InFocus SP5000 720p projector?

[jeffreybehr]

I'm in the market for a front-projector/screen system to replace my 50" 4:3 RPTV, an HD-ready Mitsubishi. Its pic looks quite nice (after reconverging it recently) driven by a Denon 2900 'progressive-scan' DVD player. My goal is a bigger (than 39.8" wide) pic with wide-screen movies. (The only full-frame DVDs I have are those very few movies I love that aren't available in WS. I HATE 'P&S'!) I watch little broadcast TV of any kind so I'm not looking for an HD tuner. I expect to buy a hi-def DVD player next year but not until I can get one that'll play both formats PLUS my existing DVDs (if possible). I use the component video connections direct from DVDP to TV.

I keep the light levels quite low usually but sometimes watch in the daytime, and my room has 2 big skylites in it. (See http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vdone&1126390461&read&keyw&zzjeffrey s for pics of my system including the room.) I keep brightness, contrast, and saturation as low as reasonably possible to reduce blooming.

I understand that LCD projectors generally don't 'do blacks' as well as CRT or DLP projectors, but I don't know how important that is to me. IOW, I haven't seen enough in-home projected movies to form an opinion.

I'm considering the entry-level InFocus SP5000 LCD-type, 720p projector which is priced astonishly low at Costco at $1050 with a 2-year warranty, and that includes the standard manual-rollup 73" 16:9 screen that InFocus provides with that package.

Do you think I'll be happy watching 480P images on this 720p projector? Will it be bright enough for occasional daytime use? Any other comments?

 

[RLA]

Hello
Keep in mind that resolution is not everything
You would be better off buying the Infocus 4805 854x480 DLP PJ
over the SP-5000 With a little searching you can find them new around $850Or take a look at the Optoma H-31 DLP from our sponsor Visual Apex
Both will be an improvement over the SP-5000

 

[df4801]

The good thing about costco though is that you can take it back if you dont like it.
For watchhing dvd's, I'd agree with above. But my friend loves their 5000.

 

[jeffreybehr]

RLA,
I accept that a native-480-line projector's pic will look better than a native-720-line projector's pic with a 480P source, but how 'bout comparing to my 50" 4:3 RPTV? Do you think the SP5000's pic projected to, say, about 60" diagonal (4:3) will look as good as my RPTV will look (at 50", of course)?

And there's the issue of future compatibility. I'd expect the native-720-line SP5000's pic will look better with a 720-line source than a native-480-line projector's pic. Do you agree?

Decisions...decisions...

 

[jeffreybehr]

The good thing about Costco though is that you can take it back if you don't like it.
For watching DVDs, I'd agree with above. But my friend loves their 5000.

df, do your friends drive their SP5000 mostly with a 'progressive' DVD player or a hi-def tuner? Are they using IF's included manual-pull 73" screen?

 

[df4801]

they use their 5000 for watching dvd's almost exclusively. But I'm sure it would also look good with HD tv input. Its a bright pj, so if you have any light, that would be a plus for the 5000.
However, if it was me, I dont think I'd get a pj for a 60" picture. You can get a rear projection 60" tv for 2K or so I think. That would be easier to do.
I wouldnt go less than 92" with a pj, but thats just my opinion.

 

[jeffreybehr]

Thx again, df. My 60" number was my guess at the diagonal of a 4:3 image projected about as large as possible on the included 73"-diagonal 16:9 screen.

On a RPTV, I'd need at least a 70"er, and they're large and significantly more expensive than this front-projection system. Besides that, I'm anxious to be rid of that huge box in the middle of my stereo soundstage.

BTW the net cost of this system from Costco including salestax and net of the $300 rebate is only $835, so I THINK I can't go wrong. Of course a ceilingmount and cables will add hundred$, but who's counting?

 

[RLA]

OK
Your choice but the 4805 is a better all around PJ regaurdless of price
If you want more info take a peak at AVS many purchaced the 5000 returned it and now have the 4805 Good thing you are getting it at Costco

 

[jeffreybehr]

OK...what's 'AVS'?

 

[Hi Ho]

AVS Forums

I have seen the SP5000 in action and, while it looked good, I would go for the 4805. Also take a peek at the Sanyo PLV-Z3 and Panasonic AE700U

 

[jeffreybehr]

AVS Forums

I have seen the SP5000 in action and, while it looked good, I would go for the 4805. Also take a peek at the Sanyo PLV-Z3 and Panasonic AE700U

$2500 and $3000; no thx. This is to be an ENTRY-level system.

 

[Hi Ho]

Those are MSRP prices. The street price on those two models is around $1,500. If that's still too high, the Sany PLV-Z2 is a good bet for under $1,000. All are 720p models.