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Re: Projector problems??
Hutzal #167612 05/08/07 01:43 PM
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shareholder in the making
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I need to sell my Z2 and get a Z5, ooops, sorry forum rules.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Projector problems??
SirQuack #167613 05/08/07 02:13 PM
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Can't go wrong at $1695 for a Z5.


John
Re: Projector problems??
jakeman #167614 05/08/07 02:45 PM
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Quote:

Can't go wrong at $1695 for a Z5.




much cheaper than that john.

I got mine for $1497 CAD. I know its cheaper in the states...around $1200 USD with rebates...


Producer | Composer
www.robbhutzal.com
Re: Projector problems??
Hutzal #167615 05/08/07 03:14 PM
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shareholder in the making
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Stop teasing me guys.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Projector problems??
jhunt17 #167616 05/08/07 03:35 PM
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Don’t get sucked into the resolution game. It makes little to no difference going from 720 to 1080. Where you need to be looking /comparing is true contrast ratio, color accuracy, blacks, projector noise (they are not all the same), mounting limitations, bulb replacement costs, ease of use, lumen output, lens shift limitations, cost and whatever else is important to you.

Most of these things are incredibly overrated (as advertised). After calibration is when a projector should be measured for competitive shopping perposes. Also, look for unbiased professional reviews. The best I’ve seen can be found at projector reviews. http://www.projectorreviews.com/ Art does a great job at reviewing these things and reporting what the general, non obsessive tweaker will want/need to hear.

The current crop of 1080P projectors all pretty much outperform the 720’s on a whole with the above considerations. Don’t knock them off your list just because someone living in denial thinks his/her 720 unit is the Holy Grail. They are coming down in price almost daily right now. You can get both the Panasonic and Epson for under 3K, right now today. In three months there will be more. In six months, more yet.

One of the biggest bitches I’ve seen over and over again regarding the 1080P units is their lumen output. I’ve got the dimmest one of the group and in my particular set up (throw distance / screen size / room); I am looking at filters right now. It’s too bright for me on its lowest setting. So don’t let that scare you.

Re: Projector problems??
jhunt17 #167617 05/08/07 04:28 PM
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I bought my Panasonic 700 in Jan. 2005 (just before the "Big Game"...don't want to get sued by the NFL) and was in awe especially of broadcast HD (still free off the air) and the Dish HD broadcasts. I have used it more as a TV set than a theatre experience. (btw...LOTR and other DVDs look stunning in their own right)

Some things to think about...

You pretty much need to dedicate a decent size space in relative darkness to view a projected image of any definition type. If you are used to a 720p or 1080p LCD, Plasma, or other type of image, you may not be as impressed as I was going from a 480i 32" tube.

There are issues with projector bulbs. Mine went at around 1000 hrs. However, thanks to Evan at Projector Central I was able to contact the correct person at Panasonic and received a replacement bulb (had to wait for service stock from Japan about a month) at no cost. That bulb is going on 2600 hrs.

But......

I did some things differently with the new bulb.

1) lamp power is set to low
2) fan speed is set to high
3) I added a fan to blow on the projector...one of those miniture steel fans that move a good amount of air

I know people are concerned with fan noise, but even with the extra fan, at normal listening levels I do not notice the fan noise. And, I have got to believe dissipating the heat is a good way to help bulb life.

As far as 1080p vs. 720p, I am totally happy with a 720p image.

The images do vary...GIGO.

My problem now is, with the newer projectors coming down in price (and, will go even lower when the new models come out in the fall), do I spend $350 on a new bulb when it goes, or $1500 (or less) on last years model and get improved specs?

I think I need to find some side jobs soon.


If I were truly plastered, could I do this?
Re: Projector problems??
mullhead #167618 05/08/07 05:33 PM
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I've had my Z2 for 2 years and I have about the same amount of hours on it as Sirquack. I love the picture it gives and I would definitely upgrade to the Z5 in a heartbeat if I had the money and the authorization from my "boss" eh... Anyway I definitely recommend the Z5.

Re: Projector problems??
skyhawk669 #167619 05/08/07 11:31 PM
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jhunt17 Offline OP
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thanks everyone for your input. My plan was to get a projector and get a blu ray player. I had the samsung 1200, but didn't want to keep it cause the sound coming from analog was off especially in the bass area so I didn't want to have to keep switching back and forth from analog to digital for tv and mess with the sub gain every time I wanted to watch the other. Anyway, I am planing on the new onkyo 1.3 recievers with the new audio codecs and the 1200, but I read somewhere that it won't send the bitstream lossless to the reciever. Is this true??? That just doesn't make any sense. Why design something to be able to do it, but not use the capability? Anyway, since I love movies, would the move up to the 1080p be noticable for the price, or should I just stick with the sanyo. I am going to use a 92 in screen I believe. I think that is the largest I can go. Maybe a 100. I will be sitting back about 19 ft from the screen, but there are other seats that will be as close as probably 10. Advice???


7.1 theater room
60 fronts vp180 center 4 qs8's ep500 sub

3.0 tv room
m3's vp150 center
Re: Projector problems??
jhunt17 #167620 05/09/07 12:37 AM
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19 ft from a 92 or 100 inch screen is an aweful long way away if you are looking for the theater experience a projector can provide. The usual rule of thumb is viewing distance is 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal size of your screen with higher resolution projectors and blu-ray easily supporting the shorter viewing distance.

I've never viewed blu-ray, but if you are going that route and watch lots of movies then going with a 1080p projector will likely give you a noticably better picture than a 720p projector as you are using the full capability of the former (assuming it produces comprable black levels, lumens relative to room darkness and throw distance etc.).

Re: Projector problems??
jhunt17 #167621 05/09/07 01:09 AM
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shareholder in the making
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I have a constant height setup. First row is about 13ft back, second row about 18ft or so. For material using my entire screen 2.35 (130" diag.) the back row is best, however, the front row is ok if your not watching a lot of fast paced action movies. Otherwise, your eyes dart back/forth a lot.

For 16:9 HD or 1.85 ratio movies either is fine and 18-19ft is not to far back. The diagonal then is about 105".

A good rule of thumb is 1.3 to 1.5 times the screen width for the first row. However, a lot depends on the type of projector your using. You should not have a problem with the latest technologies.

Randy


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


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