3D Projector Choice,

[bholleran]

Hi,

I have had a projector for the last 7 years, I do not have a a regular TV, so everything goes through the projector.

Sky+
Xbox 360
PC

The bulb has now blown and I feel that rather than just getting a new bulb I should update the projector this time round.

I intend to in the near future upgrade to:

Sky HD
Blu ray
PS3


I would like to future proof a little bit in particular with regard to 3d as I think watching bluray 3d on the big screen is worth doing.

At the moment I know that there is no easy way other than through a PC to do 3D, but optima are due to release the 3D-XL http://www.optoma.co.uk/projectordetailshccs.aspx?... in Jan.

So which one do I go for from the three listed.

http://www.projectorshop24.co.uk/benq-projector/be...
http://www.projectorshop24.co.uk/optoma-projector/...
http://www.projectorshop24.co.uk/acer-projector/ac...

Obviously the Optoma HD67 is the one that Optoma recomend for the 3D-XL box, but from the videos I have seen and the specs of the unit imply that any 3D ready DLP link projector would do. So the Acer looks good, ut I dont know about the BenQ.

But the specs for the Acer seem to be better than the Optoma, in particular the brightness.


I did also consider the Acer p1200 it has really good spec for the money but it seems to be aimed more at business than home cinema.

Any thoughts.

[tdm34ds]

None of the listed projectors are 3D in any way

Sony are just about to launch their new VPL-VW90ES which is a fully active 3D PJ at £6k ish
and JVC have 3 upcoming 3D models at £3.5k/£6k/£9k I think

as far as i'm aware these 4 are going to be the first to market with fully active 3D systems
which are required for the new 3D BluRay discs that are coming out
They also inclue the side by side mode required for SkyHDs 3D broadcasts

[bholleran]

tdm34ds said:

None of the listed projectors are 3D in any way

Sony are just about to launch their new VPL-VW90ES which is a fully active 3D PJ at £6k ish
and JVC have 3 upcoming 3D models at £3.5k/£6k/£9k I think

as far as i'm aware these 4 are going to be the first to market with fully active 3D systems
which are required for the new 3D BluRay discs that are coming out
They also inclue the side by side mode required for SkyHDs 3D broadcasts

All three of the projectors I have listed are 3D Ready and use DLP link to achieve 3D. (Currently only work using NVidea 3D card and glasses connected to a PC)

But the optoma XL-3D box will allow any of them to display Sky 3D, PS3 3D and Blu ray 3D if I have read it corectly.

Unless I am completly missing something here

Edited by bholleran on Thursday 4th November 17:08

[Gixer]

Having just replaced my 13 year old Sony projector. My only advise would be to go and see them in action. An optima in my budget looked good on paper but while playing avatar (non hd) stuttered the image over the screen on fast landscape pans. Something my Sony never did. It must have been bad as even my wife noticed it. I ended up buying a much bigger Epson but have to say after putting a few hundred hours on it in October it is very good and also has lense shift

Go view them somewhere - the massive currys at lakeside have a good selection with DVD and Xbox plugged in. I even managed to talk them into testing another that they had to unbox and that was after he knew I was already using red laser to shop about

[OldSkoolRS]

The new JVC range are 3D (not including the relaunched HD350). The DLA-X3 being the cheapest and a launch price offer that includes the emitter and 2 pairs of glasses for around £3,400 IIRC. The other models being the LDA-X7 and the DLA-X9 which are £6k and £10K or thereabouts, so out of most mortal's price range I'd imagine. There is a massive speculation thread over on AVForums, but as only a few people have seen them at trade shows, there is little proper feedback yet. There are various launch days at dealerships across the UK later this month...I'm hoping to go to one at PJHIfi in Guildford on Saturday 27th November.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/projectors/1325130-...

I'm hoping not to be too tempted as I've only put about 500 hours on my HD350 and I've just calibrated it using a rented sensor, so I shouldn't really even look at a replacment...but I feel I should go in order to see how they've improved, just for my technical knowledge.

Edited by OldSkoolRS on Friday 5th November 16:25

[Rob Sinden]

I saw and ordered the new 3D JVCDLA-X9 the other day. Unfortunately the 10 foot wide screen it was on at JVC was too big so you could see problems with the scaling but the 3D effect was really impressive. Several other people at the event really disliked the effect and having to wear glasses so I definitely wouldnt buy a 3D projector until you've spent an hour or so in front of one.
I also have the new Epson EH-R 4000 2D projector on order as a pre production unit looked fabulous here on a 12 foot wide scren. This costs £6600 but gives incredible images and would be my suggestion if you dont feel the need for 3D.

[OldSkoolRS]

Was it the upscaling of DVD on this 10' wide screen that you didn't like, or the 3D stuff? I watch on a 9.5' wide 2.35:1 screen with my HD350 and Isco lens but don't have any issues with scaling, although granted that DVD does look soft compared to BluRay. I think that these first generation 3D models are going to have plenty of teething issues anyway, plus the severe loss of brightness caused by the 3D glasses (approx 75% loss IIRC) will mean that it might take a generation or even two before they really come 'on song'. I've been an early adopter myself in the past, but having been stung in the past I'm sitting this one out for now...there's plenty of good 2D Bluray content to keep me happy anyway.