Reccomend a Projector and Screen
 

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Optima HD70, but am open to any HD PJ in the $900-$1300 range. Also a screen, preferably electric, at least 90".

Mits HD1000U projector people for $850 shipped no tax.

Screen thats a little different depends on the room being used in. The HD70 was my choice as well till I did some research, still a good choice though. Mits just slightly better quality.

It's going to be in a finished basement rec room.

Yes, I'd agree. The HD70 and the 1000U are the two "hot" PJ right now. I went with the HD70. Why? I didn't think I could make the increased lens offset of the Mit work in my set up (8 ft ceilings, 2 rows of seating).

The HD70 is a new pj while the Mit is older and had it price reduced.

One review I read suggested a grey screen for the HD70, but I think I'm going to stick to white.

This is a good, honest review....which after reading made me feel comfortable in my choice.

http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manu...HD70/index.asp

SD, can you try to explain "lens offset" to me in simple terms?

The image from a pj does not go straight out from the pj. If you set the pj on a table the image is actually higher then the pj, you have seen this in a business setting I'm sure. The amount "higher" the image projects is the lens offset.

However, I mount my pj upside down on the ceiling. So, the image is LOWER then the ceiling. The Mit has a 35% lens offset while the HD70 has a 28 to 32% offset depending on who you ask. I was afraid with my two rows of seating and not very high riser on the rear row, the Mit would cast an image to low for the rear row to see. So went with the HD70.

If you are setting on a table or only have one row of seats, this is likely not an issue for you.

"The HD70 is a new pj while the Mit is older and had it price reduced"

Thats actually why its a better projector, it has a glass lens while the HD70's is plastic hence not as sharp/detailed pic, however it is slight but the mits is more detailed because of it. The HD70 was made with cheaper parts to lower its MSRP to $999, while the mits was better made higher quality parts but with a higher price. Which has since dropped in price only because of the HD70 to compete.

I think we pointed out the two actual differences better optics in mits , more forgiving throw on the hd70. But most people dont have theater seating so...picture quality it is.

Oh I'll mention one more thing, the color is off on the mits. Most wanna just pretend or ignore it is'nt . But it is simple as that, I can only really tell if I have my 24inch dell montior on at same time but the mits IS off, greens are to yellow and reds shift toward maroon if you ask me. And it as of now can't be corrected.

If the color is off on the Mits, isn't that a real issue that would push a buyer towards the HD70?

1st I was not insulting the Mit by saying it was "older". However, I do not necessarily agree the mit has "better parts". Since the Mit is older it's parts automatically cost most. Prices have come down. You saying the HD70 has cheaper parts to keep it's price down is like saying a new computer today is made with cheaper parts to keep it price down compared to past years. Remember, these are mainly computer type parts and parts that have come down drastically in price in recent year. The HD70 is a solid, well made, unit. We will continue to see PJ coming out in this price range.

2nd, IMHO, you cannot pick out individual parts of a PJ (or any display for that matter) and make a universal statement about that PJ. You mention "glass lens". The old Infocus 5000 has a glass lens, 720p and can be had in this same price range. Yet it totally sucks! It is a terrible PJ. (No offense to those that have one) When it was on Woot for very cheap, people were still not buying it. A display works by how it interact with all the parts.

3rd. Every PJ and display has it pro's and con's. Yes even that infocus 5000 might work well for some as it is so damm bright! There is no one display that is "better" for everyone, in every situation, for what you want to watch.

4th. the sharpness issue is a touchy one. I had the opportunity to pick up the mit before I picked up my HD70. And since I built the riser in my theater, I could have added to it. Yea, would have been work, but could have done it. The Mit is almost to sharp. I don't think it is a lens issue. At time the image looked very harsh and "digital". I totally agree it was unbelievably sharp. But again, I got the feeling there was some processing involved and every now and again felt harsh and digital. The HD70 is not as sharp. But it is not a sever difference. It is very, close. But the HD70 felt more natural to me and slightly warm. Remember these are just my personal preferences observations. You (or anyone) may feel different.

You got to understand these two PJ's are very good pj's. But they are budget models. They are not perfect. They both have some "issues" as would be expected from the lowest offering from each company.

Again, these are both very good (tho not excellent) pj's are an excellent price. To get an "excellent" picture your going to have to spend more money.

And when we pick on this projector not being as sharp or the colors are off or the black levels are not as good or whatever, we are really almost nit picking. Yes, the mit is reporting has having "off colors". But it is still so good you won't see the difference unless you have something to compare it to. It is doubtful your or your friends would walk in your room and say "look at those terrible colors". No one will notice.

The same as with my HD70. Most report and (and I tend to agree) that besides being slightly less sharp that it could also use some help at deeper blacks. Many folks are using a grey screen with the HD70 to help with the black levels. I'm sticking with white, as I think the grey hurts the whites more then helps the blacks. But again, that is just my opinion. And again, this black level issue is not going to jump out at you. It is subtle.

I have noticed that the HD70 and I'm sure the Mit as well, is so good, I can see quality differences in the DVD players I use! I have been using a pretty cheap DVDp player with built in tivo for years and thought it was fine. For x-mas my son got a PS3. It is amazing how much better the PS3 is (with 480p DVDs) then my old player. All that to say, you would not want to go to cheaply with a DVD player as these PJ will expose it's faults.

A good quality tensioned electric screen is going to run you more than the PJ's cost :brickwl2:

Since you are putting this in a basement, consider a Carada Criterion fixed screen. You won't be disappointed.

I'd spend between $75-$150 and build a DIY screen.

Alright, would you please let me know what PJs in a slightly higher price range are worth spending the extra $$$?

What kind of cash are you willing to spend on a screen and what type of image are you looking for?

Send an email requesting screen samples to Dalite, Carada, Stewart*ect ...

*Stewart screens are expensive but the Studiotek 130 is the standard for a white screen if you are willing to pay for it.

I recently bought a pull down Model B High Power from Dalite and love it. As my projector bulb ages the screen makes a big difference.

I'd probably pay up to about $400 for the screen.

I would just move up in the line of these same brands for one. The HD73 is getting rave reviews for one. If you want to check out a LCD models, the Panny AX1000U and Sanyo PLV-Z5 are pretty hot and offers versital placement with its lens shift. The Infocus IN76 is a fan favorite.

There are many others....but his should get you started.

well when i said parts i really meant lens, the glass lens is what gives it the edge on detail. Im not sure about the hd70's blacks but the mits blacks really suprise me, compared to the X1 I had. The blacks are loads better on my mits than my 24 inch dell , course being lcd no shock there really.

As for steps up the hd72 or 73 maybe the mits hd3000. Like was said they are pretty damn cheap projectors at this point, but they are way above quality if you go back just 2 or 3 years. For $850 the mits is an insane deal, hell some people won the lottery they even were given the free bulb at that price....can you imagine....

I'd go with the HD1000U.

A 90 inch fixed Carada screen would be my choice. Another above poster is correct in that a good quality electric screen could often cost more than BOTH the projectors and screens people have been mentioning in this thread. A high quality, fixed screen would give you great bang for the buck, but you may have to use that wall for some reason.

A fixed screen is out of the question.

Then you better get a projector that can use a high power screen because that's the only way you're going to minimize the appearance of waves and have a pull-down screen for that price.

I've seen several electric screens well below that price range. Tensioned screens as well.

I'd sure like to see links to those!

The only tensioned electric ones I found acceptable started at just under $2K. I think tensioned pull-downs started around $900 or so.

We're talking real tensioning here, not just a pole to add rigidity.

Why?

I had a X1 prior to my HD70 as well. I'm happy with the blacks, but they could be a little more rich. Some reviews suggest using a grey screen to help with this on the HD70, but some simple testing and I really didn't like grey. Think I will stick with white.

I should be home for all of March and April, so think I will build a new screen. Currently have a cloth 94" screen, but I'm going to try a different material and maybe go with 100" to 104", depending on how low that gets.

I want to use my old X1 and old screen for a simple outdoor set up. Think that would be fun, tho where I live not a lot of time to enjoy that!

Yeah we waited for nice upgrade to our x1's either projector is perfect and I could never tell someone to buy anything cheaper, its almost stupid at the price point the two are at now.

Screen now thats a little different story Im using complete crap one from a hooters lol, nice yellow tint to the screen itself which does not lend well to the already yellow greens of the mits. I'll DIY soon too just haven't figured out what to use for sure. I'll tell you have small glass beaded 45 incher that is ungoldly sweet using the mits but eh cost I fortune Im sure if I went 100 inch or whatever size I have picture at now. I don't even know never measured yet.

Number one, it's a rec room in a townhouse, not a screening room.

Number two, wife won't sign off on it.

Number three, the idea is to have a plasma mounted on the wall and the screen to drop down over it when it's movie watching time.

When I have a big house one day, I'm sure I will have a fixed screen. But for now, I just can't.

Hey fellas, found a pretty decent deal on the Sony VPL-HS60. What's the buzz about this one?

I hear ya, but having a high quality tensioned electric screen come down OVER a plasma that will be at least several inches with a mount off the wall is a very difficult proposition. Why not just go with the fixed screen and lose the plasma?
Saves you money by losing the plasma and by getting a fixed screen. Sounds like a cable and input nightmare to have stuff back at the projector and up front at the plasma (that was the issue I ran into in having a plasma in my screening room). Or just ditch the projector and plasma and get the biggest dlp or lcd (at 1080p) that you can get for the wall.

Yea, I'm totally lost on the whole dual set up issue? Why would you spend all that money on a fixed tension screen + plasma, when you can watch everything on the PJ? What do you think you can watch on a plasma that you cannot on a pj? Obviously hanging things on a wall is not an issue as you plan to hang a plasma. You might want to take your wife and look at some plasma's mounted on the wall. Rarelly are they flush (unless your are spending big bucks and having installed). So IMHO a fixed screen on the wall is more attractive then a plasma on the wall. The screen is flush, no wires, no hardware, just a nice clean look.

Guys, I respect all of your opinions and feedback (or else I wouldn't have asked). But please, let's just move on from the aesthetic decisions.

Back my present question - how does the Sony VPL-HS60 measure up to the two DLP projectors that we have been talking about?

My only question would be why pay twice the price for the same spec'd projector. From what I see on it at quick glance its ok, but why pay double what either mits or hd70 go for, makes little sense to me.

If you need short throw with lens shift why not I guess.

Fair enough...but while part of my discussion was aesthetic, the other part was not. Many folks talk about getting a plasma to "watch regular TV" and thus "save the bulb" on a PJ. I find this a somewhat suspect argument as a decent plasma will cost nearly $2,000 + whatever extra installation, equipment, set up. Yet even if is cost $300 for a bulb every two year (if you watched that much), it would be a LONG time before the break even point would occur. Much longer then you are likely to keep that plasma or pj.

But anyway.....I never heard of that Sony. Not saying it is bad, but never heard of it.

Here is a link to the "highly rated projectors" over at projectorcentral.com

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home...projectors.htm

And here is a link to projectorreviews.com

http://www.projectorreviews.com/

These are two of my favorite site for PJ reviews, stats, information, calculators, etc. You should also check over at AVS, but it can be a testy bunch if you ask a question that has already been asked a zillion times. So I would start by looking around, using the search engine, etc. It is an unbelievable amount of information. BTW, they do have an entire forum dedicated to screens.

What if the plasma is for watching during the day and there's no light control?

X is on the right track. I wish I had a family room and living room, but as it stands, the rec room has to do for both rec and family since to even get the PJ. I have ONE flat wall, and as X guessed, it is perpendicular with the sliding glass door. I really don't want to watch TV or play video games on a 92" screen per normal or waste unnecessary hours on a $300 bulb. Sometimes you just want to watch I Love New York on a small screen :D

So now that that's out of the way....

What if I told you the deal was $1500 shipped with a 92" manual Draper screen?

Fair enough. However I still think a classy set of drapes or dark UV film on the windows or sun screens are a cheaper, better solution. But that is just my opinion.

My dedicated media room has two large window and a sliding glass door on one long wall (my screen is at the short wall). I simply got a nice set of draps and pull them open when not watching the PJ. However, I find I don't need to close them all that much even when watching the PJ during the day. With the overhang on the roof line and the fact the window point south, usually early Sunday football games are my only issue.

OK, still think you are missing out. My son's PS3 is awesome on a 94" screen. I actually enjoy playing. And again that $300 bulb will last at least two years if not three. How will you save money buying a $2,000 plasma?

Look, you obviously have your mind made up. I'm only pushing as when I originally installed my pj I did it with a very similar idea as you. I thought I would use the PJ for "Saturday night movies" only. I thought would buy a 2nd nice tv for the living room and what "regular TV" there. That was a couple of years ago and still have not bought that nice tv for the living room. Why? Watch everything on the PJ. Even "regular" shows like SNL, Grey Anatomy, CSI, etc is awesome on the PJ. I pipe in OTA HD and get all the locals in HD for no added cost. My wife (which sounds like your wife) was not thrilled with the idea of a pj, but "gave in". But now that we have it, she will readily admit that it is one of the best things we have done with the house and it was her idea to upgrade to a HD PJ at x-mas. She loves the fact that my kids invite their friends over, or that she has movie nights with her girl friends.

Anyway...I won't bug anymore. Just food for thought.

I guess I wasn't clear - I OWN a 42" Panny Plasma. The only thing I'd be buying is a PJ and screen (well, and a mount for the plasma).

Makes total sense now....my bad ;)

Those review links help any? There are several nice PJ out right now. Unfortunately since I build my own screens, I really don't know anything about what is out there for purchase.