AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Home Theater and Video => Topic started by: KeithR on 28 Mar 2003, 12:13 am
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My Marantz S2 comes in next week...can't wait to be back on the "big" screen :)
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There are a few of us. I have a Sony VPL-VW10HT. It's a 2+ year old LCD projector and pretty far from SOTA but in a nice dark room, in "cinema black" mode, the picture is pretty good. I would like something better but this will serve for quite a while yet. At least another year.
I believe Bubba in WA has a projector but I don't know what it is. He will likely chime in as well. :)
You will be spoiled once it's up and running. IMO even a very good big screen TV doesn't compare once you have a decent projector. And of course you don't have to give up the floor space. Now a good plasma display, that's another story. :)
Mike
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Plus Piano DLP in my rig. Very nice, great colors and bright enough to be very punchy in a dark room. No true high def but gorgeous with DVD.
I shudder to contemplate going back to a tiny little crt in a box! :o
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I believe Bubba in WA has a projector but I don't know what it is. He will likely chime in as well. :)
I don't yet have a projector. You musta been thinking of someone else.
Though I have mentioned in the past viewing things on a TI 3 Chip DLP. But that's at the custom design setup of my local shop. I'd love to have one, but they're still upwards of $70,000 I believe.
I'm only running a 32" analog Tosh Cinema Series. But it's got the best picture I've even seen on a analog set.
I wouldn't mind a 30" Loewe Aconda. Or if I had the room a Pioneer Elite RPTV, or a mid-priced DLP ($10,000-$25,000). LCD's are alright. And a good 9" CRT is too expensive.
But I'd pass on the Plasma's for now. I still don't care for them, but they're almost there...
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Hey all!
I have a Sony 1272Q CRT projector. It's not very brite, so it needs a dark room. In a dark room, however, this thing is awesome. Excellent contrast, colors, blacks. I'm running on a 7 foot wide screen now with HTPC, and the results are outstanding.
The only beef I have with the 1272 is focus and convergence are manual, and I find I need to touch up the convergence every couple of months.
Also, the thing weighs 180 pounds, so getting it ceiling mounted was a pain in the butt. However, once mounted, it's trouble free (until I have to service it, and then getting it down will be trouble).
I look forward to the day when I can get a 9" CRT, but until then my 1272 is excellent.
John G
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I just got a Panny PT-L300U two weeks ago. 96X54 screen made from Dazian Celtic cloth fabric, with a layer of duvetyne fabric behind it to block transmitted light. I have my speakers completely behind the screen (poking through holes cut in the duvetyne). The screen is suspended from the ceiling and can me removed for critical listening, although I have to say the screen is very acoustically transparent (similar to grill cloth). The room is completely light controlled (it's a basement room), and I'm very happy with the picture given what I paid for it!
Projectors seem to be on the same price/performance arc that PCs were on 10-15 years ago. I'll upgrade in a few years. In the meantime there is lot's of great audio stuff to buy. :evil:
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Though I have mentioned in the past viewing things on a TI 3 Chip DLP. But that's at the custom design setup of my local shop. I'd love to have one, but they're still upwards of $70,000 I believe.]
Panasonic's new 7500 and 7600 3 chip DLP's (XGA and SXGA respectively) aer going for about $18K and $22K respectively.
And I have a SE 20HD (Sanyo PLV70 rebadge) PJ and a 10 foot diagonal screen.
BB
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I'm getting ready to buy a projector... either a Panasonic LT300U, or an Infocus X1. If I can get acceptable feedback on the Panny's ability to project data from a PC, then I'll probably go for that. Anyone have any clue about that?
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Check out the AVS <$5K projector forum. Almost certainly someone there could answer.
BB
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I don't yet have a projector. You musta been thinking of someone else.
Doh! I somehow had the idea you had a projector. :oops:
mike
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JVC G10u w/ISCO II 16:9 lens and Stewart 110" Electriscreen Firehawk. Gotta love DILA colors, although black-level could be better.
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Didn't see this thread earlier. I've got an InFocus LS110. I got it almost a year ago and it's been great, but not very close to SOTA these days. I'm only just now building a screen because I've been too lazy and a white wall was fine, but now I've moved and I can't use it without a screen over some windows, which is probably good since I should have done it a lot sooner. I'd really like to upgrade to their newer HD2 model as I can get it at employee prices, but it's still a lot of money :?
Keven (or anyone) if you decide you want the X1, I may be able to get you favorable pricing.
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Except for the fan noise, I really like my Zenith Pro 895x 7" CRT projector. Zenith discontinued them about a year ago so I was able to pick up a brand new one for $3200. If you look around the web you could probably still find one. For a lit room it would not be bright enough but is absolutely incredible in a dark/moderately dark room. Setup was actually a breeze (not much harder than setting up most LCD/DLP projectors). Fantastic blacks, fantastic colors, and with progressive scan output from a DVD player you can't even see the pixils on a 100" screen when you are standing close enought to touch it :o
I have reviewed a significant number of LCD and DLP projectors but never found one that I liked that was even close to being within my budget. Screen door effect, pixilation, stuck pixils, etc also turned me off. The thought of having to spend $400 - $700 for a new lamp every year or two also was a major factor. I figure that when the lamps die in my CRT in about 10 years that a new cheap/new/better technology will finally be there to replace it :mrgreen:
My only mistake with my HT setup was my screen. I went with a pulldown Da-Lite screen and have never been able to get it to stay flat. Oh, well. We all make mistakes and for the price I can live with it :oops:
Julian
www.sedonaskysound.com
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I've got 2 projectors: a JVC D-ILA M15 and a Panasonic AE-100. The JVC is considerably better than the Panny, but at US$12-13,000 (US street price) it should be! Both are driven by a custom HTPC. Sound is output from the comp to a Yamaha receiver to 5 nOrh monblocs and 5 nOrh 9.0s. Looking to add a Stewart screen and sub (or 2!) at a later date.
Cheers,
Pete
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Funny you should ask.
Just got our HT room finished a few weeks ago. A Yamaha DPX1000 DLP projector is the center piece. It is very, very nice.
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NEC HT1000 here
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NEC LT150
I'm pretty happy with it. I use it at school in group meetings and for my HT. Its a lot of fun. Its small light and looks pretty damn good.
Prices are dropping dramatically - for those that never thought you could own one - you can now!!! There are lots of nice projectors for <$2000!
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i don't know about the avs forum. it is very heavily censored by administrators who seem to be continuously pitching a sale... i don't feel too good there.
i'm just writing this to relay my experience with the Infocus X1. the picture is good but its bloody loud so i doubt if anyone at this forum would be able to stand it. i'm swapping it with a Panasonic 200u which is MUCH quieter. my friend and i also saw rainbows while watching a movie. they didn't bother me but my friend was annoyed.
i heard that sanyo z1 is also a good choice and is about as quiet as the panasonic 200u (24db i believe), however it is also more expensive. the best prices for now seem to be at projectorpeople.com, but if you give them a show watch out, their staff does not seem to be knowledgeable.
ps i am purchasing a projector because i hate being addicted to tv and refuse to damage my imaging by placing a large big box between my speakers.
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The SIM Seleco HT200 recently had the MSRP reduced to below $5000. The picture quality is certainly superior to any plasma display I've seen. The new version also has a built in farouidja processor; amazing how technology improves every year. I know people are of the opinion that CRT is superior to DLP, but SIM really knows their technology implementation. Like anything else in audiophilia - the quality of the implementation matters as much as the technology itself. Infocus and Proxima displays are also very well regarded, but I was always under the impression they were geared more for office presentations versus home-theatre.
Regards,
Rup
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I just gotta say, i love my Marantz...dvi via Bravo 1 hopefully to come soon once my DVI cable ships...
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Guys
I can not emphasize this enough. If you have some patience with set up and a light controlled room there is nothing that will compare to a good 8 or 9" CRT PJ.
These can be had at a fraction of new and cheaper than a new DECENT digital. This is not conjecture but fact and indeed MOST digital PJ users will agree.
You need patience with the setup and a light controlled room (since crt is not as bright)
There are many resellers of used CRT who offer warrentee and are rock solid reliable and honest people whom support the product to a level you would not believe. For them it is a passion in the same way high end audio is for many of us. Of course there are nasties as well so some research is in order.
I have been using CRT now for 2 years and I can tell you that I have yet to see a digital that really gives it a run for the money in a light controlled enviroment. My current PJ is an NEC XG1352LC.
For home theater it is the way to go IMO.
Here is a link to a place where info is abound.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=16
If anyone would like info re reliable resellers you may PM me but I am not usually in the habit of advertising for them on public forums
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Julian,
Can you comment on the DA-Lite model and size? Just wondering if it was tensioned or not.
Regards
Rup
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Well, DLP is starting to bug me so I sold the marantz and just purchased a JVC SX21 LCOS machine. Will let everybody know once setup this weekend...
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Keith,
What was it that turned you negative on DLP?
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I know some people are bothered over time by the color separation artifacts that some DLPs exhibit (the Rainbow Effect). This is more pronounced in older projectors with slower, 3 segment color wheels.
Fortunately, I can't see this effect unless I'm trying hard to induce it (eg shaking my head violently while looking at text, like movie credits). Some folks aren't so lucky.
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The possibility of color artifacts ("rainbows") are what made me decide to but an inexpensive LCD. Digital projector technology is not yet mature, and I can't see spending $$$$$ on anything right now. What a drag to buy a high-end DLP that gives you or someone in your family a headache!
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I see rainbows, but that isn't the reason. They really aren't that bothersome in the HD2s these days--although with NTSC material, can be an issue.
DLP, with all its sharpness, has an inability to create a smooth, film-like picture. It looks "fake" after awhile, and the sharpness starts to bother me. That sharpness also means I can't watch it for 5 hours (ie. college football) straight without my eyes starting to strain. I wouldn't call it headaches, but the picture is somewhat fatiguing. It is the antithesis of a CRT at times.
I have always wanted to try a DILA, and now prices are comparable to DLPs so I can. No rainbows, better color, and more film-like. Of course, contrast is going to be a bigger issue. That said, I owned a PLV-70, and the contrast wasn't too big a deal.
Also, i can get an anamorphic lens if i wish that will give 1400x1050 resolution for HD that should be spectacular. Problem is a might need a scalar to do it all, so gonna take baby steps first.
KeithR
ps. I will run HD and DVD (via dvi) as my sources.
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Guess it's in the eye of the beholder, KeithR. I watch football on DLP from 12 o'clock noon til 11 at nite in DLP with no problem. That said, I would like to try DLI-A, but another projector is NOT in my budget! :nono:
I really can't say I've ever seen an LCD I could live with; the space between the pixels is too great; and the "screen door effect" drives me nuts. I've heard the newer ones pack the pixels a bit tighter, though, so maybe it's viable now. Poor black level, tho, even compared to DLP... Although again, this may be better in this years models, too.
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Got an x1 last week and all I can say is wow...it may not have the resolution of my little 35 inch Toshiba cinema series f 90, but at 1/3 the cost, it is an unbelievable bargain.
The best part is that there is no rptv to muck up the 2 channel sound.
I now have a picture size that matches my HT sonics..and two relatives who recently spent 3-4 times as much as the x1 on RPTV's, only to have a smaller screen whith slightly less resolution than the x1 in progressive mode whith enhanced widescreen dvd's.
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Just thought I would add my two cents worth of DLP/LCD vs CRT debate. I have no doubt that DLP or DLI-A are the future and that when my trusty CRT finally gives up the ghost that I will replace it with one of these technologies but based on what I have seen to date they have a long way to go.
A mate of mine got bitten by the AV bug after recently visiting my home. He invested in some high end audio and a top range DLP projector (an In Focus model). Having conducted some direct comparisons on reference discs, there are no comparisions. The new technology was weaker in every area except brightness (with the added disadvantage that the image was extremely noisy). The lack of black levels can be remedied to some extent with Neutral Density filters and/or some of the better quality grey screens (which I do not have but the vaqrious ND filters have similar effects). The colours didn't seem natural to me (the yellows looked a bit green compared to CRT) and the image was not really "film like". All in all a good try but still a way to go until the King is toppled.
In the case of LCD, although significant improvement has been made I think the technology is approaching the limits of potential improvement. Besides I seen a few older models with pixel drop out and this problem is enough to convince me that it is a bad investment.
FYI listed below is my equipment:
DVD: Sony S9000ES
Video: Panasonic SVHS
Processor: Yamaha DSP AZI (with amps disconnected)
Amps: 6 X Norh le Amps
Speakers: 6 X Paradigm Monitor 9s, 2 x Paradigm Mini Monitor front effects speakers (for movies only)
Subwoofers: 3 x Norh subwoofer 11
Cables: Audioquest.
Audio Filters: single pole passive high pass in line filters using Audiocap capacitors
Projector: Runco IDP980 Ultra
Screen: Stewart Electomask 1.85:1 aspect ratio 3 metres wide
Video Processor: iScan pro
Video cables: videoquest