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[Leguna]

I'm looking to buy one of the three by the end of this year. I have a great room to use as my theater/entertainment room. I want a BIG picture (bigger the better), but if the quality is going to hurt then I'd rather have smaller. What would you experts recommend if I'm willing to spend about $1000?

So far this is how I compare them:

HDTV:

-Sony WEGA FD Trinitron 32" HD-Ready Flat-Tube TV
-$999.99

HDTV Protector:

-RCA 52" Widescreen HD-Ready Rear-Projection TV w/Syncroscan Component Input D52W25 1080i
-$1199.99

Protector:

-Toshiba SVGA DMD DLP Projector TDP-S25U
-Portable, weighs 6.6 lbs.; 800 x 600 resolution; 1800 lumens; 2000:1 contrast ratio; 1.6 - 1.94:1 throw ratio range
-$999.99
-Optoma - 72" Panoview 4:3 Wall Screen for $99.99

My biggest question is how do these types of HDs visually compare? What does "HD Ready" really mean?

 

[Hooker]

Projector (every new projector is HDTV ready)

http://www.avsforum.com/

 

[mrmyth]

The projector you listed is not HD. Also, view a DLP projector before you buy one - some people see the colors separate into rainbows and end up with headaches while watching DLP.

I know you want a big picture, but if you want true HD at your budget, go for the projection TV.

HD Ready means 'buy your own goddamm tuner'.

 

[levious]

The projector you listed is not HD. Also, view a DLP projector before you buy one - some people see the colors separate into rainbows and end up with headaches while watching DLP..

especially on a projector... I never minded the rainbow effect on a normal ~60 inch screen, but when the image is over 100 inches it can become much more apparent. Also, if you're watching something subtitled (where you have to continually look up and down) or something with a lot of motion, the effect will be amplified.

Oh, and leguna, this is a great info site for entry level HD projectors

http://www.projectorcentral.com/

I'd say you can get something great for ~1000.

 

[VictimOfGrief]

Projector (every new projector is HDTV ready)

http://www.avsforum.com/

Projectors aren't worth the cost. Have fun changing the bulb every 1.5 months if you have it on a lot. Plus, price of the bulbs isn't fun either.

 

[Hooker]

3000 hours in 1.5 months?! Is that even possible?!



And yes, the price of the light bulbs are high. Although some new projectors have a bulb life of 5000 hours and a new bulb costs 200 bucks. A good progression from the 3000 hours 400 bucks bulb.

Shame the projector itself wasn't that good to begin with

 

[shantyman]

I would go for the tube TV, but that's just me.

 

[Leguna]

TO ALL:
Thanks guys for the input. Sounds like I should be getting a good HDTV Projector. A tube for that price would be too small and a projector wouldn't last long enough (using it only 4 hours a day the bulb would go out after only a little over 2 years).

Good HDTV Projectors are hard to come by. I own a 52" Hitachi TV Projector that has a picture as good as a tube. I don't want a projecter HDTV that fades in the corners or if viewed at angle the colors fade too.

Any recommendations for awesome HDTV Projectors?

 

[levious]

I don't really understand... do you want a projector or not... or do you mean you decided to go with a rear projection tv?

If you're having worries about a projector's image quality, I'd say don't. I was amazed at seeing the quality of the picture on 1000 dollar one even on a biege wall. Projectors really are the perfect solution to someone wanting to enjoy both 16x9 and 4x3 images.

 

[Leguna]

levious:
I don't want a projector, I want an HDTV (TV = Television Set) Projector.

 

[levious]

where you getting this term from? I've never heard it referred to like that, but rather a rear-projection HDTV. An HDTV projector is a projector capable of displaying an HDTV signal. Doesn't imply it's a stand-alone tv.

Also, don't give up too quickly on a projector. Try to see one in person of course. Maybe you have already.

 

[Leguna]

levious:
I thought that was called a HD signal (High Definition signal), not HDTV signal. But sure, yes I'm looking for a rear projected HDTV over an HD projector because of bulb life.

 

[chinch]

ecost has some infocus 4805s widescreen refurbs PJs for $850-ish. this isn't "hd" but will look really, really good with HD sources... better than many 720p HD native ones. you have to spend 2x that or more to beat them. a perfect "entry" model as native 720p/1080 PJs come down in cost. then get a cheap extended warranty.

 

[temp]

Yeah, I probably wouldn't buy a projector again. I bought an X1 last year and I already had to buy a new bulb. The thing popped early at about 2000 hours, but it's still a pain in the ass thinking about using the thing as little as possible and turning it off whenever I can.

 

[mrmyth]

Yeah, I probably wouldn't buy a projector again. I bought an X1 last year and I already had to buy a new bulb. The thing popped early at about 2000 hours, but it's still a pain in the ass thinking about using the thing as little as possible and turning it off whenever I can.

Here's the secret to long bulb life - bulbs like to be used. When you first get your PJ, leave that sumbitch on all day. Break the bulb in. What killed your bulb was the on-off-on-off cycle you put it through. The bulb goes through the most stress on startup.

 

[temp]

Here's the secret to long bulb life - bulbs like to be used. When you first get your PJ, leave that sumbitch on all day. Break the bulb in. What killed your bulb was the on-off-on-off cycle you put it through. The bulb goes through the most stress on startup.

Thanks man.

 

[quin]

till you all buy dlp sets and STILL have to buy bulbs

 

[chinch]

Yeah, I probably wouldn't buy a projector again. I bought an X1 last year and I already had to buy a new bulb. The thing popped early at about 2000 hours, but it's still a pain in the ass thinking about using the thing as little as possible and turning it off whenever I can.

jeez some of you guys are whiners.

2000 hours on a BULB is GREAT... that is not early

you don't turn on/off/on/off the PJ as stated above.... don't turn it off until you won't turn it on again for several hours.

 

[levious]

levious:
I thought that was called a HD signal (High Definition signal), not HDTV signal.

I'm sure either's fine... but a projector is a projector, not a rear projection tv. I wasn't trying to be a dick, you just confused me as to what you wanted.

Please weigh the benefits of a projector against bulb life. Think about getting a 180 inch + image for ~1000. A lot of online retailers will package an extra bulb in with a projector too.

 

[temp]

jeez some of you guys are whiners.

2000 hours on a BULB is GREAT... that is not early

you don't turn on/off/on/off the PJ as stated above.... don't turn it off until you won't turn it on again for several hours.

Hah, yeah well it's still earlier than the 4000 hours InFocus listed. Also, that's exactly what my buddy mrmyth said.

 

[levious]

temp,

you sure that 4000 quote wasn't from using some sort of energy econ mode or something?

 

[mrklaw]

don't buy a projector if its your main TV source and you are concerned about $400 every couple of years. But really, $200 a year isn't that much for the enjoyment you get.

For me, my projector was worth every penny, and I only use it once or twice a week for movies or 'event' viewing. The difference between a 32" image, and a 100" image is phenomenal. And DVDs still look great that big - I can't imagine how good HD would look (I'm in the UK, no HD for me)

 

[tetsuoxb]

Am I the only one who finds the thread title unintentionally funny?

Considering Leguna's recent history here, a protector may very well be in order.

 

[Great King Bowser]

don't buy a projector if its your main TV source and you are concerned about $400 every couple of years. But really, $200 a year isn't that much for the enjoyment you get.

For me, my projector was worth every penny, and I only use it once or twice a week for movies or 'event' viewing. The difference between a 32" image, and a 100" image is phenomenal. And DVDs still look great that big - I can't imagine how good HD would look (I'm in the UK, no HD for me)

What projector do you have?

I'm looking to pick up a Panasonic AE700 in the summer hopefully when prices drop.

 

[EclipseGST]

Am I the only one who finds the thread title unintentionally funny?

Considering Leguna's recent history here, a protector may very well be in order.

I was thinking the same thing....i was huh? protector for my tv...?

 

[mrmyth]

What projector do you have?

I'm looking to pick up a Panasonic AE700 in the summer hopefully when prices drop.

Go for the Sanyo Z3. They use the same chipset/ LCD panels. The only difference is the lense throw (Panny is long throw, Z3 is short-throw. Its meant to be more of a coffee table projector.)

The guts are the same otherwise. You're paying extra for the Panny name. Plus the Z3 has the ability to tweak color banding out in the main menus as opposed to the service menu, easy access to clean dust blobs off the LCD panels, and 2 component inputs.

 

[DCharlie]

I have two projectors :

a Sanyo Z1 (bulb needs replacing after over 2.5 years)
and
a Panasonic TH-AE700

both have been great, but the Panasonic TH-AE700 is fantastic.
I trialed it at several places vs the Z3, and it looked a touch better - but i guess everyone's eyes are different (it was cheaper than the Z3 at the time (at least - out here in Japan).

Once i get a new bulb in the Z1 , it's back to halo parties!

 

[mrklaw]

What projector do you have?

I'm looking to pick up a Panasonic AE700 in the summer hopefully when prices drop.

AE100. Only 480p like DCharlies Z1 (they were the ones that kicked off the Sanyo/Panasonic rivalry) but it really is fantastic. You see detail in DVDs that you didn't notice on a small screen.

I'd love an AE700, but I'm trying to hold out for a 1080p one in the next couple of years.

You really can't go wrong, and they are surprisingly discreet. I have mine hanging off the ceiling on a couple of bits of MDF and there is a pulldown screen at the other end of the room. A lot less room than a giant Rear pro TV, especially for teeny UK lounges.