Advice please....

[tcarcio]

OK, I am about ready to upgrade my PJ so my question to you PJ experts is this. I have a 14x13x7 room with a 106'' screen so which unit in the $2000 range will be a fairly easy set up in that space. I have complete light control in the room. I am useing the Optoma HD72 now but it is only 720p and I want to go 1080p. PJ will mount on the cieling about 13'5'' from the screen. Thanks for any help.

 

[kiwiaudionut]

Tcarcio, i am far from an expert, but i did just get an Epson 8700UB which is right there in the $2K range (1999 after the $100 rebate), and is probably the most popular choice for that amount of money.
I can tell you that while moving it through various positions in the room, I did try around 13' throw and at max wide angle could not get 106". I believe I got around 100". I did not take accurate measurements because i discounted that position as an option. Apparently it is not a great idea to use either extreme on the zoom, but i forget why that is.
I ended up with my throw at 17' to get into the central zoom range. You are obviously setting the projector up at your rooms extreme depth though so this is out your window - perhaps literally !

Again, i'm not an expert, but i hope this helps.
If you are not aware of it, you should try the calculator at http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm
It is a great tool, and according to it this PJ will work for you, but expect to be near the widest end of the zoom.

Great picture too !

 

[tcarcio]

Thanks Kiwi, I think the reason behind not useing max zoom is because of the loss of light output when doing so. I really would hate to change to a smaller screen so I will keep looking for a PJ that will work in my case. I think the AE4000 so far is the closest that I have seen to being able to work in my room but I just started to really look so I am sure there are more out there. Anyone else with any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[BMXTRIX]

All zoom calculations must be taken from LENS to screen. If your room is 14' deep then the projector lens will likely be about 12.5' from the screen.

Here is a list of projectors that can do it:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?g=1&hide=0&mfg=&p=&w=&r=13&br=&ll=&t=&db=&dt=&c=&ar=&dvi=&td=12.5&i=d&is=106

I would go with the 8700UB which most DEFINITELY can hit 106" diagonal from 12.5'.

In fact, it can hit 106" from 10'4" to 22'1" - which is about PERFECT for where you want it.

 

[tcarcio]

BMXTRIX, so you think mounting the 8700 in the same spot as my optoma which is 13'5'' from the lens to the screen should be fine? If so I am off to hunt reviews on that unit.

 

[tcarcio]

I actually mis measured the room it is 15' long and 13' wide with a 7' cieling.

 

[AVRat]

Yes, easily.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The Epson 8350 and 8700UB both have a 2.1:1 zoom lens which allows them to throw a 100" diagonal from about 10-21 feet. I gave you exact figures above, but the Epson has phenomenal range, is well reviewed, and about the only one I would consider other than it is the JVC HD250 that is $500 more.

I have owned two Panasonics, but at this point, I would not put the Panasonic in the running. It's way to close in price and a bit out of date now. I imagine Panasonic will go with some 3D model next. Doesn't look like they want to improve the AE4000 without adding something significant.

 

[kiwiaudionut]

My mistake here, I was talking width in my post above, not diagonal, and tcarcio did not specify which of the two either !
But I am intrigued now so I'm going to setup 10'4'' lens to screen this weekend and see what i can get.
I'll let you know.

 

[tcarcio]

I was talking diagonal. I am seriously looking at the JVC HD250, seems like a nice unit.

 

[AVRat]

If you can manage it, that's the way I'd go.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I was talking diagonal. I am seriously looking at the JVC HD250, seems like a nice unit.

I know I've supplied a couple of people the JVC units so far and they've been very happy with the results they've gotten. You can PM me if you would like on some info on them. But, the JVC series has a well established reputation for not only a quality image, but a well built product.

 

[kiwiaudionut]

Indeed the JVC is a better PJ. The reviews have essentially only one negative comment. Expected lamp life is apparently 3 to 1 compared to the 8700, and to sweeten that further, Epson is chucking in a free extra lamp right now.

Makes cost of ownership a lot lower if that matters to you.
Having said that, I would still have bought the JVC myself if i could have afforded it.

The cost difference however will pay for my screen and then some !

A big positive that i have yet to confirm, is that DILA's have a sealed light path and 3LCD's do not. If true, then my Epson will get dust blobs inside it and the JVC will not.

 

[tcarcio]

Thanks Kiwi, The sealed light path is nice and one of the reasons I went with a DLP for my first 2 PJ's. I still have my Optoma Hd72 that I will use for tv mostly so that will save on the lamp life if I decide on the 250.

 

[kiwiaudionut]

Pretty sure DLP and LCD are not sealed. LCOS and DILA are though, I think?
Can someone chip in here that is sure about this
BMXTRIX ??

 

[jostenmeat]

Pretty sure DLP and LCD are not sealed. LCOS and DILA are though, I think?
Can someone chip in here that is sure about this
BMXTRIX ??

The only tech that does not have sealed paths is 3LCD.

DLP = sealed, LCOS/DILA = sealed. LCOS is the more generic term; DILA is simply JVC's name for LCOS, whereas Sony uses SXRD as their version for LCOS.

Sealed light paths are NOT a true guarantee that you will never get dust blobs. That said, I have never ever once in my life read of a JVC owner with a dust blob, but I have read of many Panasonic and Epson users who have. And this is perfectly related to the unsealed light paths.

3LCD has the lowest fill ratio of all the techs being mentioned. 3LCOS has the highest fill ratio of all mentioned. This becomes particularly relevant when coupling the PJ to an AT screen where moire issues become more prevalent.

So, the Epson does seem to be the better value as long as it's under warranty, IMO. Therefore, I think one should ask themselves how many years they hope for in terms of problem free viewing, and what that might be worth. Well what I mean is that Epson has such excellent CS, that if you're ok with being out of a PJ for a week or whatever, they'll just send you a new one, if under warranty, correct? Ok, I had to look it up, 2yr warranty for the aforementioned Epson.

 

[kiwiaudionut]

Well done Jostenmeat, that sure clears that up !!

 

[tcarcio]

The Sony VPL-HW15 looks like a nice choice also. I have seen it for about $2100. Anyone seen it cheaper?

 

[tcarcio]

OK, I have decided to go with the Sony VPL-VWpro1. It looks like a nice PJ and comes with an extra bulb so that works for me. Thanks for all your advice guy's.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Let us know how you like it. Sony has generally gotten good reviews of their products, but often I have found that they are more expensive than the competitors and don't deliver the same level of quality. Often their build quality is substandard, which is a worry to me when you have a service department like Sony.

My biggest concern with Sony is that the projectors I've seen from them have not been terribly bright, and they have not had the best track record of customer support, especially with product that is just a few years old.