Sony VPL-VW40 = minimal placement flexibility.

[strube]

Hi everyone,

I am new to these forums. I just wanted somewhere to discuss (or rant in this case) about AV things, and this place seems friendly and has lots of knowledgeable people.

I have had lots of low-to-mid-range projectors over the past 7 years. It was just a bad period for keeping the same projector with all the resolution advances.

I have always set the projector on a shelf behind my seats with the lens at the horizontal center and top of my Carada Brilliant White screen. First the Sharp DT-200 DLP served me well but I needed an upgrade just because the resolution was weak (it died for the person I sold it to at about 700 hours into the second lamp). Then I got an Optima H77 DLP, which turned out to be the most worthless piece of junk in history, and with terrible customer service to boot (3 warranty returns, one of them after only 5 hours on the bulb, resulted in a refurbished model with who-knows how many hours on the bulb). My last one was a Sony 3LCD 720p VPL-HS51 (or HS50, can't recall). This one was good, but it was 720p. I have about 2600 hours on this one and it has served well, but this is the era of 1080p (I am sure the era of 2k, 4k, 8k, etc. aren't far off).

So besides some annoying aspect ratio lockout on the VPL-HS51, it served me well, and thus (after reading many reviews) I purchased a Sony VPL-VW40. To my surprise, it has hardly any lens shift. Nowhere in product specifications (or the reviews that I read, or the dealer I bought it from) does it say that it only has a 67% positive vertical lens shift (no negative shift at all). Since my shelf is built into the wall there is nothing to do but return it. Rar. Enter Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB I guess.

I know it is discontinued but I just wanted to whine and hopefully help at least one person in my situation avoid similar disappointment when shopping for a bargain on a 2008 model projector.

 

[Adam]

Hi, and welcome! You are correct - plenty of friendly people here. Rant away, my friend. We all have to do it now and again. Besides, someone here might have a great recommendation for you.

 

[PSWii60]

Whats your budget? As you may have seen in your other thread about the new panny, I currently have an ax-100u, my friend bought an ax-200u. For the money it can't be beat, and it has great lens shift capabilities. if u have it sitting on a shelf that is enclosed at the rear it's great because it exhausts from the front. If and when I upgrade I will surely hold on to what I have for another application. Feel free to drive to Va. for a demo

pardon my typing, ive been enjoying hotel "happy hour".

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sorry to hear your quandary.
Why can't you use a ceiling mount post? On a shelf on the back wall may interfere with ventilation.

 

[strube]

Whats your budget? As you may have seen in your other thread about the new panny, I currently have an ax-100u, my friend bought an ax-200u. For the money it can't be beat, and it has great lens shift capabilities. if u have it sitting on a shelf that is enclosed at the rear it's great because it exhausts from the front. If and when I upgrade I will surely hold on to what I have for another application. Feel free to drive to Va. for a demo

pardon my typing, ive been enjoying hotel "happy hour".

The Panasonic PT-AE3000U is definitely in the budget and definitely one of the two I will end up going with. I wasn't interested before when I thought it was going to be $3.5k but that has all changed with it $1k cheaper. The only thing I still thirst for is Epson's awesome warranty, but I will certainly get either the panny or an epson.

Sorry to hear your quandary.
Why can't you use a ceiling mount post? On a shelf on the back wall may interfere with ventilation.

I don't really have too much of a problem with ventilation. The shelf is set such that the space around the projector is ample. As for the ceiling mount, that was an option, but there was some (admittedly excessive) annoyance with the Sony's lack of features that all other competitors include that prevented some slight remodeling to accommodate a ceiling mount. There would have been some modifications required to the ceiling where the projector should be because there is duct work at that particular location under the drywall, and because I am very stubborn, I am somewhat locked in to the shelf mount option.

I think I am excited about the other options anyway, as this delay may (surprisingly) result in a 2009 model panny or epson for less $$$.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I think I am excited about the other options anyway, as this delay may (surprisingly) result in a 2009 model panny or epson for less $$$.

Yes, not rushing into it may give you other options that in the end ends up a better choice

 

[Sherardp]

The 3000u is a force to be reckoned with along with the Epson. You really cant go wrong with either. I almost went with a Sony model before I got into the JVC's, as someone mentioned why not go ceiling mount. Then again I could understand since it seems you upgrade on a regular. I should be seeing the Panny in a few days when my dealer gets one out here in Japan. Im not upgrading from the HD1, just like demoing new toys since they allow me to do it in home.

 

[Phil Taylor]

Have you looked at a Misubishi HC5000? They're discontinued but still are being sold new and at a great discount at under $2K. It has a very generous lens shift range and a spectacular 1080p image.

 

[strube]

I preordered the panny AE3000U. It (hopefully) will be here next week and should be perfectly amazing for the price of $2500.