I really don't get it. I mean I can appreciate a fine lens like the kind Zeiss
might make for certain medical applications, or if the components have to be solid gold or something, but what makes some projectors so damn expensive?
Most seem to have the same basic configuration and components, a lens, some
TI chips or the equivalent, and the rest of the stuff that makes them operate.
The root of this question lies in the huge variances between the projectors that are available and the technologies that create them. I'm not talking basic technologies, like DLP vs. LCD, but the needs of consumers, vs. specialty applications, vs. computer related growth and development.
When you got your HT300 it was basically at a turning point for projectors and technology. Maybe even a bit after it. The average DLP projector that was HD was running around $10K across the board, and all the related technologies hadn't quite made it into the mass-market field.
Now though, you will find that $100 DVD players are sporting 1080p processing. The chipsets necessary to deal with 10880p - and to do it properly, are becoming commodity items. So, you find projectors that are taking advantage of these cheap chips and pairing them up with cheap lenses, some of which are plastic, and then bottling it all inside a cheap plastic case.
The problem is, all this cheap stuff still looks better than the best of what was available a few years back. Much in the same way that a computer that costs just a few hundred bucks today blows away the $2,000+ systems of just a few years ago. We have seen an incredible increase in the underlying technologies, and a push to mass production of the projectors themselves.
For example, I am working on a high school in our area which is having almost 150 projectors installed in the building. Every student will have a laptop, and every class will be able to project their lessons as the students connect online via wi-fi. Why is it all possible? Because the price of technology has dropped to a point where it is possible.
Does that mean there aren't still $2,000 - or $5,000 ... or more... expensive computers? Of course not! But, you can get by, quite easily, with a lot less.
Now, what do you get for your money in a projector? Across the board you really get more and more of an improvement in every aspect of what you end up purchasing. The bottom line price for 1080p projection sits around $3K. You get a very fine machine for that money, but not DLP. So, you sacrifice a bit on black levels. Step things up to DLP and you are talking about $5K on the cheap side at 1080p. These machines may have good stuff, but may be missing out on top notch video processing and may be paired with a sub-par lens.
Up the lens and processing capabilities a bit and you quickly are at the $10K price point.
From there you really start getting into what I would consider 'exotics'. While just a few years ago exotics ran $25K+ these days they can start under $15K. This is the point where you start seeing minimal imporvements or very specific quality jumps for a fair bit more money. 3-chip DLP, brighter output, short throw lenses, or very long throw, or interchangable lenses which cost a bit more. Throw in capacity for fiber transmission (like your Sim) and things may even cost more.
Yet, it tends to be the processing quality combined with the quality of the lens which makes the biggest difference in the price of the projector and most companies don't care about either. What they want is something that is 'passable' and can be mass marketed. Yet, when companies like Panasonic, who really know their business, are competing against a Sony, who also knows their stuff, you aren't going to get crappy product at the low end... you will find that it is quite acceptable.
The price between other display technologies simply isn't comparible unless you also include the exotics. How about a seamless plasma display? This will run about $8,000 a unit. How about rear projection video wall DLP or LCD displays? Once again, $6,000 or more for a 50" display - each. Outboard video wall processors? These things can run from $5,000+ per unit to $100K or more quite easily.
Best Buy doesn't represent all there is in plasmas and LCDs... or projectors. But, it is far easier for the average consumer to find the variances in projectors than it is to find the variances in lcd and plasma. Why? Because the average consumer doesn't build a custom 7.1 home theater for their 42 to 50 inch plasma. They most definitely DO for their 100"+ front projector. They also, quite often, want to justify the $50,000+ they may spend on the room with a $10,000+ projector.
IMO, under $6K is the right spot for 97%+ of the quality you will ever get in front projection, around $3K gets you quality 99%+ of the world would be thrilled with.
