Has anyone bought a Projector TV system?

[burythehatchet]

What's your assessment?

[absyntheNsugar]

1. Waaaay back in the 1970's

Late 70's, my uncle had the projection screen TV, faux wood paneling, a backyard lit with indirect green lights...man that was the shit back then!

[burythehatchet]

3. I guess the new ones are the same concept, but their picture quality seems

to be improved

[bhunt70]

2. you talking rear projection (big tv) or front projection(like the movies)

?

[burythehatchet]

4. No its a hi tech 1700 $ unit that displays on a 9 ft screen.(included)

[absyntheNsugar]

5. For that $$$ why not just get a plasma?

They take up less room, can be hung on a wall and have a clearer pic...

[burythehatchet]

6. Well plasma costs much more and doesn't have longevity

Seems like a lot to invest for 5 to 10 years

[absyntheNsugar]

7. You can get a plasma these days for under 3000

and theyre not that bad...

[burythehatchet]

8. Oh I absolutely love the picture on plasmas

but being a male with a weakness for "bigness of picture" -- 9 ft is serious!!

As Tim Allen would say hurrr hurrrr!!

[Champion Jack]

9. Check out these guys

http://www.infocus.com/products/productview.asp?site_lang=1&site_region=1&prod=x1&c=4

I saw one of these set up at a friends house and was blown away .

BTW--plasmas are on the way out, notice how they are dropping in price?
I hear that the next big thing is right around the corner and will make the plasmas look like toys.

[bhunt70]

11. yeah, thats why I went for a projector. more bang for your buck by far.

[tedoll78]

14. I've heard this also.

Given that plasmas go dim in a certain life period, I'd rather LCD, but I'm still waiting for the larger screen sizes to come out. 50" is enough for me.

LCD may suck-up electricity compared to plasma, but it's sooo pretty, and my house is going to be totally solar anyway.

[MercutioATC]

17. The "next big thing" is LCD screens...they've developed a new process

where they don't have to "grow" the crystals any more, they just print them on plastic with a special inkjet printer. Cheap and fast...and as big as you want them!

[MercutioATC]

16. The sub-$3K plasmas are EDTV, not HDTV...lower resolution.

[bhunt70]

18. I read an article in a home theater magazine talking about EDTV

and how many people were missing out on a great product because they would just right into HDTV. I wish I could remember the points they made but they made a very strong case to get an EDTV instead of HDTV. I only payed cursory attention to is since I wasnt in the market though.

[MercutioATC]

19. Hmmm..that runs contrary to what I've read, but it's something to check on

[jayfish]

12. My .02

No projection unit that you can buy (new) for $1700.00, is going to be any better that a rear projection HDTV of a similar price. You might even be disappointed. Plus, there are issues with projection units that, although present in RPTV's, are amplified. Take lighting for example. If there is any substantial source of natural light in the room where you are going to watch this setup, you may as well measure your windows for the thickest blinds you can find. Go with a good RPTV.

Jay

[burythehatchet]

13. I agree with you

the thing that I like about the projector is the portability. Moving a RSPTV is a massive hassle.

[bhunt70]

15. you have some good points, but I disagree a little.

yes the picture will be dimmer or washed out if you have a dimmer projector and can't control the light, but if you can control your lighting source (inside and out, like in a basement or room with one window) the picture quality can be fantastic. I think a Z2, AE500U/PT-L500U, or a Sony HS20 can produce some amazing picture. I'd also look at the Benq6200, and .the Infocus X1 (I think an X2 is coming in the following months)

While I can only speak from my experiences, 3 reasons i didn't get a RPTV are

1. The footprint - I didn't want a huge box in my basement.
2. the price per picture size. While I don't have a 9 foot screen, I do have 6 feet.
3. viewing angle, the rptv's hotspot so if friends sit to the sides they don't get the best picture as someone who is sitting in a sweetspot.

With that being said, you will have to replace bulbs in a front projector, mount it, worry about the screen etc. It's not a perfect system.

Take a look over at avs forums, they have a section for RPTV also, you just have to know what you want and can put up with purchasing either. Plusses and minuses to both.

[jayfish]

20. Viewing Angle And Space Considerations Are Not...

as big an issue for RPTV's as they once were. Every time someone watches my tv for the first time, they swear it's a flat panel. For size though, nothing beats a projector. I had one at my house for the Lewis v. Tyson fight and the Red Wings v. Avalanche for the Cup. I had about 15 people over and the 100" screen was a blast. Some of my friends even got a bit queasy.

Jay

[bhunt70]

10. yes I bought a front projector (what you are talking about)...

a panasonic PT-L500U for about 1800, should be here monday.

Best place to check is the www.avsforum.com It's the leading message board on this subject and full of more information than you think you need.

There are a lot of things to take into account (dlp vs lcd, resolution, 4X3 or 16X9, screen type etc.)

Seriously thats the best place to start.