SONYVPLHS51A or Panasonic PT-AE900U

[tico]

First post.

I'm ready to buy a FP and I like what I have read about the two above. I can afford both.

My home theater room is really a game room the size is 18x19 and it is light controlled. The projector is going to be installed in the back wall and is going to be used only for special GTG and especially to watch the soccer world cup.

Is the sony worth the extra $$$? Why?

Where can I find information regarding the after-sale support and TCO for these two FP?

Attaching link with picture of what I am trying to accomplish

http://www.pooltablesusa.com/xq/ASP/cat.pool-tables-and-game-room-furniture/cat.cohiba-collections/CategoryID.22/qx/CategoryProductListCollections.html


TIA

 

[wilkenboy]

If you really want that much ambient light in the room during regular watching I'd highly suggest you go with whichever is the higher lumen projector.

I have the 900u and I love it even with ambient light. But I love it much more with the lights off. With that much light in the room your black levels and contrast ratio are going to be toast.

~Josh

 

[Bryce_H]

I just got the Epson 550 it is very adaptable in terms of ambient light. And the picture is great. I would look into it. Here are some reviews and Home Theater Magazine just did a review of it.

Projector Reviews

Projector Central

 

[cthomp]

Another One

The Sony and the Panny are both very good units with very favorable reviews. It is hard to beat the current deal on the Panny. $400 rebate and $300 in Blockbuster coupons. I have seen the Sony in operation, and I was very impressed. Stunning picture quality! I am also having a hard time deciding which one to buy!

Another projector you may want to consider is the Optoma HD72. The
HD72 is a very bright unit, and should work good even with some ambient
light present. Read the review at www.projectorreviews.com

If you can't see them in action, all you can really do is read the reviews and also consider: dealer, mfg warranty, lamp life, support, and which one would best fit your requirement. Good luck!

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would go with the Panny or the Z4 - both of which I would consider comparible to the Sony. If I were to spend more cash I would go with a DLP or perhaps the Epson which can deliver a bit more light output.

NOTE: The images you linked to have been Photoshopped. No projector delivers that solid of colors with that much light on in the room. It has been toned down a bit, but like the photo below - it's all about Photoshop. One of the images the crop in from the 'lights out' photo is pretty clear on the border.

You need to look at your throw distance and what is actually possible with whatever projector you want to purchase. Rear wall mounting is physically only possible with some projectors in the right conditions and the AE900 and Z4 are ahead of the game on this.

There are some projectors that can really deliver more in ambient light, but you have to have the budget for them. The other option would be to go with rear projection if the basement allows for it.

NOT POSSIBLE:

 

[thxgoon]

I went through the same senario about 2 months ago and ended up with the AE700U out of budget considerations. I've seen the Sony and think the picture is georgous. I can't comment compared to the 900U but the picture has more accurate colors and deeper blacks in my opinion than the 700u. The only setback is the screen door effect on the Sony wich was also a major consideration. If SDE and price don't bother you.... Sony.

 

[tico]

sony wins

Sony wins. I just bought the sony projector. While in the store I saw in accion the Sharp XV-Z2000 and I almost changed my mind.

Anyway thank you .

 

[cthomp]

Sharp

Has anybody seen reviews for the Sharp XV-Z2000

 

[Preetu]

The XV-Z2000 is made of widescreen display and it can also handle HDTV resolution. It’s DVI port accepts RGB signals from PCs via DVI or VGA….where as the RS232 port enables you to control the projector from a PC’s serial connection.....check out http://www.inods.com and http://www.digitalhomemag.com for some interesting reviews........

 

[df4801]

Tico,
If you plan on using the sony with lights on.....

Lets us know what you get after you return it.

 

[tico]

Tico,
If you plan on using the sony with lights on.....

Lets us know what you get after you return it.

LOL sure.

I havent install it yet but I played with it a little bit and -dude! I am not going to return it. I love it. The picture is great out of the box, now I cant image how it is going to be once it is properly calibrated. We saw The Incredibles and it was amazing. Again I havent even installed my 120" screen so the picture we saw was projected in a wall in a room with some lights on.

Sound and Vision magazine says that this projector is The Lamborghini of LCD projectors. Now I can see why

When I went to the store I saw this projector and sharp XV-Z2000 with all the lights on and sony was much better than the sharp. So I now what to expect from the projector when lights are on


Once the room is finished and correctly setup I am going post pictures of my room with the projector in action while we play pool.
Thanks

 

[df4801]

I am glad you like it.

But on a 1.0 gain screen, you get 11 ft-L at 120".
Add in some wear on the bulb, and in less than a month you are under 10 ft-L.
Add some lights to the room, and......

Like I said before, let us know what you get next.

Unless you are going with a high gain screen, then you may be OK. But then again, those dont work well with ambient lights, unless you get the DNP supernova at over $3K.

Sorry for being so negative, and I hope you prove me wrong. But I see too many people complaining about their pj, when they didnt do their homework before buying.

"I cant image how it is going to be once it is properly calibrated"
The answer is....dimmer.

 

[tico]

Sorry for being so negative,

Dont worry man, you are doing what you can to help me. But now that you have said that I didnt do my homework. Whats your recommendation? In your opinion what should I have done different? BTW, which PJ and screen do you have? I saw you have a large room.


The main reason I bought my sony projector is to watch the soccer worldcup in a big screen since I cant go to Germany. And I am more than sure that this projector is going do a good job. You know it isnt a 20k+ PJ. It is just a 3k one.

To watch regular TV I have a 50" Elite plasma TV mounted in this piece of furniture
http://www.hookerfurniture.com/catalog.cfm?inc=cats&level=4&topCatID=9&parentID=317&gParentID=260&item=108-55-021


Thanks.

 

[df4801]

Dont get me wrong. The sony is a great unit.
But their lumens is usually on the low side.
Advertised lumens are just that. Advertising.

For watching sports with the lights on. You need lumens!
Not high contrast. The contrast will get washed out with the lights anyway.
Infocus, epson, canon and some others make "bright" pj's. These are much better for sports with the lights on, IMO.

example... http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&utm_source=PriceGrabber&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CNRSX50&sku=CNRSX50

For nightime movie viewing, the sony is probably better. But thats not what you wanted this for.
You may want to check out the da-lite high power screen. Lots of gain. But I dont know how well it handles ambient light. The supernova screen handles ambient light very well, but very pricey.

I have a sharp 12000 with a firehawk screen. Great contrast, great for movies at night. Not good for daytime sports.

Hope that helps.

 

[RLA]

When I went to the store I saw this projector and sharp XV-Z2000 with all the lights on and sony was much better than the sharp. So I now what to expect from the projector when lights are on

The reason the Sony looked brighter is because they most likely had the dynamic iris on the sharp set to high contrast instead of high brightness

Having installed both, IMOHO the Sharp is the better PJ of the two when calibrated to D-65k

If you are looking for a new PJ you should check out the new Optoma H-72
@ $1999 MSRP. We have this projector on loan from Projector People We have only had it for a couple of days and have not had the opportunity to put it through our rigorous testing but so far we are most pleased with what we see.

http://www.projectorpeople.com/hometheater/projdtls.asp?itemid=20490&itmname=Optoma HD72