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- Jul 3, 1997
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- 7,061
As has already been mentioned here and elsewhere, the introduction of really good Front Projectors (I'm talking about 3 chip LCoS models) for around the $5,000 price point or less (street) really brings into question the whole future of the Rear Projection Monitor (RPM) as a viable option for the home. In the past the only way to get a "theatrical" experience if one could not create the light-controlled environment for a good front projector (or afford it!) was to choose one of the many large RPMs. They were big enough to provide a somewhat large picture (upwards of 70" - although not the 84-110" and beyond diagonals of many HTs). They were bright enough to deal with room situations that wouldn't allow for complete (or near complete) darkness. And they were generally much more affordable than front projectors when providing the same quality image.
However, the other shoe has dropped at CEDIA. Let me list a few things I observed:
Exhibit A: Sony introduces a 3 Chip SXRD (LCoS) projector (VPL-VW50) that produces a fantastic picture in high definition, accepts 1080p/24 and costs less than $5000. Shipping now.
Exhibit B: JVC "announces" a D-ILA (LCos) 3 chip model that is similar in many ways to the SONY and actually shows a prototype at CEDIA. Price to be determined (rumored at $7000 but that could change). Shipping "sometime 1Q 2007." The picture looks excellent. Some think better than the SONY. Others have the opposite opinion. In any event - excellent for the list price!
Exhibit C: Optoma introduces its $999 HD-70 - a 1 chip 720p DLP projector with HDMI input (remember, 720 is still considered HD).
Exhibit D: LCDs and Plasmas are getting bigger and less expensive at the same time. With the introduction of 1080p flat panel models (the more expensive ones even with 1080p/24 acceptance) the prices of the 720p models (remember: also HD) continues to fall.
So with the $1000 price barrier broken for 720p HD FPs at the same time that the $5000 price barrier has been broken for 3 chip 1080p FPs it is no longer true that HD FP is out of reach for the average consumer. And since the flat panel screens are getting bigger than ever this kind of makes the RPM the odd man out. Since an RPM takes up a lot more floor space than a flat panel it might go the way of the CRT in terms of being this year's "brick." True, the 1080p RPM models shown this year from almost every manufacturer (usually DLP or LCoS) had spectacular pictures but will the "Wife Acceptance Factor" skew things towards flat panels? I saw an interesting RPM presentation (which shall remain nameless) that pointed out that if you place a plasma TV (or a large LCD flat panel) on a table then the stand that would be needed to keep it from falling off the table has to be just about as deep as an RPM, so that RPMs and flat panels actually take up the same amount of floor space. While this might be true, it completely ignores that fact that most flat panels are purchased to hang on a wall. I don't see too many RPMs on walls although I did see a couple of RPM models - especially shallow ones - which were on wall shelves. Perhaps this is in answer to the advantage of flat panels.
To me it looks like the trend for Home Theaters will be to the now affordable FPs in all price ranges (see Exhibits A, B, and C) if you can control the light in the room or to large flat panels if you can't. While RPMs will be around for some time (and the prices will be attractive) there appears to be a new sheriff in town. Of course, if size and girth doesn't matter to you (watch it! This is a "family" forum.) then an RPM still has a place in your plans. But I'm willing to bet that the playing field has changed.
Comments?
However, the other shoe has dropped at CEDIA. Let me list a few things I observed:
Exhibit A: Sony introduces a 3 Chip SXRD (LCoS) projector (VPL-VW50) that produces a fantastic picture in high definition, accepts 1080p/24 and costs less than $5000. Shipping now.
Exhibit B: JVC "announces" a D-ILA (LCos) 3 chip model that is similar in many ways to the SONY and actually shows a prototype at CEDIA. Price to be determined (rumored at $7000 but that could change). Shipping "sometime 1Q 2007." The picture looks excellent. Some think better than the SONY. Others have the opposite opinion. In any event - excellent for the list price!
Exhibit C: Optoma introduces its $999 HD-70 - a 1 chip 720p DLP projector with HDMI input (remember, 720 is still considered HD).
Exhibit D: LCDs and Plasmas are getting bigger and less expensive at the same time. With the introduction of 1080p flat panel models (the more expensive ones even with 1080p/24 acceptance) the prices of the 720p models (remember: also HD) continues to fall.
So with the $1000 price barrier broken for 720p HD FPs at the same time that the $5000 price barrier has been broken for 3 chip 1080p FPs it is no longer true that HD FP is out of reach for the average consumer. And since the flat panel screens are getting bigger than ever this kind of makes the RPM the odd man out. Since an RPM takes up a lot more floor space than a flat panel it might go the way of the CRT in terms of being this year's "brick." True, the 1080p RPM models shown this year from almost every manufacturer (usually DLP or LCoS) had spectacular pictures but will the "Wife Acceptance Factor" skew things towards flat panels? I saw an interesting RPM presentation (which shall remain nameless) that pointed out that if you place a plasma TV (or a large LCD flat panel) on a table then the stand that would be needed to keep it from falling off the table has to be just about as deep as an RPM, so that RPMs and flat panels actually take up the same amount of floor space. While this might be true, it completely ignores that fact that most flat panels are purchased to hang on a wall. I don't see too many RPMs on walls although I did see a couple of RPM models - especially shallow ones - which were on wall shelves. Perhaps this is in answer to the advantage of flat panels.
To me it looks like the trend for Home Theaters will be to the now affordable FPs in all price ranges (see Exhibits A, B, and C) if you can control the light in the room or to large flat panels if you can't. While RPMs will be around for some time (and the prices will be attractive) there appears to be a new sheriff in town. Of course, if size and girth doesn't matter to you (watch it! This is a "family" forum.) then an RPM still has a place in your plans. But I'm willing to bet that the playing field has changed.
Comments?