Please Help A New Convert From Plasma To Projector

[Sean_Melb]

Hi forum,

I have 2.5 year old home theatre system is suffering from its toshy 68cm TV still as a result of spending AUD $9000 more than expected when i got my HT setup and consequently could not afford to get a plasma and back thern LCD were not an option in my price range.

I am in melb and got all my HT gear from Norlec which were great and they set it up and all (I see Norlec and glenncol dont see eye to eye but I had nothing but good experience from them in the past if not on the expensive side of things.)

I was just about to get a 50" Panasonic Plasma with in built tuna or possibly a 46' LCD.

I had quotes from JB HI fi for $4800 installed including the 5 year warranty for the 50"Pana and about $5200 installed including 5 year warrantly for the LCD from Metz i think.

Anyway- that was until i went to Norlec and saw there new setup with the 100" screen and a DLP projector (i think thats whats its called) and thought wow thats cool- stuff plasmas! A true "movie experience" which unless i get a 65" Plasma which i cant afford i simply wont get (and probably not even then.)

HELP as for the last 2 years I have been researching Plasma/LCD waiting for the 50" HD models (obviously not the 1080p ones) get under AUD $5000 which they have which is my price range. BUT my knowlege on brands or quality of projectors or even prices is "Jack S___" so need some guidance.

OK My Denon DVD (see specs in sig block) can do 720p or 1080i it was the flagship model 2 years ago - it does NOT have HDMI but has DVI

My Denon 3805 also does not have HDMi connectors but has DVI.

So i would appreciate someone recommending a quality projector etc.

I think it would be a 720p projector (tell me if im wrong).

And a screen

my room is 5m wide x 7.5m long lounge room. It will have to be a pull down screen as the viewing side is a window/sliding door in apartment building.

I sit currently 3.6metres from my 86cm tv so the screen will be approx 4m from the viewer to couch. It will be CEILING MOUNTED with a pull down screen

I already have a component cable to the tv which was to be used for the future plasma.

BUDGET - AUD $500-$700 for pull down screen (not electric)

- AUD $3000-$4000 for projector

- AUD $200-$500 for cables needed/installation.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Sean

[mgrobins]

I can't specify the best pj in your range but may I suggest a little more info describing your HT room would be helpful. Throw length (i.e. distance of pj to screen that you want), how much light is in the room during watching day and noght etc all play a role in deciding the most suitable product for you. SOunds like it's a nice sized rom though which is a good place to start.

Any reason why the screen cannot be electric? Cinemax and some others make quite reasonable ones at an excellent price as a few forum members will attest.

Hi forum,

I have 2.5 year old home theatre system is suffering from its toshy 68cm TV still as a result of spending AUD $9000 more than expected when i got my HT setup and consequently could not afford to get a plasma and back thern LCD were not an option in my price range.

I am in melb and got all my HT gear from Norlec which were great and they set it up and all (I see Norlec and glenncol dont see eye to eye but I had nothing but good experience from them in the past if not on the expensive side of things.)

I was just about to get a 50" Panasonic Plasma with in built tuna or possibly a 46' LCD.

I had quotes from JB HI fi for $4800 installed including the 5 year warranty for the 50"Pana and about $5200 installed including 5 year warrantly for the LCD from Metz i think.

Anyway- that was until i went to Norlec and saw there new setup with the 100" screen and a DLP projector (i think thats whats its called) and thought wow thats cool- stuff plasmas! A true "movie experience" which unless i get a 65" Plasma which i cant afford i simply wont get (and probably not even then.)

HELP as for the last 2 years I have been researching Plasma/LCD waiting for the 50" HD models (obviously not the 1080p ones) get under AUD $5000 which they have which is my price range. BUT my knowlege on brands or quality of projectors or even prices is "Jack S___" so need some guidance.

OK My Denon DVD (see specs in sig block) can do 720p or 1080i it was the flagship model 2 years ago - it does NOT have HDMI but has DVI

My Denon 3805 also does not have HDMi connectors but has DVI.

So i would appreciate someone recommending a quality projector etc.

I think it would be a 720p projector (tell me if im wrong).

And a screen

my room is 5m wide x 7.5m long lounge room. It will have to be a pull down screen as the viewing side is a window/sliding door in apartment building.

I sit currently 3.6metres from my 86cm tv so the screen will be approx 4m from the viewer to couch. It will be CEILING MOUNTED with a pull down screen

I already have a component cable to the tv which was to be used for the future plasma.

BUDGET - AUD $500-$700 for pull down screen (not electric)

- AUD $3000-$4000 for projector

- AUD $200-$500 for cables needed/installation.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Sean

[The_Preacher1973]

BUDGET - AUD $500-$700 for pull down screen (not electric)

- AUD $3000-$4000 for projector

- AUD $200-$500 for cables needed/installation.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Sean

In that price range for a projector, I'd either be looking at the Benq 8720 (a 720P DLP fro about $4000 from an Australian "Bricks and Mortar" store) or the Mitsubishi HC5000 (a 1080P LCD for about $3500 from Price Japan).

Price Japan HC5000

A good place to read reviews on both these projectors (and many others) is:

Projector Reviews

Projector Central is a good place to start as well:

Projector Central

Once you've read those sites, you may have a few more specific questions you want to ask. At the moment it's all a bit broad for us to give you much meaningful advice.

[joz]

Preacher has given all the good links so plenty of reading for you there.If your in Melb check out the Big Picture People in Bundoora and see Jason(if he's back from hollidays)

The Benq8720 is a great machine under 4K at the mo,on display at the shop.Its a great unit,unless your willing to spend plenty more for a 1080p machine.

[glennb]

At that seating distance, I reckon a 92" diag screen would be about right. You can try a bigger screen, but you run the risk of making it too hard to actually see everything.