Projector Systems - what am I looking for?

[mjb1975]

I've been toying with the idea (just in my head for now) about a full projector and pulldown blind type thingy. I then realised that I don't know anything about them!

What sort of specs should I be looking at? I assume there's the usual range of budgets, etc, and I must admit I'd probably only be able to get a pretty basic system (ie: cheap!), but I'd like to know a lot more about them......are there any decent sites to read more?

Any recommendations for a projector/screen? All helpful advice gratefully received!

[johnbown]

lurk around these sites and message boards which will start to give you a better understanding of whats out there:

www.projectorcentral.com (http://www.projectorcentral.com)
www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/)
www.hometheaterforum.com (http://www.hometheaterforum.com)
www.avforums.com/ (http://www.avforums.com/)

Basically there are three readily availably display technologies, DLP, CRT and LCD. Each has their pros and cons. Each vary in price and performance. Only you can decide whats right for you.

You need to start thinking about your room size, budget, screen size etc

[Bapapapa]

This month's WHF has a big feature on projector systems. Might be worth you having a gander at that.

[nigel_williams]

I've just been for a demo of Sony projectors. The basic entry level HS1 is not bad for £1,800 but quite poor when compared to the true 16x9 VPL-VW10HT at ~£5,000

The good news is that the VPL-VW10 has just been superceeded by the VW11 which means you should be able to pick it up for ~£3,500. I noticed that the VW11 is available on unbeatable for £4,500 but I'm not sure if it's actually worth the extra grand.

You'll need to spend about another £1,000 on a decent screen. I was recommended a Draper which is a motorised 9 feet (16x9) for about £1,200

It's an expensive solution but is better than plasma (for the price) but you will need a darkened room.

[mjb1975]

hmm, thanks for the info people.

I did see the Sony VPLHS1 in Hotdog magazine and it got me thinking. I don't think I can even consider those around 3.5k, so maybe this sub 2k model is perfect for me.

Stupid thing is, I have a 43" RPTV, but although it was enormous at first, it only takes a few weeks and you want something even bigger! I was thinking a projector only for DVD's might be a nice addition. Don't ask where the money will come from though!

What was the picture like on the HS1? I must try and find somewhere that will demo it for me.....

[nigel_williams]

If you saw the HS1 first you'd probably be impressed but it's got nothing on the more expensive VW10. You start noticing the "screen door" effect produced by the lower reolution 4:3 LCD panels.

[mjb1975]

hmm, I've read about this screen door thing - what does this mean exactly?

Also, what about aspect ratio's - I've read the HS1 can handle 4:3 and 16:9, but what about say 1.85:1 and 2.35:1, etc....are the images projected with black bars or stretched?

[Mr Nice]

RE: "Screen door effect".
You know how if you look carefully at the tv you can make out the scanlines (especiallly non-anamorphic widescreen on a widescreen tv)? Well LCD projectors have this effect in two dimensions, so you can see a mesh of gridlines if you look carefully(how much depends on the resolution of the projector, how much its being blown up, etc).

[nigel_williams]

You can make out individual pixels if you get too close with small black borders hence the screen door mesh effect. The thing is, you don't want to sit too close anyway.

With the HS1 which uses a 4:3 panel, it loses vertical resolution much like a 4:3 TV so the effect is more apparent. It can display 1:1.85 and 1:2.35 images.

The VW10/VW11 has 16:9 panels and a much higher resolution than DVD so it can do a straight 1:1 mapping of pixels even on an anamorphic DVD. Even from 10 feet, you can get a 60" display.

I used Toy Story 2 and Starship Troopers to test the display. The black levels were excellent, not the dark grey I was expecting. You could really see the difference in resolution - the HS1 often made jagged diagonals and definition was quite poor at times.

[SloppyJoe]

You could pick up a second hand CRT projector for about £1000 with excellent performance compared to cheaper (>£3k) LCD's - but they are NOT portable and you really should think about setting up a cinema room if you go in that direction.