Moment of Weakness - Epson Home10+ or Infocus 4805?

[Unregistered]

Holmes theatres

Hi everyone:

I found it in Edmonton for $2399 at Universal Karaoke and they throw in a 100" pull-down screen from a company that I've never heard of (maple or maypole?).

I did contact Holmes theatre in Calgary (infocus put me onto them) who told me that since I was only looking at spending around $5000 and they were busy that it wasn't worth their time to help me. I'm not making this up - they actually said that. Even though they carry the exact same lines that I was looking for at General Audio - Infocus Screenplay projector and paradigm speakers.

Bruce and Rod at General Audio have put together a very nice package for me and have spent at least 3 or 4 hours putting together different options and letting me demo. They came in within $100 of my $5000 budget and only went over because I asked to go to the Paradigm Focus instead of staying with the Titans.

· Infocus SP4805 16:9 native DLP projector.
· P Mount for Projector custom made.

SPEAKERS (all v.3)

· Paradigm Focus Bookshelf/Stand Speaker 1pr)
· Paradigm CC-170 center channel speaker
· Paradigm SM-60R Dual Tweeter (1pr) - ceiling mount (due to WAF unable to mount speakers on ceilings or walls)
· Paradigm PDR-10 subwoofer

RECEIVER
· Harmon Kardon AVR 130 Reciever (5.1 - but room is open to back so perfect)

CD PLAYER
· Newcastle CDC-690T- 5 disc CD player. (wanted 5 disk capability for the bar/theatre - already have a Rotel/B&W 2 channel audio system upstairs)

DVD PLAYER

Panasonic DVD S47S

CABLES (electrician friend is running a 2" pipe for me so will be easy to add new cables)

· Titanium AVT-56 S-VHS 9M. Receiver to projector.
· RG6 coaxial cable 32' X 3 terminated with component.
· AVC 64 Sub Cable 4.5M
· Titanium AVT-51 S-VHS 1m. DVD to Receiver for video
· Titanium AVT-31 Digital Coax 1M. for 5.1 playback
· Titanium AVT-71 Stereo Interconnect 1M. for CD playback
· 16 Ga pure copper speaker wire. 2 conductor.

So General Audio it is. By the way Audiophiles please offer up your opinion, given that I don't have another penny to spend - I will be buying this next week (was going to buy this week but have to wait for the Focus speakers to arrive) so am very interested in what you have to say.

Also the Panasonic is a new model that I've not yet seen, however it does have DVD-audio (no SACD though) - it's going for $159 - again suggestions are welcome.

If you're in Calgary I highly recommend talking to them - after the treatment from Holmes I definitely won't be talking to them again. I went to two or three other places in town as well and IMHO these guys were the best.

Cheers
Gleonard

 

[Yamaman]

Hey Gleonard,

Sounds good! I can't believe Holmes theatre treated you that way ; it will come to haunt them in the end!

I have paradigm speakers myself - mini monitors and titans. I'm saving up for PDR-12 subwoofer- you may want compare this with the PDR-10. Its a bit more expensive of course, but it may be worth it. I've only read that the PDR-10 lacks a bit at the very low end. Ultimately, let your ears decide.

You may want to consider the Pioneer DV-578A (has SACD)- its considered an entry level progressive scan DVD player, but I've read good reviews, video quality is supposed to be excellent-almost on par with benchmark Denon 2200 (i believe thats the model) and the price is right. There should be some threads about this unit on this site.

You may be able to save more on cables- I'm not familiar with the brand you've listed. One thing that I find interesting is that they're selling you RG-6 cable terminated with RCA jacks for component video and not doing the same for the subwoofer cable; buying "subwoofer cable" can be quite expensive- for 4.5M probably over $100.00 is my guess. Decent RG-6 can come in at a mere 25 cents a foot (at least where I buy it).

When I bought my speakers, the saleperson even asked if I wanted slightly flawed (only cosmetic) units. I looked at them, the blemishes were so superficial (can't hardly see) I grabbed them at an unbelievable price. You may want to inquire if they have stock like this.

I hope I didn't complicate your decision, but who knows, if you can lower the cost of cables and possibly the DVD player, you may be able to get the PDR-12.

nuff said,

Good luck, Yama-

 

[Westrock2000]

Have you guys heard anything about the Infocus LP540? Although the X1 and 4805 are pretty popular and a sweet deal, I wonder if the LP540 is better.

It has 3 LCD's instead of one DLP cheap. Are there any benefits over the two configs, or would they be about equal? Also the LP540 runs natively at 1024x768, which is higher than most affordable DLP's. The projector will go in a pretty large room (about 20x20) and the viewing will be about 10' from screen, so I dont know if screen door will really be a problem.

The LP540 has a contrast of 400:1 and a lumens output 1700 (MAX), so not sure how that stacks up.

 

[Unregistered]

Hey Westrock,

Well, being XGA, I'm sure you'll get great resolution. However, this model is more for the corporate setting- presentations and such.

It's native 4:3 mode won't give you full benefits of anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen- you're gonna get the black bands at the top and bottom.

The biggest limitation to this pj is the lack of essential I/Os- namely, component video and DVI; for home theatre, component video is a must in my books (and most other's I would think).

The contrast is OK, but again, for HT viewing, its not going to stand out nearly as much as the 4805. If you have issues with lighting and where your pj will be placed, then an LCD pj is an option- but I would go with another model mainly because of the lack of component video inputs.

Yama-

 

[Unregistered]

Pioneer and cables

Thanks Yama:

I took your advice on the Pioneer - it goes for about $169.99 in town - this has allowed me to have a look for a decent 5 disk CD player to go with it. Also did manage to find some better deals on cables.

The sub cable was only $39.99 but still expensive when you compare that to the 3 x 10 metres of component video for the same price Will definitely have a look at the PDR-12 just might squeeze it in.

I'll have to post in the audiophile section of these forums as I am unable to find too much about the Paradigm SM-60R's. From a WAF point of view they are great, but haven't actually heard them.

Cheers - will have to register now that I'm about to take the big plunge and build the theatre.

Gleonard

 

[Yamaman]

Hi Gleonard,

I'm glad I could help. Saving money here and there to allow you to buy extra things and still stay (more or less) within budget is really great!

Again, good luck on your HT endeavors. Let us know how things go in the end.

Yama-

 

[Unregistered]

Hey Westrock,


The biggest limitation to this pj is the lack of essential I/Os- namely, component video and DVI; for home theatre, component video is a must in my books (and most other's I would think).

Well, if I use the Component to DB15 onnector than it shouldn't be a problem right? Plus you can get DVI to VGA adaptors pretty cheap. But then again I think I remember something about DVI allowing for "extra" data such as copyright management stuff....is this true?? But I don't see why a monitor would care about that sorta thing.

 

[Westrock2000]

Well, if I use the Component to DB15 onnector than it shouldn't be a problem right? Plus you can get DVI to VGA adaptors pretty cheap. But then again I think I remember something about DVI allowing for "extra" data such as copyright management stuff....is this true?? But I don't see why a monitor would care about that sorta thing.

Woops, new computer...that was me.

 

[Yamaman]

Hey Westrock,

I'm far from being an expert on this subject, but your limiting factor would still be the RCA cables. An adapter could be used, granted, but that's all it is, an adapter. And a connector is again, merely a connector. The weak link is still the RCA cable that is carrying the video signal from your DVD or computer. Sure the projector/monitor wouldn't care, but your eyes still may....

There's an interesting debate about this somewhere in the forums- the topic being RCA vs. component- is there really a difference? (or along that line).
It may be in the cables & connectors forum- very interesting reading- beyond my head- but interesting nonetheless.

In the end, its up to you. But if you can, no matter what model/brand you buy, a demonstration would be ideal. Again, let your eyes decide.

 

[RLA]

Hi
The 4805,5700,5000 and 7205 are designed for Home Theater use
they use complex Gama Tables,high contrast and all specifications are based on a D-65k calibration for the 4805 it used the very good dark chip The Infocus LP series is a presentation series designed primary for
presentation The new Screen Play 5000 is one of the best LCD's I have seen to date I was about ready to give up on LCD technology because of VB washout and uniformity on LCDs but the 500 has restored my confidence back in the technology

Happy Viewing
Ray

 

[Yamaman]

.....also, if cash is a major determining factor, then the 4805 provides the best bang for the buck. For me, this was a big factor but I didn't want to sacrifice picture quality.

As RLA stated, the 4805 is designed for HT use; its essentially for all-around entertainment. (TV, Video gaming, movies, etc).

Personally, I wouldn't buy a unit that is geared more for presentations. And I know there are salepeople out there that would try to convince you otherwise.

 

[Tee-HTF]

I have been living with my 4805 for almost a month and love it!

The RBE does not bother me as it do some others. DLP vs LCD's comes down to preference of how one likes their picture to look. My eyes like DLP, it jsut looks more natural to me, LCD can come off as cartoonish. Nothing wrong with LCD picture because it also gives a the display punch, snap you can jump out at you. I have seen some beautiful HT presentations from front LCD pj's. DLP just has my # and i went that route, if anyone is in the market definatly put the 4805 on your short list.

 

[petetherock]

Wallor Screen

Dear All
I am getting the 4805, and coupling it to a Pioneer 520s dvd recorder. I will be renting, so I am hoping to use a simple white wall for the next few months until I get my home, would this be ok and what color is better? White or grey?
THanks
Pete

 

[BMXTRIX]

Pete: White is much better.

Gray screens work because they use a reflective material on top of the gray color. So, light is directed back to viewers instead of absorbed into the gray and contrast is increased.

Renting or not, you can get a screen if you want one. I am using a 106" DaLite screen with my projector in an apartment. It's two bolts in the wall to put it up, so there are no issues with a sceen really.

If you are referring to what type of permanent screen to get, if you can get a permanently tensioned, wall mounted, grey or white screen you will be good. There is info on screen material at www.projectorcentral.com and it is a good read. There are advantages and disadvantages to both white and grey, so the choice most definitely is up to you and depends as much on where the screen will be (light control) and how happy you are with the contrast levels of your projector. Plus, you may upgrade your projector at some point - do you want to buy a new screen as well or just get a good screen from the beginning?

 

[Yamaman]

I'm far from being an expert on this but I read somewhere that with high contrast DLP projectors like the 4805, a grey screen isn't needed because the blacks are actually black; with at least older LCD projectors, a grey screen is helpful, in that it "enhances" the blacks.

 

[petetherock]

White wall

Thanks for the advice, I have rather strict owners in Sydney (thats where I will be till I get home)

So If I could paint ( which might be better for them than holes in the wall) should I go with white?

106" is a bit big, but if I could get a cheap and portable screen (shipping down under is rather expensive) what should I get? And where?

Thanks again

Also how long should I expect my 4805 bulb to last?

Pete

 

[BMXTRIX]

Pete, it would be really surprising if they are against a couple of holes in the wall. I'm not saying they won't have a problem with it, but painting is much more difficult than spackling a couple of holes. You could likely work it so that things fell right on the joists - maybe a 2x2 piece of wood nailed to the wall and the screen hung from that and you just have two slightly larger than picture nail holes in the wall. (a couple of mm)

Now, I keep repeating myself on that, but really, painting is much more a hassle to deal with and won't give you nearly as good of results.

You should check eBay for some screen pricing - you should easily be able to pick up a screen for under $100.00 that you could probably resell when you move out and are ready for a more serious screen. I just checked eBay.com.au and it looks like there are a few that may be of so-so quality that would be perfect for the short term in an apartment. Some even come with a stand, so you wouldn't have to do anything more than set it up and enjoy for the time you are in the apartment.

I paid $100.00 (US) for my screen - just a regular front pull down screen and it works very well for what I paid.

For info on your projector - check this link: http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus_Home-ScreenPlay_4805.htm

It's a recommended projector and looks good for the cash. Read the reviews and details since it is on the way.

106" is not huge, but is way to big for our apartment - it is also a 16x9 screen so it isn't as tall as a 4x3 screen would be.

 

[Yamaman]

Pete,

Not to go above BMXTRIX's advice, because he gives sound advice- but, if your driving force is cash (and lack thereof) and maybe space, you could still try to paint the wall a flat off-white (very slight silver or grey tint) and see how it looks- it may be good enough for your eyes, at least temporarily until you move into a home. Then you can get a larger, decent quality screen or "Goo Systems" paint (or like).

I can see how you can save considerable money by buying 1 or 2 quarts of paint to paint one wall...

I have my projector set up in my newly finished basement. Currrently, I just have one coat of white primer on the walls (gettin tired of painting 1000 sq ft) and the picture quality is still stunning to my eyes- I can't imagine how it would look with a real screen !

 

[gleonard]

101 ways to do a DIY screen

Thought you might find this link useful:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=417641

I am still framing my basement and it is killing me to have my system (SP4805, H/K AVR 135, Newcastle 690T, Pioneer 578, paradigm Focus, PDR10, CC170 & SM-60R's) sitting in boxes - my wife won't let me have a temporary bedroom theatre

I decided to go with a DIY Blackout screen that I found on this site, however I did look at painting a wall initially (especially because it was going to be a brand new wall). This thread shows tons of different options for paint combinations.

Cheers
Gleonard

 

[Yamaman]

Hey Gleonard,

I know exactly how you feel. My wife got mad at me for buying the pj well before the basement was even close to the finishing stages (obviously, she doesn't know what the priorities are )

Even now, with primer on the walls only, I went ahead and installed the pj and set-up the sound system. I was extremely anxious to test everything out- I took as much precaution as I could when I ran all the wires/cables, but you never know....

To my relief, everything turned out as planned!

Now I just need to buy that lazy boy and I guess get the walls painted with a final coat. Right now, however, I'm fighting with my motivation.

-Yama