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Looking for Projector advice (1 Viewer)

Jeff Swearingen

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I'm moving into a new house next week, and am considering my options for the theater room. The speaker pre-wire allows for about 3 feet from the floor for a center channel, and with the pre-wires on the left and right speakers and the height of the room, I could probably maximum do a 120" 2.35:1 screen (max height of screen is about 48"). I'm looking at a throw of right about 15' and a ceiling mount projector. The room does have two large windows, but I'm planning on getting blackout curtains to compensate. I'd guess the dimensions of the room are about 16'x18'.


I do have some 3D content, but I do not regularly watch it. Most of my viewing leans toward movies and television, with occasional gaming. We rarely watch sports.


If I stay with a 1.85:1 screen, I've been considering the Sony HW55ES. I'm hesitant to do a CIH setup with the Sony, since I would almost need a ladder in the room to manually zoom each time I watch a film in scope. However, if I can do a CIH setup, I would like to do so. I don't think I can convince the wife to allow me to buy a Panamorph lens yet.


I looked at lens memory projector reviews, and the main projector that I've found seems to be the Panasonic AE8000. But all of those reviews are a couple of years old, and I haven't found anything to compare the AE8000 with the Sony HW55ES.


As far as screens, I've looked at the Elite, Silver Ticket, Carada, and the SI Black Diamond screens. I'm leaning toward a Carada Criterion, but again debating between a CIH and a 1.85 setup. I know I can look for CIH/1.85 arguments left and right in other threads, but I'd like to just hear thoughts concerning these specific dimensions I've given.


Can anyone give me some feedback on projectors and screens based on this information?
 

Sam Posten

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You might look for Ron's thread about his recent journey buying a projector, and I will note being very happy with my Epson 5020.


But.... I'd be hard pressed to advise anyone to buy a $3k+ projector in 2015. We are just sooo close to seeing 4k PJs on the horizon for real mortal buyer budgets.


If you are ok with knowing you are going to want to upgrade in 18 months or less, go for it. But at least go in with open eyes.
 

schan1269

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You might look for Ron's thread about his recent journey buying a projector, and I will note being very happy with my Epson 5020.

But.... I'd be hard pressed to advise anyone to buy a $3k+ projector in 2015. We are just sooo close to seeing 4k PJs on the horizon for real mortal buyer budgets.

If you are ok with knowing you are going to want to upgrade in 18 months or less, go for it. But at least go in with open eyes.
I thought you loved your 5020...confused...

By the way, OP...

I urge "cheap as possible DLP". I'm going 4K once it hits my threshold(1 to 2 years) to replace my JVC RS60.

(newermind Posten. I read "not happy". Not "note I'm happy". Beer and Nyquil...)
 

Sam Posten

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Yeah if you can find a bargain to tide you over, go for it.

Other Sam loves his DLPs but I urge you to compare DLP with LCD, both have their fans...
 

Jeff Swearingen

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Thanks for the input. I've read Ron's thread extensively over the past two months. I guess I get flustered when half of the comparison reviews say the Epson beats the Sony and the other half say the Sony is a better projector. I've got the wall space to do CIH but can't justify the anamorphic lens price. I had a chance to buy a used UH480 Panamorph about a month ago for $500 on eBay, but didn't want to pull the trigger until I figured out which projector I would be buying.
 

Sam Posten

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Yeah I'm on record as being firmly anti CIH, it's the worst compromise if you intend to watch anything but scope films the vast majority of the time, which is true for the vast majority of people.
 

Chip W

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Sam Posten said:
Yeah I'm on record as being firmly anti CIH, it's the worst compromise if you intend to watch anything but scope films the vast majority of the time, which is true for the vast majority of people.

Actually it depends on your situation.


In my case, I have a room with limited ceiling height but a wide wall. So my CIH setup using a 2.35:1 screen provides me with the exact same size 16:9 image as I would get using a 16:9 screen since I have no more vertical space.


However, my 2.35 image is significantly larger than it would be using a 16:9 screen since I am not using 30% of my screen height on black bars.


So if you have a tall narrow room, then you are right and a CIH setup will compromise your maximum 16:9 image size. On the other hand, if you have a wider room, than you can have a CIH setup without that compromise in 16:9 size.
 

DavidJ

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But.... I'd be hard pressed to advise anyone to buy a $3k+ projector in 2015. We are just sooo close to seeing 4k PJs on the horizon for real mortal buyer budgets.

If you are ok with knowing you are going to want to upgrade in 18 months or less, go for it. But at least go in with open eyes.
This is the situation I find myself in. I really want to get a projector and despite not having a dedicated room, my wife is good with it, but it seems silly not to wait for a 4K projector at this point.

BTW, I'm not sure that a CIH will be reasonable enough budget-wise, but I have a wider room with a fairly low ceiling.
 

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