trebor00

Alright guys.

I'm looking to upgrade from my trusty 27" TV to something a bit more...substantial. I don't need to upgrade my dvd player or surround sound, just looking for the biggest and best picture for my buck for under $1,000. What do you all recommend (i.e. any particular projection TVs, any decent projectors under $1K, etc)?

X

I don't think you can beat this deal.

InFocus IN72 for $700 AR

You'll still have $300 left for a nice screen.

trebor00

I was poking around on Costco's website, and they have the Optomo H27 with a 92" Graywolf 16:9 screen for $699.

Anybody have any input on the H27? (preface: I'm a complete projector noob, and don't have a dedicated HT room)

X

From what I've read about the Optoma, it needs to be mounted very high due to a large lens offset so you may not be able to ceiling mount it. You should use a screen calculator such as the one at Projector Central.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-H27.htm

It also has a fairly long throw lens you you'll need to mount it over 12' away from the screen. The screen calculator will show that too.

And from what I read in a review it doesn't seem to be very bright. 250 - 325 lumens (even though it's rated at 850) so it needs a fairly high gain screen, and that is what it comes with. However low brightness limits the maximum screen size and needing a high gain screen limits the effective viewing angle which in turn limits seating position possibilities. The InFocus delivers 478 - 625 lumens, about double that of the H27.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/play_big_IN72.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/optoma_h27.htm

And another consideration is your signal source. The IN72 has a good deinterlacer built in.

abintra

I swear it feels like I'm the only one that can't get a grasp on what the best model is in each category.

Is there a best model for 480P/720P projectors?

Is there a quality improvement in non-HD sources when using a 720P or is the quality increase mostly for HD sources?

Lastly, better to purchase one of the projectors that comes with a cheap screen in order to have one for the future and performs better than a DIY or would the DIY be cheaper and atleast comparable in quality to any of the ones bundled with an inexpensive projector?

Spiky

Sure, the best model EDTV projector is typically considered to be the Infocus 4805 (I think the IN72 is the latest version). Opinions may differ, of course. For 720p, there are many that are very good. And a few that are awesome, although you may find them a bit pricey, still. I'm talking about digital PJs, here. CRT models will generally be better once set up properly. They take a bit more work and lots of space, they don't work for everyone.

Actually, sometimes the quality of DVD playback goes down when you upgrade to an HDTV. It depends on the scaler in the TV, or your player.

DIY screens, if done well, will be better quality than a cheap screen. And far less money. But lots more work.

Sdallnct

If you are on a budget and especially that budget, build your own fixed screen. There are some directions for a DIY screen for less then $100 at Projector Central.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/diy_screen.htm

I have about $150 in mine and love it.

MrBlonde83

so the IN72 is just an upgraded 4805? or is the 4805 still the best way to go?

MrBlonde83

what would be the best dvd player around $200 to go with the IN72?

Slayer2005

The Sharp XR-10x and Infocus 4805 are great choices. You may be able to find the Mitsubishi HC900u at around $999 and I'd suggest you get that above everything else in your price range.

If you can't find one in your price range it should come down to the Sharp XR-10x or Infocus 4805. The Sharp is way brighter, native 4:3 and has much higher resolution (1024x768p compared to 854x480p). The 4805 is native 16:9 and will have slightly more on/off contrast, slightly darker blacks in dark scenes, slightly better shadow detail & slightly better color accuracy/saturation.

The 4805 will basically have a slightly more technically correct image, but the Sharp XR-10x will still be brighter, smoother (much less Screendoor effect) and have much more clarity. The Sharp will easily outshine the 4805 for surfing the net, playing HD games or watching any HD. The 4805 will win with DVDs if viewing at about 2x the width of the screen.

The HC900 gives you the best of both worlds; True 16:9, 1024x567p resolution (the same 16:9 resolution the Sharp will display), a nice bright picture for ambient light and the ability to turn on the iris on in the dark for much better on/off contrast and darker blacks.

I personally have a 4805, but if I could do it over again for around a grand or less the HC900u would be my first choice followed by the Sharp XR-10x.

Slayer2005

A Home Theater Computer is the best (HTPC), but witih an IN72 it shouldn't really matter what player you use, even if it's $25. I believe it has the faroudja chip onboard and that's equal to having a highend dvd player when you let the projector process the image (ie turn of progressive scan on your dvd player if it has it).

MrBlonde83

the rebate form since its not valid with online purchases from best buy or bestbuy.com but it should be ok if i buy it in store right? bb has it $100 less than cc.