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Showdown: HD80 vs HC4900

post #1 of 10
2/20/08 at 7:10am
Thread Starter 
If price was not an option, which would you go for and why (out of these two projectors)?

What would a newbie to the world of projectors like out of the two?
Pros and Cons of the two?
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post #2 of 10
2/20/08 at 7:33am
Hey look another thread with the exact same question:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hd80+vs+hc4900
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post #3 of 10
2/20/08 at 7:51am
I have no problems with DLP and like they way DLP looks. My room has no setup problems that would require lens shifting. I already own an Optoma, the HD70.

HD80 all the way for me, no question.
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post #4 of 10
2/20/08 at 8:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by P3R3 View Post

Hey look another thread with the exact same question:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hd80+vs+hc4900

I looked and found no conclusive answer
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post #5 of 10
2/20/08 at 8:06am
The HD80 is an over achiever brightness wise in my opinion. So if you want some ambient lighting? It's probably the one. Just note the offsett and make sure you can deal with the installation constraints.

Otherwise the HC4900 will install flawlessly in like 10minutes.
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post #6 of 10
2/20/08 at 8:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pencil View Post

If price was not an option, which would you go for and why (out of these two projectors)?

What would a newbie to the world of projectors like out of the two?
Pros and Cons of the two?

DLP typically provides more 'pop' which appeals to me. I have auditioned the 5000 recently. A nice feature rich LCD unit worthy of an audition.
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post #7 of 10
2/20/08 at 8:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CMRA View Post

DLP typically provides more 'pop' which appeals to me. I have auditioned the 5000 recently. A nice feature rich LCD unit worthy of an audition.

What do you mean pop?

The main thing stopping me from buying the HD80 is that I'm very sensitive to eye-strain. Back in the day when I used CRT monitors, my eyes would feel "burned" and tired. When I used LCD monitors, it still happened...but VERY rarely. I'm worried that with DLP, I'll face the same issue AND maybe see rainbows etc.

Also, noise is a concern. Since I'm primarily using it as a display (and maybe some movies), I don't want to hear the fan working. I hear the HC4900 is quieter than the HD80.

The alignment issue with the HD80 is also problematic but I'm sure I can fix it by placing it on a higher shelf etc.
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post #8 of 10
2/20/08 at 8:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pencil View Post

I looked and found no conclusive answer

You are asking a specific question that relates to a more fundamental debate of which technology? DLP or LCD? This is well documented and discussed on this forum and you will have to do MUCH more reading and studying here to get a good handle on the debate. In order to answer the question for yourself, you will need to spend time with properly setup machines in YOUR environment and see for yourself what you prefer and are willing to live with.

You ask many questions and this is good. You need to do a LOT MORE READING because most of your questions have been answered repeatedly and in good detail over the history of those questions.
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post #9 of 10
2/20/08 at 8:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pencil View Post

What do you mean pop?

The main thing stopping me from buying the HD80 is that I'm very sensitive to eye-strain. Back in the day when I used CRT monitors, my eyes would feel "burned" and tired. When I used LCD monitors, it still happened...but VERY rarely. I'm worried that with DLP, I'll face the same issue AND maybe see rainbows etc.

Also, noise is a concern. Since I'm primarily using it as a display (and maybe some movies), I don't want to hear the fan working. I hear the HC4900 is quieter than the HD80.

The alignment issue with the HD80 is also problematic but I'm sure I can fix it by placing it on a higher shelf etc.

- Eye strain is more often than not caused by brightness.
- You need to go sit and watch newer DLP technology and see if you have the RBE issue. Most people do not.
- All PJs make noise. In a silent room, you will hear them all. If you are not able to ignore small annoyances, you will eventually tire of the fan noise from any PJ.
- Image offset in DLP projection is not solved by a higher shelf mount, unless you mount it upside down on the bottom of the shelf.
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post #10 of 10
2/20/08 at 7:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pencil View Post

What do you mean pop?

The main thing stopping me from buying the HD80 is that I'm very sensitive to eye-strain. Back in the day when I used CRT monitors, my eyes would feel "burned" and tired. When I used LCD monitors, it still happened...but VERY rarely. I'm worried that with DLP, I'll face the same issue AND maybe see rainbows etc.

Also, noise is a concern. Since I'm primarily using it as a display (and maybe some movies), I don't want to hear the fan working. I hear the HC4900 is quieter than the HD80.

The alignment issue with the HD80 is also problematic but I'm sure I can fix it by placing it on a higher shelf etc.

Simply the image is crisper and snappier. Some have argued this is due to DLPs use of simpler less complicated optics. (At least on the affordable units)
Notice they have simple 1 to 1.2 zooms.

Spending 2 to 3k on a PJ merits some audition time. As reconlabtech mentioned you really need to spend some time viewing to see which technology appeals to you most. Good hunting.
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