kvrdave

I have a panny pt900 and the "replace lamp" light is coming on. I realize that it just means that the hour ticker says it is time, so I may have plenty of life left, but it got me to wondering whether to get a new bulb or make the jump to 1080.

I watch from about 12 feet away and the screen is 122". Has anyone made this upgrade and was the difference to 1080 worth the upgrade? Obviously it wouldn't do much for most tv viewing which is generally 720, but Blu-ray would be a big difference, I would think. But I don't know that....so is it?

eedoon

Is that the projectors you're using to browse the Internet?

If so, then a 1080p resolution would result in slightly smaller text and picture size due to its higher resolution.

For BD playback, I think at that size you'll be thankful for the extra resolution but I never compare that myself.

Sdallnct

For that big of a screen the jump to 1080p would be noticeable. Especially at that distance.

However, keep in mind that regardless if you can "see that difference" resolution is only about the 4th most important factor in overall picture quality. So if you have a nice 720p projector, you might actually be disappointed in the overall picture of a cheap 1080p pj.

Couple places I have read (mainly AVS) have people recommending and preferring to get a top of the line 1080p pj from a couple of years ago then a new "cheap" 1080p from today. Yea, the feeling is these used units are better pq, but the prices have dropped so much they are a better value. A $5,000-$8,000 unit from just a couple years ago my be selling in the $1,500 range today!

Bottom line, just like a regular display resolution is not the only factor. Quality is still key. A really sharp crappy image, is just that, still crappy.

Oh and at Christmas, I replaced the bulb in my 720p unit. So in another 6 months to year, I'll be in the same boat as you.

Blu Man

I'm planning on switching from 720 to 1080p soon. I have a 100 inch screen and what I don't like about 720p is that in detailed and distant shots, you can see the pixels. But it wasn't the higher resolution that is causing me to switch, but that the black level is horrible and the colors look un natural. I figure if I buy another projector it might as well be 1080p.

kvrdave

Good posts. If I did upgrade, I'd go with a decent reviewed one from Home Theater magazine. Looks like a good lcd can be had for just under $3,000 street price. I do surf the web on it as well, so smaller text might be a problem, but I think I can control that to some degree with different settings.

For the most part, I am still pretty amazed at the picture quality, so maybe I should stick with the cheap option and not know what I am missing. They just keep getting cheaper, so waiting another 2-3 years would just give me something that much better.

Blu Man

You should check out the InFocus X10, it's the one I'm interested in. It costs $1,200, 1080p, DLP, 7500:1 dynamic contrast.

Sdallnct

I'm still amazingly happy with my 720p unit. 94" screen sitting 10.5' away on the front row and about 12.5' on the back row. I've been toying with building a 100" screen for a while, just haven't gotten around to it. I just couldn't justify upgrading at Christmas, thus I got a new bulb.

I have my system set up with a HDMI switcher. And I have both a HD DVD (Toshiba A-3) and BD player (PS3). I also have like two movies on both BD and SD-DVD. So I've actually loaded the BD into the PS3 and the SD into the Toshiba to see the difference as it is easy to switch between the two. Yes, there is a difference. IMO more of richness, black level detail, color and a sort of 3D look, then detail. Every time I thought I could see some detail in the BD, I'd look on the SD and could see it as well. Sure there is some slight difference, but I'm not sure that has any relevance (resolution wise).

I say all that to consider that in all likelyhood the difference between 720p and 1080p would be even less noticeable.

Sdallnct

Yea, I'm a big DLP fan for front pj. Of course the issue with most ever DLP is placement. They rarely have any sort of lens shift which can be a deal breaker for some. Tho if you can spend a few hours or even days getting it just so, you shouldn't have to mess with it again.

parrotheads4

Check out the Panasonic PT-AE3000. ($2,500)

I was hoping laser projectors would be closer to reality by now, but it looks to be a ways off. The Panasonic PT-AE3000 should hold you over until laser is real.

kvrdave

Read a review on the Infocus X10 and it is hard to believe it can be had for $1,200 right now. WOW. I need to see if it will go well in my room.

Blu Man

Yeah, i know, it's a good deal. And it's a damn nice projector also.

Sdallnct

Yup, just do some real careful measurements. And have an adjustable ceiling mount.

I actually went with my Optoma HD70 over the slightly better reviewed Mitsubishi (1000 I think) because the thrown AND angle of throw would be a better fit in my room. I had to play with it some. Took me a bit to get it just right (I didn't want to use keystoning). But once I did, I haven't had to mess with it again (except when I got a new bulb).

kvrdave

My first was an Infocus X1, and it was a good intro to dlp. I'll check on the distance, etc and pick one up if the current set up is just as simple as a replacement.

kvrdave

Used the calculations, and I would have to move my ceiling mount about 2 feet. Given the pain in the ass that it represents, I'll probably just go for a new lamp and wait for a few years for an lcd before I jump into 1080

DthRdrX

Yea, I just can't seem to work DLP into my setup either but I'd sure like to try one.

It's too bad more companies don't work with LCOS as it seems to have great PQ with plenty of setup options. Just have to wait for the price to drop with the JVC units.

Many reviews that I've followed have mentioned that the newer LCD projectors are finally matching if not bettering cheaper DLP units in contrast. If I get a new one I'll compare it to mine which is almost five years old. To close to CEDIA to purchase a projector though.

gimmepilotwings

This is what I am buying when I build the home theater in 6 months.

Numanoid

My Panny ae900 crapped out on me about at Christmastime last year. I replaced it with an Epson 6500. I don't know if I noticed much of a difference resolution-wise in movies, but I certainly DO notice a difference in the black levels and contrast (blacks are amazing on the Epson versus the Panny) and the ability to do 1920x1080 resolution on the PC is fantastic. Games look amazing.

If you decide to keep your Panny, I have one slightly used and one never used bulb I can sell you at a deep discount.

Spiky

What kind of discount? I'm at 1600+ on my current lamp.

kvrdave

I remember you were one of the people that convinced me on the 900. And for an lcd of the time, the blacks were amazing. That tells me that I really ought to look at the news ones.

But then, you have some bulbs I would buy from you which would keep me out of the game for a few years. ygm

Sdallnct

I was reading over at Slickdeals that the HD80 is out. 1080p for under a grand...wow!

Blu Man

Yeah but have you scene screnshot's form that projector? The blacks are worse then my projector! I cringed when I saw the image that projector gives off.

Optoma HD80 1080p


InFocus X10 1080p


Epson Moviemate 72 (my current projector) 720p


This proves this proves that not all 1080p projectors are the same!

DthRdrX

I think he means the HD20. Visual Apex has it available right now. They will also have the vivitek h1080fd by the end of the week.

BenQ has a $999 1080p unit coming in a few weeks as well.

Sdallnct

I don't think anyone has ever said that all 1080p are the same. See my post #3 above. Besides that, I believe resolution is only about the 4th most important factor in total image quality.

Having said that I still think is a major break through that you can get a new 1080p from a good company for under a grand. With more on the way this year.

And yea....I meant the NEW HD20.

kvrdave

Wow. I do wish the X10 would work in my setup.

X

I have to wonder about the calibration of those projectors. Are those images from right out of the box settings? The skin tones and saturation are awful on all but the X10. It doesn't look like a fair comparison.