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Plasma or Projetor?

#1
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7/13/06 at 8:42am
  • Joined: July 2006
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Hello all. I was just curious to know what you guys would pick. I have a HT room that is 12X14 feet. The seating area will be about 10 feet from the main wall were the display will be. What would you go with a 42 inch plasma or a Sanyo PL Z4 projector? I do want to have a more cinematic experience. (bigger screen is better in other words). I am still open to opinions.Tell me what you think.

The projector does offer bigger for cheaper and higher res at the $1500 price range.

The plasma will only have 800x600 res as opposed to the projectors 1280x768 at the same price range.

the only disadvantage to the projector would be bulb replacement.

The one and only wolf.

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#2
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7/13/06 at 9:26am
  • Joined: March 2000
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Greetings

Plasma is 852x480 resolution so it sounds like ED plasma. AT 10 feet ... even if you had a HD plasma ... you still would not be able to tell the difference. Too far away ... and the image is too small.

Can likely do 100+ inches easy with the Sanyo.

Bulb costs ... $400 every 2-3 years.

So for that ($135/year) you would give up a giant image ... and really seeing what HD looks like.

Regards

Michael @ The Laser Video Experience
THX Video Systems Instructor
ISF Calibration Instructor
Lion A/V Consultants Network
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#3
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7/13/06 at 11:42am
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

IT seems quite obvious given your wants, that you should go with a projector.

The only question I don't know is whether the room is light controlled. If so, projector all the way. If not, then a plasma may be more appropriate, depending.

Please see my: Advanced Guide to Source Options

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#4
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7/13/06 at 3:26pm
  • Joined: February 2006
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Just to echo what's already been said, I would go with the projector (and I did), given your needs. As long as you have complete lighting control in that room, you won't be able to beat the impact of front projection.

I was also thinking that I'd buy a flat panel TV at first, but to get one the size of the RPTV I used to have, would have cost me like, 7-8 grand over here in Japan. I didn't even know that you could buy an HT projector with such an incredible image, at such a great price. If you have the sound system to equal the impact of that giant image, this is what will happen to you:

"BE the miracle!"
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#5
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7/14/06 at 6:13am
  • Joined: November 2003
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

You can get on of the new 103" plasmas coming out of Japan.

\"and no one seems to understand the glory of guitar, when out of tune, the off timing, the singers who can't sing, - the beauty of flaw!\"

"I apologize if there is anyone in this room I have not offended" - Brahms

My Band - The Bailout Plan

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#6
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7/14/06 at 7:40am
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Hi Mark

Please sign me up for the new 103 inch plasma that costs $1,500, (the Original Poster's budget).

Thanks
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#7
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7/14/06 at 10:28am
  • Joined: November 2003
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arthur S
Hi Mark

Please sign me up for the new 103 inch plasma that costs $1,500, (the Original Poster's budget).

Thanks

LOL I know his budget was 1,500. I just saw that 103"er on the msnbc tech pages.

I bet it'll be a couple of years before it comes down to that price.

\"and no one seems to understand the glory of guitar, when out of tune, the off timing, the singers who can't sing, - the beauty of flaw!\"

"I apologize if there is anyone in this room I have not offended" - Brahms

My Band - The Bailout Plan

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#8
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7/14/06 at 10:41am
  • Joined: May 1999
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

It'll probably be a bunch of years before the shipping gets down to that price.

It's about 450 pounds.

Plus, when you turn it on, you'll hear a funny whine from your electric meter, as the little wheel really starts to go...

Leo
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#9
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7/14/06 at 6:19pm
  • Joined: September 2005
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

That's a really good one Leo, very funny. And plasma does consume tons of energy.

I will go with the FP, that's a no brainer. I was battling between Plasma/LCD vs. FP, the decision was very easy to make. I got a Panny AE900 projector. For me, I don't watch TV program (>99% is trash IMHO), I only watch DVD/PC, my average usage was only a few hours a week, so it will be quite a few years before I need to replace the bulb.
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#10
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7/14/06 at 6:28pm
  • Joined: February 2006
  • Location: Japan
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Quote:
For me, I don't watch TV program (>99% is trash IMHO), I only watch DVD...

...my sentiments, exactly!

As far a a 103" plasma goes, taking into consideration a cost of around $2000 for every 10" after going above abour 42", I'm going to guestimate around $20,000. Pehaps more...

"BE the miracle!"
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#11
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7/14/06 at 6:40pm
  • Joined: September 2005
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Good to see you again Shane. My AE900 is making everyone "WOW", I set it up on a 92" fixed frame screen. Thanks a lot for your help on my previous post questions.
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#12
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7/15/06 at 2:51pm
  • Joined: February 2006
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Anytime! (can't really say I remember what I said to help you out, though)

"BE the miracle!"
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#13
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7/16/06 at 5:21am
  • Joined: February 2000
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul_M
Hello all. I was just curious to know what you guys would pick. I have a HT room that is 12X14 feet. The seating area will be about 10 feet from the main wall were the display will be. What would you go with a 42 inch plasma or a Sanyo PL Z4 projector? I do want to have a more cinematic experience. (bigger screen is better in other words). I am still open to opinions.Tell me what you think.

The projector does offer bigger for cheaper and higher res at the $1500 price range.

The plasma will only have 800x600 res as opposed to the projectors 1280x768 at the same price range.

the only disadvantage to the projector would be bulb replacement.

Go woith the plasma if you simply want a display, However, FP will give you a true cinematic experience that a plasma simply cannot do.
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#14
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7/18/06 at 6:39pm
  • Joined: October 2003
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Go with the projector, you won't regret it. The image quality is much better than a plasma (in my opinion), particularly if you're running the signal through a DVI cable.

As for bulb replacement, my Plus only goes for 1000 hours. But my last bulb was good for two years. Yours will probably be good for 3-4000 hours at least.
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#15
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7/19/06 at 9:33am
  • Joined: December 1998
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

And don't forget...you get a free bulb with the Sanyo so you are good to go for a few years.
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#16
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7/20/06 at 8:50am
  • Joined: August 2000
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane Harg
As far a a 103" plasma goes, taking into consideration a cost of around $2000 for every 10" after going above abour 42", I'm going to guestimate around $20,000. Pehaps more...
Try $70K.

I agree with everyone else about going FP. I'm using an AE900 and a 103" DIY screen.

-Robert
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#17
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7/20/06 at 10:28am
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Re: Plasma or Projetor?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisWiggles
IT seems quite obvious given your wants, that you should go with a projector.

The only question I don't know is whether the room is light controlled. If so, projector all the way. If not, then a plasma may be more appropriate, depending.
Agreed. I would only add that if you do at least try a nice pj in your room, you'll likely feel compelled to do what you need to to make it light-controlled.

I'd take an InFocus 4805 over any plasma I've seen unless I was forced into it in by a really bright living room (not the place for movies, anyway).

SVS Customer Service
http://www.svsound.com
sales@svsound.com
techsupport@svsound.com

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