Home Theater Projectors

[Blown_Stroked]

I can’t decide which one to get. Which do you think is best?

[SIZE=“2”]Optoma HD20 DLP Projector $900-1000
Native Res.: 1080p
Brightness: 1700 ANSI lumens
Colors: 16.7 million colors
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 native, 4:3 compat.
Technology: DLP
Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
Compatibility: 1080p native
Weight: 6.4 lbs.
Dimensions: 12.76in W 3.82in H 9.21in D
Features: Up to 300" screen size for large group viewing
Perfect for connecting to any home entertainment device with HDMI, component, composite video and VGA
Backlit IR remote control
6 segment color wheel
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor warranty; 90 day lamp warranty

http://www.aboutprojectors.com/Optoma-HD20-projector.html

Panasonic PT-AX200U 3LCD Projector $1000
Native Res.: 720p
Brightness: 2000 ANSI lumens
Colors: N/A
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Technology: 3LCD
Contrast Ratio: 6000:1
Compatibility: •Native: 1280x720
•Computer: VGA, SVGA, XGA, [SXGA, SXGA+, UXGA (Compatible)]
•Video: 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p, 1080i/p (24/50/60) - Displays Up to 720p
•Video/Color Signal: NTSC, PAL, SECAM
Inputs (Video): HDMI v1.3 x2; Mini D-Sub 15 (RGB/VGA); RCA Component; S-Video; RCA Composite
Outputs (Video): N/A
Inputs (Audio): N/A
Outputs (Audio): N/A
Weight: 10.8 lbs.
Dimensions: 15.53in W 4.41in H 11.78in D
Features: Enhanced Light Harmonizer
New Game Mode
2.0x Zoom Lens
2 HDMI Inputs

** The extended warranty offered in the video has expired, and is no longer offered.

Warranty: 1 Year Limited Parts & Labor, 90 Days or 500 Hours on Lamp, Pan ZipIt Program

http://www.aboutprojectors.com/Panasonic-PT-AX200U-projector.html

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350 3LCD Projector $1200
Native Res.: 1080p
Brightness: 2000 ANSI lumens
Colors: Full 10-bit color processing
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 native, 4:3 compat.
Technology: 3LCD, 3-chip optical engine Polysilicon
Contrast Ratio: 50000:1
Compatibility: Supports up to 1080p (1920 x 1080)
Inputs (Video): 2 HDMI 1.3a, 1 RCA (composite), 3 RCA (component), 1 Mini DIN (S-video), 1 D-Sub 15 pin (Analog RGB), 1 D-Sub 9 pin (RS-232c)
Weight: 16.1 lbs.
Dimensions: 17.7in W 5.4in H 15.5in D
Features: Cinema color fidelity
OptiCinema™ lens
Advanced filtration
Low noise of 22dB

Warranty: Includes two years of toll-free, priority technical support, plus Epson’s two-year limited warranty and a 90-day limited lamp warranty

http://www.aboutprojectors.com/Epson-PowerLite-Home-Cinema-8350-projector.html

[/SIZE]

[97FormulaWS-6]

I’ve had a Panny AE900U for 5 years now, and I’ve got no complaints. Almost 6k hours of usage and I’m only on my 2nd bulb. It’s a 720p unit, on a 8’W x 5’T 1.3 gain screen and looks pretty damn good. Not as good as a 1080P unit, but hell, it’s 5 years old.

avsforums.com - what do they say about those 3 or is it a personal preference type thing?

[bracketracer]

I’m looking for something similar, but with built-in speakers to use as an outdoor movie/video projector. I really want nothing more than to be able to wake up on a Sunday morning, make some mimosas, and watch an F1 race while floating in my pool.

[Blown_Stroked]

haha that would be sick. The 3 I picked above are the best bang for your buck.

[bracketracer]

I suppose the real issue would be whether the image could be seen during daylight, even if shaded by my garage overhang.

[boardjnky4]

@bracketracer

I suppose the real issue would be whether the image could be seen during daylight, even if shaded by my garage overhang.

This

Your better off putting a 60" plasma/lcd (whichever is best in high light) out there.

[bracketracer]

@boardjnky4

This

Your better off putting a 60" plasma/lcd (whichever is best in high light) out there.

For some reason, I would think that would be too damn decadent, and almost embarrassing. Although a good projector and screen would likely cost a LOT more than a decent plasma. Not a horrible idea now that I think about it more.

Oh, and Stroked…sorry for jacking your thread.

[boardjnky4]

HAHA…the idea of watching an F1 race from a pool floaty is pretty decadent too!!!

After all, you do work on some pretty exotic cars, you’re allowed to show some decadence sometimes.

[LUKE_L]

I would go with the Panasonic over the Optoma just on the 3LCD versus DLP. Never been a fan of DLP. Evertime I see them side by side I prefer LCD.

3LCD

@wiki

Proponents of 3LCD projection technology claim that it has the following advantages over it closest competing technologies:

Advantages
3LCD projectors are able to produce brighter colors compared to those using single-chip DLP technology. This is because 3LCD projectors mix and project the light beams from all three colours to form each individual pixel’s color, while single-chip DLP projectors create colors by projecting them in sequence one at a time and rely on human color perception to mix and interpret the correct colors for each pixel.
The way a single-chip DLP projector works sometimes causes viewers to see a “rainbow” or “color breakup” effect where false colors are briefly perceived when either the image or the observer’s eye is in motion. As all three primary colors are displayed all the time by 3LCD projectors, they do not suffer from this effect.
3LCD projectors are able to display finer image gradations by giving each pixel on the projected image a smooth variation in brightness levels. This is because the liquid crystals for each pixel on an LCD panel can be given fine levels of opacity by varying the electrical charge. On the other hand, a single-chip DLP projector has a single mirror reflecting the lamp light to the lens on its DMD chip for each pixel. It varies the brightness of each pixel by vibrating the mirror between its on or off state in varying frequencies and relies on human perception to interpret the brightness of each pixel.
3LCD projectors typically use less power compared to a single-chip DLP projectors of the same brightness rating.
3LCD projectors are typically more affordable than those using LCOS or 3-chip DLP technologies.

Disadvantages
Older 3LCD projectors with large pixel pitches usually have a “screen door” effect
3LCD projectors are typically more costly than single-chip DLP ones of similar specifications.
Single-chip DLP projectors typically have higher contrast ratios compared to older 3LCD models of similar price or brightness rating.
The LCD panels and dichroic mirrors in 3LCD projectors may degrade with time, causing color shifts, unevenness of illumination, and reduction of contrast. The single DMD chip in single-chip DLP projectors tend to have a longer life span.
The smallest single-chip DLP projectors are smaller than the smallest 3LCD projector models.
Current LCOS projector models typically deliver sharper images at higher resolutions than 3LCD projectors.

I’ve seen Mike’s (97FormulaWS-6) setup…more than adequate.

[Blown_Stroked]

Panasonic has Game Mode too. Panasonic looks like the leader right now.

[97FormulaWS-6]

Ambient light will wash out any projection setup unless you’re into the 10k+ ones. If you want something for outside daytime viewing, then a normal flat-screen is best.

Mine is a 3LCD, and during the day I have to have the window shades drawn to have a decent picture, but at night when the house is dark it’s a great picture. But, that’s the nature of any projection style setup. Only issue I have with mine is I’ve gotta clean the fan filter/fan itself out about every 500hrs of usage or the fan gets noisy.

Warning… Time Warner HD will look eh, and pixulate like a MOFO, especially Showtime HD or HBO HD; this will show up a LOT more with a projection setup, and worse the larger your screen gets. It’s due to the compression Time Warner uses, it annoys the SHIT out of me. I thought it was my projector for about 6 months, then I got a Bluray player, and there’s ZERO pixulation with bluray; infact blueray on a 120" screen with surround sound in a room with a 15’ viewing distance is fucking amazing.

[LUKE_L]

@97FormulaWS-6

blueray on a 120" screen with surround sound in a room with a 15’ viewing distance is fucking amazing.

I concur. I felt like I was in a private cinema.

[Willybeen]

Ive got a shitty LG Lcd tv poolside for sunday afternoon football… its just a tid bit too cold in the pool now…