Newbie FP help, what all do i need? (1 Viewer)

[Krelkor]

Ok guys
i think i decided on going digital front projection for my fathers new home theater

Now then, here are my questions
what all, besides the projector itself, do i need?
ive been looking on the forums every day, and i hear mentions of certain things
so here are my questions in point forum

1)
What is this scaler i hear about? do i need one of these. This will be only for digital football and widescreen dvds(with the occasional fullscreen, we try to by widescreen) how much are these guys? can someone recommend a decent brand or model?

2)
These felt masks i hear about, are they necessary? i gather they increase black level perceptions. are there any screens with this built in? which leads me to my next question

3)
what do i do about a screen!, i dont know how big we need yet, dont even know how big we can get with the projector, i assume this should be the last thing you buy. What are some good brands, how much will this cost me?

4)
rainbow effect. Ive heard iffy things about this, i dont even know what it is.... explain please

5)
Finally!
what projector!
i have not even looked at these guys yet, i dont have time to go audition, but what should i look for when i go audition
ive heard about the Z1 and X1, so i should definatly take a look at these?


finally, lets give this a budget of around 3000. for the whole projection setup.
We want best quality possible. what kind of connectors should i look into
RGBHV? component video? DVI?
we will buy the dvd player to match the projector

thanks guys, im still learning, sorry if yall get these posts everyday.
--steve

 

[mark alan]

Finally, what projector

Good luck auditioning a lower cost projector. You might be able to see an x1 at best buy, under the worst possible conditions. Thats about it.

I would start by deciding if you want a 4:3 or 16:9 projector. If you will be watching mostly dvds and high def programing, you probably want a 16:9 projector. That eliminates all the entry level dlp projectors. I would look at the Sanyo Z1, the Panny AE300, both of which are lcd 16:9 projectors. They are currently being replaced with new models (Z2 and AE500), which appear to be much better, but will probably be $500-$700 more expensive.

I have the Z1, and I have been 100% satisfied with it,

 

[Krelkor]

sir that was a great reply
i thank you

what about inputs
does the various different ones.....;
DVI component s-video RGBHV
really make a difference?

 

[Gabriel_Lam]

Yes, the input does make a difference, especially with digital displays. Here they are in order of best to worst:

HDMI = DVI w/HDCP = DVI = HD SDI
RGBHV
VGA (HD15 RGB)
Component (YPbPr)
S-Video
Composite
RF

 

[Krelkor]

Ok
do any cheap projectors that fit in my price range have DVI input?
do any dvd players have DVI?

what does HDTV boxes have as outputs?

 

[mark alan]

I believe that the new Sanyo and Panasonics have dvi inputs. They should sell around $2,000 when they are available. The Z1 and AE300 just have component and VGA connections.

There are a couple of dvd players that have dvi outputs. The only model name I know is the Bravo D1.

 

[ChrisWiggles]

I wouldn't buy a projector just based on what inputs are available. A crappy projector with DVI is still a crappy projector. Buy based on the PQ, and your needs first.

 

[Gabriel_Lam]

Try to view some projectors to see if you like LCD or DLP better.

 

[Neil Joseph]

A DVD like Dark City will be the real killer test for projectors. Any projector can make Toy Story look good but this dvd will be a real test for shadow detail.

 

[Krelkor]

well lets leave the projector till last
its much more subjective than the others

so anyone else have any input on accessories id need to account for?

 

[RandyMathis]

You could get a Sanyo Z2 (LCD no rainbows) for a bit less than the msrp of $2000. Shop around on the web and call the business' to get a better price. It works.

You could get a Bravo D1 (dvd player) for less than $200.

You could get a HDTV/Directv box with a new customer deal for around $400-500.

Then make a screen from MDF painted with Misty Evening paint by Glidden for about a total of $50

Buy a set of component cables to hook up the HDTV box
Buy a DVI-I cable for the Bravo.

Done for less than $3K.

I am not advocating any of these products. I am merely suggesting them. I mentioned the Z2 because it is new, he mentioned rainbows, and it's competition, the AE500 is not available in the U.S. I mentioned the Bravo because it better fits the budget than the others.