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Time to upgrade, looking for some advice..

1569 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by the_vinman, Jan 24, 2008

the_vinman

Discussion Starter · Jan 22, 2008

Well have had my home theater as is for about 3 years now, time to upgrade.

I just purchased new Denon 3808 to replace my 3805 (thx to the forum for getting great price on that

) Now i need to replace my Optoma H77 and get new 1080p.

My theater is setup in my basement, i have 123" screen and the projector is flush ceiling mounted approx 15 ft away (ceiling is approx 7 2/3 ft). I use HDTIVO and also have HD DVD unit.

So from everything ive seen and read over past month or so it looks like the Epson 1080UB seems to be best in the ~$3k range which is what im looking to spend i think. So will this projector work to replace my Optoma? do i need a new ceiling bracket ? is it worthwhile to get the PRO/HOME model? and of course were is the best place to get it/why? Also if ive missed something that might be needed for complete recommedation let me know, or if im totally off let me know as well

. Thx alot love the info on this forum, lots of people with lots of exp and ideas

Also side note i will have Denon 3805 and Optoma H77 to sell i guess, anyone know best place to sell them? (ebay, on the forum? )

Thx

Vince

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1 - 18 of 18 Posts

xradman

· #2 · Jan 22, 2008

I just got the Denon 3808 and Panasonic AE2000U to complete my HDMI 1.3 and 1080P24 upgrade. I am very satisfied with the Panasonic projector. I debated between this and Epson for a long time. The reason I chose Panasonic AE2000U over Epson 1080UB are as follows:

1. Panasonic has a power zoom and focus. I watch occasional 4:3 programing and I like the fact that I can zoom with the remote and make the 4:3 picture bigger.

2. Panasonic has vertical stretch capability. Although I do not have 2.35 constant height setup, I like the fact that I can do this at some point without needing an outboard processor.

3. The big advantage that Epson has over Panasonic is the often touted 50,000:1 dynamic contrast compared to 15,000:1 for Panasonic. These numbers mean absolutely squat in most realistic viewing environments. I do not have a bat cave and reflections from my ceiling and walls will more than cancel out any theoretical contrast advantage for the Epson.

4. Panasonic has a better reputation as a CEM compared to Epson. When I think of Epson, I'm thinking printers, not projectors.

5. Panasonic is cheaper than Epson by few hundred dollars. With the $100 instant rebate offered by many AVS Forum sponsers, Panasonic costs $2599 including shipping. Epson is $2999 with a $200 mail in rebate for the home model.

With these reasons, choosing Panasonic over Epson was an easy one.

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the_vinman

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 22, 2008

Thx, ya the panasonic was also on my list. Just my reading of issues (from the forums here and elsewhere) with dust and customer service was sort of leaning towards the epson, especially with the latest reviews comparing the 2.

bass addict

· #4 · Jan 22, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by xradman /forum/post/12896554

4. Panasonic has a better reputation as a CEM compared to Epson. When I think of Epson, I'm thinking printers, not projectors.

I would agree on all points except for maybe this one. While I do agree that Panny has been in the pj business for quite some time, their quality control leaves a lot to be desired. Epson has some of the best CS in the industry. They have a longer warranty, which you should take into consideration when comparing pricing, and are very easy to deal with. They have a loaner program and a hot swap turnaround should a problem arise. JMTC

Brajesh

· #5 · Jan 22, 2008

I'm debating these two and will probably go w/the Epson. It looks to be worth $200 more. What worries me most and why I haven't pulled the trigger yet is convergence. Maybe it's a few bad apples, but everytime I read about someone reporting this, I hesitate and wait.

Quote:
Just my reading of issues (from the forums here and elsewhere) with dust and customer service was sort of leaning towards the epson...

These could be issues with any LCD projector, so Epson doesn't have an advantage here. Also, unlike convergence, dust blobs can be removed/fixed by you at home.

bass addict

· #6 · Jan 22, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brajesh /forum/post/12897755

I'm debating these two and will probably go w/the Epson. It looks to be worth $200 more. What worries me most and why I haven't pulled the trigger yet is convergence. Maybe it's a few bad apples, but everytime I read about someone reporting this, I hesitate and wait.

These could be issues with any LCD projector, so Epson doesn't have an advantage here. Also, unlike convergence, dust blobs can be removed/fixed by you at home.

Yes that is true, but when one product has a significant amount of complaints it does become a disadvantage.

Speaking of issues with any LCD projector, convergence is the same thing. That's the nature of the beast with LCD's. My AE900 was a pixel off.

Cameron

· #7 · Jan 22, 2008

Ummm I don't know what the present AVS price is on the RS1, but it might be worth a look. Maybe out of budget, but I am not sure what they are going for now. Their price at the distributor did drop from when they were intially released.

xradman

· #8 · Jan 22, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by the_vinman /forum/post/12897343

Thx, ya the panasonic was also on my list. Just my reading of issues (from the forums here and elsewhere) with dust and customer service was sort of leaning towards the epson, especially with the latest reviews comparing the 2.

I don't doubt that Epson may be slightly brighter or contrastier. However, I would take power zoom and focus, vertical stretch, and $200 less without the rebate hassle offered by the Panasonic.

As far as the better warranty, Panasonic is offering free 2nd year warranty by a mail in offer. Convergence and dust issues are problems common to both projectors, so it's probably a toss up. As far as more people reporting problems with the Panasonic, it's probably because it's been out longer.

bass addict

· #9 · Jan 22, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by xradman /forum/post/12899552

As far as more people reporting problems with the Panasonic, it's probably because it's been out longer.

I would agree that anytime someone has a problem it's brought to everyone's attention. Based on the total number of 2000's out there it is probably a small % that are having issues (unlike MS's ring of death). The nice thing with a convergence issue is; it can be inspected by AVS etc upon purchase to eliminate major issues, whereas the dust issue/flickering/etc. can not.

the_vinman

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 23, 2008

ok so any other thoughts? do i need to bracket to hold projector ? any issues with epson replacing my optoma (distance, placement etc) anyone who has the epson ? thoughts. thx for the info

the_vinman

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 23, 2008

bump,

So where is best deal on the projector? this AVS store ? somewhere else?

i want to get decision done and order asap so keep the thoughts etc coming

thx

Vince

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the_vinman

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 23, 2008

bump

Maestro J

· #13 · Jan 24, 2008

If you want the 1080UB pro, then definitely AV Science store. They have an awesome deal going right now.

the_vinman

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 24, 2008

ya im in discussion with them via email at the moment. Please feel free to drop any more ideas/thoughts etc

thx

Steve Dodds

· #15 · Jan 24, 2008

I think the Epson is the go at around the 3K mark.

However, if you go for the Pro model the VW60 is the same price and the RS1 only $200 more, so if you don't need the extras AVS are offering, I would go there.

The big concern I have with the Epson isn't convergence, but rather dust blobs, of which there have been some reports already as there were with previous Epson models.

Since I am lazy, messy and have a smoking household it's a real issue.

the_vinman

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 24, 2008

interesting thoughts, i havent seen the RS1 for 200 more from reputable place but maybe im missing , problem is it isnt hdmi 1.3 comp and if im going to upgrade now might as well get 1.3. The sony one looks to be about same, but the epson bests it in most of the reviews ive seen and again it costs more still. Not clear on the dust blob stuff but no smokers in my house might think about an air cleaner maybe, anyone running one of those in their HT? if so any good recommendations ?

thx for the info. hoping to make decision and get this done soon.

JDLIVE

· #17 · Jan 24, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by the_vinman /forum/post/12917084

problem is it isnt hdmi 1.3 comp and if im going to upgrade now might as well get 1.3.

Why are you worried about hdmi 1.3? Except for games, there's unlikely to be any source material to take advantage of the new features for several years at least.

the_vinman

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 24, 2008

not really worried just would prefer to not have to upgrade again. Im not the upgrade every chance, bleeding edge guy. So when i upgrade i want it to be for awhile.

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