Making the switch from T.V. to DLP, What should we know? Advice please

May I ask how you chose these two particular projectors? I visited their respective websites and their specifications are not all that impressive for what you will be paying. I'm sure you have heard this before, but I'd like to re-emphasize: DO NOT PURCHASE A PROJECTOR FROM A LOCAL RETAILER (unless you are dead-set on supporting a favorite brick and mortar location and plan on spending a couple extra thousand dollars!). If you'd like, I'll give you some recommendations on other models and what to look for and avoid.

 

I'm glad that you've opted to purchase your projector online. Let me give you the rundown on the biggest differences between a all-in-one rear projection unit like the Hitachi and a front projector. Some may tell you that they can run their high-lumen projectors with the lights on, but I wouldn't recommend. Don't get to caught up in the brightness (lumen) ratings, as you will need to figure out a way to have your room light controlled anyways. In a light controlled room, even a sub 500 lumen DLP projector such as the Plus Piano has been said to produce an image that is plenty bright. No matter how much you spend, the picture produced by projection will be inferior (with the right projector and conditions, only slightly) to the Hitachi's picture. When attempting to produce a comparable picture, the projector's contrast ratio (not lumen rating) becomes the most important factor. The two projectors that you mentioned both have sub 450:1 contrast ratios. The projector I will recommend to you is the NEC LT150. I purchased this projector after months of researching at www.avsforum.com This site contains a wealth of information, but as a warning, some of the tweaks they suggest can be far too complex and intimidating. Some of these guys are SERIOUS videophiles. Anyways, the NEC LT150 offers a contrast ratio of 850:1. What this means is when your favorite movie is projected up on the big screen, grays will be gray, dark grays will be dark gray, and blacks will be black. The higher the contrast ratio, the more adept the projector will be at conveying these different levels. The end result is a picture that looks 3 dimensional and dynamic (many LCD and low contrast ratio DLP's will produce a vibrant image... but one that is very flat looking with grays in place of black and not much shadow detail). Bottom line is, I am VERY HAPPY WITH MY NEC LT150. It produces a very 3-dimensional, bright picture on a 110" screen! It should look even better on a smaller screen. If you'd like, you could build your own screen with simple materials from a fabric store, or e-mail me for suggestions. I purchased a Da-Lite Hi-power pulldown screen that makes for an image that is significantly brighter (Well worth it for around $220!). Bottome line is, while the Hitachi will be more functional and practical for everyday TV-watching use with the lights on, NOTHING compares to the drama and scale of full-fledged front projection of movies!

 

By the way, I own the highly-acclaimed NEC LT150 which (according to CNET search - http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/res...848441,00.html) can be had for around $2500. For $500 more, you can get the LT150z which has a zoom lens. Personally, I never really had a use for the zoom. My projector is set perfectly in place, no need to fuss with it. With a projector this cheap, and a budget of around $4000, you have an extra $1500 to play with. I would recommend a Dalite hi-power screen for around $200 depending on size (http://www.shopcousinsvideo.com/dalitemodelb.html). Most LT150 owners who use a standalone dvd player go with the Panasonic RP56. Unless you want to spend upwards of $1000, this player will provide you with the best picture possible. Pick it up online for under $186 and free shipping (http://www.abtelectronics.com/script...t.php3?id=6541) or at Best Buy for around $220. Check out this page for the best prices on the connection cables that you will need (http://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orde...search=MONITOR)5 BNC to Super VGA HDDB15-M Cable is what you will need to hook the projector to the DVD player. You may want to call them and also ask for 3 BNC to component adapters along with the cable length that you have chosen. For under $3000 you have just about everything you need! Spend that extra cash on some DVD's to watch on the big screen...

 

The Hitachi will have a better picture, but only marginally (some may argue this point). The problem is, the TV is bulky and 61" is as big as you're gonna get. With the projector, you can project as big or as small as you want. It weighs less than 5 lbs... move it around till your heart's content! When you fire up an 80"+ image onto a wall, your jaw drops and you forget about the minor picture improvements that an RPTV (such as the Hitachi) provides.

 

If you told me 6 months ago that by this time I would be sitting in my living room, enjoying movies on a 110" screen, I would've thought you to be crazy. Projectors with a native 16:9 panel are generally much more expensive. What do they get you? More resolution? nope. Better picture? nope. What they lack are the black bars above and below the image that you are probably used to seeing while watching a widescreen DVD on a 4:3 TV. The NEC has a 4:3 panel. Fortunately, you can setup the projector so that the actual image (not the black bars) fits the entire screen. The black bars will be projected above and below your screen onto the wall, curtains, etc. Fortunately, the black levels (contrast ratio) of the projector is so good that I would have to point this out to you. The 16:9 image produced by the LT150 (which has a native 4:3 panel) is identical to that of a native 16:9 panel projector. If you plan on watching TV with the projector, then the fact that it is 4:3 native is actually a feature. As for watching with the lights on, you can do this with front projection, but I would advise against direct light in favor of ambient light. Obviously the picture will look more washed out than in complete dark (IMHO, the only way to go!)

 

Sorry if I'm getting too technical in my efforts to help. Now I hope the videophiles will correct me if I'm wrong... A DLP projector operates by shining light from a bulb, through a colorwheel (spinning wheel of 3 translucent colors, and onto a DMD panel (I believe this is a panel of tiny, rapidly switching mirrors). From the panel the light is reflected through the lens where it is focused across the room to the screen. The DMD panel can be either 16:9 or 4:3. Most projetors have 4:3 panels. More expensive dedicated home theater projectors have 16:9 panels. These more expensive projectors are said to have "native" 16:9 capabbility. Projectors like the one I am recommending (NEC LT150), have 4:3 panels and have to do "the squeeze trick" in order to display 16:9. This trick allows the projector to display the exact same image as a projector with a 16:9 panel, but with black bars on the top and bottom of the viewable image. By simply lining up the projector so that only the viewable image falls on the screen w/black bars offscreen, you will have a picture identical to that of a more expensive 16:9 "native" projector. Make sense?

 

I'm not really clear on you Hitachi question. I don't know very much about rear projection televisions. When I said the Hitachi will give you a slightly better picture, I was refering to a big screen rear projection TV. I am completely unfamiliar with Hitachi's front projection DLP offerings. Once again, I will strongly recommend the NEC LT150/150Z. You DO NOT need a separate deinterlacer, provided you are feeding the projector a good progressive-scan signal. For the money, you can not beat the Panasonic RP56 that I mention a couple of posts earlier. I know that you already have a DVD player, but this Panasonic is an absolute necessity for this projector. You could always sell your other DVD player on ebay or use it in another room. I believe so strongly in this Panasonic as to claim that it should be factored into the budget of anyone who is purchasing the LT150.

 

Glad I could help. I'd rather you pick something that will provide the most enjoyment, while remaining practical. Home theater and TV watching should be fun, not a chore. Development of projectors is currently moving at a break-neck speed and in 2 years, the offerings should embarass what is available today. Good luck with your purchase!