HD rear projectors vs. HD projetor screens at DVinfo.net

Greg Harris · January 28th, 2005, 10:32 AM

My friend just got a HD 83" screen with stand and an HD projector, and he is telling me that its better than TVs like a sony 60" grand wega HD TV. Now is this true. What are the differences.
thanks

Miguel Lombana · January 28th, 2005, 12:01 PM

Not the right forum for this, you need to get over to the AVS forum at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?s=

Miguel

Greg Harris · January 28th, 2005, 12:25 PM

So no one here knows if HD TVs are better than HD projectors?
ok thanks anyway

Steven White · January 28th, 2005, 03:33 PM

Different strokes for different folks.

A projector will create a bigger image, but the specifications of that image will be dependent on both the room (size, darkeness etc.) and the projector (brightness, inputs, colour rendition etc.).

The HDTVs will have a smaller picture, but will have properties defined by their specifications (contrast, viewing angle, colour rendition, etc.), and there are many models to choose from.

The question is too aspecific to really yeild any answer that's not an opinion.

Ben Buie · February 15th, 2005, 04:49 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Harris : So no one here knows if HD TVs are better than HD projectors?
ok thanks anyway -->>>

The image from a GOOD home theater projector is at least as good as the best plasma or RPTV. However, because the image quality of HD is best realised at very large picture sizes, there is really no comparison if you are going for the best HD experience. The HD image from a 100" projector will simply blow you away, and after that a 61" plasma or 73" RPTV picture will be a let down.

Typically people who say "HD is nice, but not worth the money", hasn't seen it on a very large screen (100" or larger).

But we are talking about a good projector designed for home theater, not a business projector (the color temps will be way off). Also, we are talking about relatively low levels of ambient light. Sunlight, more than anything, really kills the contrast, but at night you can have the lights on and it will be fine. On Cloudy days or during times of the day when sunlight is not hitting the screen it will be fine as well. The best bet is to have it in a room with low ceilings and few windows, big catherdral ceiling rooms with high ceilings are not the best fit for a projector, unless you are only going to watch at night.

The best projector I've seen if you don't have 100% control of ambient light is the Sanyo PLV-70. Produces an absolute stunning image at up to 160", and you can get it on-line for about $4,000.00 now. I would highly recommend it. The scaler is phenomenal, even crappy SD digital cable is saved by this projector, but HD is like looking through a huge perfect window to the world.

One more thing, a high contrast grey screen from DaLite or Stewart is worth every penny; it minimizes the effect of ambient light and really brings out the contrast in the picture. Avoid reflective screens if possible, they are designed for very low lumen projectors.

Check this out:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home-theater-sanyo-plv-70-bb.htm

Project Central is also just a great place to see reviews of home theater projectors. I'm not affiliated with them, but it is a great site.

One caveat - although the price performance of a projector is hard to beat, keep in mind you will be replacing the bulb (roughly $300) every 1,500 - 2,000 hours. The good news is replacing the bulb gives you a picture as good as the projector was out of the box, there is no degredation in picture over time.

Shannon Rawls · February 15th, 2005, 05:14 PM

I use a PLV-70 to project over 100 shows during my 3 day (now 5 day) festival.

www.hdvfestival.com

Stunning. and many people leave saying "Wow Shannon, my movie looks better here then at home!!"

*smile*

- ShannonRawls.com

Ben Buie · February 15th, 2005, 05:35 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Shannon Rawls : I use a PLV-70 to project over 100 shows during my 3 day (now 5 day) festival.

www.hdvfestival.com

Stunning. and many people leave saying "Wow Shannon, my movie looks better here then at home!!"

*smile*

- ShannonRawls.com -->>>

Yeah, that projector rocks. It was so funny arguing with the home theater installers, who were very anti-projector saying it would not compare to a plasma and it would be impossible to watch football during the day, etc. Of course, they were pushing a $15k super high end 63" plasma. I told them I would worry about the equipment if they would install it. After the PLV-70 got installed they immediately signed up to become a reseller for it and sold and installed one within a week. I love being right :)

Shannon, your digital film festival looks really interesting, I think we will submit our latest work:

http://www.onourwayup.com

By the way, how big a picture do you project with that PLV-70? Do you project it onto the provided theater screen at Raleigh, or do you bring your own screen?

Ben

Shannon Rawls · February 15th, 2005, 06:44 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Ben Buie :
By the way, how big a picture do you project with that PLV-70? Do you project it onto the provided theater screen at Raleigh, or do you bring your own screen?

Ben -->>>

Provided at raleigh. it's 45 FEET i beleive. Theater seats 151 people at a time.

- ShannonRawls.com

January 28th, 2005, 10:32 AM	#1
Greg Harris Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 356	HD rear projectors vs. HD projetor screens My friend just got a HD 83" screen with stand and an HD projector, and he is telling me that its better than TVs like a sony 60" grand wega HD TV. Now is this true. What are the differences. thanks

January 28th, 2005, 12:01 PM	#2
Miguel Lombana Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Litchfield Park, AZ (W/of Phoenix) Posts: 502	Not the right forum for this, you need to get over to the AVS forum at: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?s= Miguel __________________ Miguel Lombana http://www.miguellombana.com & http://www.phoenixhamradio.com

February 15th, 2005, 04:49 PM	#5
Ben Buie Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 184	<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Harris : So no one here knows if HD TVs are better than HD projectors? ok thanks anyway -->>> The image from a GOOD home theater projector is at least as good as the best plasma or RPTV. However, because the image quality of HD is best realised at very large picture sizes, there is really no comparison if you are going for the best HD experience. The HD image from a 100" projector will simply blow you away, and after that a 61" plasma or 73" RPTV picture will be a let down. Typically people who say "HD is nice, but not worth the money", hasn't seen it on a very large screen (100" or larger). But we are talking about a good projector designed for home theater, not a business projector (the color temps will be way off). Also, we are talking about relatively low levels of ambient light. Sunlight, more than anything, really kills the contrast, but at night you can have the lights on and it will be fine. On Cloudy days or during times of the day when sunlight is not hitting the screen it will be fine as well. The best bet is to have it in a room with low ceilings and few windows, big catherdral ceiling rooms with high ceilings are not the best fit for a projector, unless you are only going to watch at night. The best projector I've seen if you don't have 100% control of ambient light is the Sanyo PLV-70. Produces an absolute stunning image at up to 160", and you can get it on-line for about $4,000.00 now. I would highly recommend it. The scaler is phenomenal, even crappy SD digital cable is saved by this projector, but HD is like looking through a huge perfect window to the world. One more thing, a high contrast grey screen from DaLite or Stewart is worth every penny; it minimizes the effect of ambient light and really brings out the contrast in the picture. Avoid reflective screens if possible, they are designed for very low lumen projectors. Check this out: http://www.projectorcentral.com/home-theater-sanyo-plv-70-bb.htm Project Central is also just a great place to see reviews of home theater projectors. I'm not affiliated with them, but it is a great site. One caveat - although the price performance of a projector is hard to beat, keep in mind you will be replacing the bulb (roughly $300) every 1,500 - 2,000 hours. The good news is replacing the bulb gives you a picture as good as the projector was out of the box, there is no degredation in picture over time. __________________ Ben Buie, Producer "On Our Way Up" - Shot Completely in HDV http://www.onourwayup.com HD Articles and Reviews at HDSource! http://hdsource.highlydef.com

February 15th, 2005, 05:35 PM	#7
Ben Buie Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 184	<<<-- Originally posted by Shannon Rawls : I use a PLV-70 to project over 100 shows during my 3 day (now 5 day) festival. www.hdvfestival.com Stunning. and many people leave saying "Wow Shannon, my movie looks better here then at home!!" smile - ShannonRawls.com -->>> Yeah, that projector rocks. It was so funny arguing with the home theater installers, who were very anti-projector saying it would not compare to a plasma and it would be impossible to watch football during the day, etc. Of course, they were pushing a $15k super high end 63" plasma. I told them I would worry about the equipment if they would install it. After the PLV-70 got installed they immediately signed up to become a reseller for it and sold and installed one within a week. I love being right :) Shannon, your digital film festival looks really interesting, I think we will submit our latest work: http://www.onourwayup.com By the way, how big a picture do you project with that PLV-70? Do you project it onto the provided theater screen at Raleigh, or do you bring your own screen? Ben __________________ Ben Buie, Producer "On Our Way Up" - Shot Completely in HDV http://www.onourwayup.com HD Articles and Reviews at HDSource! http://hdsource.highlydef.com

January 28th, 2005, 12:25 PM	#3
Greg Harris Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 356	So no one here knows if HD TVs are better than HD projectors? ok thanks anyway

January 28th, 2005, 03:33 PM	#4
Steven White Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 547	Different strokes for different folks. A projector will create a bigger image, but the specifications of that image will be dependent on both the room (size, darkeness etc.) and the projector (brightness, inputs, colour rendition etc.). The HDTVs will have a smaller picture, but will have properties defined by their specifications (contrast, viewing angle, colour rendition, etc.), and there are many models to choose from. The question is too aspecific to really yeild any answer that's not an opinion.

February 15th, 2005, 05:14 PM	#6
Shannon Rawls Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 853	I use a PLV-70 to project over 100 shows during my 3 day (now 5 day) festival. www.hdvfestival.com Stunning. and many people leave saying "Wow Shannon, my movie looks better here then at home!!" smile - ShannonRawls.com

February 15th, 2005, 06:44 PM	#8
Shannon Rawls Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 853	<<<-- Originally posted by Ben Buie : By the way, how big a picture do you project with that PLV-70? Do you project it onto the provided theater screen at Raleigh, or do you bring your own screen? Ben -->>> Provided at raleigh. it's 45 FEET i beleive. Theater seats 151 people at a time. - ShannonRawls.com