Epson 7500 or Runco?

[parinshah]

The Runco's seem to be "high end", but I have heard good things about the epson...does the cheaper epson compete with the $10k Runco? Does anyone know how many lumens each one is and which would do better with a little bit of ambient light?

 

[EJ1]

I don't think Runcos are worth the money. What's your budget?

 

[AVRat]

There are many projectors in this price range that will best the Runcos. If the E-7500, no real info yet, is anything like the E-1080 it should provide good light output for some ambient light. But you also must consider the screen to make an accurate response. Combine this PJ with Carada BW (gain 1.4) screen that's not too large and it should be no problem.

Will this setup be replacing the 70" Hitachi in your new house?

 

[parinshah]

Pretty neat you picked up the info from the other thread.

I went to a friends place last night who just built a media room, and has a 100" screen with runco projector, and now I am wondering if i should try to sell the 70" DLP and get myself a nice screen!

I spoke with my builder and they use a company that sells runco, yamaha and sony projectors...no epson. What do you think of yamaha and sony projectors?

If epson is better for the money, i can get the place wired and add them in later.

Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

What's your budget?

Hi. I'd like to repeat a question asked here already.

What is your budget?

If you can afford a Runco, I vote for a JVC RS-20 + 2 screens. One with high ambient light rejection, and the other for night viewing.

Of course, I use the one with high ambient light rejection, high-gain, in a light controlled area because its 159".

 

[parinshah]

Budget....well, $10k seems steep. I would like to stay under $5k for the projector.

 

[jostenmeat]

With your budget, and if you wanted to absolutely buy with this dealer, Id look at the Sony's. Im not familiar enough to give you the ins and outs, but perhaps take a look at the Sony VPL-VW60.

Epson has been a value leader as of late, and could arguably be the better value. But if you have 5k to spend, I fully expect the Sony's to be better for PQ. There have been a few reports of perhaps optical block problems, but they've been providing very good support lately even for the dc'd RPTVs they used to make, with the same SXRD tech.

With Epson, I highly advise you to get it calibrated. The OTB variation is known to be extremely high. That doesn't mean they aren't loaded with value, but just how their recent models have been noted, namely the 1080UB's.

 

[parinshah]

I don't have to go with the dealer...i can have him prewire and i can install a projector of my choice later. If this is the case...what would you go with? Again $5k is the max...but if you ask what I prefer to spend, I would say $3k.

The sony has around 1000 lumens...is that sufficient?

 

[jostenmeat]

I don't have to go with the dealer...i can have him prewire and i can install a projector of my choice later. If this is the case...what would you go with? Again $5k is the max...but if you ask what I prefer to spend, I would say $3k.

The JVC RS-10 would be one of the front runners for me. However, you would be quite surprised at some of prices that have been landed for nice models. I'd contact AVS for instance about the RS-20 pricing. It might blow budget by a bit, but you would have a world class product in your hands.

The sony has around 1000 lumens...is that sufficient?

To answer the question, it depends on everything else. The amount of ambient light you have, the lack of reflected light control, the size of your screen, the gain of your screen, and if retro-reflective then the angle off-axis you have with pj, as well as the throw of the pj.

however, lumens, as with contrast, are represented inaccurately too often. For instance, I think my rs1 has something like 600 lumens listed, but it performs on par with much higher stated spec'd pj's.

THEN, while some DO have high lumens OTB, when they are calibrated you lose a lot of that brightness. So, then, you have to research how close to a calibrated setting these come as OTB.

Then you have to consider for yourself how important color accuracy is to begin with. Mine has green + red push, but awesome black levels and ratio fill. I'd love to have more accurate colors, but its just not within my means as of now. I may look towards having it in the PJ (as with rs20) if i ever upgrade the PJ years from now.

 

[AVRat]

EDIT: I guess I'm late to the party, Josten has you covered. What size screen are you considering?

Ok, I'm assuming you'd like to stay under $10K and are looking for $$/performance instead of, "Ooh, look I own a Runco/Stewart screen because I can afford it!"

Yamahas only do 720p resolution and provide lower light output, but are great in gold mine dark theaters.

Sonys perform nicely on smaller screens or dark theater rooms with well controlled lighting.

The JVC that josten mentioned will perform better than a comparably priced Sony and the Epson in a dark room. But the Epson offers more light output when ambient light is introduced.

 

[EJ1]

I agree with jostenmeat. JVC DLA-RS10 and a Carada screen. If you have to go Sony, go with VPL-VW60. The only thing I love about the Runcos is the Cinewide with Autoscope technology used for anamorphic setups.

 

[parinshah]

That is right....I don't need a projector for the brand name. Whether its Runco, JVC, Sony, Epson..etc, brand name won't make the difference. I want one that will perform well, even if ambient light is introduced and on a ~100" screen size, and between $3-$5k.

The custom AV guy sells Da-lite...is that good?

 

[EJ1]

That is right....I don't need a projector for the brand name. Whether its Runco, JVC, Sony, Epson..etc, brand name won't make the difference. I want one that will perform well, even if ambient light is introduced and on a ~100" screen size, and between $3-$5k.

The custom AV guy sells Da-lite...is that good?

I've never used them but I've heard good things about them. Are you going to be using a fixed-frame or a pull-down screen?

 

[parinshah]

Fixed frame that does Ok with a little bit of ambient light

 

[jostenmeat]

Well, which is it? Ambient light, or best PQ at night? If you want to straddle the two, which do you lean towards?

If you will think along my lines, and do not wish to compromise for all types of viewing:

Between the candidates, see which ones can accommodate an ND filter. Then you put it on for night viewing.

Otherwise, the two screens as I mentioned. In fact, you can play with BOTH, particularly as the bulb dies.

I highly recommend the DaLite High power screens if:

-going big
-high ambient light

However, the viewing cone is significantly narrower. And you need to do your best in getting the PJ as close to the same angle as viewer's head.

 

[BMXTRIX]

1. About Runco...
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49248
This thread covers exactly why you should not consider Runco in much the same manner as you should never consider Bose. It's a brand name - it is NOT high quality.

2. DaLite is an excellent manufacturer. But, first, go to www.carada.com and look at their Criterion screens. A 1.4 gain gain 100" screen is rated agains the better Stewart screens (very high end) - yet runs about $800 shipped to your door.
http://www.carada.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=PROJECTION-SCREEN-H100C

3. Prewire and then buy the best projector if time is short. If they are trying to charge you over $300 to prewire for MATERIALS - you are paying for overpriced cabling. Have them just run a 1.5" or 2" piece of conduit instead, then run your own cabling later.

Don't get taken advantage of by installers going to boutique brands if you can avoid it. While I do custom installation, I try to stick with quality brands which also have excellent pricing - which I pass on to customers. If you have the budget to spend more, then use that budget for better speakers, or maybe a really good universal remote, or getting some acoustical treatments for the room.

Heck - maybe just a nice gift for the wife.

 

[Sherardp]

For under 4k I would definitely go for the RS10, for under 6k then the RS20 with full CMS though I'm beginning to hear some owners state the full CMS isnt all that, so I'd shoot for the RS10 or the new Sony VW80(under 4k). Shoot me a pm if youre interested in the VW80, way better than the 70 released in the US and very close to the performance of Sony's flagship VW200.

 

[mike_wassell]

I have a JVC HD-ILA TV and after comparing it too many other TV I think it is a superior product. I am thinking of going to a projector and have auditioned several projectors and think the JVC - ILA projector is a great product for the price. Also there are many good reviews of these projectors.

 

[parinshah]

Thanks. This has been very helpful. I think 80 -85 percent of viewing will be at night. I am glad I have made this post because it seems like the Runco is overpriced. I would like a 100" screen...so the winners for projector seem to be the jvc and Sony, and for the screen seem to be carada and da-lite, is that correct?

I need to find a place in Houston where I can view these projectors and screens!

 

[BMXTRIX]

Thanks. This has been very helpful. I think 80 -85 percent of viewing will be at night. I am glad I have made this post because it seems like the Runco is overpriced. I would like a 100" screen...so the winners for projector seem to be the jvc and Sony, and for the screen seem to be carada and da-lite, is that correct?

I need to find a place in Houston where I can view these projectors and screens!

You typically aren't going to be able to demo exact models of products. Carada, for example, is online only, so you will need to contact them to see if there is anywhere local to demo or to get a screen sample. Likewise, finding the JVC projectors is tough because there isn't as much margin in their products as there is the Sonys. The Sony projectors can be seen quite often at Magnolia at Best Buy. Dalite screens also have a fair bit of markup, and can be seen at similar places. But, it should be noted that a comparible quality Dalite runs around $1,500 or more. That's for the VELVET wrapped 4" screen with 1.3 gain from Dalite. I've seen pricing for both, and Dalite offers more choices, many of which can be had for cheaper, but are of significantly lower quality. So, for a 'like' product you will find quickly that the quality of the Carada screen is nearly impossible to touch for the $$$.

Anyway - I'm a big fan of both the Sony and the JVC, but the JVC keeps getting more and more top shelf reviews. The Sonys do well, but not quite as good. The Epsons along with many others are excellent $3,000 and under projectors, but aren't in the JVC class.

Runcos are poop - treat them as such. Read their reviews in the "I'm to rich to have a serious review" magazine. Filed under "Marketing disguised as an actual review" section.