Decent 4K projector time?

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Talkiet

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#248510 28-Mar-2019 21:20

Well, I knew my purchase of a BenQ W1700 would be a stopgap measure at best so now it's time to start looking at a good projector. Not averse to buying something good secondhand.

I have seen some threads on here referring to the crazy sharp native 4K panels on the Sonys (and there's a second hand 360ES on TM for about $6600) but the insane blacks of the JVC DLA models is very attractive.

I don't suppose anyone here has used both? I miss good blacks more than I miss native 4K sharpness I _THINK_ - but happy to take input from those that have been here before. My previous projector was a Panasonic AE7000 which I loved and lasted me about 6-7 years.

Not interested in anything using the same chip as the BenQ. While it's incredible value for a $2k projector, I'm more sensitive to the rainbow than I hoped, and it's acoustically a bit noisy (yes you can put it in quiet mode but that setting CANNOT be made persistent and 4K HDR content kicks it out of quiet mode).

Is there anything apart from the Sony's and JVCs worth considering? I'm not going to spent $10k and up so I am probably looking for good secondhand.

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

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#2206952 29-Mar-2019 12:16

You might want to try Rapallo AV as they have experience in the Sony and JVC 4K Projectors...ask for Deano or Bart. Prices for 4K projectors have definitely come down and JVC has jumped on the native 4K bandwagon across the range like Sony.

Sony 77" A80J OLED, Panasonic UB820, Panasonic BD-T460, Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen, Samsung Q990D Soundbar

Dunnersfella

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#2206957 29-Mar-2019 12:28

If you're in Auckland then both AV World and Rapallo are the places to go.

JVC has some bigtime fanbois on the likes of the AVS forum... but truth be told some of them are actually dealers, so they aren't exactly being up front (especially after the big JVC delay due to faulty units when they first came out).

The anecdotal perspective I was given by one retailer was that the JVC blacks were VERY deep, but there was next to no shadow detail... so it should measure well, but may not actually offer a good picture. The Sony's have been bullet proof and are on their second gen at the sub-$10K price point so they should have things dialed.

Fred99

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#2208437 1-Apr-2019 09:39

Xiaomi have released a 4k version of their ultra short throw projector. At the moment, it's only available in China. IIRC, the given reason for this was that there's "not enough 4k content" to warrant global release. (I doubt that's quite correct - see below)
They are selling their 1080p UST laser projector in the US via Walmart for ~US$1800. The US version has Android TV loaded. There are reported issues with compatibility of native Netflix and Youtube apps. (A relatively serious issue - the apps don't work - you get a blank screen - so if you're buying with expectation for android native streaming apps to work, you're buying with the hope that Xiaomi can eventually sort the issues out)

As I understand it, the laser projectors use a DLP/DMD, but as they don't need a colour wheel, there's no "rainbow effect".

I think these are a game changer for HT/projectors, I'm not buying anything for now, will wait and see.

Talkiet

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#2208489 1-Apr-2019 10:51

I'm leaning towards a Sony VPL-VW270ES at the moment. I do want to steer away from colour wheels as it turns out I am sensitive to it. I know the 270 lacks the dynamic iris which isn't ideal - But I viewed one over the weekend and it was great.

The one I saw did have an issue with blurriness offset to the upper right visible in all the menus (and content).. Like a slight ghosting. It wasn't focus as it remained even while moving through the perfect focus point. It wasn't panel alignment either as it was not coloured.

I have found a couple of people complaining about this so it appears to affect some examples only. For this reason unfortunately I'd have to buy new to have protection against that.

I also notice over the weekend that BenQ released some new higher end models. I would be interested in seeing the 5700 to see how that performs.

Cheers - N

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

Talkiet

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#2209495 2-Apr-2019 16:33

Ended up placing an order for a Sony VPL-VW270ES based on a really good deal I was offered. It's not as black as a good JVC, but I had to draw the line somewhere on the $$$. The Sony is mid 4 figures and the cheapest current JVC was just into 5 figures.

Should arrive by the weekend :-)

Cheers - N

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

billgates

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#2209689 2-Apr-2019 19:08

Good deal on the Sony. Was the brand new unit for mid $4k price? If so, awesome deal.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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Talkiet

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#2209696 2-Apr-2019 19:22

billgates: Good deal on the Sony. Was the brand new unit for mid $4k price? If so, awesome deal.

LOL, not a chance of $4500ish... It was a little under 7k. Still very happy with the pricing - especially since it was from a real store that I have bought equipment off before. They also had some very good advice and offered some good options I hadn't thought of.

Although I buy a lot of rubbish from Aliexpress etc, I am quite prepared to spend good money on good gear from local places that really can add value (advice, support, expertise).

In fact... AV World. That's who it was and every time I have bought stuff off them they have exceeded my (high) expectations.

Cheers - N

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

driller2000

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#2209718 2-Apr-2019 19:49

So did i hear there was a W1700 going cheap? :P

Talkiet

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#2209762 2-Apr-2019 20:20

driller2000:

So did i hear there was a W1700 going cheap? :P

Well, reasonably priced.. It's sharp as, but it turns out I am very sensitive to the Rainbow DLP issue.

Make me an offer.

Can come with a 10M Active 18Gbps HDMI cable included

Cheers - N

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

networkn

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#2209767 2-Apr-2019 20:31

I was away but would have recommended what you bought. I made a similar comparison late last year before settling on the 260ES which was a compromise between native 4K and the better contrast of the JVC's non native options at the time.

No sooner (litterally) than my 260ES was hung than I got a call from a competing dealer I had been talking to, telling me about the 270ES which doesn't have the same colour banding issues my 260ES has..

I'll probably hang on to mine and then flick it in a couple of years.

BTW I absolutely love the 260, it's exceptional. I was offered the 360ES for about $1500 more on a clearance, but in the end I didn't see the extra money being worth it to me knowing I'd be moving on past it inside a couple 3 of years.

Talkiet

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#2209772 2-Apr-2019 20:35

networkn:

I was away but would have recommended what you bought. I made a similar comparison late last year before settling on the 260ES which was a compromise between native 4K and the better contrast of the JVC's non native options at the time.

No sooner (litterally) than my 260ES was hung than I got a call from a competing dealer I had been talking to, telling me about the 270ES which doesn't have the same colour banding issues my 260ES has..

I'll probably hang on to mine and then flick it in a couple of years.

BTW I absolutely love the 260, it's exceptional. I was offered the 360ES for about $1500 more on a clearance, but in the end I didn't see the extra money being worth it to me knowing I'd be moving on past it inside a couple 3 of years.

LOL - I had a stunning deal on the table for a brand new 570 as well, but it was just too much $$$. There was a 2nd hand 360 on TM a few days ago for $6600 reserve. Probably worth it, but a projector is one of those things I would prefer to buy new from a retail store with a NZ warranty and NZ CGA to protect me so I just got brave and bought new.

I knew the W1700 was a temporary 4K fix for me - but I hadn't counted on my rainbow sensitivity - I didn't expect to upgrade this quick!

Cheers - N

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

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#2210572 4-Apr-2019 09:57

Talkiet:

driller2000:

So did i hear there was a W1700 going cheap? :P

Well, reasonably priced.. It's sharp as, but it turns out I am very sensitive to the Rainbow DLP issue.

Make me an offer.

Can come with a 10M Active 18Gbps HDMI cable included

Cheers - N

Still taking offers on the W1700? :)

Cheers

Talkiet

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#2210574 4-Apr-2019 10:02

Yes, I've made an offer to one person and he's considering it, but it's definitely not sold yet.

Current best price is $2183 I think on Pricespy... I only bought it in December and it's had an easy life since. $1400 pickup.

Cheers - N

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

LFCNZ

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#2210593 4-Apr-2019 10:24

Talkiet:

Yes, I've made an offer to one person and he's considering it, but it's definitely not sold yet.

Current best price is $2183 I think on Pricespy... I only bought it in December and it's had an easy life since. $1400 pickup.

Cheers - N

That's tempting, so it was just the Rainbow effect that was causing you to sell?

Apart from that, image quality is good on this model? Still not 100% sure on which 4k projector to get.

Cheers

Talkiet

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#2210599 4-Apr-2019 10:30

I didn't expect the rainbow effect to be so bad for me. I knew it was a possibility and several others that have seen the projector don't even know what I am talking about.

It's _sharp_ as hell. The rainbow is the only major factor causing me to sell this soon. I did always intend to get something flash but didn't think it would be this quick.

I would recommend the W1700 over the TK800 (800 is brighter but much less colour accurate) and the Viewsonic uses the same chip as both anyway.

Cheers - N

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

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