how bad is the screendoor effect on newer lcd's from say about 12 feet away. Even dlp has some effect, but I can't see it from 12 feet away.
Interpixel gap or the so-called screen door effect, should be visible on all projectors if you get close enough. DLP provides the least amount of interpixel gap of any front projection technology I believe (LCoS may best it), but LCD is really darn close. In prior years (a decade ago) this was a talking point. It was just simple reality that LCD could often have visible screen door effect, and the better the LCD was, the sharper it was, the more this was visible. But, that was then, this is now. Epson has worked very hard to develop new LCD chips (used by Panasonic and Sony I believe) which have much tighter interpixel gap and reduce the screen door effect to the point where it would be hard to distinguish from DLP.
So, it is no longer a talking point.
I want to know whether a dlp projector like my 2500/1 contrast has better blacks than an lcd with 600,000/1 contrast. why are lcd projectors rating their contrast at crazy numbers like 600,000/1 when dlp's are at tops 10,000/1 but dlp's are still supposedly having better blacks. Is that true?
Don't confuse on/off contrast with black levels and shadow detail. Contrast is measurable, black levels and shadow detail requires reviews and careful testing and analysis. But, LCD mid-level products tend to be better than the cheap DLP projectors. A Panasonic AE8000 will typically outperform a cheaper DLP unit. But, the gap between cheap and expensive is dwindling. In fact, even a decade ago, the difference wasn't huge.
On the other hand, the LCoS projectors tend to remain king in this area and will best your DLP and the LCD models (Epson 5030/Panasonic AE8000).
Also, how bad or good is convergence on lcd projectors? on single chip dlp's there is no issue.
Most are pretty good, some are off by a bit. The better LCDs offer pixel shift functionality to align the chips. DLP single chip models still seem to have some issues which I believe are related to the way the different colors bend as they pass through the lens. Still, most are sufficiently sharp.
how to find the spec the lag on projectors, for gaming purposes. Is one better than the other as far as dlp vs lcd, or are they just model specific?
Reviews are the only way to get this number, and generally DLP has outperformed LCD on this.
My budget is up to around $3000 hence posting in this part of the forum. So....JVC although kick *** from what I read is most likely out of my budget.
The JVC RS46 is certainly in your budget at about $2,600 or so and would be my first choice, but I don't game and I'm not aware of the lag on that model.
I did read how different companies change specs to sound good, so my biggest fear is that I already have a better projector now than what is being put out there for under $3000. Mine is about 10 years old, a sharp xv-z2000 dlp projector spec rated at 1200 lumens and 2500/1 contrast, 5x color wheel.
If you like DLP, then sticking with DLP is not a bad way to go. But, there are solid improvements in the technologies over the last ten years. Solid improvements, which are noticeable, but I truly believe that if you are happy with what you have, there is no requirement to go for the upgrade and solid improvements is all relative to your demand for improvement.
I feel that I could have a brighter picture, deeper blacks, and maybe if I'm lucky faster for gaming although that is not paramount to the overall picture.
I'm not sure if the JVC models are brighter, but they have the punchiest contrast with great black levels of any projector I've seen. The better LCDs will best the cheap DLP models for black levels and placement flexibility, but not much else. DLP is certainly the bang for the buck product out there.
My biggest issue with DLP is that they rule the entry level market and have completely failed to deliver in the mid-level market as a talking point. Almost none of them have good lens shift and zoom. Most don't have very good optics. Most don't have an active iris or strive for best in class black levels.
I will say that I completely disagree with the prior poster who said DLP isn't going to be around that much longer. It simply isn't supported by what manufacturers are delivering. Pico and micro projectors are predominantly DLP, and certain companies are moving out of the LCD game altogether. Panasonic failed to update their LCD model this year and are rumored to be getting out of the consumer projector market. (!!!) That will leave Epson as about the only LCD option.
LCoS technologies don't seem to be delivering the low price options which can make them more competitive, so that will leave DLP as the entry level home theater solution for years to come.
