Ive been using my Dell 24" as my AV/TV screen for the last year or so, waiting for something Im interested in coming out in the plasma/LCD space.
That happened when Samsung released the LE-52F96BDX which is a 52" LED local dimming backlit LCD screen (1080p, 500,000:1). Its pretty pricy though, at around 2300 quid.
Dont really want to put that much dosh into screen which is using new tech, thinking it best I wait another 6 or so months and see what other manufacturers bring out in terms of LED screens or at the very least go for the next gen Samsung screen.
Buuut.... ;) 24" is too small for me, and its driving me nuts as Ive got loads of HD content I want to enjoy on a big screen. Im thinking I could buy a half decent 720p projector and enjoy that for the time being.
Loads of people have mentioned to me that the Sany PLV-Z4 is a great previous gen projector and that I should be able to pick one up a second hand one for about 500 quid.
So I went hunting around and came across something which shocked me.
B&H in the US is doing a brand new Sanyo PLV-Z4 WITH a projector screen and ceiling mount for $999!?!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/403544-REG/Sanyo_PLVZ4_PLV_Z4_Home_Theater_Projector.html
500 quid for a brand new top notch 720p projector with a screen! :shock:
Talk about bargain.
Cheapest it retails here is still 900+ pounds!
Thnking about importing it at that price. Their shipping calculator comes up with $236.50.
Saying that itd probably get hit with VAT + Duty.
If the VAT is charged on the item value, thats another 87 quid not sure how much the duty would be. so about 700 quid probably.
Anyone else use a projector here? What kind of setup have you got?
If you are going to the states its a good excuse to bring one back with you...
I use a 47" 1080P LCD screen, good enough for the living room I suppose :D
Wont be going to the states for a while unfortunately.
Hitachi PJ-TX200
77" screen I made my self.
Projector cost £800 & the screen £150 - cant remember where I got the material from, but its from a place that supply Cinemas, etc.
The PJ has been updated to a 300 model & now comes in black :-(
(http://www.royjowetthomecinema.co.uk/images/PJTX300large.jpg)
I looked at the Z4, but was put off by the price of a replacement bulb at £200. Though the UK one may still come with a spare bulb
Hmmm seems a PLV-Z5 is only 650 quid delivered.
And some people are selling PLV-Z4s for as little as 350!
Hmmm.... spending money bad....
That Hitachi is the same price as the Z5, about 650.
Havent looked into projectors for a while, nice suprise to see theyve come down so much.
Im going to see if I can get fully setup - projector, screen, ceiling mount all for 500 quid.
Quote from: KunalThat Hitachi is the same price as the Z5, about 650.
Havent looked into projectors for a while, nice suprise to see theyve come down so much.
Im going to see if I can get fully setup - projector, screen, ceiling mount all for 500 quid.
BENQ do a projector for less than £300, think its only 800x600
Which is fine if you dont watch HiDef or own a HiDef console.
Can always upgrade later & spend the difference on a good screen.
Good screen stays with you, projectors come & go.
Screen cloth can be found at
http://www.harkness-screens.com/home_uk.htmhttp://www.ellie.co.ukhttp://www.drhscreens.co.uk/screenfabric.htmlWhat I then used was Strecher Bars, used by artists/canvas.
You can usually buy these to any size. Cover the bars in blackout cloth (black velvet works the best as its "kills" any overspill of the picture) & assemble the stretcher bars & stretch the cloth on the rear (I use cloth loosely as mine is basically PVC Vinyl!)
Quote from: EggtasticoBENQ do a projector for less than £300, think its only 800x600
Which is fine if you dont watch HiDef or own a HiDef console.
Once you go HD you dont go back ;) Especially at that screen size. I have plenty of 1080p content, but will have to make do with a second hand 720p projector. I need to compare the previous gen Hitachi, Sanyo and Panasonics, thinking Ill spend about £350.
QuoteCan always upgrade later & spend the difference on a good screen.
Good screen stays with you, projectors come & go.
Screen cloth can be found at
http://www.harkness-screens.com/home_uk.htm
http://www.ellie.co.uk
http://www.drhscreens.co.uk/screenfabric.html
What I then used was Strecher Bars, used by artists/canvas.
You can usually buy these to any size. Cover the bars in blackout cloth (black velvet works the best as its "kills" any overspill of the picture) & assemble the stretcher bars & stretch the cloth on the rear (I use cloth loosely as mine is basically PVC Vinyl!)
Thanks for those links, think Ill def go down that route.
How have you mounted your projector? Thinking ceiling mount is best, but theyre so expensive.
Ceiling mounted.
Problem with the screen is that its a fixed screen.
Not a problem for me, but can be for some people
Heres a quick comparison pic
32" TV v 77" Prjector
(http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7379/mg0035fq3.jpg)
pity you missed
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140167145845&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004
:-(
Woah, that went for a great price.
Which mount do you use?
Dont want to spend much on the mount, just something thatll do the job!
The best projector in that class is the Panasonic PT-AX100E - I had one before I got the PT-AE1000 1080p projector - I sold it for £500 with a spare bulb a few weeks ago - should have said sooner you were looking one !!
Yea I know :(
My interest in projectors has suddenly come back after going on holiday for a couple of years. Just really craving a bigger screen for all the HD content I have.
Way Im looking at it now, I could sink £800 to a grand into a decent 40" 1080p LCD, for slightly less I could get a 720p projector setup thatll give me a 80-100" screen.
Im now looking at the Sanyo PLV-Z5 (£650-700), Hitachi PJ-TX300 (£750-800) and Panasonic PT-AX100 (£750-800).
For the screen Im thinking a manual pull down as a fixed frame isnt practical for me. A 173cm X 97cm 16:9 screen from DRH is £110 inc VAT. Its 77" diagonal and distance from lens to screen will be in the 10-12ft range.
Not sure on the mount front yet... wall or ceiling, but I dont want to spend more than £50-60.
The PT-AX100 is the brightest of the 3, by a LONG shot. You can use it during the day and with the light on. The colours seemed to look a lot more alive on it - the Z5 was a close runner but I had them both on loan before I bought and the PT won me over, just.
When I first got it the competition werent even close.
The new one (PT-AX1000) totally rocks. Its going to take something special for me to upgrade that
have a read on AVForums is best, theres a dedicated section there.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/index.php
may be worth seeing if someone has one to sell
The big improvement for the hitachi 300 to 200 is the lumens/brightness.
The Hitachi will also accept 1080 stuff & downsample it to 720p
Not sure if others do this, but I cant see why not
I can also watch my projector with the light on without any problems.
My reason for Hitachi was that it looks nicer bolted to the ceiling & the bulbs was cheaper (+at the time I managed to get it £200 cheaper than anything else in its group)
Think mine was selling for £999 + Vat
Managed to get it for £899 without Vat
My mount, is a standard £30 job on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Universal-Steel-LCD-Projector-Ceiling-Mount-Sony-BenQ_W0QQitemZ140168646437QQihZ004QQcategoryZ22610QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I think I might go through these guys
http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/
Have a great site, good prices and theyre based in Richmond. I work in Twickenham so I can pop down for a viewing and collection if I decide to buy through them.
Im going to compare the AX100, Z5 and TX300. Im liking the brightness of the AX100 as Ill I wont be able to block all ambient lighting. Then again the shadow detail/blacks and warranty of the Sanyo are also very tempting... oh and obviously the price ;) Its a 100 quid cheaper than the other two.
1600 LUMENS Home Cinema LCD Projector TV/ PC/DVD/GAMES
CE Certificate Contrast 600:1 4:3 & 16:9 Full Rotation
This is the ideal projector for you to create your own cinema theatre environment at an affordable cost.
It is the next generation from the popular HP and PTV01 range with Higher Features, please see the picture below for comparison.
Model No.
ZQ -800VT
HP and PTV01
Brightness
1600 ANSI Lumens
1500 ANSI Lumens
Resolution
800*480 to 1024 * 768 Supports VGA
800*480 to 1024 * 768
Contrast
600:1
500:1
Light source
150W special –use projection lamp
200W Projection Lamp
Display Type
3.5" TFT Lcd Panel;1,353,600 Pixel(800XRGBX564)
Buy It Now price: £179.00
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1600-LUMENS-Home-Cinema-LCD-Projector-TV-PC-DVD-GAMES_W0QQitemZ140168760979QQihZ004QQcategoryZ22610QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Go for the pt-ax100e dude, you wont regret it.