[mastermaybe]

Hey gang, got a bit of a dilemma that I could use some help with.


I REALLY want to have a PJ this summer for some outdoor viewing...mainly night-time Milwaukee Brewer baseball, and, of course, some movies. I already have a great outdoor speaker array that's easily manipulated through my A/V system. Now, just the PJ and screen is needed.


So, with the PJ, here's my problem/decision: Should I just spend 5-$600 on a used unit, or, something like the Optoma HD66, or, look into one of the new $1000 budget 1080 units (prolly the Optoma HD 20, as I'm sensitive to RBE)? I wold assume there could be quite a few in a similar position.


Truth be told, I really don't want to spend $1000 at this point, but I would, if it proved to provide me with a bit of long term use...


The thrust of this question lies in my PJ future, really. I know I'll end up purchasing a better performing PJ after I purchase my new house and have a real, dedicated, HT in a year IF I buy a 720 or used unit now. I guess my ? now is, and it's a difficult one, will the entry-level $1000 PJ's provide performance I'll be happy (key word being "happy", not necessarily blown away) with down the road, therefore possibly eliminating an upgrade for the next 3-5 years?


I realize I'll never see the top-shelf blacks with these (again, prolly the Optoma HD 20) that a $3000 unit would provide, and I can live with that. I'm really looking for reasonably accurate color, brightness, and the least amount of RBE as possible.


Can someone speak to the performance of the HD20 (I'm assuming its 4X wheel provides the LEAST amount of RBE between it, the BenQ and Vivitek) vs. say, a $3000 1080 unit? What will I be missing outside of those blacks? I also know of course I'd get a brighter unit than the HD20 (which could be useful for some of these outside summer night/dusk games) but would it matter much in a dedicated HT?


Finally, I know there's no current $1000ish 1080 LCD PJ's around ($1500's just too much), but, is/are there unit(s) on the near horizon (next 3-5 months) that anyone's aware of? I would definitely wait to completely eliminate the chance of RBE.


I know, I know, I'm trying not to play the "keep up with tech" game, just trying to maximize my $. I can live with getting a 720 PJ now, selling it in a couple years (they seem to resell for decent value?) and re-purchase, but again, if I can avoid it with a 1080 purchase now, I'm willing to spend.


I feel a lot of the above comes down to personal opinion, but I value that very much, so please don't refrain from a "what I would do" response.


I look forward to any thoughts folks can provide.


thanks,


James

 

[jaday]

Do you know what kind of screen size and viewing distance you'd be looking at outside?

 

[mastermaybe]

^ Guessing about 120" and a 10-30' VD (who knows where some will stand/play catch/set up their lawn-chair, LOL).


thanks,

James

 

[techtre2003]

Since you're really talking about 2 different applications here, I'd go with 2 different projectors. For the outside, I'd try to find a cheap/used business class projector so you'd get the brightness needed for outside use. Then when you're putting your home theater together, you can focus on setting the room up and then finding a projector to fit instead of trying to configure your room around a projector you already have. I doubt there will be any sub $1,000 1080p LED projectors in a year or so, but I guess you never know. Plus, if you're interested at all in the 3D technology you can wait the extra year to see where it stands.

 

[chumpchange21]

I wouldn't spend 600ish on a HD66 if you're willing to go higher for a 1,000 dollar projector. HD66 is native to 720p, go for 1080p man, its only a few hundred dollars more. and if you're looking at the HD20 which is a great projector look at the BenQ w1000, as many forum users on AVS have noticed that the BenQ w1000 is actually brighter and performs better in that range of projectors. There are tons of W1000 threads on AVS. Just start reading and you'll realize, theres quite a few threads comparing the HD20 with the W1000 as well on AVS. Just search for them = )


You'll be surprised with how much knowledge you can learn on these forums, get cracking = )

 

[mastermaybe]

^ Yes, I realize there are many who know much around here after 2,000 posts and 3 years, LOL. Further, I'm aware of the 1080 benq and vivitek options, as I mentioned in my OP. I'm assuming however, that the HD20 will be better suited for me as I am fairly sensitive to RBE and its 4X wheel is likely less susceptible to it than the Vivitek and BenQ.


Really, my ? has less to do with the "exact" PJ per se, and more to do with a buying strategy. Techtre, while I do appreciate that both applications prolly demand different PJ's, I'd really rather make one single purchase that I can get a few years out of and then upgrade, but I do see your point if I can keep the cost of this outdoor unit REAL low. Really would like 720 and HDMI input though... cheap!


What I think I'll do is keep an eye out for used/cheap 720 bright model and then upgrade in a year or two. I can see value in spending 4-$500 now, attmepting to recover half of that in a year or two, and then upgrading.


A couple hundred for a year or two of use is reasonable to me.



thanks,

James

 

[nomad139]



Other than recommending that you 'watch out/buyer beware' on anything used, this is what I'd recommend since you, a) don't want to sped very much right now, and b) have two distinct needs with one of them requireing lumens.


If you are able to jump on a good deal, the options do pop up pretty regularly (such as the BB clearance of the HD65 that some received as the most recent example). You've still got nearly a month before the season starts...