AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Digital Projectors - Under $3,000 USD MSRP › DLP Projector vs LCD Projector (please help decide my Home Theater setup)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

DLP Projector vs LCD Projector (please help decide my Home Theater setup)

post #1 of 18
2/13/08 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 
My Dilemma: We are replacing our old projector rather than spend half as much money to just buy the replacement bulb. Well it has come down to these 2 projectors and everyone has great reviews for each of them, but I simply cannot figure out how to choose between the two. Price isn't really an issue, as both are similarly priced. Here we go....

My Needs: HDMI input with a bright HDTV picture, we usually have the room dimly lit (we prefer to have some lights on, rather than the "full darkness" mode that most home theaters do). This basically is our nightly TV for network shows, dvd movies, etc.

The Choices:
Sony Bravia VPL-AW15 - 3 LCD projector (1080p)
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony...A_VPL-AW15.htm

or

Mitsubishi HC1500 - DLP projector (1080i)
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Mitsubishi-HC1500.htm

Here's the link comparing both of these side-by-side (even threw in our old discontinued projector, NEC LT245, for a reference).
http://www.projectorcentral.com/part...674&pid_3=2630

Thanks for any help or advice in helping me decide.
Feel free to suggest other links to info or advise for me to read to learn more about this stuff.
Thanks all.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 18
2/13/08 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 
update-- i see there's a thread with yet another projector that has piqued my interest! lol
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=993287
Mitsubishi HC4900 ($1400) ---would this be a better choice among all of these?

And this would be for a dimly lit room, with some reading lights, etc...
not a "batcave" type thing (wife likes lights.. arrggg)

link @ProjectorCentral comparing HC4900, VPL-AW15, HC1500
http://www.projectorcentral.com/part...674&pid_3=3748
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 18
2/13/08 at 9:24pm
I'd go with one of the Mits. One's LCD and one is DLP. You need to decide which technology you like better.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 18
2/13/08 at 9:39pm
The 4900 is 1080p and the others are 720p, so I'd go with the 4900 if the higher price isnt a problem.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 18
2/13/08 at 10:46pm
Thread Starter 
I'm really leaning towards the HC4900... is there anything else I should consider?

Price isn't a concern among these since they are all under $2000. Although it may not make enough of a difference "today" -- the fact that this should be adequate for years to come is why i'm leaning towards the one with 1080p instead of just 720p
good reasoning?
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 18
2/14/08 at 1:23am
If I see one more "DLP or LCD" thread I'm going to barf.

OOoops! Too late.

From what it sounds like you're going to happy with anything as long as it's bright, so just buy the cheapest, brightest one, dim the lights (just a little, LOL) open a bag of Cheetos and enjoy.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 18
2/14/08 at 7:39am
Quote:


If I see one more "DLP or LCD" thread I'm going to barf.

Personally, if I see one more of Mojo's rants about how unhappy he is with something, then I am going to barf.


OOoops! Too late.

To the OP,
Get the 1500, it will be the brightest of your group. Can also consider the bright Infocus 7210 for $999. (was on sale yesterday at that price, may come back again soon)
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 18
2/14/08 at 7:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by df4801 View Post

may come back again soon

Slim possibility...but un-likely. No more at Infocus, so it will be what is in the channels. I feel there will be some on ebay from the sale yesterday, but will be at a higher price
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 18
2/14/08 at 8:05am
I think the HC4900 probably deserves a shot here.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 18
2/14/08 at 8:23am
@OP,

If you have any desire to get into Blu-Ray/HD DVD, I would go with a 1080p projector. Depending on your screen size, you should see a difference.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 18
2/14/08 at 8:27am
I think in many areas the 4900 is a great projector but I would caution that resolution is not everything.

If I HAD to recommend, I'd go with the 1500. Even better would have been the Infocus 7210 with similar brightness and much better contrast at around the same price but woot has run out of them.

I'm not saying don't buy the 4900 but I will say if you watch many movies or TV shows with a significant amount of night/dark scenes, I'd go with the 1500 over the 4900.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 18
2/14/08 at 8:58am
Quote:


Slim possibility...but un-likely. No more at Infocus

You may be right, but this is the third time that I have heard, "No more left".
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 18
2/14/08 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by df4801 View Post

You may be right, but this is the third time that I have heard, "No more left".

Yep, there's always hope as what is in the channel pipelines can all of a sudden appear at blown out prices. As far as woot and Infocus, unless from cancellations, I think it was mentioned they do not have anymore.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 18
2/14/08 at 9:07am
Quote:


the fact that this should be adequate for years to come is why i'm leaning towards the one with 1080p instead of just 720p
good reasoning?

NO.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 18
2/14/08 at 1:39pm
as mentioned above, the 1500 is the brightest of the mits's and has an excellent picture. I have seen both the 4900 and the 1500 in action and i personally liked them both about the same. except that the 1500 was a little brighter. So, if brightness is an issue i would certainly go with the 1500. Hell, i would go with the 1500 regardless actually. especially given the fact that it is 600 bucks cheaper and looks about the same as far as PQ goes. The 4900 has a little better PQ in my opinion but not enough to make any difference to me if i was buying.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 18
2/16/08 at 5:15pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I would honestly prefer to go with DLP, i just like the picture on those better. (and yes, perhaps i should have chosen a different topic title so as to not nauseate Mojo, )

Well I went and checked out the Mits HC1500 at a coworkers house, and I'm really impressed with it. Sure, its not 1080p like the HC4900, but it looks great. I've been reading a lot this week online, and many "experts" seem to agree that resolution isn't the most important indicator of a projector's picture quality. ---seems like an important lesson for a newbie!

Thanks again for the varying advice, you guys are awesome! I just wanted to get a good idea how you guys feel since you obviously know what you're talking about (well, more than the common man at least!)). I've placed an order for the 1500, and should be expecting it next week.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 18
2/17/08 at 11:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobbyRutgers View Post

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I would honestly prefer to go with DLP, i just like the picture on those better. (and yes, perhaps i should have chosen a different topic title so as to not nauseate Mojo, )

Well I went and checked out the Mits HC1500 at a coworkers house, and I'm really impressed with it. Sure, its not 1080p like the HC4900, but it looks great. I've been reading a lot this week online, and many "experts" seem to agree that resolution isn't the most important indicator of a projector's picture quality. ---seems like an important lesson for a newbie!

Thanks again for the varying advice, you guys are awesome! I just wanted to get a good idea how you guys feel since you obviously know what you're talking about (well, more than the common man at least!)). I've placed an order for the 1500, and should be expecting it next week.

Have you orderd your screen as well? If you are watching in some light you might want to consider a high gain screen so the image will remain bright when you have some lights on.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 18
2/19/08 at 7:17am
You want my opinion...you got it!

DLP, end of discussion.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › Digital Projectors - Under $3,000 USD MSRP › DLP Projector vs LCD Projector (please help decide my Home Theater setup)