[Joe MN]

Hello again. I have narrowed my projector choice to the Sony VPL-HS10 or Panny L300. In real life testing which do you prefer.


As far as reliability goes the HS-10 has the "lamp bug" going for it, BUT it does have a DVI port. I think it has a higher resolution too.


I haven't read any bad press about the L300 and seems to have better lamp life and quieter fan.


Primarily used for HDTV and DVD viewing. I can ger HDTV over the air on 5 local channels.


Part Deux...which DIY screen is working best for each. (I am planning on projecting 100"-110" image from about 13.5' and viewing from about 13')


Thanks for all of the help on this wonderful forum.

[email protected]

 

[leadfoot]

Well, Joe, I'm going to wait for either the Panasonic PT-L500U or the Sony HS20, which are the successors to the models you mention. Even if you still plan on getting one of the earlier models, I would wait until the new units start shipping so you can catch a bargain.


The general consensus is that the Sony is a better solution if you viewing a lot of HD content (though you must mind the "lamp bug", which appears to have been blown out of proportion a little). The Panasonic has a feature called smoothscreen that works well to eliminate screedoor. So, while the PT-L300U suffers a resolution disadvantage to the Sony, it is not as noticeable as you might think.


Sounds like you have the opportunity to watch a lot of HD content. I would either opt for the HS10, or wait a few months and get a PT-L500U. Cheers!

 

[ozdvduser]

Love my HS10 for the following reasons:


Lots of Inputs - 2xComposite, 2xS-video, 2xComponent, 1xDVI-D

For SD & HD tv - picture is fantastic, we have 576i, 576p & 1080i - the 1080i is jawdropping awesome

For DVDs - if used with a ps DVD player, the picture is really clean & clear


Black Level (basic improvement) - install the CinemaFilter supplied with the unit and once tweaked you will get better black levels and contrast than just out-of-the-box, giving a much improved picture.


Black Level (great improvement) - install a cc40r filter and do the Dave Boswell tweaks to get a superb picture.


What more can I say

 

[gmshoemaker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Joe MN Hello again. I have narrowed my projector choice to the Sony VPL-HS10 or Panny L300. In real life testing which do you prefer.

I think you have it on the major pluses and minuses of each.


I have an HS10 and have had zero problems. It is a great projector and I have no regrets. Well.... if I had known about the HS20... I project in a multipurpose room (kitchen, piano, and AV area) with less than desirable, abundant ambient light, no drapes, recessed lights, reflections, but no direct light on the screen. It does very well on my 100" firehawk Delux Luxus fixed screen. I do worry about the bulb life. Since I hooked it up it has become our all-purpose "tv" as well as Le Cinema. the hours are racking up pretty fast. It is fantastic with the Bravo DVD and I am anxiously awaiting the Sony HD300 sat/ota receiver for HD. Std broadcast sat video is so..so.


I cannot speak to the Panny, I have never seen one. From what I have read, both are comparable. The lead going to Sony for HD and brightness (ambient light conditions). The lead going to the 300 for DVD and black levels (light controlled room). (I am not so sure about the DVD part on the Panny with the advent of the Bravo via DVI. I don't know how it could get much better than what I am seeing.)


Gary

 

[krlock]

they are two quite different projectors.


dont forget one is long throw the other is short throw.... that can make a big difference.


check out projectorcentral.com reviews - the consensus is that they are pretty accurate, and they do a comparison where the panny comes out on top if i remember.

 

[gmshoemaker]

Quote:

Originally posted by krlock they are two quite different projectors. dont forget one is long throw the other is short throw.... that can make a big difference.

Good point. 13.5ft throw and 100"+ screen puts the HS10 on top for Joe.

Quote:

check out projectorcentral.com reviews - the consensus is that they are pretty accurate, and they do a comparison where the panny comes out on top if i remember.

The only review I saw for the Panny 300 was against the Infocus X1. Not comparable at all.


Gary

 

[JDLIVE]

Hmmm...I just posted my thoughts in another thread (also started by a "Joe"!) here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3&pagenumber=2


Both are good PJs - btw, the Panny does have a DVI port, it's just not HDCP compliant and there are some issues with doing 1:1 pixel mapping, I believe. Of course, it sounds like the 500U takes care of those. I agree with Gary based on your requirements the HS10/HS20 would seem to fit.

 

[GreggPenn]

For ProjectorCentral.com's comparison of these two units, go to their homepage. Click on the Panasonic PT-L300U and look at the bottom of the review. Evan (the author) picks the 300 --IF-- you don't need HDCP DVI.


I think the throw issue is a big factor too.


You would be well-advised to let the throw distance and need of HDCP help you make your final decision. (There should be a clear winner).

 

[CMRA]

I know exactly where you are coming from. Believe me, both units can produce an excellent image, get that out of the way first. Your decision should include other factors such as price, warranty, throw distance, lamp life, equipment compatibility and the like. (Exp: The HS10 was tops on my list but suddenly became a non-contender when I learned it wouldn't support my DTC-100 HDTV receiver). You get the idea. Best wishes.

 

[Threecard]

Joe, are you dealing with D.A.D.S electronics...Pm me as I live here also

 

[msieweke]

I looked at both before buying. Here are the pros for each model as I saw it.


HS10 -

- higher resolution (1366x768)

- brighter

- better deinterlacer

- more settings for tweaking video quality

- long throw lens

- higher contrast ratio after calibration


L300U

- smooth screen technology to minimize screen door

- quieter fan

- short throw lens

- better video quality out of the box

- $1000 cheaper (no longer the case)

- longer lamp life and cheaper lamp

- more portable due to smaller package


I could have afforded the HS10, but I bought an AE300 (same as L300U). I thought the L300U's picture was good enough for my purposes, and I could use the $1000 elsewhere. I'm not watching any HD - just DirecTV and DVD. I'm very pleased with my choice, and I expect to keep this unit until I can get HT1000 performance for less than $2000.

 

[msieweke]

I forgot to mention this because I didn't notice it. A friend went to see the HS10 and said he was unhappy with how the image blurred with motion. This has to do with the time lag in turning on or off a LCD pixel. He said the Sony 12HT was much better. And my AE300 is better than the HS10, but not as good as the 12HT.

 

[Kidd Digital]

Quote:

I forgot to mention this because I didn't notice it. A friend went to see the HS10 and said he was unhappy with how the image blurred with motion. This has to do with the time lag in turning on or off a LCD pixel. He said the Sony 12HT was much better. And my AE300 is better than the HS10, but not as good as the 12HT.

I don't know if this is relevant to this particular situation... but if I'm a dealer, I'm going to make sure my top of the line Sony LCD unit isn't getting bested by it's cheaper little brother. In fact, I'd make sure there was definite difference between the two, to justify the price of an upgrade.


Then again, I'd also make sure the less expensive Panasonic wasn't better than the more expensive Sony. Unless the less expensive Panasonic had more margin. Knowing Sony... it probably does.

 

[gmshoemaker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Joe MN Hello again. I have narrowed my projector choice to the Sony VPL-HS10 or Panny L300. In real life testing which do you prefer.

Joe Mn, Well... there you have it.


I haven't seen anyone here in this thread who could actually give you "real life testing". You are going to have to go with "ProjectorCentral.com"'s author, Evan, said... "There was a price difference"... "I love my projector (1 Sony, 1 Panny)... "they are two quite different projectors", paraphrasing: "they are similar, but"... and of course, "go with the next gen."


Tell us more about your desires, your HT environment and your concerns and maybe we can give you another set of rationales as to why we bought what we bought. hahahaha.


Gary

 

[Xander]

Also look at my comparison from some time ago: http://www.avstuff.net/viewtopic.php?t=32

 

[gmshoemaker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Xander Also look at my comparison from some time ago: http://www.avstuff.net/viewtopic.php?t=32

Great! You have both. You be the judge. Your article was written 4 months ago. Which one have you watched the most?


Gary

 

[Xander]

>>Great! You have both. You be the judge. Your article was written 4 months ago. Which one have you watched the most?

 

[krlock]

gmshoemaker is right.... different projectors fit different setups.

 

[scottpe]

Goodie... ANOTHER HS10 vs L300 thread.....


A search through the archives should turn up about a thousand of these, I would think.


I guess this is the "last harrah" before these two models ride off into the sunset...


--Scott

 

[christer W.]

I saw the L300 and HS-10 side by side. Both running same signal onto one screen with half of each lens masked off resulting in a complete image. We were running HD. They were selling both machines. Blacks looked better on the Panny. PQ seemed about the same, though. It was very interesting.


Could the HS-10 have been improved with tweaking? Don't know, probably. These guys didn't seem to have an agenda that I could detect. Weren't really pushing either machine. What was illuminating to me (no pun intended) was that a very high quality image could be had for around 2K (winter of 03).