Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Anyone current w front projectors? Lastest tech?

A friend asked me for recommendations on a front projector, but i haven't looked at reviews for years after abandoning the idea to a large flat screen tv since our media room can really only manage about a 75" max screen. With 70" tvs out there now for under $4k, the projector idea (added noise and heat with limited space) isn't worth it.

Anyway, here's what he sent:

Screen (already purchased): Elite Screens 135" (electric, ceiling-mounted white)
Since the room has a 10' ceiling, the screen has an additional 2' of black screen at the top so that the bottom of the image can be 2-3' above the floor. Model#: VMAX135UWH2-E24.

Projector Budget: under $2000 preferably
-16:9 display (normal throw distance as he has adequate room length)
-good brightness (the room won't likely be in a darkened basement)
-LCD ONLY (by this though he may also mean LED is possible as his info on projectors is likely old and he's thinking old school LCD vs DLP).

I'm already forwarding him the links to Cnet and Projector Central but that's all i have for bookmarks on the subject.

Any got any current and factual thoughts on the latest tech if not a recommendation?

There are no LED front projectors, or at least not anything worth looking into.

LCD or LCOS (if possible) will yield the picture/price point that he is wanting.

DLP isn't bad by any means, but you don't have as many choices with DLP. LCOS has the potential to give him the inky dark blacks and is great technology, just not sure about the sub $2000 price point.

Projector Central has some good info out there that can generally be trusted.

Look for real contrast numbers, and not the "fake" 2,000,000:1 crap. Unfortunately, most of the manufacturers use those fake ones where they compare the projector in the brightest lamp mode, with the iris fully open, projecting out a super white image for the "on" brightness measurement, and then compare that to when the projector is turned off. What kind of crap is that? Most of them do that, but they measure slightly different. Usually those 2,000,000:1 numbers come down to a real number of like 18,000:1 when factoring the brightest and dimmest image that the projector can display without being dumb and turning it off. This is mainly in the LCD market. LCOS should yield numbers like 50,000:1, but that is a "real" number, and not inflated. Again, not sure that you can get into LCOS for under $2000 though.

There are other factors like 3D vs. 2D only displays. I have a 3D capable JVC (uses LCOS), but got it because it has been rated as the best 2D projector under $4000 for 2.5 years (and its replacement was given that honor the year after). I don't care about 3D at home, where other projectors do great with 3D, but their 2D image quality isn't the best.

Here is a guy who tested out a LOT of projectors and has been highly respected for his ratings and results. The information is from September 2013, but a number of the models should be the same.

Coderguy's Top Projector Picks

Thanks Nick. Great info.

I don't think 3D is something he wants nor would i ever recommend it to anyone, so I can probably ignore those feature aspects.
Can't say I've read anything about Lcos but if their price point is higher then I'll stay focused on LCD.

My experience with the PT-AE8000 has been real good. It should be nearing the $2,000.00 price point now.
I haven't used it for 3D yet but it already has a really good depth to the image. Once the focus is set per source its really good.
The dark room helps, you can run it on eco which cuts the noise in half. I haven't seen it in a well lit room but it is quite bright on both settings.
I run mine on Normal all the time, no real messing with the settings once each source is adjusted and saved.

The BenQ W7000 is real good and refurbed units, like I bought, can be found for under $2000. I realize you said 3D isn't a consideration, but many places did rate the W7000 as the best 3D capable projector in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.

Looks like the Epson 5000 series is going to be his choice. Possibly slightly above the $2k budget, but we all seem to blow the budget a bit for a/v.

thanks for the opinions

If he likes the Epson models check out Visual Apex. Epson authorized refurb dealer. So it's like new and with same warranty, but cheaper. :-)

http://www.visualapex.com/Home-Theater-P...Cinema-5020UB-R

VisualApex = good peeps...

I worked with them a couple of times now, my first time was for my previous projector. They were good to work with.

I got my Panasonic from VisualApex in 2006. Good experience here as well.

Geez, time for an upgrade!

That's a big screen. I'd be steering him towards a projector that throws a lot of light. 2K budget, look at used machines. There is no "new tech", yet. 4K is too young. DLP has not advanced in about five years. LED is probably not going mainstream. Laser will most likely be the next light source, but no time soon. I know some folk here do not like Sony, but I’ve been very happy my Sony ES95. The ES55 can probably be had for your bud’s price point on the used market. It’s a nice machine. 3D is pretty much standard on newer machines. It sucks on all of them too. It just sucks a bit less on some than others. Guys who get all goo-goo over it must have issues best resolved by the Doc, or they are just flat our blind, or can tolerate ghosting and blur. I dunno, but can say to take their input with caution.