Projector screen options

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915 posts

Ultimate Geek

#968869 17-Jan-2014 13:23

If your budget is $5k for everything, then I would recommend against dropping funds on an electric screen and go manual (unless aesthetics are a deal breaker where no part of the screen is allowed to be seen).

I saw in Harvey Norman the other day, the Panasonic AR 1000 for about $2k, this is a full HD "power house" of a projector with lumens to burn. this would leave you about $3k for screen (under $500) and AV amp/speaker package ($2.5k). This will get you some fairly decent gear.

Have you seen the optoma or just going from reviews?

I only ask as the Optoma is a DLP projector which some people (myself included) find irritating to watch with rainbow effect and other visual problems. Just something to be aware of.

Talkiet

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#968887 17-Jan-2014 13:46

I'd recommend the Panasonic AR1000 as well... I have had both a model below and above it, and have been thrilled with both. I think sen8or's recommended budget breakdown is pretty reasonable too...

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are the product of my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

flynkiwi

152 posts

Master Geek

#969102 17-Jan-2014 20:58

Thanks Sen8or and TalkieT.
I was only going on reviews, YouTube clips etc on the optoma.
Thanks for the budget suggestion it gives me a bit of a guide.
I am going to take a look at the second hand Tasman screen on Trade me next week (the owner is out of town at the moment) so that's another option.
Looks like Harvey Norman don't have any Panasonic projectors on their website so will have to take a look I store.
Cheers

geekiegeek

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#969523 19-Jan-2014 05:13

Talkiet: Wrong ratio, but decent brand
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/screens/auction-683101720.htm

Fixed screen so hopelessly impractical for most people but great brand ... If you can find a Da-lite, near you and it's moderately clean, just buy it.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/screens/auction-683797391.htm

I wish I was in Akl, I'd buy this in a heartbeat
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/screens/auction-683414336.htm

Anything branded Elite Screens also likely to be good.

Good luck... I wish I had discovered how awesome a good projector was the week before I spent an awful lot on a 50" Plasma TV instead of the week after :-)

Cheers - N

I brought the Da-lite, pick it up today. I currently use a 2.4M x 1.2M piece of MDF attached to the wall with matte white screen and black border painted on it, its about 90" of screen give or take. I'll post later about what difference I see compared to the new "proper" screen.

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geekiegeek

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#969524 19-Jan-2014 05:20

flynkiwi: Thanks Sen8or and TalkieT.
I was only going on reviews, YouTube clips etc on the optoma.
Thanks for the budget suggestion it gives me a bit of a guide.
I am going to take a look at the second hand Tasman screen on Trade me next week (the owner is out of town at the moment) so that's another option.
Looks like Harvey Norman don't have any Panasonic projectors on their website so will have to take a look I store.
Cheers

I also recommend the Panasonic's mine is an older PT-E200 (720p) and I've had it for going on 5 years now with daily use (this is my TV) and haven't had a single issue. Will be looking to upgrade sometime later this year to one of their 1080p models. We probably look to go for a PT-AR100EAS1 but may even stump up for the PT-AE8000EZ which is to all accounts absolutely stunning.

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geekiegeek

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#970496 21-Jan-2014 10:31

So the Da-lite wasn't actually a Da-lite. Its a Screen Technics (Australian outfit) and its Matte White and not high contrast. New they retail in the $1300 NZ range so $280 I paid was still a good deal.

Took an hour or so to get it installed and wow what a difference. The size going from 90" to 100' is actually quite a nice jump. Picture wise, colours are a lot better and even the wife noticed that they really "pop" now. Also doesn't seem to be as much light bouncing on to the walls any more so I guess its being directed back at the viewer as it should.

All in all well worth the money I would say.

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flynkiwi

152 posts

Master Geek

#971845 21-Jan-2014 20:05

Cool, thanks Geekiegeek. I haven't managed to get to Harvey Norman yet but the panasonics from what I have read are great.

Great to see a screen makes a big difference. I am keeping my eye out on TM

Kopkiwi

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#973467 24-Jan-2014 12:35

Start off by getting yourself this projector

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/998615-REG/mitsubishi_hc7900dw_home_theater_3d.html

It's a $2500 projector on sale at stupid price because Mitsi are leaving the market. I will be purchasing this shortly.

flynkiwi

152 posts

Master Geek

#973862 24-Jan-2014 22:53

Thanks Kopkiwi, I am starting to lean away from DLP projectors from what I have read. I took a look at the panasonic at Harvey Norman but at the price $2600 I may as well just import the US model and save some money. These are 3lcd and are supposed to deliver better colour and blacks.

I have read some reviews on the Mitzi and they weren't favourable towards it. But it's a bloody good price!

The more I read the more I seem to convince myself to spend more. Either the Epsom 5030 or the panasonic AE8000 seem to be the front runners. Spending more on the projector would just mean I have to use a home theature in a box panasonic system I have while I save for a good speaker package and amp.

Decisions, decisions!. I have finally got a time with the seller tomorrow for the Tasman 119" screen so let you know how that goes.

Kopkiwi

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Uber Geek

#974170 25-Jan-2014 17:19

DLP is better than 3LCD. Better color and better black. Plus far superior 3D with no ghosting.

I know the reviews you are talking about re the Mitsi and they bot utter tosh. Read this one

http://www.projectorreviews.com/mitsubishi/mitsubishi-hc7900dw-home-theater-projector-review/

Indepth and thorough with comparisons too.

sen8or

915 posts

Ultimate Geek

#974210 25-Jan-2014 18:14

Except if you are intolerant to the effects of a wheel spinning in front of the light source, then the rainbows and eye strain make them unwatchable.

Dingbatt

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#974260 25-Jan-2014 19:31

Make sure you check out the throw distance for the screen size you are after. I my circumstance, where the projector is near the rear wall, the only brand that had a zoom capable of making the image small enough was the Panasonic. Projector central has a great tool for calculating whether your projector can produce the image size you are after for a given projector position.

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Kopkiwi

2304 posts

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#974634 26-Jan-2014 14:50

sen8or: Except if you are intolerant to the effects of a wheel spinning in front of the light source, then the rainbows and eye strain make them unwatchable.

Which is a very very small percentage of people and somewhat not an issue with 6x wheels.

flynkiwi

152 posts

Master Geek

#975036 27-Jan-2014 12:56

Thanks Kopkiwi. Read the review and you are right it was more in depth and a better outcome on this projector. Wow it seems to right up there with the panasonic 8000 but at over 1/2 the price. Definitely one to consider at that price point.

My only worry is that the low lumens with the ambient light, but I would think daytime viewing may be minimum anyway. ( you don't get much time with kids haha)

My big thing is really good 2D as I have an eye condition that I don't see 3D too well anyway. Looks like this one fits the bill.

Not sure what's going on with the seller of the screen on Trademe as he keeps on putting me off for a time to see his screen. I am wondering if there is something wrong with it and he is just hoping for a buy now purchase hmmm.

Are you going to buy from BHPhoto and send through something like YouShop? Have you looked at shipping costs?

k1wi

474 posts

Ultimate Geek

#976294 28-Jan-2014 22:26

I just ordered a projector, screen and H-T-I-B (much lower end than the figures thrown around here - total spend US$650).

The most frustrating thing I found when searching the net for recommendations on lower end equipment is that the standard answer by HT buffs is "spend more money..."

So it's pretty sweet that that's not what is going on here :)

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