dlp projector

[ayalbaram]

I'm thinking of purchasing a dlp projector and looking for some advice I need one that supports hdtv (480i/p,720p, and 1080i) must have dvi,component, s-video,and rca input. Also it must work in a well lit room (florescent lighting). the size desired is 4ft by 3ft (in 4:3 aspect), as well as support for 16:9 at size 5.3ft by 3ft. I am somewhat price conscious (I'd like to be below $2000 if possible) any suggestions on a product that will suite my needs is greatly appreciated.

[Richard King]

Here's the forum just for you.... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=68
It covers digital projectors in the under $3500 price range. Let me know what you end up with as I will be looking sometime hopefully in the not too distant future. :D

[sorahl]

let us all know. this is an interest of mine as a projector is my video source of choice when i finish my basement.

[Sonnie Parker]

You'll probably find this out over at AVS but be careful with DLP's under $2K. Many see a rainbow effect which will bother you and may cause headaches.

For under $2K I'd be looking at the Sanyo Z2 or the Boxlight 2HD LCD projectors. If you only plan to project a 60-70" screen then you might even look at a Z1 or 1HD.... they only run about $1200 and I know several who are extremely happy with these units.

[ayalbaram]

You'll probably find this out over at AVS but be careful with DLP's under $2K. Many see a rainbow effect which will bother you and may cause headaches.

For under $2K I'd be looking at the Sanyo Z2 or the Boxlight 2HD LCD projectors. If you only plan to project a 60-70" screen then you might even look at a Z1 or 1HD.... they only run about $1200 and I know several who are extremely happy with these units.


Thanks for the info thats pretty much what I got over there and I think i've decided on the z2

[olgeezer]

You should be able to pick up a Sony VPLHS10 for under 2. A 3000 hour modestly priced bulb and a WXGA image will give you full 1280x720 video

[DarrellP]

Florescent lighting has a weird color to it and it will affect the color of your projected image. Do you have to go with this lighting? There are very few PJ's that will have a decent picture under lit conditions. With the PJ on, there is plenty of light to see by if you are worried about not being able to see.

I just ordered the Clone of the Sanyo Z2, the Boxlight 2HD and expect to receive it around the end of December. It is an LCD PJ but I have total light control in my HT.

It's hard to find a decent DLP for under $2k. Some XGA resolution units are becoming available, but they are in a 4:3 format. The Panasonic L500 & Sanyo Z2 LCD units are your best bet for under $2k.

[ayalbaram]

Well in the end I also got a 2hd and I love it I can never go back to a regular tv again!

Florescent lighting has a weird color to it and it will affect the color of your projected image. Do you have to go with this lighting? There are very few PJ's that will have a decent picture under lit conditions. With the PJ on, there is plenty of light to see by if you are worried about not being able to see.

I just ordered the Clone of the Sanyo Z2, the Boxlight 2HD and expect to receive it around the end of December. It is an LCD PJ but I have total light control in my HT.

It's hard to find a decent DLP for under $2k. Some XGA resolution units are becoming available, but they are in a 4:3 format. The Panasonic L500 & Sanyo Z2 LCD units are your best bet for under $2k.

[Sonnie Parker]

We own a 2HD and it does such a remarkable job that we can have our lights on and still see the image very well. Having our front lights on near the screen effects the image slightly but leaving the back 4 wall lights on has hardly any effect. None the less we like the lights off when viewing for the cinema atmosphere.

We're projecting a 97" diagonal image with our 2HD and the only settings I have adjusted are changing the video mode to cinema and closing the iris. Everything else is set as was out of the box. The image is truly stunning on DVD with our Denon 2900 and HD on our Dish 6000.

Too bad Studio has discontinued the 2HD. Of course the Z2 is the same and I suppose it can still be had.

[gsusser]

I'm considering the Samsung HLN437W. Does anyone have experience with this?

[olgeezer]

Great TV, might get it soon, as I think Samsung and a lot of the other DLP manufacturers are abanding the 43/44" market and the current Sammys and Sceniums are in extremely short supply.

[digital223]

But if you can hold off for a while, I think we are going to see a big change in hdtv/dlp.
RCA Thompson has announced their 2004, 50", 60" and 2005 70" Scenium models the 50" will only be 7" thick....or thin as they say !
See my post of 1-23-04 for the hyperlink on the press release.
Also this will hopefully drop the price of the present dlp models available now.
DLP is tempting but contrast, reduced viewing angles and pq has to be improved for my money.........but it is very tempting. :D
Good Luck

[Frank Z]

I was seriously considering the Screenplay 7200, put the price is pretty steep. I'm trying to find a retailer locally that carries the Panasonic PT-AE500U LCD projector but no luck yet. It is a true HD projector and retails for around $2500.

[DarrellP]

I received my 2HD and I am totally disappointed in it. It has vertical banding that I can not get rid of. Factory menu register 14 controls this and I have mine adjusted all the way down to zero and the banding is still readily apparent. Picture wise it is awesome, the contrast is good, colors are vibrant and it is plenty bright, but there are 2 things that this PJ really suffers from:

1) Vertical banding: not everyone has it to the degree that I do.

2) With horizontal movement, there are slim horizontal lines that display briefly throughout the picture. Everyone at AVSForum who has commented on this machine does see this effect, so mine is not the only one. It is very brief and you won't see it if you are not looking for it.

I sent my unit back to Boxlight and they said there is nothing wrong with it, they claim that the VB is "within specs", well I think the tech must be blind because the VB is so bad on mine it is annoying. Even with it adjusted to zero, there are thin vertical stripes all the way down my screen across the entire picture. This is NOT acceptable and Boxlight will not do anything about it.

When I got the unit back, Boxlight said they "cleaned" the unit, but it had 2 dust blobs in it that were not there when I sent it in for service.

I will probably be selling this unit since the PQ is not acceptable the way it is. My dealer does not give refunds but he will resell it for me.

[olgeezer]

Might check your connecting cables. Make them as straight (no kinks or tying together) as possible

[DarrellP]

I'm a happy camper now. I've been tweaking it and just ran my 6000 into the DVI port with a VGA-DVI cable and the picture is better than ever. The VB even seems to be less apparent. I will be happy with this PJ if it will continue to perform at it's current level. I will continue to try the tweaks mentioned at AVS and see if I can further reduce the VB and increase the blacks (thought I'm quite happy with it now).