[andyVE]

Hi all,

Am new here.

Am planning to buy my first projector (home cinema purpose)


Now 3D is not a must for me.

And found a two that might fit my budget.


The first is the Epson EH-TW5500, and the other one the JVC DLA-HD550.

2nd one is a showroom model (70h) and am still waiting for the price they ask.

But they are selling the Epson (new) for 2816 USD (1949 EURO) at the moment. Wich one is the better one?


Am planning to use it in a small room (4x3m) and only have heavy curtains at my disposal, so not completely dark unless it is winter.


What about a Panasonic AE4000? Picture wise?

Or is the picture quality not on par with the other two?


Thanks for your feedback!

Andy

 

[eyeage30]

HD550 is going to be well above that cost

 

[andyVE]

Just got the price for the JVC and it was indeed well above it.

So can rule that one out (was still around 2800 EURO they asked for it).


So to make it a bit more fair...how does the Epson compare to Pansonic PT AE4000?

They both sell for the same price here.

 

[coderguy]

Wait until after CEDIA, many new projectors being released in 30 days or less.


If you can't wait...


Look at the JVC hd-250 as an alternative that is closer to the price of the Epson or Panny.


Epson is better than the Panny if you go purely by brightness and sharpness. The Panny has more features like Lens Memory for 2.35:1 screens, but the Epson looks better IMHO as far as punchy image. Epson has darker blacks for sure.


JVC HD250 has richer looking blacks than both, not really darker than the Epson, but not as muddy looking. HD250 better for movies, Epson MIGHT be better for gaming (depends who you ask and what type of gaming).


If you are not too concerned about black levels, the MIts hc4000 produces a very sharp and good picture for much less, but it does not have LENS SHIFT so setup has to fit in your room to specific parameters for the Mits DLP.


See the link in my signature for a quick breakdown of pros/cons for each unit.

 

[andyVE]



Quote:
Originally Posted by coderguy /forum/post/20835407


Wait until after CEDIA, many new projectors being released in 30 days or less.


If you can't wait...


Look at the JVC hd-250 as an alternative that is closer to the price of the Epson or Panny.


Epson is better than the Panny if you go purely by brightness and sharpness. The Panny has more features like Lens Memory for 2.35:1 screens, but the Epson looks better IMHO as far as punchy image. Epson has darker blacks for sure.


JVC HD250 has richer looking blacks than both, not really darker than the Epson, but not as muddy looking. HD250 better for movies, Epson MIGHT be better for gaming (depends who you ask and what type of gaming).


If you are not too concerned about black levels, the MIts hc4000 produces a very sharp and good picture for much less, but it does not have LENS SHIFT so setup has to fit in your room to specific parameters for the Mits DLP.


See the link in my signature for a quick breakdown of pros/cons for each unit.

The wey the JVC (250 / 550 / x3) works is really appealing to me.

Am just wondering if the light output is good enough for usage in a room that can be darkened but not "pitch" black (mainly for watching movies and lesser degree of gaming).

 

[eyeage30]



Quote:
Originally Posted by andyVE /forum/post/20836611


The wey the JVC (250 / 550 / x3) works is really appealing to me.

Am just wondering if the light output is good enough for usage in a room that can be darkened but not "pitch" black (mainly for watching movies and lesser degree of gaming).

That'll depend on your screen I imagine. I have the HD250, and play COD with my wall sconces all the way up, as well as all other video games I play. When we watch a movie, however, I turn the lights all the way down. If I don't, I can see the movie well enough, but the picture isn't the same.


Granted, I am using a piece of formica as a screen (actually works pretty darn well, especially for $42), but if I were using a high contrast screen I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue. The JVC is quite bright. It's not as bright as some of the epson projectors (8350/8700) in their gaming modes, but in "best" movie mode the JVC is much brighter. I actually game in the "best" movie mode, because it is plenty bright enough, and there is no reason to decrease the life of the bulb for no reason

There are a lot of options with projectors, and I was suggested to get the HD250 by Benito of AVS. Give him a call and see what price he quotes you, maybe it'll be closer to your price range

 

[coderguy]

How big of a screen will you be using?

The brightness of the image varies depending on the position of your projector and how big of a screen you are projecting it to. The larger the screen the brighter projector you need.


Does the room have white walls?


The JVC HD-250 is actually brighter in best mode (color accurate mode) than many projectors (including the Epson and Panny).


If you have not yet bought a screen, take a look at some special gain screens (I like the DA-Lite High Power material), this will boost the brightness of what your eyes see on the screen. Gain screens do have some disadvantages, so it depends on your room setup.


So the answer is, well it depends...

The goal should be to get the room as dark as possible.

 

[andyVE]

thanks all for the reactions (so far).


I do not have a screen (except for a very old projection screen for slides +30 years or so...not from my generation). So all options and advice is welcome.

What is the negative point about gain screens? Did not focus on the screen so far.


Am going to try if I can still find a DLA 250 in my country. The 350 and up I can still find, but the 250 seems to be rare (for sure in the online adds from those stores...didn't find any so far).


Worst case from another country (prefer Netherlands or Germany since it within driving radius).


Or otherwise another like the epson.

In that case : how much is colour degradation and or dust an issue with 3LC (inorganic)?

 

[mjg100]

The hd250 is an excellent projector and much closer to the pricing of the Panny and Epson, though I consider it a better projector. Keep in mind that I judge projector based on movie performance. If you have any questions, happy to help.

 

[andyVE]



Quote:
Originally Posted by coderguy /forum/post/20837699


How big of a screen will you be using?

The brightness of the image varies depending on the position of your projector and how big of a screen you are projecting it to. The larger the screen the brighter projector you need.


Does the room have white walls?


The JVC HD-250 is actually brighter in best mode (color accurate mode) than many projectors (including the Epson and Panny).


If you have not yet bought a screen, take a look at some special gain screens (I like the DA-Lite High Power material), this will boost the brightness of what your eyes see on the screen. Gain screens do have some disadvantages, so it depends on your room setup.


So the answer is, well it depends...

The goal should be to get the room as dark as possible.

What about the new Epson Home Cinema 5010 ?


Do not now what the price will be here.

But guess at least 500EUR lower compared to the DLA X3