Video Projectors
05-22-00, 03:47 PM
#1
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I'm in the market for a good video projector and was wondering which company makes the best ones and about how much I'm going to be paying for a decent to good one.
05-22-00, 07:32 PM
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Actually there are many choices that range from $1500 to over $60000. Can you tell us what your expected budget is and then we'll make some recommendations.
Personally I wouldn't bother with a projection unit unless you are willing to spend at least $5000.
Personally I wouldn't bother with a projection unit unless you are willing to spend at least $5000.
05-22-00, 10:36 PM
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Vidikron, Seleco, and Runco, all make good
front projectors. I have a Vidikron that
cost about 10k and it will do hd in only
1080i but not 720p. A factor to be considered
if thinking hd in the future. Also keep in
mind you need a line double or scaler that
will cost an additional $2500-$10000. Also
a screen will cost at least $1000. All well
worth it, beleive me. I love my 120" system
and very seldom go to the movies. A $5000
or less projector will disappoint you. You \
also have to have the room completely dark
for crt projectors. With dlp you can have
lights on and they have a buit in doubler.
They cost $6000 or so and many do a decent job. I like crt the best. They are a bitch to
converge and recommend a professional. Dlp
are plug and play. Consult a home thater
specialist for advice.
front projectors. I have a Vidikron that
cost about 10k and it will do hd in only
1080i but not 720p. A factor to be considered
if thinking hd in the future. Also keep in
mind you need a line double or scaler that
will cost an additional $2500-$10000. Also
a screen will cost at least $1000. All well
worth it, beleive me. I love my 120" system
and very seldom go to the movies. A $5000
or less projector will disappoint you. You \
also have to have the room completely dark
for crt projectors. With dlp you can have
lights on and they have a buit in doubler.
They cost $6000 or so and many do a decent job. I like crt the best. They are a bitch to
converge and recommend a professional. Dlp
are plug and play. Consult a home thater
specialist for advice.
05-25-00, 02:11 AM
#4
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I bought a Sharp ZW99 projector (see www.sharp-usa.com) a while back and
while list price is $8,000, you should be able to get it for around $5,500.
It's a very nice, crisp projector. It supports 600 x 800 VGA signal (nice
viewing for PC games, etc). It has an integrated line doubler, supports
widescreen very nicely (one button switches between modes). It's a snap to
set up, with easy controls to change orientation (ceiling mount, table
mount) and a nice zoom that lets you place it virtually anywhere in the
room.
It also supports all the tweaking recommended by Avia (BTW - I
only had to change them less than 5% from the defaults and only on a small
number).
The few things that LCD projectors fall behind IMO (after experiencing it
for the past few months) -> and I would be interested in seeing how the
other RGB projectors (Runco, etc) perform. These deficiencies are:
1. Loud fan noise. It is distracting at times.
2. Dissipates a lot of heat. I view in a completely windowless, sealed and
insulated room and I have to air out the room between movies because viewing
two movies is nearly impossible, unless you want to strip for the 2nd movie
;-)
3. LCD's, as noted, degrade significantly with ambient light present. This
means you must have light blocking drapes / shades installed on all windows.
You can watch a movie with ONE 60W light bulb in the room, but the image is
weak. As noted, a completely dark room is best (no ambient light from
windows or other lights).
As a sidenote, DON'T forget about your screen! A stewart or Daylight screen
will run $1,000 - $3,000 depending upon whether it is retractable or
perforated, or both. A non-perforated, fixed screen will run around $1,000.
Good luck.
Tman
while list price is $8,000, you should be able to get it for around $5,500.
It's a very nice, crisp projector. It supports 600 x 800 VGA signal (nice
viewing for PC games, etc). It has an integrated line doubler, supports
widescreen very nicely (one button switches between modes). It's a snap to
set up, with easy controls to change orientation (ceiling mount, table
mount) and a nice zoom that lets you place it virtually anywhere in the
room.
It also supports all the tweaking recommended by Avia (BTW - I
only had to change them less than 5% from the defaults and only on a small
number).
The few things that LCD projectors fall behind IMO (after experiencing it
for the past few months) -> and I would be interested in seeing how the
other RGB projectors (Runco, etc) perform. These deficiencies are:
1. Loud fan noise. It is distracting at times.
2. Dissipates a lot of heat. I view in a completely windowless, sealed and
insulated room and I have to air out the room between movies because viewing
two movies is nearly impossible, unless you want to strip for the 2nd movie
;-)
3. LCD's, as noted, degrade significantly with ambient light present. This
means you must have light blocking drapes / shades installed on all windows.
You can watch a movie with ONE 60W light bulb in the room, but the image is
weak. As noted, a completely dark room is best (no ambient light from
windows or other lights).
As a sidenote, DON'T forget about your screen! A stewart or Daylight screen
will run $1,000 - $3,000 depending upon whether it is retractable or
perforated, or both. A non-perforated, fixed screen will run around $1,000.
Good luck.
Tman
