[Bob in St. Louis]

HI-Def projector prices are dropping to amazingly low prices recently. So, what are you waiting for?
Four years ago a 10080p unit would have cost you a cool $30,000.
Don't just take my word for it. Listen to the pro's:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/1080p_projectors_prices.htm

Four different respected projector manufacturers are currently selling five different models for less than $2500. Including one place selling a refurbished 1080p Mitsubishi for $1,500 with a two year warranty. Or, another place is selling a new Epson 1080p for $2,000.

So........Whatcha' waitin' fo'?   aa

Bob

[JP78]

heya bob,

with all the new projectors, it's great to remember the value of picking up a preowned 720p projector.  the high-end 720p projectors often have lenses that cost more than new 1080p value-oriented projecters.  in either case bob, you're right... it's a great time to be shopping for a new projector.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Excellent point!
Although, as long as the buyer knows the amount of hours on the lamp (bulb), and how much the cost of a new one is compaired to the same projector (with a new lamp), then he'll be ok.
Buy yes, absolutely correct, now is an even better time to look for 780p units in the classified section.

Bob

[WGH]

So........Whatcha' waitin' fo'?   aa

Bob

Waiting for my Infocus X1 to die. There are still very few hi-def movies to rent at Blockbuster, and the pq I get on a 60" screen is pretty good so I'll stay behind the curve and debt free.

Wayne

[Bob in St. Louis]

  Understood Wayne! I can't blame you.

[zybar]

heya bob,

with all the new projectors, it's great to remember the value of picking up a preowned 720p projector.  the high-end 720p projectors often have lenses that cost more than new 1080p value-oriented projecters.  in either case bob, you're right... it's a great time to be shopping for a new projector.

Anybody want to buy a babied Marantz VP-12S1?

At one point this was the best 720p projector under $20k.

Mine has low hours and is perfect working condition.

George

[jeffreybehr]

I bought my first about a month ago.  I had a 67"-diagonal, 1080P, Samsung DLP-type RPTV but wanted bigger.

Bought an Epson HC 1080 UB...

...and am thrilled with it. 

Found a matte-white electric (4:3) screen...

...locally for $150; it's 76.5" wide and provides a viewing angle of about 32 degrees.

Here's an image from 'Italian Job'.


The PJ is now in a bookcase.

[nicksgem10s]

I will upgrade to 1080p at some point from my Mits HC3000U but it likely won't be for another year or two.  We enjoy the projector we have so much I don't have too much of an itch to move to a 1080p unit.  We project onto a 106" fixed frame Dalite screen in our living room which does double duty for music and movies.

I also realize it will cost about $3k to get a 1080p unit that will be a genuine improvement in picture quality from my existing projector.  That makes it easier to just enjoy what we have as it looks incredible especially with blu-ray.

Hi Jeffreybehr, that Epson  looks to be a great projector and have read many reviews on it as well as posts on AVS forum.  Those look like some very cool photos on your walls in your photos you posted.  I am guessing you were the photographer.  We enjoy the photo I received from you everyday    You are a very talented photographer.  I have since picked up a FujiS5 and some good glass and started learning some stuff.  The more I learn the more I realize how much there is to learn.  Sorry for straying off topic.

-Nick

[Papajin]

So........Whatcha' waitin' fo'?   aa

I'm waiting for the soon-to-be-released Mitsubishi HC5500 to hit the store shelves before I make a decision.

[jeffreybehr]

I will upgrade to 1080p at some point from my Mits HC3000U but it likely won't be for another year or two.  We enjoy the projector we have so much I don't have too much of an itch to move to a 1080p unit.  We project onto a 106" fixed frame Dalite screen in our living room which does double duty for music and movies.

I also realize it will cost about $3k to get a 1080p unit that will be a genuine improvement in picture quality from my existing projector.  That makes it easier to just enjoy what we have as it looks incredible especially with blu-ray.

Hi Jeffreybehr, that Epson  looks to be a great projector and have read many reviews on it as well as posts on AVS forum.  Those look like some very cool photos on your walls in your photos you posted.  I am guessing you were the photographer.  We enjoy the photo I received from you everyday    You are a very talented photographer.  I have since picked up a FujiS5 and some good glass and started learning some stuff.  The more I learn the more I realize how much there is to learn.  Sorry for straying off topic.

-Nick

Nick, TYVM for your nice comments.  Yes I shot most of the pics, and I'm glad you enjoy your copy of mine; that was Ophir Canyon Creek, yes?


I think you're correct about costing c. $3K for a current 1080P PJ, altho I've read comments that some current models can be had for as little as c. $2K refurbished.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I think you're correct about costing c. $3K for a current 1080P PJ, altho I've read comments that some current models can be had for as little as c. $2K refurbished.

Yea, it's in my first post Jeff. 
That's a super cool photo too!

Bob

[GHM]

I would love to own a PJ. My only problem with them is the life of the bulbs. If the manufactures get the life up to around 20,000 hours..just maybe I"ll get one. Until then I'll stick with the Flat panels.

I doubt they'll do this any time soon...as this is where they make their money.

[Bill Baker]

 I am still not much into the video scene. I often bring my boys to work with me on weekends and during the summer to play with their friends that live across the street. At times, they like to come down to the shop to watch a movie or play the Wii so I picked up an inexpensive projector to keep them busy. I don't even have a screen yet. At 10 years old, they're not too fussy.
 I will eventually get further involved with video and at that time will start looking at decent projectors. Till then, the $450 Epson will have to do.

[WGH]

If the manufactures get the life up to around 20,000 hours..just maybe I"ll get one. Until then I'll stick with the Flat panels.

I doubt they'll do this any time soon...as this is where they make their money.

20,000 hours, that's a lot of video, it would take me 76 years to clock in that many hours.
Get a projector for your first birthday and use it until you die. 

I have 1043 hours after 4 years on my original X1 bulb, which (with a bit of luck) should last 4000 hours. At this point if the bulb died, I would get a new projector instead of spending $300 for a bulb.

How many people here have had to replace a bulb?

Wayne

[zybar]

If the manufactures get the life up to around 20,000 hours..just maybe I"ll get one. Until then I'll stick with the Flat panels.

I doubt they'll do this any time soon...as this is where they make their money.

20,000 hours, that's a lot of video, it would take me 76 years to clock in that many hours.
Get a projector for your first birthday and use it until you die. 

I have 1043 hours after 4 years on my original X1 bulb, which (with a bit of luck) should last 4000 hours. At this point if the bulb died, I would get a new projector instead of spending $300 for a bulb.

How many people here have had to replace a bulb?

Wayne

I had to replace the bulb in the Panny pj that we use in our bedroom.

It gets used 1-3 hours pretty much every day.

My HT pj's have never needed a bulb replacement.

George

[RooX]

20,000 hours?  Thats like 8 hours a day, every day for 7 years.  Honestly, i could never ask that.  Nor would i ever watch that much stuff.  I use a projector for movies, games and use to use it for tv (gave up on that junk)  after 1.5 years, i have 1200 hours.  Most people consider that heavy useage of a projector.  At this rate, i could use it for over 20 years on a 20,000 hour bulb.  For the 1500,00 I spent on it, i would never in a million years expect that.

On the same note, i had a 52" tv, and we never used it.  Wasnt any fun watching movies or games on it, so it was used for  the occasional tv, once in a while games, and we always went out to the movies.  Now with 120" screen, we watch loads of movies, and games are amazing.  We killed of our cable connection, as with all the fun we were having with movies, there was no point spending 100 bucks a month on cable tv.

If the manufactures get the life up to around 20,000 hours..just maybe I"ll get one. Until then I'll stick with the Flat panels.

I doubt they'll do this any time soon...as this is where they make their money.

20,000 hours, that's a lot of video, it would take me 76 years to clock in that many hours.
Get a projector for your first birthday and use it until you die. 

I have 1043 hours after 4 years on my original X1 bulb, which (with a bit of luck) should last 4000 hours. At this point if the bulb died, I would get a new projector instead of spending $300 for a bulb.

How many people here have had to replace a bulb?

Wayne

[Christof]

I have 1043 hours after 4 years on my original X1 bulb, which (with a bit of luck) should last 4000 hours. At this point if the bulb died, I would get a new projector instead of spending $300 for a bulb.

How many people here have had to replace a bulb?

My X1 bulb died around 2000hrs so I decided to upgrade rather than replace the bulb @ $300.

[Double Ugly]

HI-Def projector prices are dropping to amazingly low prices recently. So, what are you waiting for?

A house with a room dark enough to justify the purchase.  Additionally, said room needs to allow a viewing distance necessary to enjoy a large screen video.

Till I have what I need, I'll continue spending twice as much for half-the-size plasmas. 

[GHM]

Yeah I use my Flat panels for Movies, as PC monitors and normal TV watching..which I don't do much. I do watch a lot of movies and surf the net..that is why a 4000 hour bulb isn't practical for me. If it were just an HT setup.. maybe...I need another house for that though.

I just mounted my 52 inch LCD panel to the wall in the great room, next is the 42 inch Plasma for the master bedroom. Sony has a new PJ coming out..I think it is priced around $1000. I installed a sony XBR model for a customer a few weeks ago. We mounted a 106 inch screen in the room as well. The picture on that unit is mind blowing, but what do you expect for a $6000 projector?  I feel if I give someone 6 grand for a projector..it needs bulbs that last longer than 4000 hrs. Some don't even make it to the half life and it is time for a change. Count yourself lucky if it last the full 4000 and beyond.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I've not replaced my bulb yet. After two years I've accumulated about 1,500 nours on the bulb. Just recently I've been kicking around the idea of getting a new bulb (lamp). It'll cost me about $275 when I finally do it.

Regarding that whole "what about the cost of bulbs" disscussion, here's a short article that justifies the cost pretty well:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/replacement_lamps.htm

Bob

And by the way, why do I receive emails for topic replies on every forum and every thread I belong to....except THIS thread? 
And I the freakin' moderator of this board. 
What's up with that?