Chauncey_G
Second Unit
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2001
- Messages
- 291
...and it looks fantastic!
I auditioned a couple of other projectors, a Sharp LCD that was in the $4000 range and a Runco in the $6000 range (sorry, I don't remember model numbers). The Sharp, while it had good brightness and color, suffered from a horrible screen door effect. The Runco was DLP, if I remember correctly, and it looked great, but it was out of my budget.
After finding a Plus dealer in my area, I decided to have a look. I'd been curious about this PJ ever since reading the polar opposite viewpoints on internet forums (mostly over at AVS Forum but also here to some extent). There were those that said the Plus Piano was the ultimate in price/performance quality while a different camp insisted that low light output, lack of Hi-Def resolution, rainbows and DLP headaches made it unwatchable.
Armed with the following films: LOTR - Fellowship of the Ring, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Fifth Element, Se7en, Young Frankenstein and the most recent edition of Starship Troopers, I went to audition this controversial projector.
First let me talk about light output. This seems to be the biggest criticism from Piano detractors. Rated at 450 lumen, on paper it doesn't seem like it would be all that great an image. In reality, though, the brightness was perfect. During the audition, while a movie was playing, I asked that the lights in the room be turned up as far as they could go. The picture washed out, of course, and I wouldn't want to sit through a film like that, but the image was still detailed and watchable. It is my sincere opinion that the light output issue with this projector has been blown out of proportion.
Next, the rainbows. Out of all the films that I auditioned this unit with, as well as the ones that I watched on my own at home, I have only ever seen rainbows on one film: Young Frankenstein. I only saw them there because I was trying to see them. I wonder if they were more readily apparent because the film is black and white? Every other film that I have watched with this projector has been free of this rainbow effect.
Next, the resolution. I am using this projector to watch DVD's exclusively, and it's resolution is perfect for this application. The Piano 3200 does accept a HDTV signal, but downconverts it into WSVGA (I got to see a HDTV feed at the dealer, and though it lacked the depth and clarity of true HD, the downconverted image was very nice). Since I rarely watch regular TV, at this point there is little reason for me to look into projectors with additional resolution. Whenever HD-DVD hits the market, I will trade up for a higher-res PJ (I'm not sold on the D-VHS platform). Until then, the Piano suits my needs perfectly. I guess this question can only be determined by each individual's needs.
As to DLP headaches, thus far they are nonexistent.
I ran my power and component video cable and installed my screen (82" 16X9 Stewart Firehawk) prior to the arrival of the projector. I did this to minimize the amount of time between getting my new toy and being able to play with my new toy.
I had also ordered the ceiling mount that Plus sells with the Piano. It's fairly pricey, and I had considered a couple of DIY options, but time and logistics dictated that I just buy what was available. This mount is built like a tank! It features rugged, durable all-metal construction and weighs in at about twice the projector's weight. It has great X- and y-axis adjustability as well. All in all, it took me about 4 hours to install the mount and projector. It probably would have taken less had I not run into a couple of snags on my end of things.
It didn't take long at all to optimize the Piano with Video Essentials. A few tweaks here and there and it was ready to go. The first scene in was the "Battle of Carthage" from Gladiator, followed by the "Abandon Ship" sequence from Starship Troopers, and last but certainly not least a few choice scenes from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Considering I made the leap to FPTV from a 27" direct-view Sony, watching these films was a whole new experience. It's like I have a brand new DVD collection!
I now add my voice to the chorus of FPTV owners when I say that nothing simulates all the positive aspects of the movie theater experience like FPTV. WOW!
I also would like to heartily recommend the Plus Piano HE-3200. I feel that it is an underrated projector that has received a lot of ill-deserved bad press. If you are looking for a projector for less than $4000, then you owe it to yourself to at least audition this unit. Seeing the Piano in action dispelled all of the criticisms that I had heard about it. IMO, it's a great value for the money.
I auditioned a couple of other projectors, a Sharp LCD that was in the $4000 range and a Runco in the $6000 range (sorry, I don't remember model numbers). The Sharp, while it had good brightness and color, suffered from a horrible screen door effect. The Runco was DLP, if I remember correctly, and it looked great, but it was out of my budget.
After finding a Plus dealer in my area, I decided to have a look. I'd been curious about this PJ ever since reading the polar opposite viewpoints on internet forums (mostly over at AVS Forum but also here to some extent). There were those that said the Plus Piano was the ultimate in price/performance quality while a different camp insisted that low light output, lack of Hi-Def resolution, rainbows and DLP headaches made it unwatchable.
Armed with the following films: LOTR - Fellowship of the Ring, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Fifth Element, Se7en, Young Frankenstein and the most recent edition of Starship Troopers, I went to audition this controversial projector.
First let me talk about light output. This seems to be the biggest criticism from Piano detractors. Rated at 450 lumen, on paper it doesn't seem like it would be all that great an image. In reality, though, the brightness was perfect. During the audition, while a movie was playing, I asked that the lights in the room be turned up as far as they could go. The picture washed out, of course, and I wouldn't want to sit through a film like that, but the image was still detailed and watchable. It is my sincere opinion that the light output issue with this projector has been blown out of proportion.
Next, the rainbows. Out of all the films that I auditioned this unit with, as well as the ones that I watched on my own at home, I have only ever seen rainbows on one film: Young Frankenstein. I only saw them there because I was trying to see them. I wonder if they were more readily apparent because the film is black and white? Every other film that I have watched with this projector has been free of this rainbow effect.
Next, the resolution. I am using this projector to watch DVD's exclusively, and it's resolution is perfect for this application. The Piano 3200 does accept a HDTV signal, but downconverts it into WSVGA (I got to see a HDTV feed at the dealer, and though it lacked the depth and clarity of true HD, the downconverted image was very nice). Since I rarely watch regular TV, at this point there is little reason for me to look into projectors with additional resolution. Whenever HD-DVD hits the market, I will trade up for a higher-res PJ (I'm not sold on the D-VHS platform). Until then, the Piano suits my needs perfectly. I guess this question can only be determined by each individual's needs.
As to DLP headaches, thus far they are nonexistent.
I ran my power and component video cable and installed my screen (82" 16X9 Stewart Firehawk) prior to the arrival of the projector. I did this to minimize the amount of time between getting my new toy and being able to play with my new toy.
I had also ordered the ceiling mount that Plus sells with the Piano. It's fairly pricey, and I had considered a couple of DIY options, but time and logistics dictated that I just buy what was available. This mount is built like a tank! It features rugged, durable all-metal construction and weighs in at about twice the projector's weight. It has great X- and y-axis adjustability as well. All in all, it took me about 4 hours to install the mount and projector. It probably would have taken less had I not run into a couple of snags on my end of things.
It didn't take long at all to optimize the Piano with Video Essentials. A few tweaks here and there and it was ready to go. The first scene in was the "Battle of Carthage" from Gladiator, followed by the "Abandon Ship" sequence from Starship Troopers, and last but certainly not least a few choice scenes from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Considering I made the leap to FPTV from a 27" direct-view Sony, watching these films was a whole new experience. It's like I have a brand new DVD collection!
I now add my voice to the chorus of FPTV owners when I say that nothing simulates all the positive aspects of the movie theater experience like FPTV. WOW!
I also would like to heartily recommend the Plus Piano HE-3200. I feel that it is an underrated projector that has received a lot of ill-deserved bad press. If you are looking for a projector for less than $4000, then you owe it to yourself to at least audition this unit. Seeing the Piano in action dispelled all of the criticisms that I had heard about it. IMO, it's a great value for the money.
