westerbergrules

I know the 4805 is a step up from the X1. I've read the reviews, but what I was wondering if there is anyone who's upgraded who feels it is a $500 dollar improvement? I'll have complete light control and watch a mix of 2.40, 1.85, and 1.66 ratio films. This will be my first projector and the WAF would be much higher on the X1. Any comments would be great.

Sdallnct

Go over to AVS Forum to get your answer. However, I thought the X1 was discountinued? Can you still get it?

However, I can tell you that I just installed my X1 and love it! I have not built a screen yet, but even against a wall it is terrific! I'm sure there is better as the X1 is (was) one of the budget projectors. I put on a HD DVD I had in a Progressive player and it was awesome.

If I had any complaint and it is minor, is the X1 is a little noisy. I really bothered me at 1st as I only had the projector set up and not the audio. But once you get sound of the movie going, it is ok. But if I had any choice, I would prefer it a little quiter.

westerbergrules

There are still many sources for the X1 online, or used on Ebay (upgraders?). I don't think noise would be an issue for me, but then again, I've never used a projector for movies. Why did you choose the X1?

Sdallnct

A. Cost. I wanted to keep to my budget of my entire Home Theater (not including furniture) at $2,000 or as close as possible. Anything more then a $1,000 for the projector and I would have been in touble. I picked it up after rebate, with coupon and free shipping from Dell for right at $750

B. Reviews. I'm no expert but evidently there is a real high dollar, high quality chip in the X-1 that some feel makes it better then many projectors twice it's cost.

C. Following. The X-1 has a huge following and there is a ton of info on the web.

Dead

I'm debating the same thing myself. Having read up on the two, I'm still left debating the overall cost/performance merits of the $1300 4805, the $800 X1, and the $1000 Mitsubishi HC3.

If I could find a real deal on another model, maybe a clearance or something, I would consider others. But these seem to strike me as the best current items based on paying around retail.

REL77

both the 4805 and x1 are great...why? both have the Fajordia chipset... The 4805 is native widescreen and the x1 is not..I believe the 4805 to be better for this reason...both are great, but the 4805 is the new hotness, i fully recommend that, i would use it but i wanted a native 720 projector (lcd though)... 4805 is the best cheap FP out...Costco has it for $11xx with 77" screen, and their awsome return policy.

Sdallnct

In case you haven't found these, they are excellent,

http://members.shaw.ca/technut/x1faq/

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=414103

Teehtf

I think you will like the faster wheel speed, 16:9 and the 6 segment color wheel performance over the X-1.

grover45

The 4805 at Costco is 1200$ with a 76" 16x9 screen. I bought a 100" 16x9 screen from tigerdirect for 150$. I have to say, I'm amazed everytime I sit down and watch this system!

Dead

Well, I finally made my decision... I went with the X1. In the end, it came down to the fact that the best price I could find on the 4805 was about $1200 and I found an X1 being clearanced for less than half that.

I suspect I'll be quite pleased with the performance and my wife couldn't complain too much about the price.

primalurg

Not only do you get the 76" screen, I just saw that Costco is also offereing a $100 mail-in rebate for this projector. Seems like a good deal for anyone that is insterested in the projector.

kvrdave

This is heresy around here, but I have never seen the need for a native widescreen projector. I have an X-1 and nearly went with a native widescreen. But I use my computer on the projector a lot. Also, in a room where you have complete light control (I do as well), I have never noticed black bars. As a result, I also went with a 4:3 screen. I could not be happier.

I will say that I am so amazed with having a projector that I look forward to some day getting a really standout one. But you just can't beat the X1.

westerbergrules

Thanks for the feedback so far. I still haven't heard from anyone who's upgraded though, and that's what I'm wanting to hear. Its getting close to move in day and I'm getting ready to buy.

Psych1

If you've got them together - in a side by side comparison - you might prefer the 4805. But otherwise, I'd go with the X1. It's a great projector and still the best deal for the money as it's been for the past 2 years. New things are on the way tho.

svadas

Where did you find the X1? I'm in the exact same boat and could afford the X1 way before I can justify the extra cost of the 4805.

Dead

Of all places, I found one at Best Buy.

There was a thread at FW about Woot having refurbished 4800s for $500 (which were gone long before I saw the discussion). But, in that thread someone mentioned BB clearancing the X1. Of course, the big "if" is whether or not your local BB still has any in stock.

Mine did and they had put it on clearance at $599. To make things even better, in last Sunday's ad BB advertised "take an additional 20% off of open-box & clearance items". So, I got it for $479.99 before tax!

BTW, if your BB doesn't have one and you're willing to go with a refurbished one, PC Connection has them for $579AR.

Lethal Nemesis

TigerDirect has the 4805 new for $799 AR. They are an authorized seller and the $100 rebate is good until 6/30.

Dead

Wow, that's a very good deal. I knew that Infocus had lowed the MSRP on them, so I figured they would be coming down soon but I didn't think they would be that low. It almost makes me wish I hadn't gotten my X1 so I could get in on this deal!

BTW, if anyone is interested, here's the link...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...230&CatId=1755

Sdallnct

IMHO, you did good on the X1. Why? Because you have been enjoying it for 3 months now! It is almost like the computer upgrade game. Yea, you will be able to get better for cheaper down the road, but what about enjoying it now????

I'm using my X1 to "learn" about FP and HT in general. I've had it nearly a year, but only hooked up about 5 months (right at 100 hours on it). I figure what I like, don't like, wish it had, etc for a year or so then then see what is out there. But I do have to say, I love the thing. It really does show a great image up there!

svadas

I wish there was an easy answer or at least a way to preview these units. I often see the 4800 on woot for $499 refurb, and the 4805 refurb for $750. Now I see the 4805 new for $799. Given it's still a 50% premium for the 4805, is the difference noticeable? Seems they are both handicapped by their resolution so at bulb change I'd likely dump either unit for new technology. It's like buying a computer, as soon as you get it something else comes out better and cheaper. I just want to watch movies on something bigger than my 32 inch tv. Reading AVS forum is really an exercise in frustration as there is both too much information and their attitudes change like the wind.

Sdallnct

And like computers, you just need to jump in and go with it! None of those three are a "bad" unit as I'm sure you read. All three have pretty differences, but are they great differences? Doubtful.

I as this with experience. Once I decided on a FP, I read and read and it really drove me crazy. So I just jumped in with the X1 knowing all the information and help available and felt pretty comfortable. And I'm glad I did, love the darn thing....

Blade

When I finally decided to get a front projector, Costco was selling the X1/4800. I bought it and used it for a few weeks and then Costco brought in the 4805. I thought the image was better and the rainbows (which I occasionally saw but didn't mind on the X1/4800) were gone with the 4805.

I think the fan is a little louder on the 4805, but I never notice it when I'm watching a movie and it's right over my head.

I was expecting to have people over a lot to watch this, so the better handling of rainbows by the 4805, as well as the slightly better image convinced me to get the 4805. I eventually ended up paying only $1000 for it (I originally paid $1200 or $1300 at Costco, but got price adjustments as they happenned), and I was expecting pay around $1200 so the higher cost compared to the X1/4800 wasn't as big a factor to me.

But I was really happy with the X1/4800 while I had it and if cost is a factor, I would go with the cheaper projector and start saving up for an upgrade to a 720p projector in a year or two when your bulb is ready for replacement (as suggested above).

Whatever you get, you really can't go wrong with either of these projectors as your first front projector. They're both pretty much ready to go out of the box, are fairly simple to make any necessary adjustments to and put out a fantastic picture.