Best PJs on the market?

JoshK · « **Reply #40 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 12:35 am »

thanks for the responses... that helps me too. I want a PJ to tide me over for 2-3 years while I live in these quarters for a relative small projection (~70-80" diag) and then I'll upgrade when necessary to whatever's clever at the time.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #41 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 12:52 am »

I'll check that out, jgubman. But it could be a few months before I buy- who knows if there'll be any left by then.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #42 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 12:53 am »

Quote from: zybar

The DarkChip3 pj's are good but not worth the money for the small increase in performance.

PJ's will be like computers for years to come and it really doesn't make sense to spend big bucks on a 720p pj right now unless you don't mind it being surpassed by pj's at 1/4 of the price within 18-24 months.

George

Yep. That's why I have a 'hard cap' of $2500-$3000 on my budget. I won't spend more with so many new designs/technologies in the pipeline.

mca · « **Reply #43 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 06:56 pm »

Reading this thread now has me interested in a PJ. I have had the itch to replace my aging 65" Mitsu Diamond RPTV for some time now. What does a decent screen for one of these guys go for?

zybar · « **Reply #44 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 07:15 pm »

Quote from: mca

Reading this thread now has me interested in a PJ. I have had the itch to replace my aging 65" Mitsu Diamond RPTV for some time now. What does a decent screen for one of these guys go for?

Depends on what you think is decent,what your light and seating situation is, as well as screen size.

At the cheap end of the scale you can go with Screen Goo (reviews have been very good and usually say it compares to mid-level screen from Draper and Da-Lite) and paint yourself a screen for under $200.

If you don't go the Screen Goo route you can figure on spending anywhere from $600-2000.

The big players are:

Stewart Filmscreen
Draper
Da-Lite

All of websites where you can get much more info.

George

mca · « **Reply #45 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 08:22 pm »

Room is dedicated and very dark. Only a couple seats about 12' back from the front wall. My screen is 65" now, so anything larger would be a plus. I think a 100" screen would probably be overkill. I'll do some research on the brands you mentioned.

jgubman · « **Reply #46 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 09:14 pm »

Consider Carada screens also: http://www.carada.com

Good screens, well made frames and great prices.

FWIW, my brother-in-law just replaced a 65" Mits Diamond w/ a Sony HS-51 and a 92" Carada screen and is very happy w/ the change.

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #47 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 09:45 pm »

I agree on the Carada. Bought mine about two years ago and very pleased. Excellent value and quality. . . . of course I'm a bit of a sucker for consumer - direct

zybar · « **Reply #48 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 11:16 pm »

Guys,

IN terms of the Carda screens, do they offer different material or gain?

I looked at their website and didn't see any mention of different material types or ANY info on gain.

Thanks,

George

jgubman · « **Reply #49 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 11:38 pm »

http://www.carada.com/ScreenSurfaces2.aspx

they have a grey, white and "brilliant white". According to their site, grey is 0.8, white is 1 and brilliant white is 1.4 gain.

Projector central has posted a review that claims their grey is more like 0.6 gain, whereas audioholics posted a review (and measurements) that says the grey is comparable to Stewart firehawk:
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/ProjectorScreenReview_01.html

I think secrets also had a favorable review of the carada.

zybar · « **Reply #50 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 11:53 pm »

Quote from: jgubman

http://www.carada.com/ScreenSurfaces2.aspx

they have a grey, white and "brilliant white". According to their site, grey is 0.8, white is 1 and brilliant white is 1.4 gain.

Projector central has posted a review that claims their grey is more like 0.6 gain, whereas audioholics posted a review (and measurements) that says the grey is comparable to Stewart firehawk:
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/ProjectorScreenReview_01.html

I think secrets also had a favorable review of the carada.

Thanks.

If it is close to the performance of my Firehawk that is one hell of a bargain.

George

George

jgubman · « **Reply #51 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 11:55 pm »

here's the negative projector central review:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/carada_projector_screens.htm

zybar · « **Reply #52 on:** 15 Jan 2006, 03:15 am »

Quote from: jgubman

here's the negative projector central review:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/carada_projector_screens.htm

OUCH!!

jgubman · « **Reply #53 on:** 15 Jan 2006, 03:29 am »

Yeah, it's a pretty bad review. Hard to reconcile it w/ other reviews around the net, which are generally very positive.

I did get a chance to see a Carada white screen in the SVS booth at CES this year. There was a lot of light that got through the screen (screen was hanging from the room's curtain rods). That said, the picture from a pretty mediocre projector on the screen wasn't half bad.

I went ahead and ordered one, since it would've cost me an extra $400 to get a da-lite or draper fixed-frame screen w/ velvet masking.

Luckily Carada offers a 30 day return policy (they'll also send you samples of all their screens).

jermmd · « **Reply #54 on:** 15 Jan 2006, 04:44 am »

Here's a pretty sweet projector deal if anyone's interested. It includes a screen or mounting hardware as well.

jgubman · « **Reply #55 on:** 6 Feb 2006, 10:33 pm »

Audioholics just reviewed the new Sony:
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/SonyCinezaVPLHS51Ap1.php

I recently bought an Australian VPL-HS60 (asian market version of the HS51a) and an 84" Carada white screen and am very impressed by the combo. The black level from the PJ is so much better than I was expecting and the picture is very, very good.

This is my first foray into PJs and I'm very happy w/ the result.

jermmd · « **Reply #56 on:** 7 Feb 2006, 12:10 am »

To sum up the Audioholic reviews:

Panasonic PT-AE900U LCD Projector Score Card

Build Quality *****   (5)

User Interface/Remote ***** (5)

Features *****   (5)

Detail and Video Quality *****   (5)

Contrast & Black Levels ****   (4)

Color Reproduction ***** (5)

Calibration Options ****1/2 (4 1/2)

Overall ****3/4 (4 3/4)

Value ***** (5)



Sony VPL-HS51A LCD Projector Score Card

Build Quality ***** (5)

User Interface/Remote ***1/2 (3 1/2)

Features ****1/2 (4 1/2)

Detail and Video Quality **** (4)

Contrast & Black Levels ***** (5)

Color Reproduction ***** (5)

Calibration Options ****1/2 (4 1/2)

Overall ****3/4 (4 3/4)

Value ***** (5)

jermmd · « **Reply #57 on:** 7 Feb 2006, 12:13 am »

So the main difference is the Panny has better "detail and video quality" and the Sony has better "contrast and black levels." FWIW

zybar · « **Reply #58 on:** 7 Feb 2006, 12:32 am »

Quote from: jermmd

So the main difference is the Panny has better "detail and video quality" and the Sony has better "contrast and black levels." FWIW

What is the street price of the Sony?

The Panny can be had for $2k new.

George

jgubman · « **Reply #59 on:** 7 Feb 2006, 12:49 am »

I got mine for $2,500 new

This place (never had any dealing w/ them, this is NOT an endorsement) claims to be an authorized US Sony dealer and sells them for $2,600:
http://www.datavis.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=460353&prmenbr=2000