New Projector Purchase

[dyazdani]

I am possibly going to be selling my motorcycle and if so, will most likely put a portion of the sale towards a FPTV.

I'm looking for a few suggestions with the following constraints:

1. Budget of around $1500 (looking at used)
2. No preference between DLP/LCD at this time. I do tend to prefer LCD RPTVs but have not compared FPTVs.

So, some details of the application - first, a picture of the room:


As you can see, I can't get a wall mounted screen so I will be searching for a drop down.

Details:

• Seating is 17ft from front wall
• TV sticks out ~3ft from wall
• Speakers are out 5.5ft from wall
• Room is not light controlled, but most viewing will be at night
• There is a non-functioning ceiling fan directly above the coffee table, 13ft from the wall that could be a good place to mount the projector and run power

The models I've seen so far are the Sanyo Z3,Z4, Panny AE900, Optoma HD72. Note that I realize it would be best to see some before I buy, but it is just not going to be a reality. I live so far away from any place I could see one, it's just not reasonable.

[brac]

I bought the infocus sp5000 lcd, and could'nt be happier.... and at it's price point you could go new.... lots can go wrong with a used pj..

[dyazdani]

I bought the infocus sp5000 lcd, and could'nt be happier.... and at it's price point you could go new.... lots can go wrong with a used pj..

Yeah, I've noticed the same on the Sanyo Z4 and the Panny 900 - their prices are very reasonable on new models.

My biggest thing is how to mount it - ceiling vs. table top. I'll have to "settle" for a smaller screen, say 92 or 96 if I go table top. Also, on how to run the wires, I'd hate to have a bunch of crap running along the ceiling or floor. Trying to come up with a good way to hide them.

[Shane Martin]

I'd go with the Z4 or the Optoma. The Panasonic only has a 1 yr warranty. Too many people have reported issues with their panasonic for me to trust them past the measily 1 yr warranty period.

[Azeke]

I beg to differ Shane, I am enjoying my new Pansonic 900U with over 300hrs., free extended warranty, $400.00 rebate, and a $300.00 Blockbuster card. I agree however that the Panny with it's 1 year warranty is not optimal. The Z4 (three year warranty) is definitely a viable consideration. Either projector would work considering your placement issues, both have lens shift, although the Z4 lens shift is better from what I've heard. It's the LCD vs DLP battle. Check out the AVS forum, that would at least get you started. Just my quick thoughts.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[KeithM]

I found a new ae900 shipped for $1800 plus the $400 rebate ($1400 total) and blockbuster card. I'm not sure if I can give a link to it or not though. PM me if interested.

[dyazdani]

I saw the same deal...I think.

[Chris D]

Wow, that seems like a great deal for the AE900.

[dyazdani]

Yep, I think I'll get one assuming my bike sells (should know today).

Now that the unit is out of the way, I have the following decisions to make before I sign off on the purchase:

1. How to mount the unit (ceiling or table)?
2. Screen logistics
3. Wiring plan, how to run the wires (ceiling mount only)

I think the easiest thing would be to basically have a portable setup. This will keep the wife happy. So I'd have a screen with a stand, set the PJ on the coffee table, and coil up the wire when not in use.

Other suggestions?

[Jack Gilvey]

Nice room, and nice system.

While the table will work fine, your other option is ceiling mount. The 900 doesn't have a whole lot of lens shift, though, so the lens needs to be within the vertical limits of the screen, or slightly above. Basically, you'd have to drop the 900 almost to the height of the top of your screen. It's a great projector, but this can be a limitation in some installs. Putting it where the fan is now might be ideal.
Here's my drop/mount:

[DrJRapp]

I recently went the pj route with an Optoma HD72. While it may be a bit more than the others mentioned, I felt it had the best picture quality of the bunch since LCD screen door effect bothers me a lot. It has some mounting limitations also because of it's fixed offset. Picture quality is amazing!

[Jack Gilvey]

While it may be a bit more than the others mentioned, I felt it had the best picture quality of the bunch since LCD screen door effect bothers me a lot.

Yeah, that had been my experience also. That's one area where the AE900 leaves almost everything far behind, and why I felt it well-suited to the large screen I wanted. No SDE at all even as close a 1x screen width.

[dyazdani]

Cool. I haven't seen a DLP for a while, last time I saw one I didn't like the artifacts. I was very sensitive to it and it seemed like it flickered to me. The newer DLP RPTVs seem the same way.

[Shane Martin]

The AE900 has a nice screendoor reducer but IMHO it comes at a cost of the detail. This is where I felt the Z4 was better beyond the warranty. YMMV.

[Jack Gilvey]

The AE900 has a nice screendoor reducer but IMHO it comes at a cost of the detail.

Haven't compared the Z4 side-by-side. I do see a huge leap in detail going from 720p Oppo DVD to HD, so if it's hiding/losing something, it's subtle, and not high on my list of image attributes. It'd be interesting to see some shots of the lost detail, though, to see what the pj's can actually resolve, aside from the general "smooth" impression that the lack of pronounced pixel structure imparts.

[Shane Martin]

so if it's hiding/losing something, it's subtle, and not high on my list of image attributes.

Compare side to side with a PJ that doesn't have the panasonic screendoor reducer. Finding a Z4 in NJ to compare or a meet to attend shouldn't be hard.

You may still find it to be subtle, or you may not. Again YMMV.

[Jack Gilvey]

You may still find it to be subtle, or you may not. Again YMMV.

Agreed, it always comes down to one's priorities in an image.

[Lex]

I've been doing some reading, once you get to a distance of 1.5 times the screen width, the pixel smoothing to eliminate screen door of the 900 becomes more of a non issue, and the Z4 is said to have better 3D like imagery overall, and perhaps is perceived as sharper by keeping it's pixel sharpness. Frankly, I've had 2 LCD PJ's and I've never been really bothered by screen door. Maybe a little at first with lower resolution images, but at 480P or higher, I've really not been bothered by it. So, I like the idea of maintaining sharpness of the Z4.

[dyazdani]

I ordered a Z4 today!!!!

Anyone have any ideas for a makeshift screen until I can get the screen from Sanyo via the rebate?

I'm talking super-cheap and easy, no idea culled: hanging sheets, plastic, tablecloths, ???

I'm going to try to find a spare, tripod mounted screen around here that they will let me borrow. I need a backup plan in case that doesn't work out.

[aud19]

You can paint, use sheets etc...do a google and/or search HTG for "DIY projector screen" etc

[dyazdani]

Looks like a wood frame and a sheet or other fabric might be the easiest way to go. Hopefully, the "real" screen won't take too long to come in.

[KeithM]

Try the parkland plastics at home depot. It comes in 8 x 4 sheets at home depot (maybe sutherlands, menards, or lowes) and can just nail up to the wall. The
AVS DIY screen forum has a big topic about it.

[dyazdani]

Try the parkland plastics at home depot. It comes in 8 x 4 sheets at home depot (maybe sutherlands, menards, or lowes) and can just nail up to the wall. The
AVS DIY screen forum has a big topic about it.

I read about those (and GatorBoard, etc) - the problem I have is that my front wall is not usable due to pictures, room treatments, plus my RPTV. I have to have the screen either hang from the ceiling or be on a tripod. (see pic in 1st post)

[Chris D]

Congrats on the Z4 purchase, they're really fun to drive!

[aud19]

...and rimshot!

:lol: