A projector ~$1,000

[zozoman]

Hello everyone,

I've been getting everything in order for my home theater system and now I need to pick out a projector.

I took at look at projectorcentral.com and saw some pretty decent 720p projectors. I was thinking of picking up the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 Projector. It is listed for $1075 after $100 Rebate on Visual Apex and comes with an extra bulb.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_720.htm

I have read the reviews on it and everyone says it is a good buy, but I would to see what people from AudioHolics think before I get it or if there is a better one to get for ~$1,000.

Also, a quick question about projectors in general. If I have a screen that is 92' and I set the projector up and it only fills 85 inches are there usually ways to zoom in to fill up the gap without losing quality? I plan to get these pulldown screen. It is pretty cheap compared to the other $400 ones.

http://www.visualapex.com/Projector-Screens/Projector_Screen_Details.asp?chPartNumber=M92UWH

Thank you all for your help!

-Alonzo

 

[jostenmeat]

I took at look at projectorcentral.com and saw some pretty decent 720p projectors. I was thinking of picking up the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 Projector. It is listed for $1075 after $100 Rebate on Visual Apex and comes with an extra bulb.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_720.htm

Very cool that there is a bonus bulb. Seems to be a good price, though I have not a clue on this PJ's performance. I wish 1080p could be afforded in your budget. I would think that it would be worth it, but yes it's money. Anyhoo, I wonder how your selection compares with the Pana 200u, another 720p PJ.

Also, a quick question about projectors in general. If I have a screen that is 92' and I set the projector up and it only fills 85 inches are there usually ways to zoom in to fill up the gap without losing quality? I plan to get these pulldown screen. It is pretty cheap compared to the other $400 ones.

unless its very heavy fabric like DaLite HP, you do not want to use a pull down, unless you can afford very expensive tab tensioning. Check out Carada. It will only be slightly more money I think*, but well worth paying another $100, etc.

 

[zozoman]

I am going to be mainly using this projector to watch movies from a computer. Since I don't own a blu-ray or dvd player I figured that 720p would give me the most bang for the buck.

As for those Carada screens they are really expensive. A 92' one goes for around $500, that is way out of my budget for a screen. The pull down I listed was around $80. If you know of a better screen that can be 92' for ~200 I'd be willing to take a look at it.

Thank you for the help.

 

[jostenmeat]

The problem with a pull down is that it will develop waves, and perhaps even quickly.

If you buy a new $80 screen every year, for 6 years, then you could've already afforded the Carada.

The Carada is known to have very, very good uniformity, but will have more ambient/reflected light as a result.

I would never buy an Elite screen, ONLY going by anecdotal reviews by persons I trust. YMMV.

Go fixed frame is what I really want to say. So, to keep it under $200, you ought to look at DIY. Check out this forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=110

 

[BMXTRIX]

The FAQs at the Projector Central forums (screens) cover the issues with a pull down screen, and for that same money you could make a screen which will likely outperform the pull down model you are buying - but it will take some effort on your part.

I would vote for the AX200U over the Epson. It simply is brighter when it counts, with a sharp image, incredible flexibility, and a stunning image.

If you are worried about lamps, then pick up a lamp warranty - you can get 2-3 years of warranty for about $100. Not to bad if you intend to use it heavily.

 

[zozoman]

I just read some reviews and watched some video on the Panasonic PT-AX200U. I have to say that it looks like it is a better projector than the Epson. I believe that I will get that instead.

As for a screen, I don't know. I don't want to spend $500 on one and from the DIY I don't think I'd make it correctly. I may just go with the manual pulldown even though it is unreccomended.

Would it make a difference if I never retracted the screen and always left it down, would that prevent waves from forming?

 

[BMXTRIX]

As for a screen, I don't know. I don't want to spend $500 on one and from the DIY I don't think I'd make it correctly. I may just go with the manual pulldown even though it is unreccomended.

I have had a manual screen, I have made a DIY screen, and I have bought fixed frame & electric screens.

The fixed frame screen that I made was easily comparible to the purchased fixed frame screens for quaity. The biggest downside was the time it took to make it. For me to make it for someone else would take 10 hours, which would end up being expensive for them, but if you are trying to save money, and get the best quality, then this is definitely the best way to go. I mean - DEFINITELY the best way to go.

Would it make a difference if I never retracted the screen and always left it down, would that prevent waves from forming?

No, this would not prevent waves from forming. Waves occur for normal environmental reasons. Heat, cold, and changes in humidity cause the waves to form. It's like your clothes in the washing machine - they just are going to get some wrinkles in them due to the process. Manual screens can be good for a year or so, but in the last 10 years of seeing manual and electric (non-tensioned) screens, I have never, ever, EVER seen one which did not have waves in the fabric.

There are multiple DIY methods available, so I would look at those AVS Forums a bit more and see if there is a version which suits your talents best.

I personally went with blackout cloth (BOC) and made the frame. Making the frame took about 2 hours. Stretching the BOC took about an hour. Selecting perfectly flat 1x3 wood planks took about 2 hours. But the final result was excellent.

 

[bmf795]

Hello everyone,

I've been getting everything in order for my home theater system and now I need to pick out a projector.

I took at look at projectorcentral.com and saw some pretty decent 720p projectors. I was thinking of picking up the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 Projector. It is listed for $1075 after $100 Rebate on Visual Apex and comes with an extra bulb.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_720.htm

I have read the reviews on it and everyone says it is a good buy, but I would to see what people from AudioHolics think before I get it or if there is a better one to get for ~$1,000.

Also, a quick question about projectors in general. If I have a screen that is 92' and I set the projector up and it only fills 85 inches are there usually ways to zoom in to fill up the gap without losing quality? I plan to get these pulldown screen. It is pretty cheap compared to the other $400 ones.

http://www.visualapex.com/Projector-Screens/Projector_Screen_Details.asp?chPartNumber=M92UWH

Thank you all for your help!

-Alonzo

Mike has what you are looking for over on av123. Here is the link. He is very trustworthy as I have purchased several things from him. http://75.126.14.199/showthread.php?p=725358#post725358

 

[zozoman]

Thank you all for the help, I REALLY appreciated it.

-Alonzo

 

[BMXTRIX]

Worth adding, if you can swing a few hundred bucks extra - right now BenQ has their $4,000+ W5000 projector factory refurbed with a 1 year warranty for $1,300 or so on their website.

Worth a look at as this is well under any other market value projectors you are likely to find right now.

 

[rnatalli]

I went with an Epson Powerlite W6 which is basically the same projector as the HC 720. I like Epson projectors because they use LCD technology and the replacement bulbs are like $150. They've proved very reliable over the years for me.