[bunnyma357]

The Panasonic has a really nice lens memory feature so if you have a 2.35 aspect ratio screen, it will instantly zoom and lens shift at the touch of a button, so it is really to switch between 2.35, 16:9 an 4:3. This is the one feature I really wish my projector had, it's kind of a pain having to manually adjust zoom and lens shift, when switching between most Blu-Ray movies and HDTV shows.


Jim C

[stevenkelby]

I would love that, I plan to get a 4:3 screen as I love old movies. Also, that way all content will use the full width of the screen.

[jermmd]

Optoma HD20 1080p DLP Projector - $869 after BCB

[WGH]

AV Guide has a review of the Optoma HD20
http://www.avguide.com/review/playback-24-optoma-hd20-dlp-projector-0

Snips from the review:

"Given the breakthrough low price, I was expecting at least some significant compromises, but found virtually none, save for a little higher light spill on deep blacks compared to other single-chip 1080p DLP projectors I’ve had my hands on lately....

"...the Optoma HD20 shows once again that good engineering need not come with any price premium. It’s a tremendous performer and a superlative value, which will surely increase the number of big screen front projection aficionados."

[GHM]

Given the performance of its little brother. I'm sure it is a terrific little PJ! That Bing price is a winner!
For under a grand a person can have a true cinematic experience no flat panel can give.

[Nick77]

Great thread and lots of good info. But I was hoping to really do it on the cheap. The last time I looked on craigslist they were certainly what appeared to be plenty on people upgrading to 1080 and had their 720's for cheap. Apart from the bulb is it risky buying used? What to look for as problems in the used market?
Lastly i picked up this screen from an office move, it is a very expensive Draper but was used in an office for presentations. Can i use this for HT screen? Thanks................

[Bob in St. Louis]

Sure you can use it for HT. It'll probably look pretty good. Howver, it's more than likely a 4:3. If it's wide enough, you could cut it down and make your own 16:9. Might want to rig it up temporarily to see if the gain level is acceptable for your room. It may be too bright.

Buying a used PJ scares me. The biggest reason would be the bulb life remaining and the cost of a replacement. I recently received a free Infocus 76 when a buddy upgraded to a 1080p PJ. That should give you a good idea of what an old 720 is worth.
The second reason would be knocking all the dust lose inside the unit. Just the act of replacing the lamp in mine created several new, large dust blobs visible on the screen. Couldn't begin to imagine how many blobs a shipping company would knock lose.

Bob

[stevenkelby]

Why not just leave the screen at 4:3 incase you watch any old movies or TV (4:3).

That way, all content would use the full width of the screen at all times too.

[bunnyma357]

Why not just leave the screen at 4:3 incase you watch any old movies or TV (4:3).

That way, all content would use the full width of the screen at all times too.

With a 4:3 screen "bigger" movies like 16:9, 2.35, etc. are actually smaller on your screen. Also if you are want to use a masking system to cover the grey areas of the screen where nothing is projected, it is way more complicated to mask the top & bottom, than the sides.

I would suggest a wide screen, and fill the full height and just use black curtains to mask the sides down to the appropriate aspect ratio. That's how my temporary theater is set up. This is usually referred to as a CIH or Constant Image Height on the HT forums I've read.

Jim C

[WGH]

Great thread and lots of good info. But I was hoping to really do it on the cheap.

I would never get a used projector unless it was for free then "drive it until it drops". Checking my local craigslist used prices range from $260-$500. The Sony BRAVIA VPLAW15 720p LCD looks like the best and is $500, a new lamp (when needed) is $300 so there is nothing cheap about this projector, for another $100 a person would get newer technology with a warranty. My Infocus X1 died in less than a year, it was either a bad bulb or ballast but they fixed it for free in about 10 days and it has been going strong since. Never ever buy a projector without a warranty! Plus every projector has a optimal projection distance and vertical offset, a used projector may not work in your room.

Wayne