[coppit]

Hey everyone,


I've been a front projection person for about 5 years now. I've owned 2 projectors--the first was a BenQ PB6100, and my current is a Mitsubishi HD1000U. Both were about $800, and both were our only TV. I got replacement bulbs for both at around $200.


Lately my Mits' color wheel has been whining pretty loudly, so I'm thinking about getting a new display device. The thing is, I'm pretty tired of crappy black levels, warm up times, replacement bulbs, repairs, etc. and am thinking about jumping ship to a flat screen. I've been spending about $400/year, so I figure I could get a decent HDTV for $1600, and it should last at least 4 years.


I reality I don't even need all the features of a HDTV since I drive the display from my HTPC... I heard that there will be big price drops after the holidays as retailers try to clear a huge back inventory of these sets. I figured I'd jump ship soon, but wanted to see if any of you could help me recapture that projector high I used to have.

 

[reconlabtech]

So you don't like the large cinema experience and can live with a little screen again?

 

[Alex solomon]

I just can't imagine going back to a smaller screen after getting used to the big cinema like experience.

 

[Fragster]

Front PJ'tion is like sex....once u experience it, there's no turning back, regardless of the dangers that come with it.

 

[ondaedg]



Quote:
Originally Posted by coppit /forum/post/15409884


Hey everyone,


I've been a front projection person for about 5 years now. I've owned 2 projectors--the first was a BenQ PB6100, and my current is a Mitsubishi HD1000U. Both were about $800, and both were our only TV. I got replacement bulbs for both at around $200.


Lately my Mits' color wheel has been whining pretty loudly, so I'm thinking about getting a new display device. The thing is, I'm pretty tired of crappy black levels, warm up times, replacement bulbs, repairs, etc. and am thinking about jumping ship to a flat screen. I've been spending about $400/year, so I figure I could get a decent HDTV for $1600, and it should last at least 4 years.


I reality I don't even need all the features of a HDTV since I drive the display from my HTPC... I heard that there will be big price drops after the holidays as retailers try to clear a huge back inventory of these sets. I figured I'd jump ship soon, but wanted to see if any of you could help me recapture that projector high I used to have.

The HD1000 was known to have color wheel failure. I love projectors, but I can't use them as my everyday tv. If I were you, I would get a good LCD or plasma for everyday use. You can get a good one for 1000.00 or less. Then I would spend another thousand for a good projector. You can find some great deals on last years model projectors from Sharp, Mits, Sanyo, and Optoma. Use the projector for movie nights and big games while the wife watches her daily shows on the tv.

 

[Jim McC]

I agree with ondaedg 100%. I love my HD1000, but I would never use a projector as my only TV source. I just use it for movies and football games.

 

[CADOBHuK]

For a bit over $1600 you can get a projector that would be a huge step up from hd1000u I think. Such as epson 6100 or mitsubishi hc6500. Black levels won't be crappy any more and the picture will just be much better all around. Of course how it compares to a TV depends on your screen size. If your screen is 82" difference might not be overwelming, but my screen is 133" and there's no TV that can give a remotely comparable experience to me.

 

[imjay]

You just have to decide if you and your family want Theater in the Home or a television.


Television simply doesn't meet the most simple definition of Home Theater nor deliver the most simple definition of Theater Visual Experience.


NO TV today is capable of Home Theater so if you are content with watching television that would be the best choice for you.


We have a very nice 1080p 56in tv - it does tv very well.


When we want the WOW of Theater Visual Experience we dim the lights and light up the Theater sized screen.


Your choice but overall I think once gone you will yearn for Theater in your home again!!

Good Luck and Happy New Year!!!

 

[mjg100]



Quote:
Originally Posted by imjay /forum/post/15412176


You just have to decide if you and your family want Theater in the Home or a television.


Television simply doesn't meet the most simple definition of Home Theater nor deliver the most simple definition of Theater Visual Experience.


NO TV today is capable of Home Theater so if you are content with watching television that would be the best choice for you.


We have a very nice 1080p 56in tv - it does tv very well.


When we want the WOW of Theater Visual Experience we dim the lights and light up the Theater sized screen.


Your choice but overall I think once gone you will yearn for Theater in your home again!!

Good Luck and Happy New Year!!!

I am a front projector guy, but I will have to say that you can get that theater experience viewing a 73" Mits DLP. need dark TV wall and proper viewing distance. If viewed from 8 feet it would be 1.5x screen distance.

 

[BuGsArEtAsTy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by coppit /forum/post/15409884


The thing is, I'm pretty tired of crappy black levels, warm up times, replacement bulbs, repairs, etc. and am thinking about jumping ship to a flat screen. I've been spending about $400/year, so I figure I could get a decent HDTV for $1600, and it should last at least 4 years.

I've said this before in other threads but like some of the others here...


I would never get a projector as my primary TV. My living room has a 42" LCD hidden in a cabinet, so my living room looks pristine when the cabinet is closed. No ceiling mounted dangly projector, and no dedicated screen area I have to worry about. Furthermore, it's much easier to watch when I want with little hassle, even if it's bright outside and the drapes are open. It would annoy me to no end to have to 'prepare' the room just to watch the news at lunchtime.


If I had a choice between only a dedicated front projection home theatre and a standard HDTV setup, I'd choose the latter, EVERY time.


Luckily, I'm (now) in a situation where I can have both, so I have both.

 

[coppit]

Last night we watched The Dark Knight. At the scene where they tell Gordon's wife that he was shot, I had to tell my wife that Batman was standing in the shadows because we couldn't see anything. This is with every light off in the house.

Yeah, bigger is better, but if the quality sucks, what's the point? I did check out the Epson 6100 and Mitsubishi HC6500... Their contrast ration is 15,000:1 or better, which is much better than the 2500:1 of my PJ. If I could find a PJ with good build quality and/or a long warranty, maybe I would invest $1600 in a nicer FP unit...

 

[BuGsArEtAsTy]

^^^


Well, to be fair, if you buy a lower end LCD HDTV, the blacks and shadow detail might just be equally bad.

 

[NewPannyGuy]

I'm also surprised that quite a few people use their PJ as the primary display for regular TV programming. I just can't imagine having to dim the lights everytime I just want to check what is on TV (and not to forget the hit the PJ lamp takes everytime it is turned on). The SD programming anyway doesn't look great on a big screen. Unless someone doesn't watch TV programming on a regular basis, there is no question a TV should be the first choice as the primary display device.

 

[mjg100]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BuGsArEtAsTy /forum/post/15412307


I've said this before in other threads but like some of the others here...

I would never get a projector as my primary TV. My living room has a 42" LCD hidden in a cabinet, so my living room looks pristine when the cabinet is closed. No ceiling mounted dangly projector, and no dedicated screen area I have to worry about. Furthermore, it's much easier to watch when I want with little hassle, even if it's bright outside and the drapes are open. It would annoy me to no end to have to 'prepare' the room just to watch the news at lunchtime.


If I had a choice between only a dedicated front projection home theatre and a standard HDTV setup, I'd choose the latter, EVERY time.


Luckily, I'm (now) in a situation where I can have both, so I have both.

Something like this:


Doors closed
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000495.jpg


Doors open showing speaker cones. For a size reference the sub driver is 18" http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000494.jpg


106" Screen down:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000636.jpg


Movie time, 106" screen and Marantz 12S4:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000826.jpg


This room was built with one end of the room dedicated for home theater. But at the time it was built for a direct view TV. I installed my first projector (Epson HC400) in this room in 2006. Projectors were too expensive back in 1999 when I built the room. This system works very well, but since I built a dedicated (all black) room I spend most of my time in it.

 

[mjg100]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BuGsArEtAsTy /forum/post/15412307


I've said this before in other threads but like some of the others here...

I would never get a projector as my primary TV. My living room has a 42" LCD hidden in a cabinet, so my living room looks pristine when the cabinet is closed. No ceiling mounted dangly projector, and no dedicated screen area I have to worry about. Furthermore, it's much easier to watch when I want with little hassle, even if it's bright outside and the drapes are open. It would annoy me to no end to have to 'prepare' the room just to watch the news at lunchtime.


If I had a choice between only a dedicated front projection home theatre and a standard HDTV setup, I'd choose the latter, EVERY time.


Luckily, I'm (now) in a situation where I can have both, so I have both.

Something like this:


Doors closed
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000495.jpg


Doors open showing speaker cones. For a size reference the sub driver is 18" http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000494.jpg


106" Screen down:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000636.jpg


Movie time, 106" screen and Marantz 12S4:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000826.jpg


This room was built with one end of the room dedicated for home theater. But at the time it was built for a direct view TV. I installed my first projector (Epson HC400) in this room in 2006. Projectors were too expensive back in 1999 when I built the room. This system works very well, but since I built a dedicated (all black) room I spend most of my time in it. I prefer the dedicated room for two reasons:


1. Better black level since I have control of the ambient light because of

the dark, light absorbing walls and panels.

2. Better sound. The dedicated room does not have near as good

equipment, but it has bass traps in all of the corners and fully lined

with sound absorption panels.

 

[BuGsArEtAsTy]

That's a good setup, but it does still the illustrate the hassle of front projection as your primary TV (as in having to lower/raise the screen and dealing with the projector), and of course you still have a standard HDTV in your setup.

Also, you didn't show us where your screen and projector are mounted in the doors-closed picture. If it's not hidden in-ceiling with a trap door, my GF would kill me.

In truth, even if my GF didn't mind, I would if it was exposed. Just my personal preference.


And anyway, most of us usually aren't lucky enough to have a room like that. Mine is a flat wall, with a cabinet:

P.S. The wires are no longer exposed. I've since added inconspicuous white wire conduits along the baseboard.

 

[mjg100]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BuGsArEtAsTy /forum/post/15412742


That's a good setup, but it does still the illustrate the hassle of front projection as your primary TV (as in having to lower/raise the screen and dealing with the projector), and of course you still have a standard HDTV in your setup.

Also, you didn't show us where your screen and projector are mounted in the doors-closed picture. If it's not hidden in-ceiling with a trap door, my GF would kill me.

In truth, even if my GF didn't mind, I would if it was exposed. Just my personal preference.


And anyway, most of us usually aren't lucky enough to have a room like that. Mine is a flat wall, with a cabinet:

P.S. The wires are no longer exposed. I've since added inconspicuous white wire conduits along the baseboard.

The screen can't be mounted in the ceiling since the ceiling is 17' high. I have it mounted on the wall about 9 feet high, located right below a tapestry. I purchased extended drop since the screen is up high and it nearly matches the wall. Most people do not notice it. As to the projector, I have a window on my back wall where the projector needed to be mounted. Here is a picture of the window. http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/P1000506.jpg That means wall mount out. Ceiling is too high so ceiling mount is out.


I took a drop tube ceiling mount (tube in a tube) and installed (weld) offset brackets to it. I installed the base on the tube so that it can be used as a foot. The projector mount sits on the floor and is bolted to the wall (under the window) behind the shelves. I have a shelf that I built onto the inner tube. This tube fits inside of the base tube that is bolted to the wall. With the projector lowered it is just above the shelves (see window pic) with the pictures. I used to raise and lower the projector manually when i had the Epson HC400, but that did not work with the Marantz since the projector, shelf and tube added up to 40 pounds. To solve this I installed two (stacked) air springs inside the tube mount. These springs offset the 40 pounds of weight and allow me to raise and lower the projector with two fingers.


Pulling the screen down and popping the projector up takes less than 30 seconds. System works well and my wife does not have any problems with the looks. She placed a plant on the shelves in front of the projector and you have to be looking for the projector to see it. Sorry I do not have a picture of the projector mount. I have been meaning to take one, but have not gotten around to doing it. My son (8) has toys stock piled back there and I did not want to take a picture with all of that showing.


As to the room, I designed and built the room. I did not allow for front projector. At that time FP did not even cross my mind. The area where the TV is located is all chase area 2' deep x 17' wide x 17' high. Perfect design for an infinite baffle sub woofer. I can't get that thought out of my head.

 

[dawziecat]



Quote:
Originally Posted by coppit /forum/post/15409884


I figured I'd jump ship soon, but wanted to see if any of you could help me recapture that projector high I used to have.

No desire to do that. we all make our own decisions.

I have both. A 46" 1080p flat screen and a 720p front PJ. The PJ is four years old. Fully satisfied with how it has performed. One replacement bulb which was not really needed . . . I still have the original bulb as a spare. No repairs needed. I am looking forward to upgrading to a 1080 PJ when the time comes but the 720 continues to deliver a great picture with all kinds of content from an HD satellite box to a Blu-ray player.


I would not be satisfied with a PJ as an only viewing source. Likewise, I would not cheerfully abandon FP. Would miss it greatly on movies and HD TV content. I would no more watch a Blu-ray movie on the flat panel than I'd fire up the PJ to watch CNN.


I want both and plan to have both for the forseeable future.

 

[jay]

I'll take size over quality anyday!(that's what she said

)


But then again I mostly watch football and play my 360 on the projector. I do watch some movies as well but i'm not too picky about the black levels...

 

[mjg100]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jay² /forum/post/15414521


I'll take size over quality anyday!(that's what she said

)


But then again I mostly watch football and play my 360 on the projector. I do watch some movies as well but i'm not too picky about the black levels...

I think the black level on my planar PD7130 is better than the black level on my SXRD 1080p TV. With a projector the room greatly effects black levels.