Critical Must-Have Features in a Front Projector

[timone]

Folks:

I currently have a front projector, an Optoma HD7100, which I purchased less than 3 months ago as my very first projector. I am very happy with it but I am now thinking of replacing it with a full 1080p model. Here are some of my questions:

What are the other features you think I should consider other than the ones I list below in a <3K projector ?

++++ lens shift +++++
++++ noise level +++
++++ black level +++
++++ lumens +++ (what is the absolute minimum?) Viewing distance is 10' -12'

 

[jostenmeat]

What are the other features you think I should consider other than the ones I list below in a <3K projector ?

++++ lens shift +++++
++++ noise level +++
++++ black level +++
++++ lumens +++ (what is the absolute minimum?) Viewing distance is 10' -12'

shift- depends where you mount it. PJ's can lose brightness at either extreme of zoom capability.

noise- personal, and again depending on how far from ears. The pana 2000u is supposed to be very quiet. my PJ is not very quiet. Some people go thru extensive testing in modifying/changin the fan! hah

black level- well, sure! costs more

lumes- depends on size of screen and ambient lighting.

measure sq footage of screen size desired.
Then Lumens divided by SQ Ft = foot lumens
then multiply that by gain of screen. brightness desired is subjective, but I think a lot of people are now going for over 20. Mine is over 20, and I LOVE it.

Realize that these are "paper" measurements. Brightness will most likely go down after calibration. Some want it bright, some want the most accurate colors with all else secondary. GL.

 

[engtaz]

Do you have a BlueRay player because right now that is your only 1080P source. Bandwith problems make broadcasting 1080P unlikely. Led bulbs is my best thing to suggest.

engtaz

 

[BMXTRIX]

LED bulbs don't exist at this time for front projection in any serious capacity.

Beyond the typical, which you've mentioned, I would say that you want a proejctor that has HDMI 1.3 inputs on it. You want to ensure that it accepts 1080p. It should accept 1080p/60 and 1080p/24. It should PROPERLY display 1080p/24 sources and not perform 3:2 pulldown on those sources.

The rest is solid, and has been covered in detail. I also would say that if you look at the reviews right now, the Epson 1080UB is the model to beat at that price point, edging out the Panasonic.

 

[timone]

Do you have a BlueRay player because right now that is your only 1080P source. Bandwith problems make broadcasting 1080P unlikely. Led bulbs is my best thing to suggest.

engtaz

Yes, i do have blu-ray and HD DVD players.

 

[64met]

Having just gone through the projector search myself I can say IMO there is no comparison to the JVC models.... either the RS1x or RS-2. RS1x has a 15,000 to one CR; and the RS-2 30,000 to one.... yes... they cost more but in past electronic purchases I found myself upgrading very soon thereafter. With either of these proj... you should be set for a while.

Also, you need to think about your budget; the ambient light, placement, etc.

Good Luck

 

[timone]

64met:

I dream of owning an RS2. Did you have your unit calibrated? You obviously are happy with what you have. So, what are the must-have features it has that prompted you to own one?

 

[texasbudman]

http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html

your info is a bit skimpy... ck the link above and try projector central to help...

 

[jostenmeat]

64met:

I dream of owning an RS2. Did you have your unit calibrated? You obviously are happy with what you have. So, what are the must-have features it has that prompted you to own one?

If you have that sort of budget, the nutty videophiles would recommend that you wait until CEDIA to see what the new goodies are. And if you have that type of budget, your desired calibration will be a drop in the bucket. For me, it would have been 10% of PJ price...

There are rumors of the RS-3 coming out. Rumors are anything from internal presets for color gamut to improved lens. FWIW, some people would prefer the first improvement.

Since you already hi-jacked your own thread, I'll continue in the same vein. I own the RS-1 (not "x"), and there is definitely some motion blur. I believe while this is perhaps exacerbated by me using 24fps and an enormous screen/viewing angle, I do believe the RS suffers from it. Now, I have seen technical explanations citing that this is not possible, but I am far from the only owner that believes this much.

Still, that being said, you're not going to find many RS owners who do not highly recommend this series. Amazing PJ's...

 

[timone]

Hi jostenmeat,

to stay on topic, what must-have features of RS1 made you purchase it?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Hi jostenmeat,

to stay on topic, what must-have features of RS1 made you purchase it?

There's nothing 'must have' in a projector really, so that's kind of the wrong question.

What makes the RS1 better (and the newer RS2) is that JVC got the black levels to a point where everyone else is playing catch up. You get decent brightness, excellent clarity, no rainbows, and top shelf black levels - and throw in a good zoom range and lens shift capability for versatility in placement and this projector comes out ahead.

Many call the JVC the best projector under $10,000 on the market.

Yet, is it head a shoulders better than the Sony LCoS models? Or is it really a LOT better than the Epson 1080UB? I don't think that's the case. I think it is just 'better' by a little bit overall. And, if your budget allows you that level of quality, then it's a great way to go.

I would certainly put the JVC-RS2 at the top of my buy list, yet my budget pushes me towards the 1080UB personally.

 

[Bluesmoke]

For me it's critical than the Projector isn't a DLP because my eyes and brain process color faster than the color wheels of even 6x DLPs.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hi jostenmeat,

to stay on topic, what must-have features of RS1 made you purchase it?

None.

What BMX said.

which really means that the only priority was picture per $. Period.

I didn't care about shift, because having zero shift is ideal anyways. ESPECIALLY in my setup as I use a retro-reflective screen. Of course, I need to use a bit of vertical shift.

My only complaint is the actual shift mechanism. But this is not a big deal whatsoever in the grand scheme. Anyways, it is manual, and has a bit of play before "catching". You do not know how close you are to either extreme when playing with it either.

I have no need to keep shifting though. I set it once, and leave it be.

I wasn't even considering this PJ due to price. Then all of a sudden I ran into a firesale, and all of a sudden it was in my price range. No brainer, pulled the trigger. I pulled it months in advance of my planned purchase, but the deal I got was one that I could not refuse. (oh when oh when will Godfather be released on BD )

 

[timone]

What makes the RS1 better (and the newer RS2) is that JVC got the black levels to a point where everyone else is playing catch up. You get decent brightness, excellent clarity, no rainbows, and top shelf black levels - and throw in a good zoom range and lens shift capability for versatility in placement and this projector comes out ahead.

black level others play catch up to...
excellent clarity...
decent brightness...

these are qualities/features you would put RS2 at the top of your list. There you go..

 

[64met]

As I did my research and demo of many proj's.... the one thing I kept coming back to was the blacl levels of the JVC! And to be perfectly honest, I was set on the RS1-X until while crusing another forum saw an RS-2 with less than 70 hours of use for under $5k shipped! At this point it was a no brainer.... ordered the RS-2.... And VERY GLAD I DID!

The pic quality is absolutely amazing!!!!

 

[jostenmeat]

black level others play catch up to...
excellent clarity...
decent brightness...

these are qualities/features you would put RS2 at the top of your list. There you go..

FYI, the RS1 is actually brighter than the RS2, AFAIK. OTOH, it doesn't have the same black level/detail.

64met, congrats on your PJ... so you did go JVC after all... and great price btw. (Better than your first searches for RS-1 prices, IIRC)...