brodricj Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 Shooting the breeze here amongst esteemed forum members et al. I am very happy with my video setup: VP30/ABT102>PE8720>DIY screen The weak link is the screen, it's a DIY job and it works fine, but it's covering two external windows and WAF insists I go electric and DIY electric screen is too much of a challenge for my home handyman skills. So a secret $5k budget needs to be freed up to buy a new screen (WAF doesn't know an electric screen will cost that much, she just said get an electric and I haven't told her what they cost!). My main video sources now are a new Toppy 7000PVR for watching 720P/1080i HDTV, and a PS3 for playing games and watching 1080p BR video. So running them at 1080i isn't an ideal match for the VP30/ABT102 running a 720P projector. I also have SD-DVD at 576i over HDMI. Blowing $5k on a new screen for my current hardware will result in an improvement in PQ, but how much I don't know. Might the money might be better spent doing something else? Let's say eBay the PE8720 and the VP30/ABT102, don't know what they're worth. Both work well and the projector only has 200 hours, guessing perhaps I might get $3k for the projector and $2k for the VP, is this realistic? That would free up $5k for a new projector, and I would buy the new BenQ 1080P projector, only because it's in the same case as the PE8720 and WAF wouldn't notice the difference, and she wouldn't notice the VP30 missing from the rack either. I'm guessing the changeover price would therefore be about $2k, plus whatever a new HDMI switcher would cost, say $3k total. End result, new projector, no VP, WAF doesn't know, and better PQ. However, I've spent $3k from a $5k budget and I still don't have the electric screen. So here's the conundrum, an electric screen is a requirement, but the money might be better spent on other hardware. And I could get away with new hardware because WAF wouldn't detect the change. Only I would miss my VP, and the PQ from the present configuration, whilst not a perfect match, is quite watchable. So with $5k, what would you do? (p.s. and for anyone suggesting a good hitman for $5k, I've already considered that!) addendum: Does the PS3 likely make the Oppo Dv970HD redundant in my setup?
dvduser Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 Keep what you've got till the HDMI, BR/HDDVD, AVR updates are all sorted- probably by the end of the year or early next Just get a good quality motorised screen that you'll be able to use down the track anyway Save your money, it's just not worth doing anything at the moment while these pq, sq wars are sorting themselve out Just because you have it in your pocket doesn't mean you have to spend it
Guest EZYHD Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 I'm off to Hong Kong again next month, give the bread to me and I'll spend it for you!
brodricj Posted March 26, 2007 Author Posted March 26, 2007 I'm off to Hong Kong again next month, give the bread to me and I'll spend it for you! Can you pick up my 8kg Velodyne SMS-1 subwoofer calibrator for me up there? I bought it over 6 months ago and still haven't found the time to collect it. Should have just coughed up for the FedEx, considering I got it for half what they cost here!
Guest EZYHD Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 Can you pick up my 8kg Velodyne SMS-1 subwoofer calibrator for me up there? I bought it over 6 months ago and still haven't found the time to collect it. Should have just coughed up for the FedEx, considering I got it for half what they cost here! I probably could if my wife doesn't pack to much in her suitcase!.
Gino Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 Just buy a good screen now, its always a good investment and not something you'll need to keep upgrading unless you're nuts like me (3 screens in 18 months!) It'll keep the wife happy also.
norpus Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 I agree with Gino's advice, even though I haven't yet followed that myself!! What size elec screen and do you only want 16:9 or are you going to go scope later?
keiron Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 Shooting the breeze here amongst esteemed forum members et al.I am very happy with my video setup: VP30/ABT102>PE8720>DIY screen The weak link is the screen, it's a DIY job and it works fine, but it's covering two external windows and WAF insists I go electric and DIY electric screen is too much of a challenge for my home handyman skills. So a secret $5k budget needs to be freed up to buy a new screen (WAF doesn't know an electric screen will cost that much, she just said get an electric and I haven't told her what they cost!). My main video sources now are a new Toppy 7000PVR for watching 720P/1080i HDTV, and a PS3 for playing games and watching 1080p BR video. So running them at 1080i isn't an ideal match for the VP30/ABT102 running a 720P projector. I also have SD-DVD at 576i over HDMI. Blowing $5k on a new screen for my current hardware will result in an improvement in PQ, but how much I don't know. Might the money might be better spent doing something else? Let's say eBay the PE8720 and the VP30/ABT102, don't know what they're worth. Both work well and the projector only has 200 hours, guessing perhaps I might get $3k for the projector and $2k for the VP, is this realistic? That would free up $5k for a new projector, and I would buy the new BenQ 1080P projector, only because it's in the same case as the PE8720 and WAF wouldn't notice the difference, and she wouldn't notice the VP30 missing from the rack either. I'm guessing the changeover price would therefore be about $2k, plus whatever a new HDMI switcher would cost, say $3k total. End result, new projector, no VP, WAF doesn't know, and better PQ. However, I've spent $3k from a $5k budget and I still don't have the electric screen. So here's the conundrum, an electric screen is a requirement, but the money might be better spent on other hardware. And I could get away with new hardware because WAF wouldn't detect the change. Only I would miss my VP, and the PQ from the present configuration, whilst not a perfect match, is quite watchable. So with $5k, what would you do? (p.s. and for anyone suggesting a good hitman for $5k, I've already considered that!) addendum: Does the PS3 likely make the Oppo Dv970HD redundant in my setup? With $5k I'd probably upgrade the HT amp and subwoofer. Something with HDMI switching would be good b/c most plasmas only have one or two HDMI inputs and the way things are going (Bluray, PS3, HDTV, etc) it won't be enough in a few years time.
CAVX Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 Let's say eBay the PE8720 and the VP30/ABT102, don't know what they're worth. Both work well and the projector only has 200 hours, guessing perhaps I might get $3k for the projector and $2k for the VP, is this realistic? If I had a spare 5K, this would be it Mark
brodricj Posted March 26, 2007 Author Posted March 26, 2007 With $5k I'd probably upgrade the HT amp and subwoofer. Something with HDMI switching would be good b/c most plasmas only have one or two HDMI inputs and the way things are going (Bluray, PS3, HDTV, etc) it won't be enough in a few years time. Trust me, my HT amp and sub don't need upgrading. $5k wouldn't come close to upgrading them anyway, not when they cost $19k all up new in the first place!!
benthx Posted March 26, 2007 Posted March 26, 2007 Sell the 8720 and get a HD1 I know a few guys who are wanting one Ben
Curious Posted March 27, 2007 Posted March 27, 2007 Shooting the breeze here amongst esteemed forum members et al. That would free up $5k for a new projector, and I would buy the new BenQ 1080P projector, only because it's in the same case as the PE8720 and WAF wouldn't notice the difference, and she wouldn't notice the VP30 missing from the rack either. I'm guessing the changeover price would therefore be about $2k, Um, just a small point, but considering the new BenQ 1080 PJ is gonna retail for $12,999 how do you figure a $2K changeover? Please tell me you know where to buy one for $7K... Cheers, Curious
brodricj Posted March 27, 2007 Author Posted March 27, 2007 ... just a small point, but considering the new BenQ 1080 PJ is gonna retail for $12,999 how do you figure a $2K changeover?Please tell me you know where to buy one for $7K... I just had a guess they'd be priced about the same point as the JVC HD1, had no idea the RRP was that much! suffice to say it's off the contention list unless street prices come in around $7k.
Curious Posted March 27, 2007 Posted March 27, 2007 I just had a guess they'd be priced about the same point as the JVC HD1, had no idea the RRP was that much! suffice to say it's off the contention list unless street prices come in around $7k. Bugger, thought you might have the inside track on the BenQ pricing Cheers, Curious
brodricj Posted April 1, 2007 Author Posted April 1, 2007 The decision is made. Placed an order for an electric Stewart GreyHawk. Should have it in 4 weeks, then I'm almost done. The PE8720 and VP30 are staying put for the time being, at least until I see the new JVC HD1 in action!
JoshH Posted April 1, 2007 Posted April 1, 2007 The decision is made. Placed an order for an electric Stewart GreyHawk. Should have it in 4 weeks, then I'm almost done. The PE8720 and VP30 are staying put for the time being, at least until I see the new JVC HD1 in action! Nice 1 - Great to see another quality screen going into an install. Make sure you post your impressions for all! Enjoy.
Recommended Posts