Under 3,000 reigning champ??

I have a jvc hd250 (from Benito at AVS) as well, and I love it. I haven't calibrated it, and it looks just fine. I honestly didn't adjust anything, and everyone that has seen it thinks it's awesome.


I primarily game on it (mostly COD/SOCOM), and we watch movies as well. There are certain scenes that I notice a little motion shudder (scenes with large dark objects moving through a light background), but I mostly don't see any. The colors are vivid, and the blacks are very inky. I would go as far to say that the pq is very close to my panasonic plasmas.



Side note: You have to be careful with lumens, and contrast, etc. Ever heard of the "lightning can strike once" saying? Basically, some companies will inflate/manipulate their numbers based on settings that aren't typical or best for viewing.


This particular projector is about 7-800 lumens on "best" mode, but it's plenty bright for me with the lens ap closed down and the bulb on low setting. I have no issue with more than a little light being on while playing COD. I prefer the lights completely off while watching a movie, but its tolerable even with some light. Again, it'd handle it all even better if I opened up the lens ap, or put it on a higher output mode.


If you're looking for the smoothest action scenes, and the best picture possible... go with a panasonic vt30, you won't beat it. If you want something that is pretty darn close, but twice the size and half the price... this projector is where it's at.



Background on the HD250 (based on my research). The HD250 is basically the RS10/HD350 from a couple years ago. JVC is using up spare parts from that model to build complete projectors (ie the HD250). The RS10/HD350 was in the $5k range. So you're basically buying a brand new, slightly older model JVC for half price. That's why it's such a performer, because it doesn't really belong in the sub $3k price bracket. Good for us while they last


The 106" screen really makes up for the slight motion shudder I see every once and a while, by FAR!

I'll throw in a few more projectors in this price range to really confuse you! lol


The Infocus SP8602 can be had at the top of your price range. This is easily one of the brightest 1080P true home theater projector under $10,000. Colors are fantastic at the brightest modes. Skin tones look realistic without adding that tanned skin look.


Contrast and shadow detail are outstanding as well. Movies such as Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes never look grayed out or crushed in the most demanding low APL scenes.

Being this unit is a single chip DLP, there aren't convergence issues.


Motion is another area where it does extremely well. There's no judder with this unit.

You can use the CFI if need be for sports, it makes fast moving objects look even smoother. I don't use it for movies, since it makes them all look like a live video instead of film.


Lamp cost replacement is under $200, instead of nearly $400 for the JVC. The projector starts out so bright that the image actually gets better as the hours stack up.

Verses many where the image quality starts to decline after 400 hours on the lamp.

The Infocus comes with a 5 year warranty.


The Epson 8700 is another contender. It comes with a free lamp and overall may have better color than the HD250. It isn't as bright in best mode but brighter in the higher modes. It is also considered an ultra high contrast projector. The 8700 comes with a 2 year warranty that includes shipping another unit out to you within 48 hrs. So in actuality their warranty is one of the best out there.


The Sony HW30 LCOS should fall at the top of your price range as well. It is basically a HW20 with 3D. The image should be comparable to the Epson 8700 with an overall slightly better color saturation. It is brighter than the Epson 8700 or JVC HD250 in best mode.You can read more on it in the over $3000 forum. I think this unit has a 3 year warranty?


You'll find strengths and weaknesses with them all, the key is finding the one with the strengths you consider most important.


Good luck with the hunt!



Quote:
Originally Posted by ack_bk /forum/post/20820505


What will you be using this projector for the most? Cinema, or TV? Do you watch lots of sports? How large is your screen, and what is the approximate throw distance?


It is more than just getting the best projector for the money. There are many different types (LCoS, DLP, LCD, etc) of projectors and all have strengths and weaknesses. Some projectors will offer much more flexibility for placement than others.


We need more info.

Click to expand...

projector will be used for mostly my blu ray collection, will watch netflix, hd tv channels, and ps3 games as well but the most important thing which i want it for is the blu rays. dont watch too many sports but lots of action movies so would like something that can handle the action scenes well and has good black levels.


not sure how big a screen yet. the wall which it will be going on measures 98 inches across and watching distance will be 16 ft. how big a screen would be recommended for 16 ft distance? and i will be putting some dark curtains in the room so as to make it completely dark.


sorry, dont know what throw distance means.


been doing a little research on the sony hw30, seems to have the features im looking for. its not out yet so there are no reviews on it correct?



Quote:
Originally Posted by tzillian /forum/post/20823033


projector will be used for mostly my blu ray collection, will watch netflix, hd tv channels, and ps3 games as well but the most important thing which i want it for is the blu rays. dont watch too many sports but lots of action movies so would like something that can handle the action scenes well and has good black levels.


not sure how big a screen yet. the wall which it will be going on measures 98 inches across and watching distance will be 16 ft. how big a screen would be recommended for 16 ft distance? and i will be putting some dark curtains in the room so as to make it completely dark.


sorry, dont know what throw distance means.


been doing a little research on the sony hw30, seems to have the features im looking for. its not out yet so there are no reviews on it correct?

Click to expand...

I am new to the PJ world and I just purchased a JVC HD250 (my 1st projector). I finally got it installed last night and I love it. Out of the box the pic is GREAT. There are only a handful of adjustments and it was up and running within 3 minutes. I have a 100" screen (diagonal) and sitting 12 feet away, it's a tad bit big but I will deal with it.


You have a lot of work to do (i.e. measuring exactly your room and how you plan to mount your PJ). Some advice, if you buy a PJ with lens shifting it will make your mounting options much easier. The jvc hd 250 has lens shift capabilities.


Like everyone said, CALL AVS as they have great prices.

I would wait until after CEDIA if you can, a bunch of new projectors are coming out in the next 30 days.


It also depends what you value in the image the most.


It will come down to LCD vs. LCOS vs. DLP.


Some people notice motion lag for gaming on the JVC projectors, depends. Some will say it does not bother them at all.


The JVC HD250 excels in dark movies, but DLP excels in being a bit punchier in brighter scenes and being a tad bit sharper. The Infocus does pretty well at both, it is a very balanced projector, but it is a tad bit more expensive.

Quote:
You can get a fairly large screen on that wall (approx 110" diagonal), but what are you planning for speakers? With surround sound you'll have to account in the side speakers unless you plan to go with an acoustically transparent screen and in wall speakers (though I hear AT screens loose some picture quality). Normal speakers would take up roughly 12" for the pair... so that puts you down to approximately a 96" diagonal screen.


I have 104" screen with viewing distance at 10.5ft and I find it near perfect in size.



Quote:
Originally Posted by tzillian /forum/post/20826381


been doing some research on screens and see that they come in various aspect ratios.


how do aspect ratios work? i thought that everything was 16:9 and that was it. now im reading about 2.35:1.


do PJ units display 2.35:1 out of the box or would it need a separate lens? just looking for some basic info on aspect ratios.


thanks.

Click to expand...

It's not the projector, but the movie that determines the aspect ratio. Many movies are displayed in 2.35:1 (like watching on a plasma tv when you see black bars on the top and bottom), most are 16:9. Some movies switch between the two. 16:9 is the most common, and what I would personally recommend. By going with a 16:9 screen, when a movie plays in 2.35:1 aspect it'll display a wider image, but produce black bars at the top and bottom.


You can create a masking system and get an anamorphic lens (or do the zoom method), but that can get expensive in a hurry and I would only recommend for a dedicated theater room. You can search masking here and get more information. Just a tip, an A lens and a sled will cost more than your projector budget.


If windows are your only limitation, consider getting a motorized/pull down screen and you can forget worrying about the windows. Also, why would your speakers be next to the floor? More around ear height (or slightly above) is preferred. Try to put the speakers away from each other about the same length of your viewing distance.