Best projector for 4K or less for watching movies

[SportsNut]

I am finally building a theater in my bonus room. I need help deciding what projector to go with. I really enjoy the Panasonic PT-AE3000U for about $2500. Are there any other good sugguestions out there that I should go and take a look at? This projector is going to be used to watch pretty much 99% movies even though there will be comcast hooked up and the occasional PS3 game will be played but that's what downstairs is for. Thanks for your help.

 

[lsiberian]

I am finally building a theater in my bonus room. I need help deciding what projector to go with. I really enjoy the Panasonic PT-AE3000U for about $2500. Are there any other good sugguestions out there that I should go and take a look at? This projector is going to be used to watch pretty much 99% movies even though there will be comcast hooked up and the occasional PS3 game will be played but that's what downstairs is for. Thanks for your help.

That is an excellent PJ.

Since you picked a good PJ I will address the other important things

1. A screen. Don't compromise on this. Get a Carada Brilliant White for the correct size. you will need to figure out the proper size you are comfortable with for viewing. Don't make it too big or too small.

http://www.carada.com/default.aspx Pick your size here.

2. An OTA antenna and HD tuner. I know this sounds crazy, but there is nothing better than sports on a PJ. OTA is by far the best Picture quality and come nfl playoff time or the NBA Finals you will understand what I mean. I watch games every chance I get because the Picture Quality is just insanely good.

3. A blu-ray player. Seriously. This is a must. DVD sucks compared to Blu-ray.

4. A netflix blu-ray account. You will want this if you watch a lot of movies. Saves you a lot of wasted money and trips to the store.

5. A great sound system with excellent LFE.

6. Comfortable seating. (don't ever forget that)

7. Calibration(DVE or Avia can do this) Or a pro.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think the 2 best projectors out there in the $2-3K price range are the Epson and Panasonic. I think a toss up between these two.

And I also recommend getting a Carada screen. I think the Fixed screen is the way to go.

I made the mistake of getting a cheap Optoma Screen (I paid $300), and I regret it.

I will replace my screen sometime in the future with a Carada screen.

 

[Sherardp]

I replied to your other thread, but definitely consider the RS10 if you can stretch that budget a little. If not, Epson 6500 over the Panasonic unless they fixed the QC issues with dust blobs and the like.

 

[mperfct]

I love my Mits HC6500 for what it's worth. I haven't heard of any issues with them yet, which is definitely worth something.

 

[Trezl]

I've got the Epson 6500UB and love it.

And if you're like me, after watching Blu-rays and playing games on the PS3 upstairs with the giant screen and a projector, I don't think you'll want to take it back downstairs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

4K (10 Million Pixels) Projectors!

4K (10 Million Pixels) Projectors!
4K (10 Million Pixels) Projectors!
4K (10 Million Pixels) Projectors!
4K (10 Million Pixels) Projectors!
4K (10 Million Pixels) Projectors!

 

[lsiberian]

I replied to your other thread, but definitely consider the RS10 if you can stretch that budget a little. If not, Epson 6500 over the Panasonic unless they fixed the QC issues with dust blobs and the like.

Dust blobs are easily cleaned with a screw driver and a lot of nerve.

 

[ScottWChicago]

Optoma HD20 coming soon

this new projector coming out soon sounds like a winner


Just google it and you will find the info. well under your budget

 

[jostenmeat]

JVC RS10 with money in the pocket.

If the budget can stretch about $1.5k, or even less than that, you can land an RS20, and have perhaps the best PJ available at less than a $25,000 Sim2.

 

[rmk]

JVC RS10 with money in the pocket.

If the budget can stretch about $1.5k, or even less than that, you can land an RS20, and have perhaps the best PJ available at less than a $25,000 Sim2.

What he said.

 

[strube]

JVC RS10 with money in the pocket.

If the budget can stretch about $1.5k, or even less than that, you can land an RS20, and have perhaps the best PJ available at less than a $25,000 Sim2.

Sorry to butt in here. Jostenmeat, where would one purchase said RS20 for less than $5.5k? I was looking around for one for my dad the last few days and I only find one from an authorized dealer online for full retail of $7.5k, and an RS10 for its full retail of $5k, and JVC's site doesn't list any retailers except their main place in CA...



And to SportsNut: my dad is currently selling his house with the Panasonic PT-AE3000U and we have not experienced the quality control issues I keep hearing so much about. It is an outstanding projector with an excellent picture and feature set, including a very unique lens memory feature that is great for budget CIH (Constant Image Height) implementation. OTOH, the Epson 6500UB is awesome as well and comes with an extra lens via rebate, which is a heck of a value. I think it is $100 more than the Panny...

 

[jostenmeat]

Sorry to butt in here. Jostenmeat, where would one purchase said RS20 for less than $5.5k? I was looking around for one for my dad the last few days and I only find one from an authorized dealer online for full retail of $7.5k, and an RS10 for its full retail of $5k, and JVC's site doesn't list any retailers except their main place in CA...

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl?WORD=jvc&FOCUS=EXY&CTGSK=ANY&submit=Search

Also, AVS store would probably the very first place I'd call. From my limited experiences, they seem to always have the best prices on new, for whatever they carry. I'm sure they could be beat now and then . . . but I have yet to see that.

 

[strube]

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl?WORD=jvc&FOCUS=EXY&CTGSK=ANY&submit=Search

Also, AVS store would probably the very first place I'd call. From my limited experiences, they seem to always have the best prices on new, for whatever they carry. I'm sure they could be beat now and then . . . but I have yet to see that.

Thanks for the link, Jostenmeat.

I guess I am still skeptical if buying from those Audio/Videogon sellers would result in JVC not honoring the warranty, if the need for a repair arose. I guess I could always call JVC to find out who are warranty-friendly sellers. If the warranty is honored, there is certainly good reason to be excited about those prices.

Thanks for the tip on the AVS store. I have never dealt with them (or thought of them for that matter), but I will certainly give them a call when it comes projector-buying time for myself.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey you're welcome, Strube. Where ya been anyways, it seems you haven't been posting as much recently.

Yeah, would you be so kind to PM me every now and then with any good quotes you receive. Thanks, I'm just curious.

I bought my own PJ thru a firesale that sold out in a day. I also as an AVS member bought a "powerbuy" Mack warranty. While most likely something like that is not available at this very moment, I'd look into that, via AVS and perhaps PM their rep there (forgot his name, prolly "mack", just run a search). Maybe they could even warranty the RS20 thru a non-authorized retailer purchase, but I dunno.

My warranty lasts 6 years on the PJ. It also includes 2 free bulbs over three years. I thought I'd have to jump thru hoops, but I called, and they said OK! and drop-shipped one that arrived rather quickly. I have to send them my old bulb, and I'll have to that on the second one as well.

The reason I have to send it back, is because people bought this warranty, and then sold the 2 free bulbs for profit. Seeing how the cheapest prices on this bulb is about $260, that's pretty easy to do, when my 6yr/3yr Mack warranty only cost that much to begin with. Yes, only $260 for 6 yrs on PJ with 2 free bulbs!


Your dad's joint is pretty light controlled? If so, your family's jaws should drop.

 

[strube]

Hey you're welcome, Strube. Where ya been anyways, it seems you haven't been posting as much recently.

Yeah, would you be so kind to PM me every now and then with any good quotes you receive. Thanks, I'm just curious.

I bought my own PJ thru a firesale that sold out in a day. I also as an AVS member bought a "powerbuy" Mack warranty. While most likely something like that is not available at this very moment, I'd look into that, via AVS and perhaps PM their rep there (forgot his name, prolly "mack", just run a search). Maybe they could even warranty the RS20 thru a non-authorized retailer purchase, but I dunno.

My warranty lasts 6 years on the PJ. It also includes 2 free bulbs over three years. I thought I'd have to jump thru hoops, but I called, and they said OK! and drop-shipped one that arrived rather quickly. I have to send them my old bulb, and I'll have to that on the second one as well.

The reason I have to send it back, is because people bought this warranty, and then sold the 2 free bulbs for profit. Seeing how the cheapest prices on this bulb is about $260, that's pretty easy to do, when my 6yr/3yr Mack warranty only cost that much to begin with. Yes, only $260 for 6 yrs on PJ with 2 free bulbs!


Your dad's joint is pretty light controlled? If so, your family's jaws should drop.

Yeah, I have been out trying to get research done because I have a job impatiently waiting for me to get my Masters, so I don't take much time to do anything else lately.

I will certainly let you know if I get some good quotes. My dad's theater (if he ends up building a house that is - he is waffling) is going to be a large, dedicated room with high ceilings and no windows. He pretty much designed the whole basement around the theater so it should be awesome. I just have to convince him that the price difference to get the JVC over replacing the Panny with the same thing or getting an Epson 6500UB is worth it .

Sounds like fortune smiled on you for your projector purchase for sure!

 

[Sherardp]

AVS has very good deals, I bought my RS10 from them at an excellent price (well under 4K) and the RS20 was well under your budget. Jason was very informative throughout the entire transaction and answered every single PM even before I decided to buy. I'll definitely be purchasing from them again when I sell the RS10 to Jostenmeat.

 

[jostenmeat]

I'll definitely be purchasing from them again when I sell the RS10 to Jostenmeat.

Haha, nice try. I ain't upgrading any time soon, and if I did, I'd just get the RS20.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If your projectors are still in good shape in 5 yrs, would you guys even buy another projector that is not 4K or 8K resolution?

 

[jostenmeat]

If your projectors are still in good shape in 5 yrs, would you guys even buy another projector that is not 4K or 8K resolution?

Uh, we'll see in 5 years? Is there purple ray on the horizon, or are you planning on "upscaling" your blurays? Do you even have a viewing angle to take advantage of 4k, let alone 8k? I would bet a lot of money that you don't. Heck, do you even enjoy the full benefit of 1080? How far do you sit ADTG?

So, IMO, this is rather pointless, for 99% of us. Most people can't even fully resolve 1080p with their viewing angle, and that includes 99% of AHers.

I have a pretty immersive setup, and there is absolutely no pixelation that can be detected. You have to get pretty darn close to see it. It's a very big screen. I don't have any more space to fit in a football stadium sized screen.