Help me find a projector please

[haastyle]

Hi guys,
I am in need of selecting and purchasing a projector. I have a budget of about $3000 on the projector. It needs to be ceiling mounted. I have the wiring done for it already through the walls, it's component cables. So could you guys help me figure something out, I don't know what brands are good and what not. I would like it to have 720p native, and be able to do 1080p if possible. It will be mainly used for movies, tv and sometimes video games. From what i have seen I would probably want a DLP projector, but I am not positive.
Thanks guys!
Haas

 

[BMXTRIX]

Haas - There are many great projector reviews right up on this site as well as info at ProjectorCentral.com which are worth reading. Some things to note.

1. Your budget is in line with a 720p DLP model.

2. A 720p projector displays everything at 720p, so 1080p simply does not matter to you. Really. Look for a good 720p projector and completely ignore 1080p. If you care about 1080p, then save up some more cash and get a 1080p projector. They are expected to be under $5K next year.

3. The InFocus IN76 and Optoma HD72 are definitely models I would put near top of the list.

Of course, without knowing your lighting conditions, screen size, viewing distance, etc. it isn't that straightforward of an answer. As well, I am hoping you have not drywalled in your wires without running the requisite HDMI cable, composite video cable, and perhaps a piece of CAT-5 for control later on. ???

 

[JaceTheAce]

If your budget is $3000 you can pick up a used Sony G70 or Electrohome Marquee 9500 CRT projector that will blow away ANY DLP or LCD projector available on the market today, and last a 10 times as longer than those disposable digital projectors.

 

[Rob Babcock]

It's a shame, in a way, that you're limited to component cables (if I'm reading you correctly). Component will give you a great picture, but now that HDMI is widespread it would be nice to be able to use it. Especially since your budget allows you to pick from some very good PJs.

Which model is best for you will depend upon many factors:

1) Will the PJ be used in ambient light or in a light controlled theater?
2) What are you room dimensions? How high is the ceiling? How far back must the PJ be mounted?
3) What size screen do you want?
4) How many seats will you have and where will they be located?
5) What do you plan to watch? Are you interested in HD? Do you have local HDTV?

 

[Rob Babcock]

BTW, my first "disposable" digital PJ was a Plus Piano. Five years later and it's still running strong in my brothers theater rig.

 

[BMXTRIX]

If your budget is $3000 you can pick up a used Sony G70 or Electrohome Marquee 9500 CRT projector that will blow away ANY DLP or LCD projector available on the market today, and last a 10 times as longer than those disposable digital projectors.

...and all you need is a RGBHV feed and don't hope for HDMI to it... and if you are fully ISF trained that'll help with the setup. Oh, and you better have those wires pulled 100% perfectly where you need them. And you better enjoy tweaking the projector every 30 days to get it back into perfect alignment... oh, and not a drop of light in the room - ever - or the picture will be washed out.

Really, I owned a Marquee 8000 projector, and CRT does look great, but I wouldn't trade my LCD projector which I replaced that CRT with over 3 years ago for it again no matter what. Far less hassles and headaches with digital projectors vs. CRT monsters... errr... I mean, models. I have nothing against those that love CRT, but it is a long way from a simple solid solution. You better be ready for all the hassles that CRT brings with it if you ever plan to buy one. I personally couldn't stand it and moving on to digital was the best decision I ever went with... personally.

 

[haastyle]

hey guys,
Thanks alot for your input. I do wish I could run some HDMI cables through the wall, but if i am to use HDMI I will probably have to run it up along the wall. I had told the guys doing all the construction in my house not to close of the area where I have a shelf system, but they closed it off. Only access from the front, not the side and front like i wanted. The good thing is that it is not too far from where the reciever and such will be to the projector. Again thanks for all your help!
Haas

 

[haastyle]

hey again,
What are some LCD projectors that can compete with those two also? I saw that Sanyo was coming out with the PLV-Z5. I had read some reviews on the z4 and they look great. So i was wondering if this new z5 could be a contender?
Thanks again
Haas

 

[Rob Babcock]

Definately there'll be some sweet new PJs after CEDIA. One minor thing to keep in mind if you plan on waiting- the current gen of PJs are a known quantity, but if you are one of the first buyers of a new model its flaws and quirks will be unknown. For that reason it can be a good idea to wait a couple months to see what the early adopters have to say about a peice.

That said, the Sanyo PLV-Z5 will probably be a very nice PJ. Presumably Panasonic will have a successor to their very popular PT-AE900U, too; and one would imagine it will build upon that unit's strengths. Mitsubishi will display a 1080P LCD model at CEDIA, and we should know the MSRP shortly.

The general concensus is that DLP has a bit better black levels than LCD. If you have a light controlled room you may see some difference. Each technology has it's strengths and weaknesses. I like DLP but I can't see RBE. I wouldn't rule out LCD, but I generally would go with DLP for my own rig.

At the moment an LCD PJ might be a little easier to set up. For whatever reason, DLP models tend not to have physical lense shift nor 2:1 optical zooms as is fairly common on LCD projectors. This makes them a bit more challenging to set up for some people.

 

[JaceTheAce]

OMG, all you have to do is buy an HDMI/DVI to RGBHV (or component to RGBHV) transcoder and take 30 minutes to learn how to converge the tubes! I am no ISF trained technician, in fact I have minimal electronics experience, yet I was able to learn how to properly set up the PJ in 30 minutes, mainly due to the fact that I read a lot about them before hand.

And who leaves lights on anyway when watching a movie? I like it pitch dark. Plus, there are plenty of CRT projectors out there that are almost as bright as a digital. Plus, for the exponential improvements in picture quality over a digital, I'd much rather have a picture that is 10 times as better than a digital.

The thing rarely needs to be tweaked - maybe once a month with minor adjustments. All I do is turn it on and it's ready to go. For $150 and 1080i capable, I think I have most $3000 digital projectors beat in terms of picture quality and value for the money

And I wish I had your Marquee 8000!

But in the end it all boils down to personal preference and what sacrifices and trade offs you are willing to take. Will it be poor image quality for a tiny projector, or the most film-like image quality for a big bulky and EXTREMELY reliable CRT beast?

...and all you need is a RGBHV feed and don't hope for HDMI to it... and if you are fully ISF trained that'll help with the setup. Oh, and you better have those wires pulled 100% perfectly where you need them. And you better enjoy tweaking the projector every 30 days to get it back into perfect alignment... oh, and not a drop of light in the room - ever - or the picture will be washed out.

Really, I owned a Marquee 8000 projector, and CRT does look great, but I wouldn't trade my LCD projector which I replaced that CRT with over 3 years ago for it again no matter what. Far less hassles and headaches with digital projectors vs. CRT monsters... errr... I mean, models. I have nothing against those that love CRT, but it is a long way from a simple solid solution. You better be ready for all the hassles that CRT brings with it if you ever plan to buy one. I personally couldn't stand it and moving on to digital was the best decision I ever went with... personally.