totally confused. want a good entry level projector

[Dinkar Rai]

head set my mind on the Panasonic AE700. then a friend demo-ed the optoma H27. it was sharper but very dull. so this debate of budget DLP over LCD started. so here is what i think now. i want a BUDGET dlp projector with the DLP2+ chip, dark chip, 4 speed colour wheel (min), 1000 lumens, 2500 contrast. is there no model that satisfies this criteria in the budget range?

then should i just settle for the nec1100? (but old dlp chip, no dark chip)

[JimSt]

Take a look at the Mitsubishi HC900u. It's not HD2+, but it does have the price, lumens and contrast to make it a contender. I've had one since December, and haven't regretted my choice for a minute.

It has some drawbacks. It's a bit loud, and at 1024x576 it isn't really HD (it can play a 720p signal just fine though). Still, the image is fantastic.

[BMXTRIX]

What is your budget really?

There are many DLP projectors out there that are 720p native including the BenQ PE7700 which is about $2,700.00

The question has to be asked about how the sharpness level was determined? About the only way I have been honestly able to justify differences in projectors is by putting them both in the same room, with the same video source, on the same screen, then A-B testing them using a piece of paper to block light from one projector. The AE-700 is supposed to have a very good image and look excellent and the one time I saw one I remember it looking great. That's the only way I would go at $2K. But, I would likely save up for something like the Sharp Z2000 or perhaps go all the way to an Optoma H79.

[Dinkar Rai]

precisely, we put them in the same room with the same source. i have a budget of $2000. for DLP, to keep the future covered, should i must go in for the DLP2+ chip? also i feel that i need a minimum of 720p.

[LARKS-BO]

If want a good projector dlp or lcd check out LUZERNTECH, got myself screenplay 7205 (3500) rrp for 1500 they recondition projectors and re-sell them with manufacturers permission and 1 yr warranty. Altough i have posted a slight grime about it here it is an amazing projector but needs to be between 15-20ft away from screen to fill 90" screen worth a look tho!

[Dinkar Rai]

i have a large room and am looking for a image size of 120 inches. is there no DLP projector that fits in within $2000?

[brian32672]

Here is one, but temp sold out.
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10396199&SearchEngine=Froogle&SearchTerm=10396199&Type=PE&Category=Comp&Gad=0&dcaid=17379

(Edit:::: Please read 2 posts below)

[jaxvon]

Another place to buy for the same price...

http://www.visualapex.com/LCDprojectors/LCD_projectors_details.asp?chPartNumber=H57&MFR=Optoma&SE=Pgrabber&KW=H57

[brian32672]

Another place to buy for the same price...

http://www.visualapex.com/LCDprojectors/LCD_projectors_details.asp?chPartNumber=H57&MFR=Optoma&SE=Pgrabber&KW=H57


WOW, and that comes with a extra free lamp and free shipping. THATS A BARGAIN. Good find jaxvon......

But get it NOW......

Special!
We are now offering a FREE spare LAMP and FREE shipping! Offer good until 7-31-05.

[Clint DeBoer]

We're starting to work with Visual Apex (http://banners.audioholics.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?bannerid=203&zoneid=35&source=&dest=http://www.visualapex.com/audioholics/) and so far I have been very impressed with their staff and business. We'll be reviewing several products that they sell and then posting special deals to buy them on their site.

When you're dealing with displays it's good to work with a company you can trust. These products are too expensive to simply buy from anyone (a warranty is only so good as the "warranter").

[BMXTRIX]

I've now bought three projectors with Visual Apex. I have never had a problem with any of them and they have called a few times just to make sure things are working. Likely to try to get more sales, but never pressure to buy.

Excellent company with some of the best in projectors.

[mtrycrafts]

head set my mind on the Panasonic AE700. then a friend demo-ed the optoma H27. it was sharper but very dull. so this debate of budget DLP over LCD started. so here is what i think now. i want a BUDGET dlp projector with the DLP2+ chip, dark chip, 4 speed colour wheel (min), 1000 lumens, 2500 contrast. is there no model that satisfies this criteria in the budget range?

then should i just settle for the nec1100? (but old dlp chip, no dark chip)


You have many good recommendations. One thing to keep in mind though when comparing.
You need to make sure that all the units you compare are optimally calibrated with set up discs, etc so you are comparing equivalents.

[Dinkar Rai]

yes i saw the offer. very inviting. so now which one is a better buy. NEC1100 or the Optoma H57? i guess the choice is narrowed down now. also can the H57 sold by visual apex take a 220volt input (standard in most countries other than the US) as opposed to the 110volts which is the US standard.

[Grubert]

Most digital projectors have a universal, autoswitching power supply, 110-240V, 50/60Hz.

[Dinkar Rai]

so please throw light now my friends. the NEC1100 or the H57. i am sure there are many experts out there who would like to tell their views.

[brian32672]

so please throw light now my friends. the NEC1100 or the H57. i am sure there are many experts out there who would like to tell their views.

Well more 16:9 material then go with the 57
More 4:3 material go with the 1100

[mulester7]

Well more 16:9 material then go with the 57
More 4:3 material go with the 1100.....Brian, what was the one by Sharp you advised to me the other night on the phone that was about $800 or so?....didn't you say it had great contrast, but not a lot of daylight lumen-count?....I could care less about huge amounts of lumen count seeing as my HT is basically not too lighted from windows anyway, and maintains being fairly dark 24/7.....my interests in a 4-5 thousand dollar plasma tv are dwindling....a cheap manual pulldown screen for about 100, and here we go....I would keep a regular cheap TV in the mix for when the TV is on for only background as I sit here at the computer in the HT, and occassionally want to turn around and watch something....otherwise, it's 8 FEET WIDE RAZOR-SHARP FOR DVD'S, haha.......

[brian32672]

.....Brian, what was the one by Sharp you advised to me the other night on the phone that was about $800 or so?....didn't you say it had great contrast, but not a lot of daylight lumen-count?....I could care less about huge amounts of lumen count seeing as my HT is basically not too lighted from windows anyway, and maintains being fairly dark 24/7.....my interests in a 4-5 thousand dollar plasma tv are dwindling....a cheap manual pulldown screen for about 100, and here we go....I would keep a regular cheap TV in the mix for when the TV is on for only background as I sit here at the computer in the HT, and occassionally want to turn around and watch something....otherwise, it's 8 FEET WIDE RAZOR-SHARP FOR DVD'S, haha.......

Well, actually you could find this new for about 700.00 What I said I believe was just the opposite. It had (has) good contrast (1500:1) with great lumen output (1100). What I did say, was that the picture was very sharp. And the picture quality out of the box was superb. Meaning the picture is sharp because of the great optics (Carl Zeiss all glass lens) And the quality of colors out of the box are better than my Optoma 758 (MSRP 5,999.00). The Sharp model is great for a beginning HT of a screen about 96" It did work well on my 120" but I would recommend it for a 80" to 96" screen. This way you would only need to use it in eco mode (and save bulb life). The 96" DaLite Model B can be had for 132.00 shipped to your door straight from DaLite. I will say that the Sharp model beat the pants off my other Optoma EP739. Any how here is the model, read the 6 reviews including 2 of mine. All the reviews state that picture quality out of the box is excellent.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sharp_PG_Series-Notevision_XR-1S.htm

Hope that helps Mule....

[mulester7]

Well, actually you could find this new for about 700.00 What I said I believe was just the opposite. It had (has) good contrast (1500:1) with great lumen output (1100). What I did say, was that the picture was very sharp. And the picture quality out of the box was superb. Meaning the picture is sharp because of the great optics (Carl Zeiss all glass lens) And the quality of colors out of the box are better than my Optoma 758 (MSRP 5,999.00). The Sharp model is great for a beginning HT of a screen about 96" It did work well on my 120" but I would recommend it for a 80" to 96" screen. This way you would only need to use it in eco mode (and save bulb life). The 96" DaLite Model B can be had for 132.00 shipped to your door straight from DaLite. I will say that the Sharp model beat the pants off my other Optoma EP739. Any how here is the model, read the 6 reviews including 2 of mine. All the reviews state that picture quality out of the box is excellent.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sharp_PG_Series-Notevision_XR-1S.htm

Hope that helps Mule.........Brian, you know me....I'm bound to get something wrong, haha.....

.....Carl Zeiss, hmmmm, that sounds German....just kidding, anyone having had anything to do with photography knows the name Zeiss....and the lens is all-glass?....Brian, how would the setting of economy do pertaining to the lumen-count of 940 in a dark room at night?......

[brian32672]

Brian, how would the setting of economy do pertaining to the lumen-count of 940 in a dark room at night?......
(This was answered in a phone call) But for all others, The 940 is fine even in some ambient light. This PJ, actually is rated closer to the actual lumen ratings. My 739 with a 2300 lumen rating was not brighter by no means to the Sharp. Now my 758 with 3000 lumens is brighter and can be used in almost a totally lit room. But it is by no means actually pushing out 3000 lumens. With a light meter at the screen, it is probably closet to about 1900-2000 lumens. Each company has no standard over another company on how they test lumens or contrast. One company could test it 2 foot in front of the PJ another may test at 13+ foot (real life conditions).

[Dinkar Rai]

the NEC comes with a lens that converts it to 16:9. in that case both the projectors are 16:9. hence now which one should be chosen over the other (NEC1100 vs Optoma H57) as both are more or less at the same price.

[brian32672]

the NEC comes with a lens that converts it to 16:9. in that case both the projectors are 16:9. hence now which one should be chosen over the other (NEC1100 vs Optoma H57) as both are more or less at the same price.

The lens does not come with unit. It must be purchased seperately.

[Dinkar Rai]

now there is an offer for the lens which is bundled along with the unit. i checked out a thread at projectorcentral.com. it is a bundled offer. has anyone used or demoed both the projectors? i need a 120 inch diagonal image. 90% of my viewing will be DVD and 10% normal TV. there is no HDTV in india and i dont see it coming for a long time.

[brian32672]

Well if you go to projectorcentral.com their list for budget projectors are these.

The top five ranked for this budget are.

1. Panasonic PT-AE700U (which is over your price range)
2. Optoma H31 (which is in your range)
3. NEC HT1100 (which is the one in question, and that you are asking about)
4. InFocus ScreenPlay 4805 (which is not a bad unit, but I think the HT1100 would be better, and so does projectorcentral)
5. Sanyo PLV-Z3 (which is higher and does not have the contrast of the HT100)

[BMXTRIX]

That list is based upon popularity for viewing through the website and is not based upon recommendations of the website itself. Strictly speaking, it is a poplularity contest instead of a top 5 list of quality projectors.

[brian32672]

That list is based upon popularity for viewing through the website and is not based upon recommendations of the website itself. Strictly speaking, it is a poplularity contest instead of a top 5 list of quality projectors.

Ok, well noted. So I decided to see what an editor at projectorcentral.com had to say about the HT1100. And here is a link to his review. There is also an original review....

Granted the guy is stuck on one of the 2 PJ's and IMO, I would go for the 1100 over the 57.

Link below......
http://www.projectorcentral.com/nec_ht1100_update.htm

[westcott]

I was looking for a projector and on paper, I was going to go with a DLP projector.

But, after taking my wife down to the home theater "boutique" using premium Ronco equipment among others, my wife and I both determined that we could not tolerate viewing a DLP projector (headaches and even the sensation of motion sickness).

I bought the Panasonic AE700u instead of the NEC HT1100 which for the difference in price, there was very little difference in picture quality.

If you have spent a lot of time in front of DLP and you are not concerned that anyone else may be put off by its visual effects on some, then all the advice given up to this point can be considered.

[brian32672]

I was looking for a projector and on paper, I was going to go with a DLP projector.

But, after taking my wife down to the home theater "boutique" using premium Ronco equipment among others, my wife and I both determined that we could not tolerate viewing a DLP projector (headaches and even the sensation of motion sickness).

If you have spent a lot of time in front of DLP and you are not concerned that anyone else may be put off by its visual effects on some, then all the advice given up to this point can be considered.

This has been noted in other posts. Just not this thread.
There are some that will have a sensitivity to a DLP projector.
The Runco's you are speaking of use a 5x speed color wheel, and should be even better for people who are sensitive to the RBE.

I myself or any of my family do not have this issue. Even on a 2x wheel, I have at this point never seen a RBE. At the moment the PJ I am using is a 4x wheel.

This is an issue with about 20% of people who watch a DLP. And should be a concern with the original poster. It may be wise, to audition a DLP PJ. And see if you are or are not immune to RBE (Rainbow Effect).

The issue with a LCD, will be the SDE (Screen Door Effect) which I have seen.
And was the considering factor when I went with a DLP.

[Dinkar Rai]

Brian

i compared the Panasonic AE700 alongside the Optoma H27. i felt the panny was brighter but had grains whereas the H27 was smoother but very dull. hence i decided that DLP was the way to go. my budget is $2000. i have zeroed down to the NEC1100 or the H57. you said that you would go for the 1100. any specific reason since it does not have the new dark chip or this dark chip is actually not very critical

thanks for all ur help.

[brian32672]

Brian

i compared the Panasonic AE700 alongside the Optoma H27. i felt the panny was brighter but had grains whereas the H27 was smoother but very dull. hence i decided that DLP was the way to go. my budget is $2000. i have zeroed down to the NEC1100 or the H57. you said that you would go for the 1100. any specific reason since it does not have the new dark chip or this dark chip is actually not very critical

thanks for all ur help.

Mainly because of my dealings with Optoma. Would I buy another Optoma, probably not. Unless it was considerably discounted and had features I wanted. If I was going to pay a normal price, then I would look elsewhere. Is this saying you will have a bad expierence with Optoma, NO I am not saying that.

Also my reasoning lays behind I have much more material in 4:3. And I tend to get a lot of TV shows on DVD.

Another is , (and I am by no means the only one saying this) That Optoma's claims on their contrast and lumens are without a doubt inflated. Another poster in another forum, (more for video) stated the same claims I had. As they had tested the new Optoma 78DC3 and the 79 with a cliamed lumen output of 1000. It was hitting 575 lumens. To where as Sharp, NEC, and others- Are much closer to their actual specs.

The NEC you are looking at, has a claimed higher 3500:1 contrast ratio. The Optoma's 3000:1. Which one do I think is closer to their actual spec. Well I would not say Optoma.

These are factors I knew when I got my 3 Optoma's. And I will say live and learn. Granted without an audition, it would be hard to say an exact one to pick. But for the reasons above, I would choose the NEC.

Surely out of the 2 PJ's you would not go wrong. They both should bring enjoyment into your home.

[brian32672]

Also I hate to through another in the mix.
But this one has the larger .8 HD2+ DMD chip, a 5x wheel.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-PE7700.htm
It has gotten decent reviews.

And is close to your price range.
http://www.projectionguys.com/product.cfm?id=33

[brian32672]

Here are a couple I am looking at. They are super high priced. But may be the ones I have to get for my 4:3 material. The first has a DarkChip3.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectiondesign-10K.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectiondesign-F3_XGA.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/NEC-WT610.htm

And of course for a backup PJ, I am looking at the one in question.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/NEC-HT1100.htm