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TV vs. Projector - Page 2

post #31 of 37
1/21/05 at 5:36am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for everyone's experience with projectors, it has helped me greatly. After taking everything into consideration I am going to stick with the RP-LCD I initially planned to purchase. Whether the bulb lasts 1 yr or 2.5 yrs, that just isn't enough for me. Like Cameron said, HDTV is the technology out right now, which means more program watching, therefore I would be watching the projector more than 28 hrs per week.
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post #32 of 37
1/21/05 at 8:22am
Thanks for asking a good question Kevin! But, before you relax and spends you money on RP LCD.... I believe they have a replaceable bulb also. Although I'm not sure what the life expectancy is, I KNOW that it's not up to the CRT levels.

Good Luck

53" Sony RP-CRT - 9 years and going....
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post #33 of 37
1/21/05 at 9:42am
Kevin, I have a Panasonic 300U PJ in my basement HT which is also used as a gym. I actually had a Hitachi 57" delivered but it wouldn't fit through the staircase leading to my basement. Thank God it did not fit! I won't even consider a big screen tv for movie watching...I'd be bored!

I don't watch regular TV on my PJ - just movies. I purchased it in March of 2002 and the bulb is going strong. I believe I have about 600 hours or so it and it's rated for 3000 hours. I built my own screen using the popular parkland plastic material from Home depot. The labour was about half a day and total cost was around $100. I have friends lined up to come to our house to watch movies...the PQ is that sweet.

So, if you plan to use it for mostly HT you're set for many years. Even if you use it 20 hours per week the bulb will still last for about three years!

I highly recommend you call the folks at www.visualapex.com and ask them about the latest and greatest, the Panny 700U. It is 3rd or even 4th generation, has DVI and all the goodies. I and many folks here and over at AVS highly recommend visual apex. Even if you decide to purchase a screen and PJ you can come in well below $3k! Good luck.

PS. A review of the 700 is over at projectorcentral.com
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post #34 of 37
1/21/05 at 9:46am
I just replaced a 4 year old Toshiba 56H80 widescreen CRT HDTV with an Epson Cinema 500 LCD projector (and 96" screen)....everthing is so much better (in 720p)...DVDs, TV, football games, etc. It's in my living room with decent light control. The $300 bulb is rated to 3000 hours, or only 10 cents per hour. Oh, my 2 channel soundstage is better too! I can't see going back to a big TV.
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post #35 of 37
1/21/05 at 11:22am
Drew, very helpful post to me in looking ahead to my own plans and projector ownership. Thanks!
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post #36 of 37
1/21/05 at 1:05pm
Thread Starter 
The projector sounds like a great idea if you intend to use it for movies only, but I already know that when my basement is complete that I won't be watching only movies down there, I intend to watch sports, direct tv, movies, PS2, etc. There will also me many instances where lights will be on while the tv is on, I need something that will be able to handle all of this and from what I have heard, the projector doesn't seem like a good choice for all of this. I am aware that RP-LCD's have bulbs that have to be replaced, but the life expectancy of these, if I am not mistaken, is still a lot longer than a projectors.

But, if I were to build a dedicated home theater just for movie watching, then I would probably go the projector route. Also, buying both a tv and projector is not in my budget.
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post #37 of 37
1/21/05 at 2:50pm
I have my PTL500 Panasonic in my 12' X 37' basement home theater. I watch DVD, TV, News etc on it. I sit at a "breakfast table" 20' away and read the paper while the projector is on many times, picture compared to RPTV is great even while the light is on, better when off. The size, shape, and configuration of your room will have a lot to do with how much light affects your picture. Lamp life is rated at 2000 hours in regular mode, I operate mine in the low lamp mode which extends the lamp life.
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