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New 1080p choices and decisions - HELP?!

1447 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  QueueCumber, 
Q
So, out of the new 1080p Front Projectors that have been released or that are releasing soon, which ones do people think are the best for approximately $10,000 USD and under (I don't mind going a few thousand over or under that price)? Is there a clear and definite front runner?


My budget will allow me to go a little above $10K if it is worth it, but I would prefer to stay below that amount. I am currently considering the Optoma HD81 as my best choice.


One of my main considerations is that I need to be able to hook it up to a computer to use as a monitor for video games, web browsing, and sometimes a little work while listening to music in the listening/HT/media room. So it needs to display computer fonts in a sharp/well-defined manner. It also must have an input that allows it to be hooked up to a computer's graphics card (usually DVI or Dual DVI) and must be capable of displaying the computer's video output at 1920 x 1080 minimally (why some TVs and projectors are designed to display computer output at lower resolutions than the TV or projectors native resolution is beyond me.) I've heard the DLP chips are better in this regard than the SXRD chips.


Thanks in advance for any help! :cool:


- Jeff
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Q
The Optoma HD81's additional input box seems like a real bonus for my HT setup since my equipment will be kept in a closet, not next to the projector. I won't have to hang a huge cord bundle along the wall so all my devices can reach the projector because of the cable input box, I can just use the one output cable from the input box to the projection unit instead.
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K
In testing the HD81 with the Accupel signal generator, it will do 1x1 pixel mapping, which means if you send it a native 1080p signal from your computer, text and any other pixel structure will be as sharp as possible. Of course, many other quality projectors do accurate pixel mapping, but it might help to know that the Optoma is among them.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin R. Anderson
In testing the HD81 with the Accupel signal generator, it will do 1x1 pixel mapping, which means if you send it a native 1080p signal from your computer, text and any other pixel structure will be as sharp as possible. Of course, many other quality projectors do accurate pixel mapping, but it might help to know that the Optoma is among them.
That is a good thing to know. Thank you for posting that.


I would like to go above 1920x1080 resolutions on the front projector with my computer signal, but even getting 1920 x 1080 is a big step from previous front projectors. I currently use the Dual Link DVI features on my graphics cards to get 2560 x 1600 resolution on my 30 inch monitor. I also wouldn't want to go outside a projectors native resolution if it has one, as the screen tends to get blurry. I'm just happy to get 1920 x 1080 at this point.
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No one has any suggestions besides the Optoma HD81 and the Pearl in this price range?


Is the HD81 the best in the range ATM then?


Thanks.
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M
There's a few new one coming,


sharp 20000

Mits 5000

Benq 10000


I think the Optoma is a great buy if you can use it.
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M
And Infocus and Samsung should have 1080p 1-chip dlp's out, perhaps previewed at the Jan CES.
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Q
Great, thanks. I do not need to buy until May, so anything coming out before then is useful for my research. Thanks for the info.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QueueCumber
Great, thanks. I do not need to buy until May, so anything coming out before then is useful for my research. Thanks for the info.
This is pretty much my time scale for buying. So I'm planning to be in Las Vegas in January to see what's going to be availble by then!
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J
Quote:
Originally Posted by QueueCumber
My budget will allow me to go a little above $10K if it is worth it, but I would prefer to stay below that amount. I am currently considering the Optoma HD81 as my best choice.


One of my main considerations is that I need to be able to hook it up to a computer to use as a monitor for video games, web browsing, and sometimes a little work while listening to music in the listening/HT/media room. So it needs to display computer fonts in a sharp/well-defined manner. It also must have an input that allows it to be hooked up to a computer's graphics card (usually DVI or Dual DVI) and must be capable of displaying the computer's video output at 1920 x 1080 minimally (why some TVs and projectors are designed to display computer output at lower resolutions than the TV or projectors native resolution is beyond me.) I've heard the DLP chips are better in this regard than the SXRD chips.
Hi Jeff,


I am pretty much in the same position as you, also specially interested in the projector computer displaying capabilities (that is my main reason for going to 1080p, if you have the chance to compare Tomb Rider in 720p / 1080p you will see what I mean)


Right now Optoma HD81 is also at the top of my list, after testing the Ruby and being let down by the "washed out" look in a 110" screen. I guess Pearl will be in the same league so I think I prefer Optoma / DLP brightness (although I have not yet seen it, I will in a couple of weeks)


My main concerns, that I think you should be aware of also, are:


-Long throw distance and offset: I guess you know about this, fortunately not a problem for me)


-Noisy auto iris: it seems too loud for most people, most prefer to leave it on manual -> could be corrected or at least improved via firmware, we will see


-Manual focus / zoom and necessity to physically access the projector when switching between some signals (reported by MrHifi). It may be a problem making the computer / DVD switch, at least for me (my projector will be enclosed in a ceiling bos). I am waiting for reviews and more user opinions on this issue, right now is my main concern


Good projector hunting!


José
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JVC HD New (unless I missed your specifying DLP only)
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What Noah said.


Ken
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Q
Quote:
Originally Posted by jruizcristina
Hi Jeff,


I am pretty much in the same position as you, also specially interested in the projector computer displaying capabilities (that is my main reason for going to 1080p, if you have the chance to compare Tomb Rider in 720p / 1080p you will see what I mean)


Right now Optoma HD81 is also at the top of my list, after testing the Ruby and being let down by the "washed out" look in a 110" screen. I guess Pearl will be in the same league so I think I prefer Optoma / DLP brightness (although I have not yet seen it, I will in a couple of weeks)


My main concerns, that I think you should be aware of also, are:


-Long throw distance and offset: I guess you know about this, fortunately not a problem for me)


-Noisy auto iris: it seems too loud for most people, most prefer to leave it on manual -> could be corrected or at least improved via firmware, we will see


-Manual focus / zoom and necessity to physically access the projector when switching between some signals (reported by MrHifi). It may be a problem making the computer / DVD switch, at least for me (my projector will be enclosed in a ceiling bos). I am waiting for reviews and more user opinions on this issue, right now is my main concern


Good projector hunting!


José
Please let me know how the issues turn out when you check the HD81 out. Thanks!


My room dimensions are 33.5' x 18' x 9', so the HD81 would work in my space but because of throw distance it would be on the ceiling around 2'-3' behind my seating position which could be a problem if the projector is loud.
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