about 23 feet back.

I have to make a decision soon on a PJ and screen now that about everything else is done.

With the screen size I have, I read that I need a big gain on the screen... perhaps 1.6? I suppose this would apply for either the Pearl or the new JVC PJ (I'm a newb)?

I get concerned about brightness, since my eyes are getting old and aren't 20/20 anymore.

From what I've read of the Pearl and the JVC PJ's, in my mind there are plusses and minuses to each. I'm not wanting to get into a flame war, I'm just trying to make up my mind on screen and PJ.

The Sony Pearl has a quieter fan (even on high its softer then the JVC in normal) and can be serviced with any potential problems (this is true in my locality anyway). The JVC has better blacks and a little better visual (I know this is over-generalizing but so be it).

So given my room size and and a 120" diagonal screen size ... what PJ and screen do I get (particularly the gain, since my eyes aren't the sharpest)? How far back do I place the PJ from the screen?

And given that my ears are sharper then my eyes, do I get the Pearl over the new JVC?

Thanks in advance for any help. It's a big decision I have to make.
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post #2 of 29
2/25/07 at 6:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lightstrikes View Post

I have a dedicated HT room with a 120" screen planned. I have two rows of seats. Front row is 12' back and the back row is 17' back on a 8" riser. The back walls are about 23 feet back.

I have to make a decision soon on a PJ and screen now that about everything else is done.

With the screen size I have, I read that I need a big gain on the screen... perhaps 1.6? I suppose this would apply for either the Pearl or the new JVC PJ (I'm a newb)?

I get concerned about brightness, since my eyes are getting old and aren't 20/20 anymore.

From what I've read of the Pearl and the JVC PJ's, in my mind there are plusses and minuses to each. I'm not wanting to get into a flame war, I'm just trying to make up my mind on screen and PJ.

The Sony Pearl has a quieter fan (even on high its softer then the JVC in normal) and can be serviced with any potential problems (this is true in my locality anyway). The JVC has better blacks and a little better visual (I know this is over-generalizing but so be it).

So given my room size and and a 120" diagonal screen size ... what PJ and screen do I get (particularly the gain, since my eyes aren't the sharpest)? How far back do I place the PJ from the screen?

And given that my ears are sharper then my eyes, do I get the Pearl over the new JVC?

Thanks in advance for any help. It's a big decision I have to make.


I was a Pearl owner but was unhappy with the overall image quailty in my HT. I ended up with four units before calling it a day. I demoed a range of PJ's recently such as the JVC HD1, Sim2 C3X, D80 and Optoma HD81. Following this activity I was in no doubt about what I preferred. I now have a JVC HD1 in my HT and IMO it is a significant upgrade to the Pearl PQ in my HT. YMMV.

Dazzer
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post #3 of 29
2/25/07 at 6:41am
back in November i was in almost exactly the same spot as you. i got into the pre-order for the RS1 and had resigned myself to wondering.....Pearl or RS1?......and then the waiting 3 months for an RS-1.

then i won a Best Buy gift certificate and rationalized i should probably get a Pearl immediately. so for the last 3 months i have had the Pearl on a 115" wide screen (for 2:35 CH), i sit at about 13 feet and the Pearl is 140" from the screen. i run the Pearl in the 'Low' lamp setting with plenty of gain for my 1.7 screen......it is quiet (definitely quieter than the Marantz VP-12S3 that the Pearl replaced).

next week i'll have the RS-1 to compare directly. like you; noise level is an issue; and i certainly don't have 20/20 vision anymore either.

i will keep the one that i like best and sell the other. i would assume there will be a few Pearl owners that will be doing the same thing.

i am very happy with the Pearl and if i wasn't on the pre-buy of the RS-1 i don't think i would be considering any other projector. i suppose i'm sucked in by all the hype and credible 'WOW' feedback on the RS1.
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post #4 of 29
2/25/07 at 7:15am
Bases on my experience the RS1 has the best images available from a fuixed pixel device for a moderate sized screen. Honestly, it has enough light for a 1.3 Studiotech and with a high power screen you will have tons of light on that sized screen ( less than 9' wide).

The fan is audible no doubt but if you like the image the extra step of enclosing is viable. For me the images thrown on the screen is the most important thing in a theater ...period ! So the fan noise has a solution if it doesn't cut it with image quality I don't care if it had no fan at all it is out for me.

If it were me and I had your screen size goal the RS 1 would be it.

Art
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post #5 of 29
2/25/07 at 8:09am
What is keeping my Pearl mounted on the ceiling is the very low fan noise and remote adjustable lens shift. You may want to consider purchasing a used Pearl. Most will have few hours and will go for around three grand or a bit more. Unless you see them side by side, I doubt that you'd be able to determine which one is right for you. I personally prefer JVC products but would find it hard to sell my Pearl unless there is a significant black level improvement (CRT like) combined with plenty of adjustability (remote lens shift, vertical stretch, etc.). When I switched from the Optoma H79 to the Pearl, there was a huge difference in black level and detail. I'd be floored by something that can make that leap over the current crop of 1080P.

By the way. My room is around the same depth as yours. However, my first row is less than 9' from a 110" 1.3 gain screen. I use low lamp mode. My second row has the projector mounted above and quietness is a must.
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post #6 of 29
2/25/07 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lightstrikes View Post


And given that my ears are sharper then my eyes, do I get the Pearl over the new JVC?

Thanks in advance for any help. It's a big decision I have to make.

Hopefully we will have several direct comparisons in the next week or so when the first batch of RS1 pre-orders arrives.

In the meantime...

The Pearl is available now - you may need to wait a few months to get an RS1.

The Pearl will cost approximately $1500 less.

From most early reports the JVC is a superior projector.
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post #7 of 29
2/25/07 at 9:39am
Pearl is a great projector no doubt about it. Ruby has a slight edge. RS1 is just a few notches higher.

For picture quality only. Pearl is a 7, Ruby 7.3, RS 1 is a solid 8.5 maybe pushing 9 if calibrated. I'm still leaving room for improvement
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post #8 of 29
2/25/07 at 9:57am
I have been lurking in these forums for several months now and I am trying to figure out the best projector for the $$$. If the JVC is a 8.5 or 9, is there anything that you would rate higher that is within the same price range +/- $2,000? Thanks!
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post #9 of 29
2/25/07 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazztx View Post

is there anything that you would rate higher that is within the same price range +/- $2,000? Thanks!

nope


It's kind of unfair to me to start rating every projector.

There are many parameters for what makes a good projector. Like with the Pearl VS RS1 I would rate the Pearl higher in usability/features/loudness. There are too many parameters to have just one number to accurately reflect which is better. Especially when peoples need are different. I would rate the Farrari very high, but does everyone need one to go to the market? Maybe

I would prefer to break my rating system down to Siskel and Ebert method. They are both two thumbs up
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post #10 of 29
2/25/07 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Art Sonneborn View Post

Bases on my experience the RS1 has the best images available from a fuixed pixel device for a moderate sized screen. Honestly, it has enough light for a 1.3 Studiotech and with a high power screen you will have tons of light on that sized screen ( less than 9' wide).

Does your experience include any of the 1080p single-chip DLPs, such as the Sharp and Marantz? If so, how did they compare to the RS-1?
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post #11 of 29
2/25/07 at 10:20am
I love threads like these.
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post #12 of 29
2/25/07 at 10:47am
Dazztx, the Sharp 20000 single chip 1080p is better at intrascene CR at higher IREs due overall higher ANSI CR according the to the ultimateavmag review. I think you might have to pay a little more than $2K extra for that.

I'm a philistine when it comes to hassle factor and I don't like at all the idea of having to use a hush box at all with the RS1 especially with manual focus, zoom, lens shift controls. Maybe that's because I don't anticipate that it will be all that much better than my Pearl. If I do keep the RS1 it'll be because of improved black level and high CR without the autoiris. That opinion is based on my experiences with the Pearl in that other than black levels, its best images are rendered in manual or no iris mode due to lack of autoiris gamma algorithm artifacts.

Dan
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post #13 of 29
2/25/07 at 3:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:


I'm a philistine when it comes to hassle factor and I don't like at all the idea of having to use a hush box at all with the RS1 especially with manual focus, zoom, lens shift controls. Maybe that's because I don't anticipate that it will be all that much better than my Pearl.

vs.

Quote:


Bases on my experience the RS1 has the best images available from a fuixed pixel device for a moderate sized screen. Honestly, it has enough light for a 1.3 Studiotech and with a high power screen you will have tons of light on that sized screen ( less than 9' wide).

The fan is audible no doubt but if you like the image the extra step of enclosing is viable. For me the images thrown on the screen is the most important thing in a theater ...period ! So the fan noise has a solution if it doesn't cut it with image quality I don't care if it had no fan at all it is out for me.

If it were me and I had your screen size goal the RS 1 would be it.

Decisions, decisions.....

With either PJ, would you recommend a gain of 1.6 to 1.7 on the 120" diagonal screen? If so, is their a brand name that works best?

Thanks
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post #14 of 29
2/25/07 at 4:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ericglo View Post

I love threads like these.

It's not a coincidence that your post is the only one in this thread that I responded to.
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post #15 of 29
2/25/07 at 7:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tryg View Post

nope


It's kind of unfair to me to start rating every projector.

There are many parameters for what makes a good projector. Like with the Pearl VS RS1 I would rate the Pearl higher in usability/features/loudness. There are too many parameters to have just one number to accurately reflect which is better. Especially when peoples need are different. I would rate the Farrari very high, but does everyone need one to go to the market? Maybe

I would prefer to break my rating system down to Siskel and Ebert method. They are both two thumbs up

Tryg,

If BRIGHTNESS is my top priority, which one should I mount on my ceiling? THANKS
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post #16 of 29
2/25/07 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tryg View Post

I would prefer to break my rating system down to Siskel and Ebert method. They are both two thumbs up

Tryg,

don't you mean Ebert & Roeper? Siskel dies over 8 years ago.
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post #17 of 29
2/25/07 at 8:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iwanrs View Post

Tryg,

If BRIGHTNESS is my top priority, which one should I mount on my ceiling? THANKS


Either the highest lumen projector you can buy or a projector that throws a great image with a higher gain screen.
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post #18 of 29
2/25/07 at 8:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Petersen View Post

It's not a coincidence that your post is the only one in this thread that I responded to.

I must be on your buddy list.
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post #19 of 29
2/25/07 at 8:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tryg View Post

Either the highest lumen projector you can buy or a projector that throws a great image with a higher gain screen.

Tryg,

If my screen is already fixed on the wall, and I want to have the brightest projector to pair with it, which projector then? THANKS
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post #20 of 29
3/2/07 at 3:15am
I know that screen shots do not tell the whole story, however, after carefully examining the photos on the AVS review of the JVC RS1 with those of the Pearl; side by side, blow up, detail etc I have to say that in my humble opinion, the Sony Pearl screen shots from the AVS review and the projector reviews actually look sharper more detailed and brighter with more pop than the RS1. You can compare them for yourselves and come to your own conclusions:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=812816

http://www.avscience.com/reviews/pro...ny_vplvw50.htm

http://www.projectorreviews.com/sony...agequality.asp

http://www.projectorreviews.com/Imag...mStarLarge.jpg

http://www.avscience.com/images/revi...5_1280x960.jpg

http://www.projectorreviews.com/Imag...NightLarge.jpg
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post #21 of 29
3/2/07 at 3:45am
For what it's worth, I've had nearly a dozen HT installers come by my place during the past month to bid for the work and all of the ones who seemed like they know what they're talking about said the RS1/HD1 is the way to go.

The only one who suggested the Pearl was the shop that only sells the Pearl in the sub $12K range. Having seen it perform at their shop I was very unimpressed.

Of course, most of us have yet to see the RS1 in action, but I have a hard time believeing that the orgasmic reaction to it among the pro set is without foundation.

What makes this board so great is that shopping for a high-end HT is primarily a word-of-mouth experience. There's very little opportunity to see the equipment in action and, even if you could see/hear it, you still have to trust that the performance can be replicated in your space. In other words, I second the kudos regarding this thread.
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post #22 of 29
3/2/07 at 1:02pm
Personally I like both the Pearl and the RS1. They both have a great picture I think the edge goes to the JVC. Black levels, sharpness and brightness are the big things for the JVC.
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post #23 of 29
3/2/07 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WatfordOrn View Post

For what it's worth, I've had nearly a dozen HT installers come by my place during the past month to bid for the work and all of the ones who seemed like they know what they're talking about said the RS1/HD1 is the way to go.

The only one who suggested the Pearl was the shop that only sells the Pearl in the sub $12K range. Having seen it perform at their shop I was very unimpressed.

Of course, most of us have yet to see the RS1 in action, but I have a hard time believeing that the orgasmic reaction to it among the pro set is without foundation.

What makes this board so great is that shopping for a high-end HT is primarily a word-of-mouth experience. There's very little opportunity to see the equipment in action and, even if you could see/hear it, you still have to trust that the performance can be replicated in your space. In other words, I second the kudos regarding this thread.


FWIW, The Perfect Vision magazine gave the Pearl the "Product of the Year" award.
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post #24 of 29
3/2/07 at 5:19pm
When I saw the Pearl at Cedia last september, I and the merry men I was hanging out with were extremely impressed with the Pearl. Its a great projector. JVC came out with the RS1 to beat the Ruby and they have done so. I am sure that when Sony comes out with their next projector we will all be saying how it has the edge over the RS1. And Iam also sure that when JVC comes out with their next projector we will be back where we started
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post #25 of 29
3/2/07 at 6:03pm
Just got back from a short demo of the the Pearl and RS1 side-by-side, with the same feed from an HD DVD player. As was the case at CES, the two projectors are about the same with regard to sharpness (you might give the RS1 the edge, but it's a slight one), but there's no comparison when it comes to black level and shadow detail. That's the one area where the RS1 is noticeably at a higher level, which is saying something since the Pearl is no slouch. In Normal fan mode, there's little difference between the two. The air noise is about the same, but RS1 has a very low level drone that you can hear if you put your ear near the vent. As the person I was with said, "maybe if would be objectionable if you wore it as a hat".

As a side note, Projector Reviews will have a side-by-side screen shots of the two in their upcoming RS1 review, so that might be something to look out for.
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post #26 of 29
3/2/07 at 6:39pm
I'd give the slight edge to the RS1. It's a great projector for the money.

Richard
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post #27 of 29
3/7/07 at 3:23am
For the money! Some of us missed the pre-sale. Someone please PM me what I must now pay for it!

Thanks.
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post #28 of 29
3/7/07 at 5:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Hutnicki View Post

When I saw the Pearl at Cedia last september, I and the merry men I was hanging out with were extremely impressed with the Pearl. Its a great projector. JVC came out with the RS1 to beat the Ruby and they have done so. I am sure that when Sony comes out with their next projector we will all be saying how it has the edge over the RS1. And Iam also sure that when JVC comes out with their next projector we will be back where we started


Fair enough, but don't we reach a point where the projectors are so good that the improvements are always going to be extremely subtle and for most buyers not worth the upgrade? In other words, how likely is is that today's RS1 owners are really going to be tempted to upgrade to the RS2 or RS3 because the fan is a bit quieter etc.?
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post #29 of 29
3/7/07 at 6:41am
I have spent two hours on HD-1 and VW-50, and....HD-1 was far better
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