Sam's Projector and Screen Deal (1 Viewer)

[DianaAllard]

Hi All, I want opinions based on the fact that I know you get what you pay for, and will be upgrading in a couple of years. We have put a lot of money into finishing our basement with carpet, wet bar, paint, ceiling, baseboards, entertainment center, sectional, etc .. I can't quite afford what I had wanted for the home theatre. I found this at sam's though and wanted to know if you thought it was atleast worth the money. I know I will want to upgrade in a few years. This is our first crack at home theatre and so I thought this might be a good place to start. Here are the specs:
InFocus ScreenPlay 4800 Bonus Pack DLP Home Theater Projector with an included 76" (Diagonal) Screen (MSRP $300)
800x600 high resolution (SVGA) DLP
Projector-HDTV: 720P and 1080i compatible
Bright 1100 lumen picture; projects amazing images (up to 12' in size) in ambient light
High Contrast 2000:1 image-for picture clarity and sharpness
Superior DLP digital technology and integrated Faroudja DCDi line doubler to eliminate source artifacts - makes videos look better
Maximized for home theater connectivity to any video source: cable/satellite TV, DVD players, VCRs, game consoles, computers
Projector includes the new 4000 hour long life lamp
Included: home entertainment remote, S-video cable, component video (three RCA) to S-Video Adapter, component video (three RCA) to HD 15 adapter, AV cable, computer cable, storage case, and Quick Start card
Dimensions: 4.2"H x 9.8"W x 12.5"L
Weight: 6.8 lbs.

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Product Specifications



Video Compatibility: Component and RGB HDTV (720p, 1035i, 1080i, 1080p); Component EDTV (480p, 576p progressive scan), component, composite and S-Video standard video [480i, 576i, composite video SCART with adapter, NTSC, NTSC M 4.43, SECAM: M,PAL: B, G, H, I, M, N]
Computer Compatibility: Analog PC, Macintosh®, 1024x768 Resolution through intelligent resizing
Communication Compatibility: USB
Inputs and Outputs: one S-Video - Standard Video, SDTV component (via included adapter); one composite (RCA) - standard video; one HD15 VESA: HDTV RGB, HDTV component (via included adapter); EDTV component (via included adapter); one 3.5mm mini-jack for audio input; one monitor output
Projection System: SVGA 800x600 12° DDR DMD
Resolution: 800x450 (16:9), 800x600 (4:3)
Projection Lens: F/2.4, 21-25mm focal length
Color Wheel: Proprietary auto-calibrating, four segment, 2x color wheel; 3-segment, 2x in video mode
Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 full on/full off
Lamp: 150-Watt SHP (4000 hours)
Lumens: 1100 max ANSI lumens
Colors: 16.7 million simultaneously displayable
Modes: front/rear/ceiling mode
Focusing Distance: 5'/1.5 m to infinity
Keystone Correction: Digital, up to +/- 20°
Throw Ratio: 1.89:1 - 2.27:1 (distance/width)
Power Supply: 100V–240V at 50–60 Hz
Operating Temperature: 41–104°F
Conformances: UL, c-Ul,TUV GS, GOST, C-Tick, NOM, IRAM, FCC B, CISPR22/EN55022, EN 55024/CISPR 24, CB certified according to IEC60950/EN60950; 1997, P(SE), MIC

Can you tell me what I might be missing for HDTV here?

Thanks,
Diana

 

[Scott Dautel]

Diana:

You haven't said what the price is at Sam's .......

The InFocus ScreenPlay 4800 is simply a re-badged X1. It was packaged for HT dealers and carries an MSRP of 1499.- (compared to $999.- for the X1). The SP4800 has a slight mod to the firmware (a few additional iamge tweaking options), but the projector hardware is identical to the X1. Your above-noted package also comes with about $30 worth of InFocus adapters that youi can get anytime at www.infocus.com . The conclusion here and at AVSForum has generally been that it's a pure waste of $500.-

I've seen packaged deals before including the SP4800 + screen for $1700.+ Just be aware that you can put together an X1 + screen for $1100 - $1200, yourself and get basically the same thing ... perhaps even a bigger & better screen.

If your budget is in the $1700-$2000 range, I'd personally be looking at the brand new Panny L500 LCD PJ and set aside $300 or so for a nice pull down or fixed mount screen.

 

[DianaAllard]

Sorry I forgot the price. It is 1236.48.