Projector info/choise (1 Viewer)

[Johan_L]

I'm currently thinking about two projectors with only 300 $ difference in price. One is the new Sony VPL-HS1 Cineza and the other (300$+) Infocus LP 340. Any input from people who actually seen these (or one of the) projectors at work would be appreciated.
Thanks, Johan

 

[Huey]

Neither as both are overpriced at retail. Go for XGA DLP LT150 as it's only $2300 brand new. Beware of the rainbow connection (streaks of light following fast action and high contrast scenes) with DLP (Infocus LP340 is SVGA DLP). Cineza is SVGA LCD which means pixelization (screendoor). It's quiet and uses cheap bulbs ($170 for 1000 hr bulb) which is nice, but can't do ceiling mount (can't flip image) and is pretty dim. Contrast will s*ck as SVGA LCD typically only has 200:1 ratio which means gray instead of blacks. 3-panel LCD also may suffer dead pixels more commonly than DLPs (1 panel so 1/3 the risks).
Look at LT150 specs: XGA DLP, 800:1 contrast, 800 lumens, 3.3#, 4:3 aspect and 16:9 aspect support (not true 16:9, still letterboxing but will do anamorphic squeeze), 39db, ceiling/table/rear mount, $300 for 1000 hr bulb, supports 480p via VGA-->component cable ($40 for 20 footer at www.a2zcables.com ) for progressive DVD players, 1080i/720p for HDTV support, Svideo/Composite with mediocre deinterlacer but watchable (for DSS and VHS watching), 480i via Svideo or component (using special cable mentioned above), 2 year Instacare warranty from NEC (36hr turn around worldwide !!!), and short throw ratio (100" wide image at 14 feet). All this for $2300 brand new. Provided you don't suffer from rainbows artifacts, how can you lose?