16:9 720p ~$2k

[George Bellefontaine]

Hey, Nick :T on the HT.

[aud19]

Looking good Nick :T

Any of the 480p capable connections are MILES ahead of composite/S-video IMO, even good old analog component

[punosion]

Greetings Nick,

I'm trying to decide between a 4805 and a 5000, hopefully to be acquired in the next few months. Why did you choose the PLV-Z3 over the 5000?

Thanks!

[tubeman]

My two cents worth on my choice between the 4805, 5000 and the 7205.

For my theatre, I was working with a local installer, but I was having a hard time with the budget as I was finishing the entire basement at the same time.

I wanted great, but was trying to do it with a good budget and having to settle for something less than what I wanted was tough.

To start with, I have an existing HDTV - the RCA FS38310 so I was spoiled already. I did not want to go backwards in technology and was having a hard time justifying $$$$$ for the 7205. The 4805 was good, but it did not give me true 720p and I wanted to get that at a minimum. In the end, like everything else I put money where I was going to keep things that were harder to change later, the cabinet and screen, the Stewart Greyhawk, and spent a little less on the projector, the 5000 realizing that I can and most likely upgrade it in the future.

I think I made the right choices in the end, I still blew the budget all to hell, and my wife and kids and I spend a lot of time in our new theatre.

So think about where you want to finish and make sure you're headed in the right direction.

Gary

[Nick M]

The Z3 has much better contrast, lens shift (making setup easy), less noisy fan, better video processing (from comparitive reviews), and goes for ~$1500 from visualapex. The 5000 was also on my list for awhile.

Kind of a no-brainer unless you absolutely need the extra light output that the SP5000 has.

Not to say that the 5000 is a bad unit or anything. When the Z3 was $500 more, the 5000 was a great option. Now that it's actually cheaper, I'm recommending the Z3 to friends/family.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[aud19]

Gary, your theatre looks fantastic, budget be damned!

[punosion]

The Z3 has much better contrast, lens shift (making setup easy), less noisy fan, better video processing (from comparitive reviews), and goes for ~$1500 from visualapex. The 5000 was also on my list for awhile....

Thanks for the reply, Nick!

This is an evil, evil hobby...I stumbled on the 2.35:1 CIH forum at AVS, and now I'm contemplating anamorphic goodness. :twisted: If I would be using the full frame most of the time, I wouldn't need a brigher projector due to the added brightness I'd get. In a light-controlled room, contrast would be more beneficial. The lens shift is also a major advantage.

OK, I'll stop thinking through my keyboard.

[Dean McManis]

Hi Dean,

I'm ready to take the plunge for a PJ, but still doing allot of research work, mainly reading right now.

I noticed that you live in Santa Clara and I live in San Jose. I've been to Century Stereo and Bay Area Audio but they have nothing to audition in the $2000-$3500 price range. Do you know of any dealers in the area that have FP on display in that price range?

I would like to compare an LCD to a DLP unit before making a decision on what to purchase. Right now, I feel that's my main issue I need to figure out.

If you have any suggestion of any dealers that have a good selection of PJ in the Bay Area, I'd appreciate it if you let me know.

Regards,
Mark

Mark you might try Magniloia HiFi. There's one in Santa Clara right next to Santana Row, and one up in Palo Alto. I've had good experiences with them, and they often have a range of lower cost front projectors.

-Dean.