Projector Process...

[Nicholas Mosher]

I've definetly settled on going LCD over DLP for my front projector. Given the +/-'s for the LCD PJ's in the $2k range, I'm also pretty much settled on getting the Sanyo PLV-Z3.

My home theater project coffer has about half the clams I need. Should be ready to purchase one by the end of July...

[curtis]

Nicholas,
Can you give us a rundown on the pros and cons of LCD vs DLP in that price range?

[Nicholas Mosher]

Well this is what I found on DLP and LCD units in the $2000 range.

DLP
+ + +
~ Excellent black levels.
~ Excellent resultant contrast.
- - -
~ Temporal Dithering Artifacts.
(This is what bothered me most. During some scenes on DLP units parts of the image were blurry/lagging.
~ Slightly higher cost than comparable LCD units.
~ Although I can't see them, "Rainbow" artifacts.

LCD
+ + +
~ Fantastic colors (seemed a bit better than comparable DLP units for some reason).
~ No visible artifacts. Image is clean, crisp, and fluid.
~ Slightly cheaper than comparable DLP units.
- - -
~ Black levels definetly not as good as comparable DLP units.
~ Resultant contrast not quite as good as comparable DLP units.

While the blacks werent as great with LCD units in side-by-side comparisons with DLP units, when viewed seperately I didn't really notice a huge difference after a few minutes of viewing. Whereas with the DLP unit I was instantly bothered with artifacts and a slight headache for some reason.

Now that I settled on LCD based front projection, I looked at the popular units in the $2k range.

Sanyo PLV-Z3
InFocus SP5000
Panasonic AE700U
Sony HS51

Based on reviews, the Panasonic and Sony have the best contrast, but each have a multitude of minor problems. The Panasonic also uses a special lens/filter that acts like a fancy mirror and splits every projected pixel into multiple pixels. Apparently this reduces viewable pixelation, but any pixelation that is viewable has a "wavy" look to it rather than perpendicular lines. I wasn't all that excited by this description. The Panasonic and Sony are also more expensive than the InFocus and Sanyo by a few hundred dollars. The InFocus has the worst specs, but cheapest price. The Sanyo PLV-Z3 is apparently a simple unit that doesn't try to do what it can't. To me it seems like a good comprimise, and can be had for about $1800 shipped. It's reviews place it right beside/slightly behind the Sony/Panny units in contrast levels, but it doesn't seem to have any technical issues, and it offers many practical features for a perfect setup. The LCD panels are also user-cleanable. With 1080p DVDs hopefully around the corner and 1080p projectors on the market, I'll be upgrading in a few years to 1080p projection anyways which really takes any desire out of me for spending more than $2k on a PJ.

Here is a review...
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...05-part-1.html

[curtis]

Thanks a lot! That would be the same price range I would be in as well.....but not for some time.

What about LCD's "screen door" issue?

[Nicholas Mosher]

If you sit really close you can see it, but it's not as bad as it use to be. Visible screen door effect is now about the same on DLP units as it is on LCD machines.

It really comes down to better blacks & contrast along with artifacts for DLP, or a nearly flawless image with a bit worse blacks & contrast for LCDs. As the above linked reviewer stated, "I'll choose the latter".

[curtis]

Thanks again Nicholas.

I have a friend that has a DLP projector. She says she can see the rainbow effect......I can not.

I have a DLP RPTV, if I think about it and look for it, I can see screen door.

Can't complain though, I got a great deal on a the TV and got into HDTV a year ahead of schedule.

[jojo]

If you sit really close you can see it, but it's not as bad as it use to be. Visible screen door effect is now about the same on DLP units as it is on LCD machines.

It really comes down to better blacks & contrast along with artifacts for DLP, or a nearly flawless image with a bit worse blacks & contrast for LCDs. As the above linked reviewer stated, "I'll choose the latter".

since your in an apartment, how big do you think you can get your screen to be. and how are you going to control the light situation if you have sunlight problems.

[Nicholas Mosher]

These projectors have 720p resolution. Maximum recommended screen diagonal for 720p is your viewing distance divided by 1.3. I sit 8' from the wall, so the maximum recommended screen diagonal is 72". This affects different people in different ways though, so once I get the PJ I'll experient and see just how big I can go without serious image quality degradation.

In one of the above posts I have a mock 72" screen I made out of posterboard. I definetly have the room to go to 92" if I'm satisfied with image quality.

Ambient light is definetly a concern. My room has four huge windows. I'm going to combat this in two ways...

1. Double layered black velvet curtains.
2. A screen with a higher gain reflects light better giving you a brighter image. I plan to order screen samples a week or so before ordering the PJ. Different screen materials play a huge part in your image characteristics.