[ScottMayo]

I've been considering a Panasonic PT-L500U, but 2 things put me off - the $350 bulb replacement cost every 2000 hours of use, and, it apparently can't be wired into a control system that cuts the power to it when you are done watching - if you cut the power to it before it cools itself off, it apparently cooks itself to death.

So what I'm looking for (maybe it doesn't exist) is 1) something with a lower cost-to-own and 2) something that can be switched on and off with a 12v control signal (or at least can be safely turned on/off by switching the 120v on and off.)

Does it exist? Any recommendations?

[Andrikos]

Try CRT. It's a dead technology, bulky and a pain in the ass to set up and maintain but it has arguably the best overall picture from all technologies...
If you're the DIY/Tweaker/Frugal type, it's the technology of choice for you...
Very low WAF too, these things are HUGE!

[Andrikos]

Oh yeah, my projector is the InFocus ScreenPlay 7200 (DLP) that I got for under dealer cost on a 10' wide 16:9 Dalite High Power.
The picture is FANTASTIC!
My neighbors hate me with their miniscule 60" RPTV's and 50" plasmas!
How about a 133" plasma!

[cytocycle]

The 500 is a low end projector you will have to spend 3 times that to get 12volt inputs and RS232 control hookup and even more money to program then with the Crestron equipment.

Just use a programable remote with a Macro (I use an old pronto) to that turns off all my components in the right order. The remote code for the panasonic will cause it to run the fan until it's cool and then turn off.  But if you insist on disconnecting the power you would have to use X10 light switch or something but these pollute your audio system sound quality because of their use of the power.

Andrikos- I totally agree my neighbors come over from their 27" tv in the wood hutch for WAF and then see my 103" screen that looks like a plasma thanks to my Vultec Silverstar screen and my Optoma H76 DLP projector, then you show them upsampled DVD's to 720p (and it still is clearer than their 50" whatever's) and HDTV OTA...

Oh yeah the CRT are generate heat and a guns can cost $1000's when they need to be replaced.. DLP/LCD/DILA are the way to go..

[ASi_TEK]

Has anyone used or seen the Hitachi home theatre projectors?

[pugs]

Costco has an Optoma 758 DLP projector and Vutec theatre screen package deal.  Does anybody know if they are any good?

[ctviggen]

So DLP/LCD/DILA don't generate heat?  Why do they have fans?  From what I understand, CRT is still better than any of that technology because of things like black levels, contrast ratio, etc.  However, they will be big (9 inch guns for intance means 27 inches across at least).

[jermmd]

Costco has an Optoma 758 DLP projector and Vutec theatre screen package deal.  Does anybody know if they are any good?

I posted this question on AVS:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=505735

The bottom line is people felt it was more of a business projector than a movie projector and they were less than enthusiastic.  I unfortunately mentioned Costco in the original post and the thread became a "learn the rules" whine fest.

Joe M.

[pugs]

I unfortunately mentioned Costco in the original post and the thread became a "learn the rules" whine fest.

Joe M.

I saw that.  I thought it was pretty rediculous.

[jermmd]

Pugs,

I was wrong, they were right. Unfortunately, once the thread is sidetracked, it's hard to get back to the original topic.  Anyhow,  Costco is advertising this projector/screen/hardware deal as HD for home theater.

Joe M.

[nathanm]

I posted this question on AVS:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=505735

Funny how a site dedicated to VIDEOphiles has the most eye-gougingly obnoxious-looking web design ever.  Ugh.  How the hell do they read that thing?   Ahh, my eyes are burning!!!

Try CRT. It's a dead technology, bulky and a pain in the ass to set up and maintain but it has arguably the best overall picture from all technologies... If you're the DIY/Tweaker/Frugal type, it's the technology of choice for you...Very low WAF too, these things are HUGE!

Mmmm..."the best overall picture" is the only line that matters! Heh!  I dream of a day when I can afford a good CRT projector.  Bring on the heat, bring on the adjustments, it's all good!  I have no projector experience myself, but if they look anything like CRT televisions or monitors they must be defacto superior to anything other kind IMO.  I have a feeling that simply because they PUT hour counters on those things that people then have a psychosomatic response and feel that they are "worn" even though the image is still good.  Maybe the brightness of projectors makes all the difference, but CRT TV sets last for years and years without needing "replacement", right?  Hmmmm...  If it's between looking great and costlier maintaince and looking crummy and cheap maintainence I'll take the great looking option.

Do projectors in general have a keystone correction or are you at the mercy of physical alignment?  Because if I got one there's no way I could ceiling mount it.  Do they work just sitting on the floor by chance?  Or on a tabletop?

[Red Dragon Audio]

www.ProjectorCentral.com

That's one of my favorite places to get information on projectors.

[jpsartre]

Funny how a site dedicated to VIDEOphiles has the most eye-gougingly obnoxious-looking web design ever. Ugh. How the hell do they read that thing?  Ahh, my eyes are burning!!!

AVSForum is quite obscene-looking but a lot of good info can be found there...obnoxious "rule" freaks nonwithstanding.

Do projectors in general have a keystone correction or are you at the mercy of physical alignment? Because if I got one there's no way I could ceiling mount it. Do they work just sitting on the floor by chance? Or on a tabletop?

Most of them have digital keystone correction but its use is consider taboo in regards to theoretical picture quality hit. Better units have optical lens shift. The most important variable though is the throw distance corresponding to the desired screen size (short throw means PJ closer to the screen, long throw farther). Most digital PJs have zoom and therefore a throw range.

The major advantage front projection has right now is inches (or feet rather) per $. You can easily get a 120" inch HDTV quality picture for $2K (and portable too-many PJs weigh less than 10 lbs). Try that with a CRT or plasma!

[Tyson]

Also, the new dark chips (for DLP) and dynamic iris (for LCD) have dramatically improved black levels and real world contrast, and this was always the BIG achilles heel of both technologies.  LCD still has some screen door issues, which DLP doesn't, but DLP has rainbows that some people notice (I don't).  But CRT technology is mature and has very little inovation, where digital projectors are still in their early stages and are improving by leaps an bounds every release cycle.

[kckucera]

I am a reasonabley happy owner of the Panny AE700u, no it doesnt have 12v control but the bulb is hot (especially at 8000 ft at my place) so letting it cool is a good idea.  I use a phillips pronto to control all my devices so the 12v is no biggy for me.  My dealer tells me I will get at least 3000 hours am at 850 with no visible degradation yet.  My only gripe about the unit was the vertical banding that is evident in low contrast situations, by getting into the secondary menu you can tweek it so it is almost invisible.  The guys as ausmedia.com.ae were kind enough to tell me how to access to the secondary menu.  At anyrate I am pleased with this device, I think it competes favorablely with units costing much more.  
ken