Need To Know About Projector/TV comparison, HDMI/DVI/adaptors, HD Projectors, Burn In

[Stargazer]

I want to do some comparison of projectors vs. television - qualitywise, pricewise shorterm and longterm, advantages and disadvantages of each. I went to CircuitCity and another large store that sells lots of tv's and trying to compare everything.

Circuitcity only had the cheap projectors in stock. The other store had none in stock. Both put projectors down with what the quality they have. Trying to figure out if they are just saying that to get another quick sale. I also am needing to know if the contrast ration (1000:1 and 2000:1 for example) is at the maximum screen size and if it is increased to compare more with the higher end televisions available that has the 10,000:1 contrast ratios and so forth. I am starting to figure this stuff out a little more after going to both of these stores and doing a bit more research. I know that I drove the sales people nuts and they definitely did not have all of the answers and they said that they would like to know the answers themselves. I hear that the screens make a difference in the quality when it comes to projectors. I like the fact that the projector is smaller, more portable, and brings a larger picture. Just need to know if it is possible to get just as good or better picture quality on a projector as you can on a television and at what cost.

I am also looking at the DVI, HDMI, HDMI 2, and DVI to HDMI adaptors so that I can connect the laptop to the television/projector in the future.

Another thing is that they said that the bulb life in the projectors and DLP televisions and that the plasma and lcd television pixels burn out. Seems like there is something bad about any television or projector out there that you buy.

Also what do you guys recommend for a brand to buy for the televisions / projectors.

 

[JimMcC]

Projector

I've had my projector for almost 2 years now and I love it. But I would not want to use it as my only viewing source. SD programming looks bad on any projector. We watch all DVD's and occasional HDTV on it. Plus you need a very dark room to fully enjoy a projector. We have a 32" set we use for normal viewing. And you need to replace the bulb every 2000-3000 hours at an average cost of $300. I recommend you go to Projectorcentral.com and read up, it's a great site.

 

[charper1]

SD programming looks bad on any projector..... Plus you need a very dark room to fully enjoy a projector.

Neiter of these are exactly true today if you have the selected the CORRECT projector that has been PROPERLY setup for the specific environment and viewing distance.

And you need to replace the bulb every 2000-3000 hours at an average cost of $300.

Factor that bulb cost x 5 - 7 years (will you really keep it that long) and you will still have a better value and equal or better picture than any other HD set currently out - and those will NEVER approach anything close to 70" diag or more pure HD viewing. You can also scale the size down at the touch of a button to watch SD programs. I agree there is no reason to enlarge a SD image so much; I scale my 16:9 119" down to 70-80ish for 4:3 viewing most times; it takes no trouble and less than 15 seconds. You can even set a remote macro to do that. I am also sitting close to the recommended distance, not 10' - 15' sitting on top of the darn thing like most. Most people making bad reviews have seen or own incorrectly selected, or improperly setup units for those given rooms.


1 new bulb every 1.5 years (2000hrs change) x 7 years = 4 new bulbs (1 comes with the proj) x $300 = $1200 + $2500 for the FPTV = $3700 BEAT THAT with a flat TV ! AND YES, you can buy top rated, industry recommended FPTVs for $2500 - $3000.

NEVER, EVER go to any box chain and/or discount retailer if you want truth or properly setup /displayed gear. 99% of the time they will always push you to whatever gives them the best markup / best profit margin / best commission.

1. Decide if you want a real home theater; not just a over-priced TV
2. Measure your room to determine what can work CORRECTLY
3. Determine ambient lighting; today's newer FPTVs can handle light VERY well; if you select CORRECTLY
4. Determine your install options; wall, ceiling, stand, etc
5. Establish a budget (this does NOT mean buy the most expensive or the cheapest!)
6. Search your area for home theater specialty retailer with a showroom. See if they offer any free assistance as well
7. Search on-line specialty shops
8. NEVER buy the latest HYPE or FAD (aka keeping up with the Joneses) Latest, doesn't mean better, just more expensive
9. Check return policies
10. Factor in cable, wire and mounts

 

[VIPERS-PIT]

I would never touch a LCD or DLP TV in any form!!! CRT is the way yo go 1000%. I have been using a 32 inch samsung HD LCD for the last 3 days and it looks like crap!!! Can not wait to get me 65 inch RP CRT TV back!!!

If you have a good eye it is all to easy to see the many horrible flaws in the LCD and DLP units. They are being pushed on the consumer for higher profit margins ONLY, they are a inferior product that costs less to build and gives the retailer a much better mark up.

I have seen zero downside to RP CRT units. And the viewing angle from the sides are 100% better than LCD. This LCD looks white from 45degrees off. My CRT looks great at the same angle.

Stay away from any LCD or DLP units.

 

[toto]

I want to do some comparison of projectors vs. television - qualitywise, pricewise shorterm and longterm, advantages and disadvantages of each. I went to CircuitCity and another large store that sells lots of tv's and trying to compare everything.

Circuitcity only had the cheap projectors in stock. The other store had none in stock. Both put projectors down with what the quality they have. Trying to figure out if they are just saying that to get another quick sale. I also am needing to know if the contrast ration (1000:1 and 2000:1 for example) is at the maximum screen size and if it is increased to compare more with the higher end televisions available that has the 10,000:1 contrast ratios and so forth. I am starting to figure this stuff out a little more after going to both of these stores and doing a bit more research. I know that I drove the sales people nuts and they definitely did not have all of the answers and they said that they would like to know the answers themselves. I hear that the screens make a difference in the quality when it comes to projectors. I like the fact that the projector is smaller, more portable, and brings a larger picture. Just need to know if it is possible to get just as good or better picture quality on a projector as you can on a television and at what cost.

I am also looking at the DVI, HDMI, HDMI 2, and DVI to HDMI adaptors so that I can connect the laptop to the television/projector in the future.

Another thing is that they said that the bulb life in the projectors and DLP televisions and that the plasma and lcd television pixels burn out. Seems like there is something bad about any television or projector out there that you buy.

Also what do you guys recommend for a brand to buy for the televisions /
projectors.

Are you looking for front or rear projectors?

 

[teachsac]

"Seems like there is something bad about any television or projector out there that you buy."

True. every display type has its own advantages and disadvantages. LCD's do have a tendency for blobs (SXRD), yellowing of screen, etc. Definately do not have an LCD or Plasma that receives any direct sunlight.

DLP tends to Rainbow (although not noticable on new sets) and use "wobbulation to rech 1080P).

CRTs have deep blacks and have their own disadvantages.

I have had 2 projectors an Hitachi LCD (loved it) and a Fujitsu 1080P that I got at cost (couldn't pass up). Screens to matter. I use a Stewart. Throw and viewing distance do matter also. I recommend at least 13ft. I use mine during daylight and get good results, but at night it is spectacular. I do not use it as my main TV.

The best best is to go to a reputable Home Theater specialist and avoid the "Box Stores". A good reputable company will come to your house, look at where you want to put the TV, lighting conditions, size, accoustics, etc. for free before they sell you a TV.

I am looking at the 2007 Mitsubishi WD-65732 when they come out. They have spectacular features and all of the connections you could hope for including DVI for PC and Firewire.

Good hunting.

Scott

 

[Stargazer]

I was looking at mainly front projectors to project on a screen. I was also curious what the benefits of the LCD/DLP televisions really are compared to rear projectors and front projectors. I would HATE to have to replace an expensive bulb so dang often. I would have to replace more often than once every 1.5 years since I would have the television on anywhere from 8-13 hours a day and would also want to use it for a computer screen. I would have to make sure I had the clarity to read all of the words like I do on a computer screen.

With the high cost of bulbs in projectors, if one did not have to pay a whole lot for a projector vs. the cost of a big screen television, then one would still spend just as much on a projector as a television over a period of years and be able to get a bigger screen if wanted but would the quality be as good as the televisions?

Also when they say on the projector that it has, for example, a contrast ratio of 2000:1 is that the contrast ratio if it were blow up full size (over 100 inches) and can the contrast ratio be better if you make the screen smaller? How much better vs. the picture size? I am trying to compare that picture quality with the televisions in which I have seen have as much as 10,000:1 and 20,000:1 contrast ratio. I know there are other things to look at as well with picture quality.

So basically I am trying to compare upfront cost/longterm cost (bulb replacement), picture quality in projector vs. television, and if someone is going to just use it for SD and computer screen (will use it for HD when HD hardware comes down) if I really need as expensive of hardware and if I really need to worry about contrast ratio so much. Seeing that I want to use it as a computer screen I would say that I would still want to get the best picture quality so I can see the words well and so that it is comparable to the computer screen.

 

[dfergie]

Have you checked out Infocus ? I have an X1 I use quite a bit when I am off.. and I have it hooked to Replay, Dvd, D* H10, 921 and a Pc...

 

[teachsac]

Hi,

Except for CRT and plasma, you are going to have to replace the bulb in a front or rear projector about every three thousand hours give or take. Extended warranties usually include 2 bulb replacements. With my projectors the Hitachi had a contrast ratio of 1200:1 and the Fujitsu 3300:1. COntrast is adjustable through the user menu. Text is crystal clear as is the picture with my projectors.

AVSForum has a good section on projectors mid/highend if you can weed through their format.

ProjectorCentral has a lot of reviews, throw range calculator, etc. Range is usually a minimum of 13 ft with at least 15' for a 100" screen.

I don't think I would run a front projector for 8-13 hours.

 

[charper1]

I concure with researching http://www.projectorcentral.com but the InFocus X1, X1a and X2 just don't have enough "umph" for true HT, but are a great entry level bargins; they are not 16:9 native.

7 Year Analysis *see below

http://www.focusedtechnology.com

I bought from these guys based on 3 recommendations and they were AWESOME! I have since sent 4 other friends their way that have had the same experiences.

Here is their current special on one of the top rated home theater FPTVs (but ask what screen you get - you may want bigger or different surface). Projector comes with 1 lamp and they throw in another for the special along with a 96" 16:9 screen.

http://www.focusedtechnology.com/sanyo-plvz4-projector.html

One of the Top Industry Rated PLV-Z4 FPTV $1700

Screen 96" 16:9 Included FREE (+$350 w/o special)

New Lamps (over 7 years) 2 included + 4 more @ $300 = $1200 (+$300)

Total on Special $2900

(w/o special $3550)

Be crazy and add another $500 for cables; I spent less than $250 total, BUT the total over 7 years still beats all others hands down.

No "flat panel" will come CLOSE to quality 50, 60 , 80 inch display at that cost within that same 7 year span (you will have a new TV by then I bet).

The quality and images are SUPERB in my 119" STUNNING HD. My throw is 24', but 96" will be around 19' throw.

These are the most overlooked devices thanks to all "flat panel" hype and mis-information and myths directed and FPTVs. Not to mention the lower profit margin and commissions forcing sales staff to push people toward "flat panels".

The same deal as above can be found at http://www.projectorpeople.com for $1600 or http://www.projector.com for $1649

 

[Stargazer]

Would running a projector for 8-13 hours some days reduce the life of the projector itself or greatly reduce the life of the bulb?

Thanks for all of the information given so far. I wanted to make sure that I could get just as good of a picture with a projector as I could with a bigscreen television. I noticed that the contrast ratio was better on some of the bigscreens than the projectors me and others would love the theatric feel of the projector.

Do most of the projectors upconvert the signal like the big screen televisions do? I notice that the Mitsubishi televisions make an analog source into digital making the picture quality better.

Is contrast ratio / picture quality affected when you make the picture smaller? How small would the projector picture have to be to get the same quality as a good contrast ratio big screen television? Or am I missing something here?

 

[charper1]

Would running a projector for 8-13 hours some days reduce the life of the projector itself or greatly reduce the life of the bulb?

The lamps are rated as low as 2000hrs to a high of 4000 depending on the make and model; only the lamp is effected/changed. AND even at 1 lamp per year added to the cost of the screen and projector it is still a lower total cost device.

Is contrast ratio / picture quality affected when you make the picture smaller?

No

How small would the projector picture have to be to get the same quality as a good contrast ratio big screen television?

You do not need to reduce to get better; I can project a 100"+ that has an equal image quality than most and better than many.

 

[Digital Dude]

Of the 100's of Projectors I've dealt with I find that PJ's in bars that run 12 hours a day get, on average, more lamp hours than home units that have more on/off cycles. If you're going to run the projector for an extended time often then I'd go DLP. The polarizers on LCD panels are susceptible to heat degradation. There are many fine LCD PJ's, but in MY experience, DLP does better when left on for extended time periods.

Clean filters often!

The larger the screen the more critical light control becomes.

 

[Stargazer]

I noticed a 7500:1 contrast ratio projector available for under $5,000 (one might be able to get one even cheaper than that) but it was an LCD one. Are the DLP's more expensive than LCD's?

 

[charper1]

DLPs are "generally more" but the newer generations of quality LCD units are just as good IMHO.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sanyo-PLV-Z4.htm

7000:1 top recommended (4.7 out of 5) for $1600 w/screen and 2 lamps.

"The PLV-Z4 represents a huge leap forward in performance." Evidently, someone at Sanyo decided to make a definitive strategic statement with this release. For not only does it respond aggressively to the success of last year's Panasonic PT-AE700, it is a direct challenge to every single-chip 720p DLP projector on the market.

It is difficult to know where to start with this one, so I will offer a summary assessment, and follow with more detail on various issues. In short, the PLV-Z4 offers the highest contrast we've yet seen from LCD, and indeed, contrast is higher than that of any DLP product anywhere near its price range. Color saturation sets a new benchmark. Furthermore, it can be set to generate a wide range of lumen output without degrading contrast performance. Most viewers familiar with LCD projectors will look at the Z4's image and say, "Wow, I can't believe that is LCD." We said this before of last year's model (Z3), but LCD has taken yet another leap forward, and it is all the more true this time. Thus we would say this to underscore the point: Currently the PLV-Z4 has a street price of about $1,995; If you are about to lay down $12,000 for a high end single-chip DLP home theater projector on the theory that the more it costs the better it must be, do not miss the opportunity to audition the Sanyo PLV-Z4. The Achilles' heel of single-chip DLP has always been color, and a side-by-side demo with the Z4 will illustrate in convincing terms why LCD is not dead. Heck, you might just save yourself $10,000.

 

[Stargazer]

So this projector can be had for as cheap as $1,600 and it comes with two bulbs, the screen, and has a 7000:1 contrast ratio? That sounds like a bargain to me. I wonder how much the extended warranty would cost and how many bulbs they would replace under the warranty. You may have just saved me a lot of hassle looking around for a projector. Thanks! I will give this one some serious thought.

I notice that it also has a three year warranty. That is another plus. Does that cover as many bulb replacements as needed or is there a limit?

 

[charper1]

So this projector can be had for as cheap as $1,600 and it comes with two bulbs, the screen, and has a 7000:1 contrast ratio? That sounds like a bargain to me. I wonder how much the extended warranty would cost and how many bulbs they would replace under the warranty. You may have just saved me a lot of hassle looking around for a projector. Thanks! I will give this one some serious thought.

Here were the available links to the season special for that unit, so you can examine each retailer:

http://www.focusedtechnology.com/sanyo-plvz4-projector.html * I have used or recomended them with high praise.

http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=20244&itmname=Sanyo PLV-Z4&sid=PCEL

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1815636&NoMapp=1

http://www.projector.com/pgs/1742/Projectors/Sanyo/Sanyo_PLV-Z4_WXGA-H_LCD_Multimedia_Projector.html

http://www.myprojectorstore.com/productdetails/plvz4

 

[Stargazer]

I am very interested in this unit. The only two things I have questions about is about the resolution and duration using the unit.

My laptop has a resolution of 1680 x 1050 (high resolution). I probably would not need that high of a resolution on a projector although I think I saw some of the bigscreen televisions have this. Would I have to set the resolution down on my laptop in order to use it with the projector and would this affect the quality?

Also I read where the lcd projectors tend to get dim after it is on for a while. Is this one of those bad things about lcd projectors in that it is hard on them or that they dim and the quality degrades or the projector can get ruined from overheating if it is on for over 8 hours? Or is this not an issue with the newest lcd projectors?

 

[charper1]

No on the 1st question, this unit has an auto sensing resolution function and is PC compatable.

I attached the user guide for you.


I have never experienced any of the issues you mention in part 2, but any CE product can be abused past its limitations.

I have run mine for full NFL sundays incl pre-game shows and night games through a full season without and degradations or cooling problems.

 

[Digital Dude]

The problem you're talking about is in the organic layer of the LCD. The D4 panels are supposed to be less prone to this and D5 panels are ramping up now.

Have you checked out the Optoma HD72?

The 7000:1 CR is dynamic, it uses an iris that isn't totally effective when a scene had bright and dark areas.

Where are you located? There may be a couple of places to check out different PJ's.