3 Projectors! Why so different in price - Advice please (1 Viewer)

[Charles_Root]

Been looking to pick up a projector for watching DVD movies and stuff off the Tivo.

I actually have hooked up and used a friends Dell 2200MP and in a dark room it was quite enjoyable, although if you moved your head real fast white images would get a "rainbow effect" near them anyway below are 3 projectors one is Polysilicon and two are DLP (one being a Dell 2200MP) based on the features in the product litature why is the Boxlight Premiere almost 10 times the price, when the two DLP (at least to my amatuer eyes) seem to be identical (is there some spec I'm not reading as being wildly different)

The Premiere is also more expensive then the Cinema 20 HD which as I read it is brighter and a sharper image. What am missing here?

Thanks for the help

Below are the specs:

DELL 2200 MP - PRICE $889
•Brightness of 1200 ANSI Lumens (Max)2
•Super high 1700:1 contrast ratio (Full On/Full Off) for vivid images
•Built-in advanced motion adaptive hardware de-interlacing with 3:2 and 2:2 pull down for great video
•Preset and user defined video modes for optimum video, entertainment and graphic settings
•Manual zoom and digital keystone correction
•Great connectivity — supports S-Video, Composite Video (RCA), Component Video and VGA inputs
•Supports full range of television and video standards, including NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and HDTV (480i/P, 576i/P, 720P and 1080i)
•Supports 4:3 (native) and 16:9 aspect ratios
•Eco-mode for extended lamp life and quieter operation
•Power saving option — Projector shuts down after a predetermined time
•Auto synchronization technology automatically adjusts VGA to SXGA+ resolution to native SVGA resolution (800 x 600)
•Monitor loop-through allows for viewing on additional PC monitors
•1-year limited warranty3 with Advanced Exchange Service4 (90 days on bulb)
•Ships with Dell drop-tested hard foam carrying case including wireless remote control and necessary cables
•2000 hours (Estimated 2500 hours in Eco-mode) 200 W P-VIP lamp



BOXLIGHT PREMIERE 50HD PRICE $8500

•
•Resolution: True 1280x720 Wide XGA with _
compression up to 1280x1024 SXGA
•Brightness: 1000 ANSI lumens
•Lamp: 200w VIP
•Lamp Life: 120-day or 500 hours guarantee
(whichever comes first)
•Display Type: Single 0.8” Mustang HD2 12 degree
LVDS DMD™chip; 16:9 aspect ratio
•Color Wheel: 6 segment, 5x speed
•Contrast Ratio: 1700:1
•Colors: 16.7 million
•Aspect Ratio: 16:9 aspect ratio; 4:3 compatible
•Inputs: Computer: 15 pin, DVI-D/HDCP
Video: 2-RCA Component, RCA _
Composite, S-Video
•Outputs: Control Port: RS-232 serial port,
mini-jack for wired remote, _
12-volt relay trigger
•Decibel Rating: 30dB
•Video: NTSC, PAL, 1080i, 720p,
•Encrypted Digital Video: HDCP
•Projection Lens: Manual F/2.4 - 3.0; zoom ratio 1:1.25; _
f=24-30mm
•Diagonal Image Size: 30-300” / 76 - 762cm
•Throw Distance: 3.4' - 42' (1m -12.8m)
•Keystone: Digital eWARP technology, _
+/- 15 degrees vertical, _
+/- 40 degrees horizontal,
•Adjustments: On-board and remote
•Power Supply: 100-240V; 50/60 Hz
•Power Consumption: 300 Watts
•Compatibility: SXGA, Wide XGA, XGA, _
SVGA, VGA, Mac
Weight: 11 lbs/ 5 kg



BOXLIGHT CINEMA 20HD PRICE $7,999
•Resolution True 1366x768 wide XGA with compression for 1280x1024 SXGA
•Brightness 2200 ANSI lumens
•Lamp 200w UHP
•Lamp Life 120-day guarantee
•Display Type 3-1.2in TFT polysilicon with micro lens array
•Contrast Ratio 900:1
•Colors 16.7 million
•Aspect Ratio 16:9 native, 4:3 compatible
•Inputs Computer: (1) DVI, (1) 15-pin for computer,
(1) BNC x 5 for computer or component
video. Video: (2) Composite, (1) RCA
Component, (1) S-video. Audio: (1) RCA
(L/R), (2) computer
•Outputs Control Port: (1) serial port
•Decibel Rating 35 dB
•Audio (2) built-in 2 watt speakers
•Video NTSC, NTSC 4.43, SECAM, PAL, PAL-M,
PAL-N, 1080i, 1035i, 720p, 575p, 575i, 480p,
480i
•Weight 17.4 lbs/ 7.9 kg
•Dimensions 12.6"/31.9 cm (W) x 6.6"/16.8 cm (H)
x 16.9"/43 cm (D)
•Projection Lens Motorized zoom and focus, 1:1.3 zoom
ratio, F/1.8-2.1 (f=48.4-62.8mm)
•Diagonal Image Size 30-400"/76-1016 cm
•Throw Distance 4.9'-51'/1.5-15.6 m
•Keystone Digital horizontal adjustment of +/- 40
degrees, vertical +/- 10 degrees
•Adjustments On-board and remote
•Power Supply 100-240V; 50/60 Hz
•Power Consumption 300 Watts
•Compatibility SXGA, Wide XGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA,
Mac

 

[Rob Kramer]

The Dell doesnt have the latest DLP chip (HD2 for the Boxlight), it doesnt have a digital interface (DVI), and it doesnt output HDTV resolutions (720p or 1080i).

Probably missing a lot of other features (including advanced picture adjustments), cheaper build, louder, ....

 

[Charles_Root]

Nope no DVI on the 2200MP but it does run 720P and 1080i (7th line down on the specs)

So a DVI interface (which isn't much better then standard ol' SVGA IMHO) and the H2 Chip is worth nearly $8000 in price increase. That can't be right.

 

[Jason Charlton]

What Rob was alluding to was the fact that the native resolution of the Dell projector is 800x600. It will ACCEPT HD material at 720p or 1080i, but it will downconvert both of these to its native resolution which is NOT HD.

Another big disadvantage to the Dell is it's native 4:3 aspect ratio - certainly not what you would typically want for a home theater.

You mentioned noticing the "rainbow effect" on your friend's projector. The Boxlight DLP projector's 6-segment, 5x speed color wheel substantially lessens the chance that the rainbow effect will be noticeable.

To a lesser extent, it's important to realize that brightness and contrast ratio numbers, as listed in spec sheets, are often measured and arrived at using a wide variety of methods and are often not representative of "real world" operating environments.

In essence, the Dell projector, while it IS DLP, is easily 2 (now nearly 3) generations behind the current state of DLP technology. That's the main reason for the low price compared to the Boxlight.

-Jason

 

[Charles_Root]

Ahh, I see, thank you both for all your help. The price differnce makes sense now

 

[Rob Kramer]

Keeping the source digital (DVI, HDMI) is very beneficial when using digital (DLP, LCD) displays.

Jason - Thanks for the follow up. I miss the fact that it was 4:3.