$3k-$4k Projector Opinions

**gadgtfreek** · 11-05-2009, 07:50 PM

So,

Anyone following my posts in the tv forum would know I'm moving in a few weeks, and will not be back into a house until Feb 1st. I just sold my ISF calibrated 50" 2008 Panny plasma, because I really did not want to move it.

The plan is to buy a new tv around Super Bowl time, to prep for the house. I first drooled over the Samsung LED 8500, but it'll just be more than I wanna spend. I then went back to drooling over the Panny 65" V10, but the weight and logistics of the thing are just a lot.

Gregg Loewen, who does my calibrating, recommended on the phone tonight that I consider FP. So, here I am, having not one damn clue about FP. All I know, is that I would need a good size wall 70-80" screen, my 3.1 system would fit around the screen easily, and I would need a rack near the screen for all the av crap. This house will be a rental, so I'd run one HDMI from my Denon to the PJ, using the sticky molding on the wall, that goes up and runs like crown molding.

Now that I have that outta the way, what brand/model/technology PJ should I be looking at? This would be my MAIN source for TV viewing too, so it'd be getting 2000 hours/year and would be used in a living room with some sort of window. I assume shades, but I could not watch tv in the dark during the day

(WAF ya know).

Thanks from the rookie!

**gadgtfreek** · 11-05-2009, 08:06 PM

First little bit of reading steers me at the Panny 4000u, which is just released. Seem folks loved the 3000.

**Robert Zohn** · 11-05-2009, 08:27 PM

I totally agree with Gregg. I like Epson's new 8500 or JVC's HD550, which can be purchased for under $4k.

Enjoy!

-Robert

**mikeak** · 11-06-2009, 02:05 AM

I suggest you make sure you really want a PJ over a TV. Go to a store where they have a setup and ask them to have lights on etc. A projector is something you turn on and leave on vs turn on for 20 minutes, turn off and go do some stuff outside and then turn back on etc

Just a few thoughts -- now with that said it is real cool. One option would be a motorized screen from monoprice -- $300 some, the Panny AE4000 MSRP $2K now you got some $1700 left in the projector budget and whatever you had for a screen and get yourself a 47/55 LH90 and put on the wall........... Now that is a nice setup and very versatile.

I have a PJ in the basement HT and love it, but not sure if I could have that as my only viewing area. We still use the 50-inch upstairs a lot.

**davidjschenk** · 11-06-2009, 06:51 AM

I'm with Robert on this; for an inexpensive projector, the best options I've seen are from Epson and JVC. Sony does have some impressive new projectors selling at (gasp) a decent price, but they've never been a bargain hunter's company. Epson, by contrast, pretty much specializes in the bang-for-buck ratio.

I certainly don't disagree with mikeak that there is a loss of versatility in going to a projector. I wouldn't watch a morning news show on a projector, you know?

Yours,

David

**gadgtfreek** · 11-06-2009, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by mikeak

I suggest you make sure you really want a PJ over a TV. Go to a store where they have a setup and ask them to have lights on etc. A projector is something you turn on and leave on vs turn on for 20 minutes, turn off and go do some stuff outside and then turn back on etc

Just a few thoughts -- now with that said it is real cool. One option would be a motorized screen from monoprice -- $300 some, the Panny AE4000 MSRP $2K now you got some $1700 left in the projector budget and whatever you had for a screen and get yourself a 47/55 LH90 and put on the wall........... Now that is a nice setup and very versatile.

I have a PJ in the basement HT and love it, but not sure if I could have that as my only viewing area. We still use the 50-inch upstairs a lot.

Thanks guys, this IS a concern.

I still have to say my gut is leaning toward the 65" V10, but I'm definitely looking at all ideas. Having 2 months to decide, will prob find me changing my mind several times

**Loves2Watch** · 11-06-2009, 11:09 AM

I believe the V10 to be a much better option for you...

**gadgtfreek** · 11-06-2009, 11:11 AM

I'm still trying to figure how my wife would handle tv and the PJ while I was outta town :D

**davidjschenk** · 11-06-2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Thanks guys, this IS a concern.

I still have to say my gut is leaning toward the 65" V10, but I'm definitely looking at all ideas. Having 2 months to decide, will prob find me changing my mind several times

Well, I don't want to sway you, or anything, as this is your money you'll be spending, but I do tend to agree with DigitalDoctor; it is all-but impossible to be disappointed in the V10.

Yours,

David

**Robert Zohn** · 11-06-2009, 11:45 AM

I understand everyone's advice, but I must say a projector is a very impressive experience. It goes well beyond watching TV to a feeling like truly being in the scene.

The operation of a Cinema is exactly the same as a TV with a surround sound system. So their should be no trouble for anyone to operate the system.

-Robert

**RickAVManiac** · 11-06-2009, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I understand everyone's advice, but I must say a projector is a very impressive experience. It goes well beyond watching TV to a feeling like truly being in the scene.

The operation of a Cinema is exactly the same as a TV with a surround sound system. So their should be no trouble for anyone to operate the system.

-Robert

+1

If you watch a lot of movie it is something to consider!

**mikeak** · 11-06-2009, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I understand everyone's advice, but I must say a projector is a very impressive experience. It goes well beyond watching TV to a feeling like truly being in the scene.

The operation of a Cinema is exactly the same as a TV with a surround sound system. So their should be no trouble for anyone to operate the system.

-Robert

I completely agree and what I tried to convery is that with that budget I think you can have it all

Yes a 47LH90 / 55LH90 or something like it is smaller than a 65 inch, but it gives you a TV for that regular watching like the news, a 30 min show here or there. Does the 65 inch really matter then? Then with a $2k projector and a $3-400 screen you get that BIG picture for movies and you are still right around that $4k budget......

In regards to wife handling it with a motorized screen etc you just get a activities remote like Harmony and program it. Watch TV turns on the TV, watch movie pulls down the screen and starts the projector - not to hard from there.....

**davidjschenk** · 11-06-2009, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by mikeak

I completely agree and what I tried to convery is that with that budget I think you can have it all

Yes a 47LH90 / 55LH90 or something like it is smaller than a 65 inch, but it gives you a TV for that regular watching like the news, a 30 min show here or there. Does the 65 inch really matter then? Then with a $2k projector and a $3-400 screen you get that BIG picture for movies and you are still right around that $4k budget......

Oh, I see. Yeah, that's really not a bad idea, especially since the 47" LH90 can be had for a song these days. A perfectly good small-ish plasma or LCD for casual viewing, and a projector for favorite tv shows, ball games and movies. That would be a nice way to go...

-David

**BUYLONGTERM** · 11-13-2009, 04:01 PM

IMO, I think a FP is for someone who already owns a nice flat panel/s and wants to convert the basement or a room into a home theater. I honestly cannot see having a FP as my main display to watch news or TV shows.

**RickAVManiac** · 11-13-2009, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by BUYLONGTERM

IMO, I think a FP is for someone who already owns a nice flat panel/s and wants to convert the basement or a room into a home theater. I honestly cannot see having a FP as my main display to watch news or TV shows.

+1

**Robert Zohn** · 11-13-2009, 07:59 PM

I never want to have a different opinion than my beloved administrators, but this time I very respectfully feel compelled to say the following. Hollywood movies and sports are the most fun to enjoy in a home cinema, but all video is much more enjoyable in a theater.

Theaters bring you into the scenes and make you a part of the experience. Watching House, or any night time prime time show delivers an immersion feeling that can only happen in a very large high-quality screen with surround sound.

Since I was a child I have enjoyed photography, Cine-photography and movies and I frequently imagined the future when we would have high quality large screen video in our homes. Today, I am so very proud to be a purveyor of the world's best cinema systems available and at an affordable cost. We just upgraded our home cinema for the third time this year to a CinemaScope, 2.37:1 high-end a/v system and we are having more fun than we every imagined.

Owning a modern 50" larger flat panel HDTV, is as important as any major appliance to have today, but a theater in your home is a whole different experience and one that has become far more popular in the past few years for many a/v enthusiasts.

-Robert

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