Another projector question

[superman180]

I have started my search for a budget projector to use in a home theater setup. I have read some reviews and think I have narrowed my choices down to the InFocus ScreenPlay 4805 Projector or the Optoma H31 Projector. I am not overly concerned with HD but I would like a projector to reproduce current DVDs to there full potential. Will that be possible with one of these projectors? I currently have a Panasonic HD television that I only watch DVDs on, so as long as I can get the same picture quality for one of these units I will be more than happy. Also I am looking at around a 60 to 70" diagonal screen if that makes any difference. Forgive me for my ignorance; I really don't understand video reproduction very well. Until I started reading up on this I thought all DVD’s were high definition.

 

[brian32672]

They both will do 480p. Which would be the highest from a standard dvd player. The have for the most part the same specs as far as resolution. The main dif. would be, I believe the H31 has a higher lumen output. Which, if ambient light is even a small issue. Then the higher lumen would be better. Both should be fine in most regards. So IMO, the most point between the 2 would be what price you could get it for.

Unless, you have a inkling to a liking of a specific manufacture. Both should serve a entry level home theater very well. And once its all set-up, I am sure you will be happy with the results.

 

[brian32672]

OOPS my bad, but not really. The 4805 claims a 2000:1 contrast, and the H31 claims a 3000:1 contrast. But lab tests in all manufactures are different, and there is no real standard. Being they both have the same exact HD Dark Chip 2. There would be slight differences in the iris, but I have read many reports of claims of contrast.

I have seen a DC3 claim as low as 3000:1 and a Yamaha DC3 claims a 5000:1 using the same chip.

A higher contrast is a good thing to have, but there are to many lab factors that claim differences. Sim 2 is way underated in their contrast using superior optics, over some of the competition that claims higher numbers with the same chip, and optics that are good or equal to the Sim2's.

So once again, IMO the 2 projectors, are very alike. And you are sure not to go wrong with either.

 

[Doug917]

superman180,

I haven't seen the Optima, but I can tell you the Infocus does wonders. I've been using it for about a year now and it is awesome. The colors it produces would be very hard to beat in the same price range, especially since it can be found for ~ $800 these days. The deinterlacing on the 4805 is top notch at its price level.

 

[mcwilson]

InFocus is great.

Have you had a chance to demo either one of these projectors? I reccomend it if its possible. You can't go wrong with the InFocus. I got the 7205, and couldn't be happier. Movies are great!

As a previous poster stated, light control is very important. That's true with just about any projector/screen combination.

Anyway, my vote is for the InFocus. Both brands have good reps, but I'm getting close to 1500 hours in the first year of viewing with my InFocus, and haven't had any issues. Setup was a breeze, even for a novice like me.

Mounting is very important. If you mount properly, you shouldn't have any keystone issues.

Enjoy!