DLP Projectors (1 Viewer)

[Murray Swanger]

I have a new home theater room, roughly 17x22 with 10 foot ceilings. No windows at all in the room.

Researching DLP Front Projectors. Weighing all the issues of ANSI Lumins, ratio, resolutions etc..

Wanted to get opinions on what you might have or have seen that you would recommend as well as what you would stay away from.

Trying to shorten my list of optional products to something manageable. Want to keep cost in mind but wouldn't pay a cent for a piece of junk.

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[Gregg F]

I have installed a few Sharp XV-Z9000 DLP projectors in the last year. I was very impressed with it. Last year it cost between $9,000 and $10,000. I see them advertised now for around $6,000. It smy only exposure to a DLP but from what I've read, its a got a lot of bang for the buck. At least worth a look.

Good Luck

 

[Murray Swanger]

Thanks Gregg,

Do they classify that model as a "Home Theater" or "Business" model projector? And if you do know the answer to that question, what is the real difference between the 2 classes of projectors.

I work for Intel and can get most "Brand" name electronics at some discount but they would be business class versus a device meant for home theater.

Thanks for the time!

Murray

 

[Holger]

hi murray,



the sharp xvz-9000 is a dedicated hometheater projector. we have this item in one of our show rooms and it amazes me every time when i starting a demo. the sharp is a real 16:9 projector with a native resolution of 1280x720 pixel's or here better said mirrors. along with the marantz vp12 they re the only two real 16:9 dlp projectors on the market to date. the marantz is still a little better in my opinion, because it uses a very expensive, well made minolta objective. but it is also more expensive then the sharp (srp:11000,- euro in europe)
but whether to go with sharp or marantz, both are outstanding good projectors which come very very close to the picture a really good crt can give you.

the main difference between hometheater and business projectors is mostly the light output. since in business presentations people are often forced under difficult light conditions, in a dedicated hometheater you should not. so business projectors often requires 1500 ansilumes or more to bring a satisfying picture to the screen. the problem is, that the higher the lightoutput is, the weaker will be the blacklevel and contrast. so for a hometheater projector a maximum lightoutput of 1000 ansilumes is what i would recommend. both, the sharp and marantz have 1000 ansilumes but work best in the cinema modes with reduced lightoutput to 700 ansilumes. both have then an amazing contrast ratio of 1100:1!

another difference between hometheater and business projectors is the aspect ratio. there is no such a computerprogramm with 16:9 aspect.so business projectors will never have a real 16:9 panel. but for hometheater a 16:9 panel is a must have IMO it gives you a far more cinema like image then a 4:3 projector ever could. nonetheless you can of course always put a computer on a 16:9 projector, you just won't have the full resolution then.



regards, holger

 

[Gabriel_Lam]

All Texas Instruments HD1 chip based DLP's have a 1280x720 resolution, not only the sharp 9000 and marantz vp12. In fact, the Runco VX-1000c has a brighter yet more filmlike picture than either of those, and doesn't have the lipsync issues. Of course, it is a bit more costly. Heh.

 

[Dave Morton]

There is also the Seleco HT300 which is also in the same category as the sharp and marantz. I have also heard that Dwin is coming out with their version of the HD1 chip projector.

 

[Jay Sylvester]

another difference between hometheater and business projectors is the aspect ratio. there is no such a computerprogramm with 16:9 aspect.so business projectors will never have a real 16:9 panel. but for hometheater a 16:9 panel is a must have IMO it gives you a far more cinema like image then a 4:3 projector ever could. nonetheless you can of course always put a computer on a 16:9 projector, you just won't have the full resolution then.

There are a few things here I'd like to clear up. I'll admit that I don't own a projector yet (end of June is my target date), but I've been researching them for many months now in anticipation of the purchase.
First, there are many people out there right now using 4:3 business projectors as home theater projectors, and they're getting excellent results. There are some down sides, of course. Projecting a widescreen image using a 4:3 panel will result in "black bars" just like you'd see on a 4:3 TV set. With proper masking projecting onto a 16:9 screen, however, this can be dealt with. Unfortunately, you lose brightness (a significant portion of the projected image is being projected onto a black surface) and resolution (the actual movie image only uses a portion of the projector's total resolution since it's at the middle of the panel). Some people use an expensive anamorphic lens (Panamorph or ISCO) to convert the 4:3 image into a 16:9 format, maintaining brightness and resolution.
Regarding the use of PCs with 16:9 projectors, it's perfectly feasible to use full panel resolution with a PC. Many are doing this using utilities like PowerStrip, which lets you create custom resolutions to match your display device (such as a 1280x720 digital PJ). As a matter of fact, a home theater computer (HTPC) with a DVD-ROM drive and Radeon vid card can produce a projected image that rivals a high-end DVD player paired with a $4000 scaler.
If you really want to talk to some seriously anal folks who live and breathe digital PJs, I suggest you visit the AVS Forum digital PJ forums:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forum...?s=&forumid=24 (hi-end PJs over $5000)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forum...?s=&forumid=68 (budget PJs under $5000)
Hometheaterforum.com is a good starting place for projectors, but you'll find a wealth of information at AVS.
Good luck

 

[Neil Joseph]

As far as "affordable" DLP projectors go, I would rate the Runco VX-1000 around the top, and the Sharp 9000 is very close behind.

 

[Ron AZ]

Murray.. the hunt for a DLP PJ, now that can be fun and a bit frustrating. The most popular DLP PJ that have the HD1-chip DMD (16:9) are the Runco VX1000C ($17K with processor), Sharp X9000 ($10K), Marantz ($13K), Seleco HT-300 ($?)and the new DWIN ($?). There is a new HD2-Chip about to hit the market and there is the DVI issue that is out there on the horizon to consider. Some people have eye strain and/or get headaches watching DLP's. Make sure you or no one in your family fits into this category. I actually have the RUNCO VX1000C, I just believe it has the best picture. I would also share with you to make sure you TAKE YOUR TIME and do your research. I would also say, make sure you audition each DLP at length, don't just watch it for 5 minutes and recommend you take your own DVD(s) to play so your always comparing the same picture. If I hadn't gone with the Runco, I would have gotten the Seleco HT-300, that is a great PJ. Also there is the new DWIN DLP that just came out and I have always liked DWIN products. Also, you should be looking at screens. I have the Stewart 96" (110"diag)Studio-Tek 130, already in my HT when I upraded to the Runco VX1000C. The Stewart Firehawk gets great press and reviews on these forums.... TAKE YOUR TIME and look at everyone DLP PJ you can.. also some people will tell you to audition CRT's, the picture is awesome, but more $ to buy and to maintain. Have fun & Good Viewing... Ron AZ

 

[Dave Morton]

I believe the seleco and the marantz are comparable in price, both around $13K. I'm still saving for a projector but if I were to get one now, I would probably get a the JVC D-ILA G150CLz, which can be had for $13K,if you look hard enough, to $17K. You can get a Hitachi SX5500 for about $6k which is the same technology as D-ILA, i.e. LCOS.
Definitely take your time and view all that you can. Although the HD2 chip will be available to manufacturers soon, I doubt we'll see a projector using it until the end of the year. So basically, if you want one now, jump in and get one. No time better than the present, unless you don't have all the funds yet like me

 

[Murray Swanger]

I am new to the HT Forum and must tell you how impressed I am with the educated and sincere responses.

I am taking all the advice and experience I can get before making my decision. I was starting to move away from the DLP projectors but happily, I think I have seen the light.

The new HT room is just to perfect not to go with a front projection unit. The room, the lighting, the wiring all pretty much made to order.

My next challenge will be, as one of you pointed out, viewing as many projectors as possible in similar environments.

Thanks again for the responses.

Murray

 

[Gil Velez]

Where does the JVC G15 @ $6800 fit in here quality wise?

Can someone also breakdown the price classes and the perceived best models in each. (i.e.--Under $5K, 5 to 10K, 10K and above (not my range but interested).

I am in the same boat as Murray and about to finish a basement similar to FatBulldog.com and want to make the right choice. I can spend up to $7500 on one.

Thanks

Gil

 

[Michael Mathius]

Gil:

Check out AVSForum.com projector sections.

 

[Gil Velez]

Poked around, didn't see a definite answer.

Anyone have a digest on this topic? I assume Runco and Jvc are at the top but would love more detail.

Thanks

Gil

 

[Neil Joseph]

I second adding the Firehawk from Stewart now or in the future to bring out the best in your LCD or DLP projector.

 

[GeorgeAB]

The best three units I would suggest you look into right now are:
JVC's new D-ILA DLA-SX21 at MSRP of $10k
InFocus 7200 DLP at $10k
NEC HT1000 DLP at $5.5k (3000:1 contrast ratio for real)
Best regards and beautiful pictures,
G. Alan Brown
CinemaQuest, Inc.
Insist on HDTV!

 

[Gil Velez]

George,

Thanks for the feedback. Going with the JVC.

Gil

 

[Chris Moe]

Have you considered a CRT projector? For the amount of money you are planning on spending you can get an excellent CRT that will argueably give you a better picture then any DLP will.

Just some food for thought.

 

[Scott Cunninghm]

I work at an AV company that carries many DLP projectors 5k-12K. All use Texas Instrument DLP technology. The only brands used professionally are NEC, Digital, Christie, and Barco. Panasonic makes a 12K, but nobody bought it.

Things to look for:

ANSI Lumens: 3K or above is fine
Contrast Ratio: Higher is better
120 or 220 V power requirements
Fan Noise
Lamp Life
Size/weight: some of the bigger Barco's run at over 300lbs.

Size and price are coming down, brightness and contrast going up.

Overall CRT's look good, but damn, they are dim. I personally have an LCD in my house and the source material I throw at it (DVD's) is not of a quality where DLP would make a difference.

Within 3 years DLP will probably get to a cost where it can replace LCD. Until then LCD is fine. Remember, you get what you pay for. I had a guy come out at a booth to tell me all about his Runco system, and I had to stop him. As soon as I started mentioning Barco and Chridtie he said "Well, this projector really cant compare with those" No kidding

 

[Eric T]

I checked out several DLP projectors from Runco, Integra, DWIN, and Yamaha. They all gave me eyestrain, due to the fact that they are single-panel DLP's that use a color wheel. Some people complain about this, and others don't, but personally, I wouldn't be able to look at a single-panel DLP for very long before getting a headache. Until the cost of 3-panel DLP's come down to a reasonable level, I'm going with an LCD.

I have ordered a Sony VLP-HS10, which is a WXGA LCD projector. I should have it within a couple of weeks.