[tyler_broadbent]

Basically I'm looking for a poor man's 9500UB.


I have a 1.5k budget and love the picture of the 9500UB in dynamic mode. I'm looking for something similar that is bright, pops, has good color, and good blacks. This will be used for watching movies, playing xbox, and sd/hd tv in a half-lit room.


I'm considering the 8100 as it meets most the criteria, but it has a lot softer image IMO. I prefer the crispness, contrast, whatever you want to call it that the 9500UB has that the 9100 doesn't. Personally I think the 9500 has a better lens than the 8100/9100 which results in that extra sharpness/pop. I don't think its due to the contrast difference as I don't think there is a huge difference in black levels or details between the two (in brightest mode).


Because I'm not absolutely in love with the picture of the 8100 I am considering buying the PT-AX200U (720p), saving the money, and then buying the 9500UB equivalent as technology improves. The counter argument is the 200U bulb won't last as long, it's 720p, and the cost of ownership will almost equal the 8100 while the picture quality probably won't.


Am I overlooking anything? I have eliminated a lot of good projectors (HC3800, pro8100, HD20, AE4000U) due to having a brightest output of ~1000 lumens. I'm not sure how many lumen are needed to get a good picture while having ambient light (think superbowl party with lights at least half on) but I do know that the 8100 and PT-AX200U do.


Thanks for your replies!

 

[tigerfan33]

Epson 8100 + High Power screen= more pop than you can imagine.

 

[RodK]

if you want something cheap and sharp, look into the Viewsonic pro8100. it will take some effort to calibrate, but when dialed in , it throws a sharp bright picture.

 

[badgerpilot]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tigerfan33 /forum/post/18254070


epson 8100 + high power screen= more pop than you can imagine.

+1

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tyler_broadbent /forum/post/18253697


Because I'm not absolutely in love with the picture of the 8100 I am considering buying the PT-AX200U (720p), saving the money, and then buying the 9500UB equivalent as technology improves.!

Have you been able to see the PT-AX200U in action? After my 720p Sony VPL-AW15 died, I tried to replace it with an Epson 8100. I thought the Epson looked pretty good, but its black levels weren't as good as my old Sony, causing it to lack the "pop" that I was used to.


I returned the Epson and bought a used Panasonic PT-AX100U, which is pretty much the same as the 200U, thinking it would hold me over until I bought the projector I really wanted. Unfortunately, I wasn't happy with the Panasonic. The picture just looked flat compared to my Sony or even the Epson, and wasn't as sharp as either. I couldn't put up with it, and quickly bought an Epson 7500 UB on eBay.


I was close to buying a refurbished VPL-AW15 from the Sony Store for $1000, before I found the 7500UB for $1300. I still think the refurbished AW15 is a good deal for anybody looking for a great cinema-oriented projector.

 

[ctmooregottapee]

a used benq w5000 or the newer w6000 might be in your budget