I know that there are some of you out there who are using front projectors with VOOM. How is it, what do you have, and what would you recommend in projectors for hdtv and dvd viewing? I am looking in that direction, but have been somewhat put off by the different problems people are having with dpi and lcd projectors.
VOOM projector users
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My projector and screen type are in my signature. We love it...that simple actually.
As to which to get? Way too loaded of a question. If your interested you should first decide on many things. Will ambient light be an issue? What screen size? Am I susceptible to rainbows? Do I prefer DLP over LCD? Whats my budget? etc. etc.
Theres so much to select from out there. I'm sure folks will tell you whats best simply because they own it. Thats not a good decision method. And resolution alone doesn't always equal great picture.
If you live in an area that carries various brands I strongly suggest auditioning different units and technologies. If you can't, stop by avsforum.com and visit the projector forums and gather opinions.
As to which to get? Way too loaded of a question. If your interested you should first decide on many things. Will ambient light be an issue? What screen size? Am I susceptible to rainbows? Do I prefer DLP over LCD? Whats my budget? etc. etc.
Theres so much to select from out there. I'm sure folks will tell you whats best simply because they own it. Thats not a good decision method. And resolution alone doesn't always equal great picture.
If you live in an area that carries various brands I strongly suggest auditioning different units and technologies. If you can't, stop by avsforum.com and visit the projector forums and gather opinions.
I'm using a JVC SX-21 D-ILA and Voom looks fabulous. Watched the Lakers play really badly, but they looked HD great!
Lot's of info...
Here is a link to a front projector area on the Home Theater SPoT. Lot's of good info there as well as other places. In fact, they have a review of 3 entry level projectors here.
Hope this helps.
The Rickster
Here is a link to a front projector area on the Home Theater SPoT. Lot's of good info there as well as other places. In fact, they have a review of 3 entry level projectors here.
Hope this helps.
The Rickster
I got into the projector scene on the cheap side. Infocus X1 and a blackout cloth diy screen for about $1000. Screen is 108". This is not true HD from a projector but Voom and my locals look pretty damn good. I agree with the other remarks you should check out avs forum and check any local dealers for some test drives.
Honestly, and not just because I moderate it, the Under $3500 projectors forum on AVSforum rocks 
.
I have the Panny AE500 with a 106" Dalite Hi Power Model B with CSR.
-MP
.I have the Panny AE500 with a 106" Dalite Hi Power Model B with CSR.
-MP
Absolutely, I knew NOTHING about home theater gear when I became interested last July. AVS forums gave me a lot of information (some of which was way over my head technically) which gave me the confidence to buy. There are a lot of knowledgable people who are generous about sharing their experience. I ended up purchasing through Daniel Hutnicki with AVS. Don't trust your wallet to a sales person at CC, BB, GG etc. as their knowledge is quite limited and often incorrect. Good luck. It's so much fun! 
madpoet said:Honestly, and not just because I moderate it, the Under $3500 projectors forum on AVSforum rocks
I have the Panny AE500 with a 106" Dalite Hi Power Model B with CSR.
-MP
Depending on how much you want to spend: Under $3500 go here.
Over $3500 go here.
You really need to do some mega research, it is too personal of a decision, there is no "right" answer. There are problems with all of them, from dust blobs to dead pixels to non-synching via DVI to bulb blowouts to contrast or lack of to light controlling your room.
One word of advice, do NOT buy a pj to use as a regular TV. They are not designed to be turned on and off multiple times daily, as it stresses the bulbs and will lead to premature burnout. I use mine almost daily, but once I turn it on, I leave it on until I am sure I am not going to watch anything else that day. I usually don't fire it up unless I am darn certain that I am going to watch something.
I have a Studio Experience 2HD (Sanyo PLV-Z2 rebadged by Boxlight), it is 720p native resolution LCD with 16:9 panels. It has DVI, Component, S-Video and Composite inputs and looks fabulous; cost around $1800. I have a 110" screen that I built myself from blackout cloth purchased at JoAnn Fabrics and stretched over a 1" x 4" frame, total cost about $40.
Bulbs cost about $300 each, so be certain you can afford a replacement at anytime as they are not guaranteed beyond the first 90-120 days of ownership. Your mileage may vary. I had my first bulb blow at 374 hours, but luckily I was just under the warranty for my pj. So it's not such a shock to purchase a bulb outright, I started a bulb fund; for every hour I watch the pj, I toss a quarter into a glass jar.
If all this hasn't scared you off, go for it, it is an immersive experience that is beyond description.
Over $3500 go here.
You really need to do some mega research, it is too personal of a decision, there is no "right" answer. There are problems with all of them, from dust blobs to dead pixels to non-synching via DVI to bulb blowouts to contrast or lack of to light controlling your room.
One word of advice, do NOT buy a pj to use as a regular TV. They are not designed to be turned on and off multiple times daily, as it stresses the bulbs and will lead to premature burnout. I use mine almost daily, but once I turn it on, I leave it on until I am sure I am not going to watch anything else that day. I usually don't fire it up unless I am darn certain that I am going to watch something.
I have a Studio Experience 2HD (Sanyo PLV-Z2 rebadged by Boxlight), it is 720p native resolution LCD with 16:9 panels. It has DVI, Component, S-Video and Composite inputs and looks fabulous; cost around $1800. I have a 110" screen that I built myself from blackout cloth purchased at JoAnn Fabrics and stretched over a 1" x 4" frame, total cost about $40.
Bulbs cost about $300 each, so be certain you can afford a replacement at anytime as they are not guaranteed beyond the first 90-120 days of ownership. Your mileage may vary. I had my first bulb blow at 374 hours, but luckily I was just under the warranty for my pj. So it's not such a shock to purchase a bulb outright, I started a bulb fund; for every hour I watch the pj, I toss a quarter into a glass jar.
If all this hasn't scared you off, go for it, it is an immersive experience that is beyond description.
I use a CRT projector for my Voom system in theater #2 - 16x9 at 120". (Pic in my signature)
My main theater doesn't have room for the CRT projector, so I just have a little digital projector there. Still, I get a 120" 4:3 image there and 110" in 16x9. (Again, pics in my signature).
The difference in immersion when going from the little 64" RPTV to the big projector is just staggering.
My main theater doesn't have room for the CRT projector, so I just have a little digital projector there. Still, I get a 120" 4:3 image there and 110" in 16x9. (Again, pics in my signature).
The difference in immersion when going from the little 64" RPTV to the big projector is just staggering.
Actually, I got Voom BECAUSE of my projector. Regular SD TV looks like crap when projected (even when upscaled), while HD channels look fantastic. Before I had Comcast with only a few HD channels so I was stuck watching DVD's. I'm using an Infocus LS110 with a 100" Stewart Firehawk Electroscreen in my HT.
Mr. Poindexter, looking at those gigantic Mains of yours, I picture the old Maxell tape commercial where the guy is sitting in front of his stereo with the wind blowing his hair back, does a small hurricane develop in your HT when you crank those puppies up? LOL
I'll 2nd the Panny PT-AE500 can be had for about $1700 now. I love mine and I made a 106" Screen out of a DIY Frame and Blackout Cloth($40). Voom looks incredible. Its a wonderful feeling when you have friends and family over and there jaw drops at the picture and then again when they find out I paid less then they paid for a 47 inch HDTV.
I had 2 projectors recommended by Donna, my "projector specialist" at ProjectorPeople.com and they were the Sanyo Z2 and the Panasonic 500, so it is nice to see that some here have experience with them. I had told Donna that I was interested in a pj for hd since I just got VOOM and for watching dvds and that I wanted a 16x9 since I have been using a Samsung 30' widescreen for nearly 2 years. Two of my biggest concerns are the screendoor effect and rainbows.
A 16x9 screen placed behind my Samsung would allow me to keep my living room configuration the way it is now. I would use the Samsung for casual viewing and for surfing, and the pj for special viewing when I am actually concentrating on watching.
I have checked out the forums on AVS and other places.
I was concerned about the Z2 because on the AVS forum one long-time and respected user of the Z2 has apparently given up on it. Everything has its +s and -s, and there is the ocassional bad apple in even the best product. I was especially interested in what the people here had to say about how the hd VOOM content looked on their projectors.
Unfortunately, there is no place near me where I can actually demo pjs. Ironically, it was on the Home Shopping Network that I was recently exposed to projectors as they are hawking the BenQ 6100, which I understand is a good entry level pj, but not good for hdtv. Add to that, HSN is selling the pj and screen for an inflated price of $1400.
A 16x9 screen placed behind my Samsung would allow me to keep my living room configuration the way it is now. I would use the Samsung for casual viewing and for surfing, and the pj for special viewing when I am actually concentrating on watching.
I have checked out the forums on AVS and other places.
I was concerned about the Z2 because on the AVS forum one long-time and respected user of the Z2 has apparently given up on it. Everything has its +s and -s, and there is the ocassional bad apple in even the best product. I was especially interested in what the people here had to say about how the hd VOOM content looked on their projectors.
Unfortunately, there is no place near me where I can actually demo pjs. Ironically, it was on the Home Shopping Network that I was recently exposed to projectors as they are hawking the BenQ 6100, which I understand is a good entry level pj, but not good for hdtv. Add to that, HSN is selling the pj and screen for an inflated price of $1400.
Stevo714 and madpoet, are you connecting your voom box to your ae-500u through dvi? I just got it installed today and the DVI connection "blue screens" randomly every 30-120 seconds. (i.e., it "loses sync" on the DVI connection at 720p). I'm hoping that a firmware update of the voom box will help me out because the DVI connection is MUCH cleaner than component, imo.
Thanks for any info or suggestions!
Thanks for any info or suggestions!
I have it both ways in fact... the new update will help your sync issues with 720p. I prefer component myself.
