33 views and nothing? Help me out here LOL.
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Upgrading my 480p Optoma H31 to an Epson HC720?
I have been debating an upgrade from my trusty Optoma H31 for about 3 months now. I have come so close to pulling the trigger more than once but never managed to do so. Well now my PJ has hit 1500 hrs and the pic is getting noticeably softer, and the bulb warning is a pain in the ass as well. So I have finally decided to get on with this. I have spent the last 3 days reading about current PJ's and have decided on the Epson HC720.
As always I have some nagging doubt and am hoping some here can help me remove that doubt.
I like a really sharp image and would would take sharpness over film like.
I like bright juicy color (the reason I chose the Optoma back then)
I like a bright, yet contrasty picture.
I dont want to move my mount or re-run cabling (this is why I am thinking LCD as the lens shift assures my current mount position will work)
I dont feel like spending more than $1500 total.
The Epson HC720 can be had for $1295 Canadian, plus a $100 mail in rebate, and a free spare lamp, plus from buying out of province I only pay the GST and no PST. This means all I would pay is $1259.75 shipped in Canadian funds.
So what do you think? Does this seem like a wise idea? Any other ideas?
I really cant see this not being an improvement over my current set up especially with HD sports and PS3 movies and games.
Thanks in advance.
Lyle
As always I have some nagging doubt and am hoping some here can help me remove that doubt.
I like a really sharp image and would would take sharpness over film like.
I like bright juicy color (the reason I chose the Optoma back then)
I like a bright, yet contrasty picture.
I dont want to move my mount or re-run cabling (this is why I am thinking LCD as the lens shift assures my current mount position will work)
I dont feel like spending more than $1500 total.
The Epson HC720 can be had for $1295 Canadian, plus a $100 mail in rebate, and a free spare lamp, plus from buying out of province I only pay the GST and no PST. This means all I would pay is $1259.75 shipped in Canadian funds.
So what do you think? Does this seem like a wise idea? Any other ideas?
I really cant see this not being an improvement over my current set up especially with HD sports and PS3 movies and games.
Thanks in advance.
Lyle
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
I know the feeling (no reply).
For what it's worth, here is my $.02 worth. I started a thread a couple of months back "to pj or not to pj" because i was debating if it would work for my environment. I also chatted a bit on the plasma forums. Then yesterday i went to the house of the ISF tech who calibrated my 480p plasma 2.5 yrs ago. My conclusion is that the best way to decide is to try to view a comperable set up. I was convinced by the PJ threads that a PJ wasn't for me. Then i viewed the ISF tech's personal set up and was 100% convinced a PJ is for me. By the way, his PJ is a 6 yr old Sharp DLP, 720p, 800 lumens. The kicker is that it is properly calibrated and it looks fantastic, especially since it is such a dinosaur by today's standards. My point is that 1. view a similar set up if possible for best decision making, 2. my opinion is that a sub $1000 PJ would suffice just as well after seeing a 6 yr old 1st gen DLP PJ that was kickin from 12' viewing distance, 15' throw.
Quote:
Originally Posted by biglyle /forum/post/12878951
33 views and nothing? Help me out here LOL.
I know the feeling (no reply).
For what it's worth, here is my $.02 worth. I started a thread a couple of months back "to pj or not to pj" because i was debating if it would work for my environment. I also chatted a bit on the plasma forums. Then yesterday i went to the house of the ISF tech who calibrated my 480p plasma 2.5 yrs ago. My conclusion is that the best way to decide is to try to view a comperable set up. I was convinced by the PJ threads that a PJ wasn't for me. Then i viewed the ISF tech's personal set up and was 100% convinced a PJ is for me. By the way, his PJ is a 6 yr old Sharp DLP, 720p, 800 lumens. The kicker is that it is properly calibrated and it looks fantastic, especially since it is such a dinosaur by today's standards. My point is that 1. view a similar set up if possible for best decision making, 2. my opinion is that a sub $1000 PJ would suffice just as well after seeing a 6 yr old 1st gen DLP PJ that was kickin from 12' viewing distance, 15' throw.
houseofmouse
Thanks for the reply. The thing is I already have a PJ in the Optoma. Its calibrated and looks outstanding. The problem is that it is only 480p, and needs a new bulb. I could get a new bulb for $350, or a whole new 720p set-up with a spare bulb for $1250. I am trying to understand if the extra $900 will be worth it.
Thanks for the reply. The thing is I already have a PJ in the Optoma. Its calibrated and looks outstanding. The problem is that it is only 480p, and needs a new bulb. I could get a new bulb for $350, or a whole new 720p set-up with a spare bulb for $1250. I am trying to understand if the extra $900 will be worth it.
I'm not most experienced with buying new - we prefer shopping for close outs and demos - paid $600 for our Panasonic AE-900U. Also obviously not the most experienced pj person on the forum since we only have used two for just a couple of years. I agree about advantage of having manual lens shift - it's nice.
Anyhow, also not sure how cross-the-border shopping works tax wise and otherwise.
Buy.com has an LCD BenQ W500 - 1289X720 - 6000:1 contrast and seemingly a lot of up/down and left/right lens shift for $799 US with free shipping.
I suppose having an extra lamp makes the other pj appealing but your current pj has a failing lamp and your decision is to upgrade so if you get decent lamp life out of the box with a new one you might have the same desire when this one begins to fail negating the value of the "free" extra lamp.
We're quite happy with the HD performance of our Panasonic 720 and prices for 720 resolution are falling as manufacturers more on toward discontinuing them with most new models having native 1080p resolution.
In our area of US Fla. no one is delivering a 1080 resolution image - not cable nor sat - best picture is OTA HD. So far as movies are concerned we are very content with good upconversion of our standard def movie collection and we are in no hurry to jump on the Hi Def DVD train just yet and won't until the format "war" is finished and the movie prices drop down from obscenely expensive. This is why we believe 720p is best price and performance choice for many buyers.
Sorry for the long post - personally I'd take a look at other online sellers like buy.com and mwave and newegg and overstock.com - we have purchased from all of them online and they are reliable as are bestbuy and circuitcity and they usually have a weekly pj special price.
goodluck
Anyhow, also not sure how cross-the-border shopping works tax wise and otherwise.
Buy.com has an LCD BenQ W500 - 1289X720 - 6000:1 contrast and seemingly a lot of up/down and left/right lens shift for $799 US with free shipping.
I suppose having an extra lamp makes the other pj appealing but your current pj has a failing lamp and your decision is to upgrade so if you get decent lamp life out of the box with a new one you might have the same desire when this one begins to fail negating the value of the "free" extra lamp.
We're quite happy with the HD performance of our Panasonic 720 and prices for 720 resolution are falling as manufacturers more on toward discontinuing them with most new models having native 1080p resolution.
In our area of US Fla. no one is delivering a 1080 resolution image - not cable nor sat - best picture is OTA HD. So far as movies are concerned we are very content with good upconversion of our standard def movie collection and we are in no hurry to jump on the Hi Def DVD train just yet and won't until the format "war" is finished and the movie prices drop down from obscenely expensive. This is why we believe 720p is best price and performance choice for many buyers.
Sorry for the long post - personally I'd take a look at other online sellers like buy.com and mwave and newegg and overstock.com - we have purchased from all of them online and they are reliable as are bestbuy and circuitcity and they usually have a weekly pj special price.
goodluck
if it were me, i would just buy a new bulb. you have a pj you are happy with and has been calibrated. if you were to buy a new PJ, spare bulb and pay for calibration, that adds up to a lot more than just a$350 for a bulb. on the other hand, i am sure you will notice a jump in PQ from 480 to 720, either way, best of luck with whatever you decide.
Quote:
Originally Posted by biglyle /forum/post/12882456
houseofmouse
Thanks for the reply. The thing is I already have a PJ in the Optoma. Its calibrated and looks outstanding. The problem is that it is only 480p, and needs a new bulb. I could get a new bulb for $350, or a whole new 720p set-up with a spare bulb for $1250. I am trying to understand if the extra $900 will be worth it.
if it were me, i would just buy a new bulb. you have a pj you are happy with and has been calibrated. if you were to buy a new PJ, spare bulb and pay for calibration, that adds up to a lot more than just a$350 for a bulb. on the other hand, i am sure you will notice a jump in PQ from 480 to 720, either way, best of luck with whatever you decide.
I'd just buy a new bulb and pocket the "difference" so when the next bulb goes you already have money set a side and can get a projector that you really want. $900 is quite a bit of money when you already have a picture that you really like. Also with projectors dropping in price more, I'd hold out because the projector you buy now will most likely be drastically cheaper in a year.
But in the end.. it just depends on how much disposable income you want to use.
But in the end.. it just depends on how much disposable income you want to use.
ordered the HC720
glad to see you bought the bulb, good thing a PJ comes with it. i am sure you will be very happy with your choice...counting down the days till i get my pj.
Yes, Epson and Sanyo seem like the only two companies that don't gouge Canadian consumers (hear that Panasonic, Sharp and Mitsubishi!!!). I personally will be buying from the States and made that decision when I talked with one of the Canadian on-line retailers who told me that it's just as easy (and faster) to return the product to the States yourself if it requires warranty work. That, coupled with the fact that buying in the U.S. saves several hundred-to several thousands of $'s and it's a no brainer.
If I were buying in Canada and had to go LCD, I would probably go with the Epson as well. It seems to be the only one that offers a comparable price.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steerforth /forum/post/12886869
In Canada, with our extremely limited options, the HC720 is, by far, the best value available for the money. Good choice.![]()
Yes, Epson and Sanyo seem like the only two companies that don't gouge Canadian consumers (hear that Panasonic, Sharp and Mitsubishi!!!). I personally will be buying from the States and made that decision when I talked with one of the Canadian on-line retailers who told me that it's just as easy (and faster) to return the product to the States yourself if it requires warranty work. That, coupled with the fact that buying in the U.S. saves several hundred-to several thousands of $'s and it's a no brainer.
If I were buying in Canada and had to go LCD, I would probably go with the Epson as well. It seems to be the only one that offers a comparable price.
I ended up going with the epson after talking to Richard at Quebec Acoustic. I have bought from them on a few occasion and always found him to be straight up and honest especially when discussing projector benefits and image. His ravings about this unit sold me. I was looking at 3 or 4 different models and he convinced me to get the cheapest one (talk about a nice change of pace from regular retail outlets like best buy). He said the picture on the 720 is simply amazing for the price. At the seating distance I am going to be using he swore to me that it has a better image than the Mits 4900, one of the others on my short list, and was far better than the Z5 in almost every regard..
Good choice. I also bought the Epson HC720 from Richard and am very happy about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by biglyle /forum/post/12894118
I ended up going with the epson after talking to Richard at Quebec Acoustic. I have bought from them on a few occasion and always found him to be straight up and honest especially when discussing projector benefits and image. His ravings about this unit sold me. I was looking at 3 or 4 different models and he convinced me to get the cheapest one (talk about a nice change of pace from regular retail outlets like best buy). He said the picture on the 720 is simply amazing for the price. At the seating distance I am going to be using he swore to me that it has a better image than the Mits 4900, one of the others on my short list, and was far better than the Z5 in almost every regard..
Good choice. I also bought the Epson HC720 from Richard and am very happy about it.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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