16 replies to this topic

[blackbird]

Hi All

I'm looking for some advice on Digital Projection, I use an old (4-5 years) Compaq LCD projector at the moment from my laptop but find the colours very washed out obviously due to the older technology.
Does any body have any recommendations for a new projector, I'm looking at a budget of 1000 to 1500 GBP.

Thanks

Shannon

[Starbuck]

Hi Shannon -

I bought an In Focus LCD projector from the Apple store for about 1000 US dollars and have been very happy with the unit. I use it with a Powerbook G4 for fish presentations for the local aquarium club. Easy to setup. You may wish to purchase one of the many remotes that will also control your slide show presentation. If you are presenting in a brightly lit room you will need to spend a little more to get a projector with a brighter lamp.

Good luck!

M.

[james]

Hi Starbuck,

Do you know Anthony Calfo or Sanjay Joshi? Sanjay is a pretty good friend.

Cheers
James

[Starbuck]

Hi James-

Their names do not ring any bells. Are they in Lancaster or affiliated with Lancaster Aquarium club or any dive clubs around here?

M.

[james]

I think they are both in Phil - Sanjay Joshi is a prof at Penn State. He has a lot of aquarium magazines. Anthony has written a book about coral propagation.

Cheers
James

[echeng]

I'm a big fan of DLP and D-ILA (reflective LCD) projectors. Stay away from LCD, unless they have really improved in the last couple of years!

[curtisleo]

DLP and D-ILA are the only way to go.

LCDs haven't changed in the past few years.

When you do your shopping, also factor in bulb cost, hour per bulb runtime. Some of the very high lumen projector bulbs ie, 2000+ have only a few hundred hours.

Curtis

[echeng]

Also, decide whether you want a small portable unit or a larger, fixed unit. I have a large D-ILA projector hanging from my ceiling, and I've found its output to be better than the smaller units that are sold as portable units.

I also bought a data unit and had it color calibrated in Los Angeles for use with movies + new user-installable software hooked up for proper use with different screen sizes. Not all data projectors will accommodate both 4:3 and 16:9 in they way you might want it to.

[critter]

I have a samsung HLM507 , 50 inch dlp television made by Samsung. It is by far the best front projection set made. It is 30% brighter than conventional sets. It has excellent black level. Has 1 million tiny mirrors that project the image on the screen therefore no threat of burn in on the screen from logos. Check out www.dlp.com for a demonstration of the technology. It was originally designed by texas instrument. This technology beats plasma hands down. The bulb has a life of 3000 hours and costs about 210 bucks to replace and you have a new set. Native resolution on the set is 1280 by 720 so its fun to play video games on, quite immersive.

Tony

[blackbird]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going to try the DELL 4100MP this looks the the best DLP for the money!

[djarvik]

Let me reffer you somewere, I bought mine from this site and was very happy. Good price and fast delivery, no high presure sales techniques. BTW I got myself Panasonic PT-AE700U Home Theater LCD.

Check these guys: out:http://www.saveonprojectors.com


Let me know how it turns out.

I love my new toy!! who hoo

[onbelaydave]

I'm surprised nobody tossed in this link !! ProjectorCentral in particular this article Here

[expatdiver]

Yes, ProjectorCentral is a very good resource. I used it a lot last year when I did my investigation into which projector to buy. I ended up getting the BenQ PE8700, and could not be happier with my decision. If you are looking for a strictly home theater projector, I don't think you can find a better one for the money. It cost me $4300 last March, so it should probably be a little cheaper now.

***Side Note***
James, what does Sanjay teach? If you couldn't tell from my avitar, I went to PSU and had a few Sanjay's for profs.

Starbuck, are you originally from Lancaster? I grew up in Columbia.

You can PM replies, as I don't want to hijack this thread any further.

[james]

Sanjay teaches industrial engineering and process design type classes.

Cheers
James

[scorpio_fish]

I have nothing to add about projectors, but......

Go Lions!!!

It's been a while, but JoePa was coaching when I was there, and he wasn't young even at that time.

[Kelpfish]

But he's not aging either!

[dawktah]

BenQ 8700+ I have no complaints. Use for HD and DVD home theater and have let people borrow for presentations, so light enough for travel.