Advice please....

[tcarcio]

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.

Well it got a pretty good review and is said to be brighter then its predecessors...http://www.projectorreviews.com/sony/vpl-vwpro1/index.php

 

[JaBear]

LOL...reading this thread was pretty damn funny. First was talk about the epson then we all agree if you have the cash that teh JVC is the way to go, imo it's as well especially since JVC getting rid of them to make room for the new x3 model. Then this guy not listening to one word of advice goes with a Sony that no one even mentioned. GL with the Sony because like the guy before me Sony aren't what they used to be it's becoming more of a badge than anything else now a days.

 

[tcarcio]

LOL...reading this thread was pretty damn funny. First was talk about the epson then we all agree if you have the cash that teh JVC is the way to go, imo it's as well especially since JVC getting rid of them to make room for the new x3 model. Then this guy not listening to one word of advice goes with a Sony that no one even mentioned. GL with the Sony because like the guy before me Sony aren't what they used to be it's becoming more of a badge than anything else now a days.

Well this guy spends his money the way he wants and when I ask for some advice that's exactly what it is ,advice, not a command. Maybe you can't make up your own mind but I can.

 

[JaBear]

Wasn't meant to be a knock I do it all the time as well... we all do. Hell I keep on wanting someone to tell me balanced audio is where it at yet no one has and yet I'm still going to buy a pre/pro that has xlr outs even though it will do nothing for me besides looking cool.

 

[Alex2507]

Maybe you can't make up your own mind but I can.

I'm sure that between you and the Mrs. your mind is made up before you even know it.

 

[tcarcio]

I'm sure that between you and the Mrs. your mind is made up before you even know it.

I think I love you......

 

[tcarcio]

Well the deal on the Sony fell through. I can get it somewhere else but not for the price I was told. I am now thinking about the JVC again but I still am not sure if I want to up my budget...........I think my brain is going to explode.......

 

[jostenmeat]

Well the deal on the Sony fell through. I can get it somewhere else but not for the price I was told. I am now thinking about the JVC again but I still am not sure if I want to up my budget...........I think my brain is going to explode.......

Yes go with the JVC or Epson. JVC has great reliability; remember sealed light paths means extremely low chance of dust blobs. Open light paths like Pana/Epson means much higher chance. However, Pana is reliable, and Epson has fantastic CS, and arguably provides a better value than JVC. If you ever think of going with an acoustically transparent screen, then that is another notch on the side of JVC for the fill ratio (which makes moire a completely moot point on a weave).

I didn't say anything because I thought you would have read up on what has been said on Sony, via searches, but then once the decision was made, I didn't want to be rude about it. BMX's multiple posts on Sony's rep are very far from dazzling, and if you want simple and pure hatred for Sony, you can look up strube's posts on the brand, albeit the experiences are now rather old.

 

[tcarcio]

Yes go with the JVC or Epson. JVC has great reliability; remember sealed light paths means extremely low chance of dust blobs. Open light paths like Pana/Epson means much higher chance. However, Pana is reliable, and Epson has fantastic CS, and arguably provides a better value than JVC. If you ever think of going with an acoustically transparent screen, then that is another notch on the side of JVC for the fill ratio (which makes moire a completely moot point on a weave).

I didn't say anything because I thought you would have read up on what has been said on Sony, via searches, but then once the decision was made, I didn't want to be rude about it. BMX's multiple posts on Sony's rep are very far from dazzling, and if you want simple and pure hatred for Sony, you can look up strube's posts on the brand, albeit the experiences are now rather old.

Thanks, I am just not sure about the JVC in ambient light and even though I love movies i watch more sports and tv then anything else so I have that to consider and was one of the reasons to look at the Sony because it has more light output. I know the epson beats them all for light but I read they have some lamp problems. Have you heard anything about that yourself?

 

[BMXTRIX]

The lamp issues with the Epsons were limited to a VERY large batch of lamps. When Epson found out about the lamp issue they extended the lamp warranty, and to my knowledge almost everyone who did get a bad lamp got a free replacement from Epson under warranty. That's pretty darn amazing considering what most manufacturers do.

Typically Sony is not a great deal, so if you aren't getting the deal you want, I would look elsewhere.

JVC is great - period. But, I think you really need to consider your usage. The HD250 isn't rated as bright as the Epson 8700 or 8350. The 8700 is a great value product and readily available all over the place. It offers a lot of the balance that I consider of importance in a projector.

When going for the best image along with solid brightness, I think the JVC RS40 is the way to go. It is the projector I would by right now if I could afford it. But, that's a big kicker since it's a significant price jump up from the HD250 and Epson 8700.

If you are thinking of using a projector for 4-5 years and then replacing it with a 'latest and greatest' then I have no qualms in suggesting the 8700 as a great way to go.

For lighting in the room and sports viewing, I have some images up which used the FAR outdated Panasonic PT-L300U projector. Probably 300 lumens or so on a 106" screen.

http://www.avintegrated.com/lighting.html

This doesn't make the decision for you and there really is no 'You gotta use this' projector on the market. That magical 3,000 lumen 50,000:1 contrast ratio, nearly dead silent, with 3D and HDMI 1.4... Yeah, it would be nice.

 

[just-some-guy]

with a projector. when you want ambient light = get small dimable spot lights that aim where you "need" the light.

and do not aim them, in any "way shape or form" at the screen. this includes reflections.

and have a dark front wall.

 

[tcarcio]

Thanks for all your help guy's. BMX that is fantastic info and thanks for taking the time to post it here. I just learned that although I have dimmers on my lighting they do not have any shades on them or cans as to make them more directional and that would help tremendously. Funny that it never even dawned on me to do that. I'm off to the Home depot outlet to see what I can find to fix that problem. Thanks again.

 

[just-some-guy]

my 119" Da-Lite HP 2.8 is mounted 13" out from the front wall.
my projector is said to be among the brightest available.

i have one of those el-cheapo tall thin halogen floor lamps standing the a corner behind the right speaker. even this light, that cannot see the screen, washes the image.

i used to have a 3 light track lighting right above my head on the ceiling, spot light bulbs, aiming straight down. while this did wash the image somewhat. i did get useable light and not a bad image. i recommend you give this a try.

 

[tcarcio]

I don't want to change the lighting if I don't have to, I will see if I can find some shades that will at least cut down on the light going at the screen.

 

[jostenmeat]

Controlling light is everything, speaking in terms of performance. I like to generally offer that for every $25 gallon of flat black paint is like adding $1000 to your projector budget. 4 gallons is like adding $4000 to your projector budget. Just trying to make a point. If the ambient lighting is poor, do not overspend for contrast that you'll never take advantage of.

A tidbit about brightess and its rating. Like many specs in the AV world, brightness is often overstated, and what makes it harder is that some overstate much more than others. Then to make it even harder to know is that some hit close to stated numbers in best/accurate mode, where another "high powered" PJ loses a huge ton of its brightness once it's close to being calibrated.

Therefore, if you are ok with inaccurate colors, you can have more of your brightness. Historically, JVC gives up little to nothing in brightness when calibrated. So if you calibrate a brighter* LCD PJ, it often is less* bright than the JVC with half the stated lumens!! This is not a joke!!

 

[tcarcio]

I know the JVC is the best choice for movies in a light controlled room, which I have, But as I watch more sports and tv then movies I think I am willing to give up more on the movie watching end then in the ambient light sports watching end. That being said I am giving the 8700ub a good look also. I am in no hurry so we will see what happens in the next few day's.

 

[umr]

I know the JVC is the best choice for movies in a light controlled room, which I have, But as I watch more sports and tv then movies I think I am willing to give up more on the movie watching end then in the ambient light sports watching end. That being said I am giving the 8700ub a good look also. I am in no hurry so we will see what happens in the next few day's.

If you want more light output I would look at the H5082 Vivitek unit sold at BB.

http://www.vivitekusa.com/v_display_content_detail.asp?category_id=71&subcategory_id=426&product_id=175&subsubcategory_id=

 

[tcarcio]

It is out of my budget but thanks for mentioning it.

 

[tcarcio]

OK you guy's are going to think I am nuts but I just bought the Sony PRO1. I found a place that gave me a better deal then what I was going to get from the other place and I couldn't resist. I just hope I don't have to deal with their CS......Wish me luck guy's and I will let you all know what I think when I get it up and running. I got it for $2002.00 shipped.

 

[Alex2507]

Wish me luck guys ...
... I got it for $2002.00 shipped.

Sounds like you've hit the luck mother load already.

Maybe with the extra money you'd like to buy some nice appliances for the Mrs.