BenQ PB6200 or Panasonic PT-L300U? (1 Viewer)

[Dalton]

I have been flip flopping back and forth between these 2 projectors for the last 2 weeks and still don't know which one i want. Here are my setup conditions:

1. Projector will be between 11-12' from the screen(both units are short throw so thats no problem)
2. Seating will be about 10 ft from the screen (which one will have the most artifact/screen door free picture from a 92" 16x9 screen for the panny or a 100" 4x3 screen for the 6200?).
3. I will be running a newly built HTPC with whichever unit i choose. Will this benefit one PJ over the other?
4. Ambient light control will be fair to good if i can come up with a good solution for the 3 windows in my room.

5. My mains uses in order of most usage to least usage:
a. DVD
b. SD/HD Cable
c. Xbox
d. playing various video files through my home network

What PJ would you choose in my situation? I had my mind set on the 6200 but i see people saying that for DVD a business themed PJ(6200) will never be as good as a dedicated HT(300) for DVD. So now i am back to square one. Help!?

Thanks,
Dalton

 

[Neil Joseph]

Hmmm, the little input I can add in your situation is that DVD is my highest priority followed by HDef programming with the future upgrade path that includes HdDVD. Keeping that in mind, my viewing habits are 99% widescreen and 1% 4x3 so a 16x9 projector and screen was more my deal that a 4x3 setup.

But... if you take a look at these two projectors...

The BenQ 6200 @ 1024x768 (4x3) will of course yield 1024x768 fullscreen or 1024x576 displaying 1.78:1 material (Toy Story 2 for instance).

The Panny L300 @ 960x540 (16x9) will yield 720x540 displaying 4x3 material and 960x540 with 1.78:1 material.

There is a slightly better 16x9 resolution on the BenQ than the L300 (not much though). It may come down to just how much your 4x3 viewing habits will be vs the 16x9/widescreen material.

 

[Dalton]

Thanks for the input Neil. I think i am starting to lean more towards the Panasonic. The free bulb deal with the 6200 is great but i am a widesreen guy also. The 300(and 500) also have alot more input options too. In fact i am giving serious consideration to stepping up to the 1280x720 Panasonic Pt-L500U. I found it for only $300 more than i can get the 6200 or 300U for so i am really thinking about taking the plunge. Man i really hate making these decisions! I'm driving my wife nuts with the PJ talk. She just tells me to shut up and order one already!

 

[DaveGTP]

The main difference here is the technologies.

LCD problems - black levels iffy-er than DLP, sometimes vertical banding

DLP problems - rainbows if you are susceptible

Here's a good comparison between the Infocus X1 (entry level, popular DLP) and the Panny 300 @ projectorcentral - I read it and it was useful. Most of the time DLP has a tiny bit of advantage over LCDs as far as visible screendor, but I guess the panny 300 is better in this instance :





http://www.projectorcentral.com/l300_x1.htm

I know that both the BenQ and Panny units are popular at avsforum...

 

[Eric Hahn]

the type of screen you want might be a factor as well, I have a panasoinc l200u, 16:9 pj, and have a 82" screen, sitting at 10 ft, I see screen door, the 300, and 500 are better with the smooth screen, so you might get the 92 you want with out pq issues. but it will be close.

I like the 16:9 screen, my 4:3 fits nicely right in it, as I do not want sd as big as dvd or hd, the bigger the worse it looks.

my friend just got a pb6100, and likes it very much, but realized he can not run a 16:9 screen without always touching the pj, to zoom and such, with his pj, the 4:3 does not fit in the 16:9 portion so when he switches sizes, the 4:3 is bigger than the 16:9, he is now going to a 4:3 screen.

I do not know how the 6200 is but I would check into it, I would not want that situation, I really like my 16:9 and the ocassional 4:3 I watch, is not a problem for me.

just a added thought..