Jumpped into Front Projection with a Planar PD7060 $899

[mike123abc]

I missed out on the mitsubishi 1500 sale people were talking about in here last month. But, I saw Planar PD7060 DLP Home Theater Projector - 1000 Lumens, 720p, 1280 x 720, 3500:1 997-3386-00 at TigerDirect.com

The MSRP on this was $2995, now on closeout.

Due to room dimensions and the limited 1.1 zoom ( Planar: Home Theater: Projectors: PD7060*HD Projector ) I went with a 92" screen, an Elite ezFrame R92H1 92" Diagonal (45" x 80") with CineGrey, it has 1.0 gain. I went with the grey to darken the blacks since as per the reviews the projector gets a bit grey on a small screen.

Opinions on this combination? Hard to beat a delivered price of $1354 (Tiger Direct charges sales tax (TX) and I got 2 day delivery making it $1015, screen was $329 delivered). Now I just need to figure out a good ceiling mount and maybe have the whole deal under $1500.

I am a bit nervous on 3 fronts:

1. First time ever mail ordering a TV
2. First time buying a TV without seeing it in action up front (just based on price and reviews)
3. First front projection setup

Most my viewing will be a pretty dark room, but given the calculators, it looks to come in at 30-40 Foot Lamberts, should be bright enough for moderate light.

 

[charper1]

Looks like a decent purchase... I guess only your eyes can tell; especially given your particular room setup that we can't judge. And as long as you are happy that is what matters; but I am intrigued by this particular model over some of the award winners in the same class? Some that can be found very near or slightly more than that same cost. I can tell you That you could have got a better price for a screen as the pro look pre-built frame IMHO is way-over kill at the retail level, you could have got the same screen and built the frame or paid a contractor to do it and saved over half and put the savings into the real meat - the projector..

See Screens.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I mail-ordered my Mitsi, but it was Amazon, and I have always been happy with their customer support. AND three months later, as happy as can be.

Never dealt with Tiger Direct, but they have been around for a while.

I paid a little less for the Mitsi, about $800, but regardless, both are really good prices for some stellar HD.

 

[tigerfan33]

I have used Tiger Direct many times and have always been satisfied.

 

[mike123abc]

Looks like a decent purchase... I guess only your eyes can tell; especially given your particular room setup that we can't judge. And as long as you are happy that is what matters; but I am intrigued by this particular model over some of the award winners in the same class? Some that can be found very near or slightly more than that same cost. I can tell you That you could have got a better price for a screen as the pro look pre-built frame IMHO is way-over kill at the retail level, you could have got the same screen and built the frame or paid a contractor to do it and saved over half and put the savings into the real meat - the projector..

See Screens.

Well I read some reviews of the projector and they suggested a grey screen since it was so bright under 100" or you would get grey blacks. I read some favorable reviews on the screen and it was $299, I figured better than a DIY version. The screen was good at a balanced light without major hot spots.

As far as which projector to get my head is still spinning from all the reviews found on the web and comments over at AVSforum. I figured at $899 it would not be too big a risk. 92" screen might be smallish by FP standards, but seating is only 11' away, right around the THX reccomended distance. My main worry will be pixel visibility at 11'.

I figured I have to start somewhere and this would be a good, cheap entry.

 

[mike123abc]

Well the projector came in today. Wow one could really get used to the big screen quickly. My main problem is that I do not have a screen yet. Curses to long holliday weekends! Well next Wednesday I should have the screen (according to UPS tracking). I have it projecting on a dark gold wall right now. It is still alluring given its size. I can hardly wait to play with it once the screen gets here.

 

[charper1]

Well the projector came in today. Wow one could really get used to the big screen quickly

YOU ARE NOW HOOKED! Another story of seeing one in action - kind of makes you scratch your head why some people want to continually hate on FPTV and spread unfounded negative myths to keep user from even considering them (this especially goes for retailers around the USA). GOOD FOR YOU! So even without a screen; do you have a white wall to throw that baby up on?

 

[dfergie]

Go to home depot and get a white board or melamine, that will tide you over till your screen comes in...I got my latest Mits off of E-bay for$700 with shipping and bought a lamp for my Older one (from Japan) and came out cheaper than what they wanted for one here... 73" in the Ht room and 99" in the bedroom...

 

[mike123abc]

I have never had anything against FP. I have not had it until now because I have not had anywhere suitable. I finally have a room that it will work great in. Once I get my screen in I will do a detailed analysis compared to plasma. The main issue with FP of course is light control, I do not have a dedicated theater room, and my bedroom was not set up to have a FP (huge headboard combined with a ceiling fan in the way).

If I end up moving in the next few years (which could be possible), I will definitely work on a dedicated HT room for the next house. Right now with rooms with huge windows and transoms the living areas are just super bright during the days.

 

[charper1]

Sorry Mike; I was not meaning you. I simply mean your yet another success story against those people. LOL

 

[Digital Dude]

Another victim drinks the Kool-aid!
I've done FP for going on 7 years, there's nothing like it!

Congrats!

 

[Stargazer]

Have the price of the bulbs come down yet? That is the only reason why I have not bought one yet. I would have to buy bulbs 2-3 times a year as much as my tv would be on and that adds up real quick vs. buying the new tv's that have the LED bulbs built in which last for 60,000 hours vs. around 3,000 hours on a projector. I can't wait for the bulbless projectors come out.

 

[mike123abc]

I estimate with my viewing it will be 2-3 years before it would go out (4k hours). You would have to be watching TV 24 hours a day to go through 2 a year. I would probably just buy a new projector considering the bulb price would be 1/4 the price of the unit new, and in 3 years the projectors will probably be cheaper and higher quality.

LED models are being reported from CEIDA, I do not know when they will be available for purchase.

 

[mike123abc]

Well my screen came in and I have it set up in a temporary location (the room that it is destined to be in is suffering from jackhammering dust from the remodeling of the adjacent bathroom).

I must say it is a pleasure to watch. This system has a great picture (a steal of a deal given the close out pricing which if you use MS live search deal drops down to under $800 after rebate). I have definitely decided it will be time to upgrade in a couple years when the bulb goes out. This is a 720p system, and when you have a 92" screen one can see that it is when you look for it (I have about 20/15 vision). This is not an issue when dealing with 40-50" screens, but at 92", you can start to see the appeal of 1080p.

My only problem now is that I want to watch it too much! I guess it will end up costing me more cash because I have decided it is time to upgrade the audio system in this room.

 

[JAG72]

Have the price of the bulbs come down yet? That is the only reason why I have not bought one yet. I would have to buy bulbs 2-3 times a year as much as my tv would be on and that adds up real quick vs. buying the new tv's that have the LED bulbs built in which last for 60,000 hours vs. around 3,000 hours on a projector. I can't wait for the bulbless projectors come out.

If you use your projector for 8 hours a day you will only need to buy a bulb once a year. You have other problems if you would need to buy 3 a year as your TV would be on 24 hours a day.

I have had mine for a year and I bet that I have another 2 years before I have to replace the bulb. I also have a 27" TV in the same room for the kids to watch all their Disney shows on. The projector is only for movies or sporting events in my house.

 

[JAG72]

I must say it is a pleasure to watch. This system has a great picture (a steal of a deal given the close out pricing which if you use MS live search deal drops down to under $800 after rebate). I have definitely decided it will be time to upgrade in a couple years when the bulb goes out. This is a 720p system, and when you have a 92" screen one can see that it is when you look for it (I have about 20/15 vision). This is not an issue when dealing with 40-50" screens, but at 92", you can start to see the appeal of 1080p.

It all depends how far you sit from the screen. In my room I sit far enough back that I should not notice the benifit of a 1080P setup.

 

[dfergie]

I have noticed the same in my bedroom... stuff that looked like crap with same PJ at 73"(but much closer) isn't that bad at 99"(and farther away)...