Considering X1, 1HD, and Z1 projectors... ambient light and screen questions (1 Viewer)

[Stephen Hopkins]

I'm giving FP some consideration for my next display. The projector would be about 7' away from the screen in a room where outside light could be 95% eliminated with blinds and possibly curtains if needed. Now would either of these projectors be suitable for use w/ no outside light and a single 60w lamp w/ upward directing shade on in the back wall in a corner as the only source of ambient light?

I would prefer a native 16x9 projector but would comprimise if the extra lumens (1100 for X1 versus 700 for the 1HD and Z1)

Also, in this environment, should i use a white screen or some shade of grey?

Thanks

 

[Krystian C]

I have had a chance to demo the X1 and the 1HD.

Both work very nice in a dark/near dark enviroment. The 1HD in my opinion was a better product than the X1. But in all fairness the place I saw it in practice was very poorly set up.

If you have not had a chance to see a DLP projector in practice though, I highly recomend giving it a look. I was primed to make a blind buy on the X1 from reviews and so forth. But I managed to find a local dealer with a X1 setup. Turns out I am one of the rare few that can see rainbows all the time. My wife saw nothing at all. We left after about 15mins and I had a headache that would kill a horse. But despite the lasting headache, the color was nice and sharp on the X1, quite bright and vibrant.

But all things considered. we are buying the 1HD in a couple weeks. We have been to a friends, and fellow HT members place in town to view the 1HD, as well as check out some Screen samples. The unit is amazing, we watch a little of the new Lion King and SW EP2: AOTC. Both were crisp and clear, and AOTC really showed off the colors brilliantly.

The screen I would recomend personally would be a light greyish. It seems to bring out the Whites and darken up the darks a little more.

Alot of nice configurablity on the 1HD as well, with 4 user selectable setting as well as 2 preset.

Another slight advantage the 1HD has over the X1 is the connections. With a true component in connection. No need to purchase the VGA to Component dongle. Not a big deal, but yet another expense.

On the flip side the lamp in the X1 is now rated at 4000 hrs, opposed to the 3000 (if I remember correctly) of the 1HD.

And lastly, just incase you were not aware, the 1HD and Z1 are the same player exactly. They are the same play, just with a differnt company name on each. We are going with the 1HD as it is cheaper in Canada than the Z1.

Hope this help.

 

[ChadLB]

Also note that the 1HD/Z1 is a short throw LCD projector and the X1 is a long throw DLP projector. You can go to my website ..I have a comparison chart of the Z1/Panny/X1.
I just bought the Z1 ....the only thing I am not happy about is a blue dead pixel.