Display choices - 70" LCOS or 96"+ front projection?

[crewst]

I'm trying to decide what to get for a dedicated HT room (full light control) TV. I have seen the JVC D-ILA/LCOS (saw the 720p version, really nice picture), Sony's 60" SXRD, various plasmas, LCDs, and have started looking at front projection.

The leading choice is the 70" JVC (HD-70FH96 1080p), however the size benefits of a front projector keeps me from going with the JVC at this point. If I go with front projection, I'll get only 720p. I'm not sure if I'll really notice the lower resolution though. The 720p JVC we saw in the AV store had a DVD feed, but no HD feed.

The HT room will either be 25'x14'x8' (I have to sort out some potential architectural restrictions to expand this room to a rectangle of that size) or 19'x12'x8'. I would much prefer the larger room, which is in the basement. I'll be putting in a floating floor, some acoustic treatments, 2 rows of seats (2 front 3 rear) etc... but my concern at the moment is which display to choose... a front projector or the JVC LCOS. I love the idea of a 96"+ screen in the basement, but I don't want the display to limit my picture quality from a HD feed (cable or dish, with HD-DVD or Blue-ray when that mess is sorted out). I don't know at the moment what resolution Comcast and the dishes would give me for HD.

If I stick with a 1080p-able display, the JVC 70" D-ILA/LCOS is my choice most likely.

I would appreciate some advice about my display choices.

thank you in advance

 

[BMXTRIX]

1. Your cable/dish HD options will be 1080i or 720p.
2. The JVC I am not aware of actually accepting 1080p signals - it just accepts 1080i/720p/480p/480i
3. If your room is light controlled, you get no added benefit on the light engine side with the JVC. Both front projection and rear projection will be comparible.

I am a big fan of front projection under the right circumstances - and man, you have the right circumstances! While 1080p front projectors may not be in your budget yet, most HD projectors will look phenomenal with a 100" - 120" screen diagonal. Really - pick one... Z4, AE900, HD72, IN76... they are all awesome.

Why should you consider the JVC? If I were to give any single reason to go with the JVC it would be because you can move it to another room of the house when 1080p front projection becomes a bit more affordable and in more locations. So, you could get the JVC, use it for 1-2 years in the basement. Then, get a killer 1080p front projector and actually turn the basement into a home theater.

No matter what you do in a room - it isn't home theater until the screen is 92" diagonal or more.

 

[MikeSp]

I am also studying a FP vs. a rear projector and have pretty well decided upon a rear projector for my new HT room (actually, would then be a media room) because there is zero WAF in my house in watching TV or movies at home in a near totally dark room--SWMBO* and I both like to read when watching TV or during some movies. About any light falling on the FP screen competes with the light from the projector reducing blacks and contrast.

(*SWMBO = She Who Must Be Obeyed)

In rear projectors, it is my understanding that a 70 inch JVC will be available later this year that has an LED light engine with a 20,000 to 50,000 hour capability. I believe it was Sanyo that has developed for future sales, a FP with an LED light engine that is guaranteed for life. I point this out, because replacement bulbs must be factored into the overhead costs of running either a rear or FP and at $300 a pop for 2000-3000 hours that is often the case for a FP and perhaps double that for a rear projector, that equates to a substantial expense if you keep your display like I have my 18 year old rear projector that is due for replacement.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

MikeSp

 

[df4801]

For that size room, I say go 100" at least.
Front projection for sure.

 

[BMXTRIX]

...SWMBO* and I both like to read when watching TV or during some movies. About any light falling on the FP screen competes with the light from the projector reducing blacks and contrast.

Mike - FYI - If recessed lights are properly used in your room you can pump a LOT of light into a room before it seriously affects a front projection setup. I have 5 60 watt lamps that I can turn on full power but because they are recessed, and directly above the couch, no light spills directly on the screen and this leaves things very viewable. Oh, and 300 watts is way more than I need for reading.

So, about half power which leaves the image on screen stunning and the ability to read in full force. The key is using well recessed lights, right above the couch. I wouldn't want you to miss out just because of a small detail like that - if you hadn't considered it already.

My wife has no issues with about any of our setups. As long as they work and are easy... she's fine with whatever. Once again... if you are planning on doing a lot of reading instead of movie watching in the media room... well, front projection may definitely not be for you. When a movie comes on in our home the entire family is typically watching with full interest.

 

[crewst]

I was in an A/V store again today viewing a Mitsubishi (I think) HC3000 and a Dwin Transvision 4. The Dwin had a clearer, brighter, higher contrast image, and of the two is my pick.

I was lookin for "rainbow effect" on the Dwin, and saw it when moving my eyes back and forth across the screen. I also got a headache afterwards, and started reading up on DLP and these problems. Supposedly, 3-chip DLP eliminates both problems. The Dwin has DarkChip 2. Can someone tell me what front projectors should eliminate the rainbow and headache problems that this one gives me, with a similar (or better) image? (contrast, brightness, clarity in particular since I noticed them as an improvement over the lower cost HC3000)

I have seen the Panasonic AE900U mentioned many times, and have previously read reviews on it. How would this compare with the Dwin? Perhaps a better option, what difference would I see if I stepped up to the Yamaha DPX-1300 (has DarkChip 3)? Is it likely to have the headache/rainbow problems? MSRP is over 12k, but the real price is within my expected range. Having just read a review on the Sony VPL-VW100 SXRD, I'll throw that in the mix as well, though I'd have to deal with convergence. It'd give me a 1080p display, though per the review (http://www.ultimateavmag.com/videoprojectors/206sony2/) the scalar on the Yamaha gives it a better image?? This is definately something I'd appreciate some input on, as I'm very newly into projectors.

Thank you for your help (again)!

 

[BMXTRIX]

If you are in the $10K budget, then get the Sony VPL-100 or a Sim2 3-chip DLP model. I personally would go for the Sony if budget allowed. If you are rainbow prone, then ALL single chip DLP projectors will have the tendency to bug you. Sim2, InFocus, and other higher end companies make 3-chip DLP projectors. Yet, that all cost more (a fair bit more) than that Sony.

The Panasonic AE900 and the Sanyo Z4 are WAY less money and if you like their quality, then they are steals for what you get. If my budget afforded me the Sony, that's where I would go. But, my budget doesn't right now, so I would get the Z4 (personally).

 

[MikeSp]

BMXTRIX -- thanks for the heads-up on the lighting -- I thought that it was not possible to be able to read AND watch the image from a front projector. It was my original plan to incorporate canned/recessed lighting and I even have that lighting circuit wired to a remote controlled dimmer switch, so I will rethink my decision that a FP is out. THANKS!!

(I have to be REAL careful regarding SWMBO's requirements)

MikeSp