August. $4500. Which PJ?

[Brandon B]

Get to buy in late August. Originally was thinking Sanyo XP21. Then sort of changed my mind to an XP30 due to the better scaler and DVI port.

Brightness (2000 lumens plus) is fairly necessary for the room I'm in now. No problem with DLP. Also, I can usually beat street prices by a little as I deal with projector sales all the time at work, so suiggestions can run a little more than $5K.

Any thoughts?

BB

[Markj]

Well here are some that I have been hearing about. Infocus ScreanPlay 110, Panasonic PT LC75U and Plus Piano. They seem to have a good following and are in that price range. I have not seen any of these so I can not compare them for you.

[Wireless]

Also check out the HP XB31 using the new HD2 chip, 1800:1 spec contrast ratio (we know how manufacturers exagerate, and this one has a clear segment on the color wheel).

Also Sony and Sanyo are introducing their new 1000:1 contrast LCDs the 12HT and PVL70 respectively.

Although a little higher in price at around $5600, Hitachi has the 5500 LCOS, which is getting very good reviews. Contrast is not as great as DLP but with tweaking 800-1000:1 contrast may be acheivable. A LCOS pj at that price was unheard of except for used JVC G10s.




John
My HT Picts

[Brandon B]

I've looked at the Piano, Panny 75U and the InFocus. They would all run about $1K than my limit, and would be fine except they are not quite bright enough. The panny would be almost bright enough, but it will not do the screen size I want from the position I have available.

Hitachi is under consideration, but again a little weak on brightness for my room. Unless I can get my wife to make duvetyne curtains. I may be exaggerating the light problem. The room is still white (to be painted soon), and part fo the problem with my directview TV is not so much the light cast from the windows as seeing the reflection of the blinds in the screen. Stinking sunny southern California.

I like the specs on the Sony, but I really hate their dead pixel policy (which is basicall a "too bad" policy). PLV70 also looks nice, waiting to see if the actual specs match the ad.

AVS is doing a powerbuy on the Hitachi right now for $5400. I have to wait, though. Upside is my department at Disney buys all PJs for the new attractions, so we deal with lots of the salespeople already. So I can probably get a similar price later. I can certainly get a demo of anything by going to visit them though.

John, how would you compare the picture of the Hitachi vs. the PLV60 or an XP21? Have you seen them both?

BB

[JonMarsh]

Are you looking to go widescreen or 4:3?

In your range, the to be introduced Sony's and Sanyo's, as well as the Hitachi 5500 are the first unit's I'd check out- assuming you want to go fixed panel projector and small size.

With some careful shoppiong, $5K could probably by a very nice used/reconditions CRT FPTV, but your requirement for high light output would seemingly nix that choice. It may also be a problem if you really think you need 2000 lumens from a digital projector- most in that category are optimized for light output, not contrast ratio, and so contrast suffers. A good example would be comparing the Sony PX10 business projector (2000 lumens) with a 10HT or 11HT, which with contrast, color/bias and everything setup right is more like 700 lumens.

For the ultimate picture quality, CRT still rules- one reason being that they don't have 8 bit D/A at the front end, the other still being a lead in contrast ratio.

If you want an idea of how good digital can be these days, take a gander at the Seleco HT300- it's probably the best single chip DLP available for home use - 1280X720. You might want to view one to calibrate your expectations regarding digital, if one's available at a dealer in your area.

Happy hunting!

-Jon




Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....

[Brandon B]

Basically I already have a Stewart screen frame that is 8' x 4', and was going to get a Greyhawk to fit it.

While CRT does still do the best picture, don't have room for the large box, can't ceiling mount cuz there's a stinking ceiling fan in the way, want a DVI port as I will not likely be upgrading for 5+ years, etc.

As for how good digital can be, at work I get to play with the $150K 3 chip DLPs down to $1200 portables, as we do mockups for our theme park attractions, so I see the full gamut. Just haven't seen most fo the popular HT units.

A larger digital PJ isn't really a problem as long as it's not more than 20" deep or so. It's sounding more like I should work on my light problem and look at the Hitachi.

Supposedly there is some deal with a Hitachi with a bundled integrated panamorph setup coming out soon too, if you didn't see the thread over at AVS (it's the 13+ page thread about killer projector).

Thanks for the input.

BB

[Wireless]

If you have fairly high ambient light I would recommend the Firehawk over the Grayhawk. The Firehawks gain and reflectance characteristics have a high ambient light rejection (when used in a ceiling mount configuration). I'm using one with a DLP of less than 700 lumens and a room that is almost nothing but windows and no treatments. A bright DVD is watchable, Dark City not. Maybe with a 1500+ lumen projector it will make a difference.

I actually prefered the 21 over the 60 because of it's higher contrast and the higher lumen rating gives the image a little more punch. I haven't seen the XB31 but overall I prefer the image from DLP and at least from the specs would be one to try and see.




John
My HT Picts

[Brandon B]

As always, the new choices are rearing their ugly heads.

XP21 clone is down to $3600.

First looks at Studio Exp 20HD (rebadged Sanyo PLV 70) make it sound spiffy, should be available for about $5K soon as a Sanyo. 2200 lumens, MLA, reduced screen door, and allegedly improved internal processing.

Hitachi 5500 is now below $5000.

Wait a few more months, save another $1K.

Hmmmmm.

BB

[Brandon B]

Well between tearing issues on the 5500's digital input, and the extremely positive reaction to the Sanyo PLV-70, looks like it will be September-October and $5500, going for the Sanyo.

Anyone looking for a PJ should check out the review of this machine at projectorcentral.

BB