[tzillian]

i am planning on upgrading my system and will be installing a projector set up in my home.


it is a town home and will not have a dedicated theater room, it will be set up in my living room. fortunately my living room is quite large so i think it will work and will not make the room itself to cluttered.


looking for the best projector in the under 3,000 category, if it goes over and is a great deal and a great projector i am willing to look into it as well.


living room will have blackout curtains everywhere. no light will get in.


1080P is a must for the projector. ceiling hung projector is preferable as well. if it has 3D thats fine, not opposed to it but it is not necessary as i prob wouldnt even use it that much. will be watching a lot of movies and prob gaming quite a bit as well.


now i have no experience in installation and calibration either. how do i go about finding someone to do that for me as well? i presume magnolia at best buy prob does it but have heard they are overpriced.


thanks all for any help, this will be a long project and will prob only be finished at the end of the year.

 

[dswdallas]

In a light controlled room you should consider the JVC HD250.

Great colors, deep blacks, first JVC projector that can be had for under $3k. Check with Benito at AVS (forum sponsor) for great pricing well within your budget. There are many contenders but this has worked for me.

You can do your own calibration with the Disney WOW blu-ray calibration disk. There are also calibrators that travel around that are on this forum that would do a great job. Not impressed with BB.

Good luck and read, read, read..

Don

 

[tzillian]

Cool, thanks. Also will be updating this thread tomorrow with living room measurements. So as too have more

Specifics such as screen size and what not.

 

[blee0120]

If you want to get a used RS20 or RS40, I would go that route if I you can find a good deal. Cedia is coming up in a month and many JVC owners will be selling their units, you might find a good deal or a new JVC will come out that is in your price range like the HD250 that might be better. But if I was buying now, it will be the HD250 also

 

[tzillian]

forgive my ignorance, but do projectors have refresh rates? how important is that in a projector? i ask because my main movies of choice are action movies with fast motion on screen. hoping that fast action sequences are not a problem for this projector. looking for something good. and what are lumens? better to be higher or lower.


thanks for the patience, just trying to learn everything.

 

[eyeage30]

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!

 

[Joesyah]

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!

 

[ack_bk]

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.

 

[tzillian]



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.

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?

 

[Brian Hampton]

This seems like such a tricky question when many of the over $3000 projectors can be had from B-Stock sales for under $1500.


My Pj had a MSRP of $5000 but usually sold for less and then AVS had it B-Stock for $899!


I've had projector's since 1999 and I don't think I ever had one with an original MSRP under $3000. Though hopefully the cheap pjs can be found even cheaper refurbished and so on.


-Brian

 

[khoi911]



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?

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.

 

[grouper8]

My vote for the HD 250 also. 110" screen and throw distance of around 14.5 ft. Outstanding picture OTB and I used Art's settings on his review and the picture even looks better.


Thanks to Benito for great deal and buying experience.

 

[coderguy]

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.

 

[Benito Joaquin]

Definitely need to finalize the image size you plan on going with. That can have an impact on which projector you decide to go with.


What about room color? ceiling color?


Benito

 

[tzillian]

seems like the hd250 is a clear fave here. def gonna keep researching that one and wait for cedia as well like everyone is saying.


as far as the room goes it will stay the same color at first, I hadnt planned on painting anything but will look into it as well. what color is better to have?


and regarding screen size, is there a website so i can get an idea of the length of screens? i have 2 options for placement on the wall. the option i prefer gives me 98 inches in length to fit a screen, but if thats not enough i definitely have the other wall with endless distance to put a screen.

 

[eat meat]

sharp XV-Z17000 dlp, 1600 ANSI lumens,ghost free 3d

 

[eyeage30]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tzillian seems like the hd250 is a clear fave here. def gonna keep researching that one and wait for cedia as well like everyone is saying. as far as the room goes it will stay the same color at first, I hadnt planned on painting anything but will look into it as well. what color is better to have? and regarding screen size, is there a website so i can get an idea of the length of screens? i have 2 options for placement on the wall. the option i prefer gives me 98 inches in length to fit a screen, but if thats not enough i definitely have the other wall with endless distance to put a screen.

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.

 

[tzillian]

i have enough room for the speakers on the floor next to screen. its just that the wall is 98 inches because there are windows next to it. windows will be blacked out and speakers will go on the floor in front of the windows.

 

[tzillian]

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.

 

[eyeage30]



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.

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.