Joined
·
942 Posts
I've been reading just about all available information here for a couple months now in preparation for the likely purchase of a projector to replace my rear 65 inch rear projection HDTV. I expect to make this purchase by the end of this year (or possibly sooner if thats logical).
My budget for the projector and screen, and anything else necessary, is limited to $5000-6000.00.
I'm very well versed in audio, and most of video, excepting this specific area, and I must admit that truly getting a handle on front projection systems is proving difficult. Certainly this most knowledgeable forum, and many of you have been of great assistance with your commentary, expertise and the general tone of understanding that follows through the posts here. I must say though, that the fact that no comments are allowed on real "street prices" (as on most forums) makes it very difficult to compare different projectors, as you dont really know what actual price they are discounted to. Certainly, in most other electronics, the amount discounted from list price can very greatly from manufacturer, or even model to model. Still, I understand that a business in involved here and take that into consideration. I only comment that it makes things more difficult when making comparisons.
Yesterday I went out to do some onsite research at several dealers located in the metro Detroit area where I live. This was my first opportunity to personally see current front projection systems in action. I went to two of the three largest dealers that exist here and was hugely unmpressed by what they carried. One dealer was primarily selling two Sony LCD units (models I've never even seen mentioned here), one priced at $3000.00, the other at $4500.00, as well as Yamaha projectors. The one they auditioned at length for me was the LPX-510 (for just under $5000.00). They also later demonstrated a Runco 710. The Sonys looked like crap, to put it bluntly. The Yamaha I saw was much better, but still not great. The Runco was quite impressive. The second dealer carried only Yamaha and Panasonic! Waste of time there. No one here comments on the Yamaha units, or any Sony's other than HS-10/20 and the mega-dollar Qualia, so I assume they are less than ideal in pefrormance as it seemed to me based on their picture quality.
As I said before these were two of the three or four major stores that exist here in the Detroit metropolitan area. I simply couldnt believe that they carried nothing from BenQ, NEC, Optoma, Infocus, not even the Sony HS20. The help was insufficiently knowledgeable as well. The salesman at the first told me that ANY projector they had was capable of producing HD to the full limits of its resolution! I had really hoped to see some of the projectors that I am considering most likely at this early point in my learning curve.
I had wanted to see real comparisons of at least a few of the brands I mentioned to see what the "logical" point of expense is. Are there $2500-3000.00 units out there that look almost as good as those at twice the price? Would those be a better purchase now since it would make upgrading in a couple years financially possible, as opposed to blowing the whole $6k now, and being saddled with whatever I chose for say, four years? Would it be better to buy a current, but used unit, to be able to get a much better projector than I could afford new?
These are but a few of the literally dozens of question I find myself with. And does that shower curtain material that some people here advocate using to make a DIY screen for a pittance really work well? If it did, I could use the whole $5-6k budget just for the projector!
Then there is the whole thing about 4:3 units and 16:9 units, and which makes sense, given that I watch DVD's, HDTV, and standard tv. Oh, and is ceiling mounting always necessary, or can you use a projector on a table, such as the Runco that I saw demonstrated via that method, on Saturday. It seemed to work fine that way.
Is now a good time to buy into a projector, or are there significant technology updates due before long that will place a fully HD capable unit into a much lower price bracket in six months? Not to mention LCD, DLP, LCOS and god knows what else is coming.
And on and on and on. I think rocket science must be no more challenging!
John
My budget for the projector and screen, and anything else necessary, is limited to $5000-6000.00.
I'm very well versed in audio, and most of video, excepting this specific area, and I must admit that truly getting a handle on front projection systems is proving difficult. Certainly this most knowledgeable forum, and many of you have been of great assistance with your commentary, expertise and the general tone of understanding that follows through the posts here. I must say though, that the fact that no comments are allowed on real "street prices" (as on most forums) makes it very difficult to compare different projectors, as you dont really know what actual price they are discounted to. Certainly, in most other electronics, the amount discounted from list price can very greatly from manufacturer, or even model to model. Still, I understand that a business in involved here and take that into consideration. I only comment that it makes things more difficult when making comparisons.
Yesterday I went out to do some onsite research at several dealers located in the metro Detroit area where I live. This was my first opportunity to personally see current front projection systems in action. I went to two of the three largest dealers that exist here and was hugely unmpressed by what they carried. One dealer was primarily selling two Sony LCD units (models I've never even seen mentioned here), one priced at $3000.00, the other at $4500.00, as well as Yamaha projectors. The one they auditioned at length for me was the LPX-510 (for just under $5000.00). They also later demonstrated a Runco 710. The Sonys looked like crap, to put it bluntly. The Yamaha I saw was much better, but still not great. The Runco was quite impressive. The second dealer carried only Yamaha and Panasonic! Waste of time there. No one here comments on the Yamaha units, or any Sony's other than HS-10/20 and the mega-dollar Qualia, so I assume they are less than ideal in pefrormance as it seemed to me based on their picture quality.
As I said before these were two of the three or four major stores that exist here in the Detroit metropolitan area. I simply couldnt believe that they carried nothing from BenQ, NEC, Optoma, Infocus, not even the Sony HS20. The help was insufficiently knowledgeable as well. The salesman at the first told me that ANY projector they had was capable of producing HD to the full limits of its resolution! I had really hoped to see some of the projectors that I am considering most likely at this early point in my learning curve.
I had wanted to see real comparisons of at least a few of the brands I mentioned to see what the "logical" point of expense is. Are there $2500-3000.00 units out there that look almost as good as those at twice the price? Would those be a better purchase now since it would make upgrading in a couple years financially possible, as opposed to blowing the whole $6k now, and being saddled with whatever I chose for say, four years? Would it be better to buy a current, but used unit, to be able to get a much better projector than I could afford new?
These are but a few of the literally dozens of question I find myself with. And does that shower curtain material that some people here advocate using to make a DIY screen for a pittance really work well? If it did, I could use the whole $5-6k budget just for the projector!
Then there is the whole thing about 4:3 units and 16:9 units, and which makes sense, given that I watch DVD's, HDTV, and standard tv. Oh, and is ceiling mounting always necessary, or can you use a projector on a table, such as the Runco that I saw demonstrated via that method, on Saturday. It seemed to work fine that way.
Is now a good time to buy into a projector, or are there significant technology updates due before long that will place a fully HD capable unit into a much lower price bracket in six months? Not to mention LCD, DLP, LCOS and god knows what else is coming.
And on and on and on. I think rocket science must be no more challenging!
John
I have been where you are. Most of the questions you ask are ones you'll have to figure out for yourself. Everyone will have different opinions.. 16:9 or 4:3, buy now or wait (not many say wait though), spend 2k now on entry level pj and wait for 1080 or 720 now and be happier now, what kind of screen should I use, where should I buy, on and on and on....
