totally confused. want a good entry level projector

[Dinkar Rai]

the NEC comes with a lens that converts it to 16:9. in that case both the projectors are 16:9. hence now which one should be chosen over the other (NEC1100 vs Optoma H57) as both are more or less at the same price.

 

[brian32672]

the NEC comes with a lens that converts it to 16:9. in that case both the projectors are 16:9. hence now which one should be chosen over the other (NEC1100 vs Optoma H57) as both are more or less at the same price.

The lens does not come with unit. It must be purchased seperately.

 

[Dinkar Rai]

now there is an offer for the lens which is bundled along with the unit. i checked out a thread at projectorcentral.com. it is a bundled offer. has anyone used or demoed both the projectors? i need a 120 inch diagonal image. 90% of my viewing will be DVD and 10% normal TV. there is no HDTV in india and i dont see it coming for a long time.

 

[brian32672]

Well if you go to projectorcentral.com their list for budget projectors are these.

The top five ranked for this budget are.

1. Panasonic PT-AE700U (which is over your price range)
2. Optoma H31 (which is in your range)
3. NEC HT1100 (which is the one in question, and that you are asking about)
4. InFocus ScreenPlay 4805 (which is not a bad unit, but I think the HT1100 would be better, and so does projectorcentral)
5. Sanyo PLV-Z3 (which is higher and does not have the contrast of the HT100)

 

[BMXTRIX]

That list is based upon popularity for viewing through the website and is not based upon recommendations of the website itself. Strictly speaking, it is a poplularity contest instead of a top 5 list of quality projectors.

 

[brian32672]

That list is based upon popularity for viewing through the website and is not based upon recommendations of the website itself. Strictly speaking, it is a poplularity contest instead of a top 5 list of quality projectors.

Ok, well noted. So I decided to see what an editor at projectorcentral.com had to say about the HT1100. And here is a link to his review. There is also an original review....

Granted the guy is stuck on one of the 2 PJ's and IMO, I would go for the 1100 over the 57.

Link below......
http://www.projectorcentral.com/nec_ht1100_update.htm

 

[westcott]

Cart before the horse

I was looking for a projector and on paper, I was going to go with a DLP projector.

But, after taking my wife down to the home theater "boutique" using premium Ronco equipment among others, my wife and I both determined that we could not tolerate viewing a DLP projector (headaches and even the sensation of motion sickness).

I bought the Panasonic AE700u instead of the NEC HT1100 which for the difference in price, there was very little difference in picture quality.

If you have spent a lot of time in front of DLP and you are not concerned that anyone else may be put off by its visual effects on some, then all the advice given up to this point can be considered.

 

[brian32672]

I was looking for a projector and on paper, I was going to go with a DLP projector.

But, after taking my wife down to the home theater "boutique" using premium Ronco equipment among others, my wife and I both determined that we could not tolerate viewing a DLP projector (headaches and even the sensation of motion sickness).

If you have spent a lot of time in front of DLP and you are not concerned that anyone else may be put off by its visual effects on some, then all the advice given up to this point can be considered.

This has been noted in other posts. Just not this thread.
There are some that will have a sensitivity to a DLP projector.
The Runco's you are speaking of use a 5x speed color wheel, and should be even better for people who are sensitive to the RBE.

I myself or any of my family do not have this issue. Even on a 2x wheel, I have at this point never seen a RBE. At the moment the PJ I am using is a 4x wheel.

This is an issue with about 20% of people who watch a DLP. And should be a concern with the original poster. It may be wise, to audition a DLP PJ. And see if you are or are not immune to RBE (Rainbow Effect).

The issue with a LCD, will be the SDE (Screen Door Effect) which I have seen.
And was the considering factor when I went with a DLP.

 

[Dinkar Rai]

Brian

i compared the Panasonic AE700 alongside the Optoma H27. i felt the panny was brighter but had grains whereas the H27 was smoother but very dull. hence i decided that DLP was the way to go. my budget is $2000. i have zeroed down to the NEC1100 or the H57. you said that you would go for the 1100. any specific reason since it does not have the new dark chip or this dark chip is actually not very critical

thanks for all ur help.

 

[brian32672]

Brian

i compared the Panasonic AE700 alongside the Optoma H27. i felt the panny was brighter but had grains whereas the H27 was smoother but very dull. hence i decided that DLP was the way to go. my budget is $2000. i have zeroed down to the NEC1100 or the H57. you said that you would go for the 1100. any specific reason since it does not have the new dark chip or this dark chip is actually not very critical

thanks for all ur help.

Mainly because of my dealings with Optoma. Would I buy another Optoma, probably not. Unless it was considerably discounted and had features I wanted. If I was going to pay a normal price, then I would look elsewhere. Is this saying you will have a bad expierence with Optoma, NO I am not saying that.

Also my reasoning lays behind I have much more material in 4:3. And I tend to get a lot of TV shows on DVD.

Another is , (and I am by no means the only one saying this) That Optoma's claims on their contrast and lumens are without a doubt inflated. Another poster in another forum, (more for video) stated the same claims I had. As they had tested the new Optoma 78DC3 and the 79 with a cliamed lumen output of 1000. It was hitting 575 lumens. To where as Sharp, NEC, and others- Are much closer to their actual specs.

The NEC you are looking at, has a claimed higher 3500:1 contrast ratio. The Optoma's 3000:1. Which one do I think is closer to their actual spec. Well I would not say Optoma.

These are factors I knew when I got my 3 Optoma's. And I will say live and learn. Granted without an audition, it would be hard to say an exact one to pick. But for the reasons above, I would choose the NEC.

Surely out of the 2 PJ's you would not go wrong. They both should bring enjoyment into your home.

 

[brian32672]

Also I hate to through another in the mix.
But this one has the larger .8 HD2+ DMD chip, a 5x wheel.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-PE7700.htm
It has gotten decent reviews.

And is close to your price range.
http://www.projectionguys.com/product.cfm?id=33

 

[brian32672]

Here are a couple I am looking at. They are super high priced. But may be the ones I have to get for my 4:3 material. The first has a DarkChip3.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectiondesign-10K.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectiondesign-F3_XGA.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/NEC-WT610.htm

And of course for a backup PJ, I am looking at the one in question.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/NEC-HT1100.htm