LCD projectors

[Andrew Pratt]

Ok just wanted to post in here so Kenny wouldn't feel so alone I was crusing on ebay this morning and notice there's a lot of older LCD projectors going for cheap on there. Most of these are limited to 800 * 600 and only offer S-Video but would these work for a cheap HT system? Obviously image quality isn't going to rival the expensive sets but how bad will it be?

Oh and this one looked interesting...

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1213750361

[KennyG]

Speaking of these digital projector's I'm supposed to meet someone who lives in my area who owns several of these units.
We talked on the phone a couple days ago, he's got an Ampro FPTV, a D-ILA and a DLP, so I hope to compare them all on the same day, using the same video material and see how they compare, should be very interesting!...Kenny

[Pat]

Kenny, that would be great! Please keep us informed of your findings.

I still can't get over that someone has a CRT, D-ILA and DLP projectors.

Andrew, I don't know much about the LCD's...just remember the old saying "you get what you pay for".




Pat's Page

[JonMarsh]

There's something about your first large screen projector, that's a special experience. Older LCD projectors will have some drawbacks- things to look out for include bulb life (may be in urgent need of new bulb- think $300 to $400), and there's matters of contrast, color fidelity, screen door effect, etc. Also, some don't have particularly good Y/C filters, unless they were designed for home theater. But those may work pretty well with an HTPC, if you're up to trying that route.
Above all, LOOK before you leap! And if you can find a reasonable deal on a Sony 400Q in good shape, you've got a very good core for DVD playback.

Regards,

Jon




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[Ken McDaniel]

I have friends at work that use the data-grade presentation LCDs and produce some fabulous results with high-gain screens. I'm still waiting for my ship to come in around $1500. I just can't seem to win any of the close auctions.




Ken

[George Bellefontaine]

Jon is correct. I own an early generation Sharp LCD projector as well as the newer Sony VPL400. The difference between the two is day and night. To see pixels on the Sony, you have to put your nose up to the screen ( and mine is 7 1/2 feet wide). With the Sharp you can see pixels from my seating distance which is approx. 15 feet.
What I am hearing these days about LCD presentatioon models, is that they are really improved in resolution and the price is dropping big time. You could also pick one of these up used from some commercial AV outfit at a very reasonable price. Again, though, watch out for the lamp. These babies are expensive. The Sony's lamp costs me $500 here in Canada, and the Sharp was a hundred less.
BTW, I really love the Sony LCD projector. I've had mine for two years, and although I bought a new lamp for it recently, I am still using the original lamp. It has just around 900 hours on it and still looks plenty bright.

I am hearing good things about DLP projectors and their ability to present black levels better than LCD( an old bug bear). The Seleco is getting great reviews and some are saying it is better picturewise that the Sony 10HT lcd projector.




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