Projector , Screen and stuff - Suggestions please !

[vinay]

8350

It is very true that for all sort of products there is some fault in few of them, but it seems there are more complains in various forums about 8350 as said by the members here, hence i am of the view that one should keep away from buying this Epson projector.

V.

There will be always a few 8350 units or some HD-20 units that will be faulty. That does not mean all the apples in the cart are bad. Finally, it comes to how much you can trust the reviews at projectorpeople or projectorcentral. If there is a genuine fault/issue, it will be spoken quite a lot by a lot of people. Remember the axiom - bad news is good news.

 

[vinay]

Doubt

I am surprised that no projector in the world can live up to your expectations for a recommend.

Are you considering to order a custom made projector for yourself?

V.

Frankly, today I can't think of any projector for which I can recommend going for without any iota of doubt.

 

[vinay]

For most of the things in life, if they are not handled as per their requirement, it will not do justice to the end product.

To control the lights is very easy, i am using many in-direct lights in my Mini Theatre, it is just that one should know which lights should be bought and where placed, needless to say a proper screen is required.

The projector bulb can easily last for over 3 years, keeping in mind that a bulb life is about 3000 hours.

I am sure a plasma can be no match to a projector hence i recommend that you stick to your good projector.

V.

Having used projectors since 2002, I've been a big fan. Primarily for the reason that it was the cheapest way to get a big screen!

More recently I've moved to a room with a a lot of ambient light and struggle with my Epson TW 3000 (US equivalent Epson 6100), reasonably similar to the 8350 in discussion here.

And now find myself asking the flat screen vs projector question quite seriously. A 60" plasma can be had for about Rs 1.15lk today, which is about the price you pay for a good projector. Throw in a new bulb over the next two years Rs 15k. Total cost of ownership is at about Rs 1.3lk, making the plasma a cheaper choice, albeit for 20-30" fewer inches.

Guess what, I said wtf and just went with my gut of buying a 60" plasma. Couldn't be happier. The ambient light just kills the perceived light output of a projector. Keep in mind I'm using a screen with a gain of 1, blackout cloth with a matte black frame (custom).

Bottom Line: A projector is great bang for the buck if you are able to control light or it will be your secondary tv. EPSON has been putting out great projectors for the past 3 years now and has succeeded the Panasonic's and Sanyo's of the past. Enjoy!

p.s. I do have a 1.5 year old Epson 6100 with brand new bulb, if somebody would like, PM me

 

[Raghav]

There is some truth to the argument. However, we need to understand that projector does not have any limitation of 80-90" screen. True, if the room is putting constraints on the size of the image, plasma option is better. However, most HT can accomodate screen of 100" and over. I am using a 108" screen myself.

Secondly the prices of projectors are also falling along with Plasma/LCD. A decent projector starts at around Rs40000 based on USD prices. There are models from BenQ, Optoma etc at that price. Epson and Mitsubishi start at Approx. Rs60000. Add 30-40% to get it to India via various service providers. and a good Projector now costs only Rs60-80k landed in India.

The advantage of projector over Plasma/LCD will remain as prices will drop both ways in the coming years. However, I do agree that in ambient lighting and when it is the only display there reasons to go for a TV.

Cheers

Having used projectors since 2002, I've been a big fan. Primarily for the reason that it was the cheapest way to get a big screen!

More recently I've moved to a room with a a lot of ambient light and struggle with my Epson TW 3000 (US equivalent Epson 6100), reasonably similar to the 8350 in discussion here.

And now find myself asking the flat screen vs projector question quite seriously. A 60" plasma can be had for about Rs 1.15lk today, which is about the price you pay for a good projector. Throw in a new bulb over the next two years Rs 15k. Total cost of ownership is at about Rs 1.3lk, making the plasma a cheaper choice, albeit for 20-30" fewer inches.

Guess what, I said wtf and just went with my gut of buying a 60" plasma. Couldn't be happier. The ambient light just kills the perceived light output of a projector. Keep in mind I'm using a screen with a gain of 1, blackout cloth with a matte black frame (custom).

Bottom Line: A projector is great bang for the buck if you are able to control light or it will be your secondary tv. EPSON has been putting out great projectors for the past 3 years now and has succeeded the Panasonic's and Sanyo's of the past. Enjoy!

p.s. I do have a 1.5 year old Epson 6100 with brand new bulb, if somebody would like, PM me

 

[manoj.p]

One thing I have found about ambient light control is to use thermal/blackout curtains. Not sure if these curtains are available off the shelf in India, but if not, then can be built with using a curtain liner with blackout cloth drapes. Just make sure there is enough overlap at the edges cause any small light leakage there spills a lot. I have used Theater red color curtains and those add nicely to the decor.

Also, the plasma has its advantages in the sense its easier to setup, it can be in any room. But if the intention is to have a dedicated theater room, then I think it does not come close to a projector.

 

[bungdung91]

Vinay, couldn't agree with you more. In this case it was my requirements that were substantially diverging with the primary purpose of a projector i.e. I wanted to be able to watch tv with sunlight in the room...

This way i don't feel like a Vampire! I have blackout cloth based curtains and am well familiar with soft lighting techniques, however just don't favor them... my body need VitaminD ... hahaha!

Thanks for all your positive comments guys...

 

[vinay]

Inspiration

I had seen such imported curtains available in the local stores and were expensive but too great and i had decided to go for it so that i could use it for the windows of my Mini Theatre but eventually i never needed them, i took a step which one would not dare to imagine in their dreams. I sealed my windows and made it to look like a wall, this has added dynamic benefits to my theatre. The moral is simple, higher the passion, often better the results.

We have a similar taste, you have used red for curtains, i have used this dynamic color for walls via fabric. I think it is high time that you should share the photos of your entertainment room, maybe many of us can have a further foot of inspiration from you.

I have seen a few cases where people are having high end gear and related, but when you get a chance to see the photos of their room, sadly they are not in order in terms of look or acoustically.

It is no doubt that to set up a projector arena is much difficult then setting a lower television world, but true the results are no comparison. The beauty is that to set up the projector is a one time shot and not a continuous prospect, so all the more projector is better for regular movie watchers, even if that means setting up in a living room.

V.

One thing I have found about ambient light control is to use thermal/blackout curtains. Not sure if these curtains are available off the shelf in India, but if not, then can be built with using a curtain liner with blackout cloth drapes. I have used Theater red color curtains and those add nicely to the decor.

Also, the plasma has its advantages in the sense its easier to setup, it can be in any room. But if the intention is to have a dedicated theater room, then I think it does not come close to a projector.

 

[vinay]

I think you can kill 2 birds with one stone.

You can watch television during the day and soak yourself with sunlight while in evenings you can use projector for watching movies.

I think most of us love soft lighting if handled well, it is a class apart, be my guest when you are in Mumbai, to see the power of such softs.

About Vitamin D, we both are sailing in the same boat, i too am running out of them, i am spending on medicine about Rs.50,000/- annually to cover up this deficiency. On the other hand i make some efforts to go the natural way, like going for walk in the morning when sun is rising and also go to sit in a sunny place in the afternoon many a times. On week-ends i try to soak myself more in the sun.

V.

Vinay, couldn't agree with you more. In this case it was my requirements that were substantially diverging with the primary purpose of a projector i.e. I wanted to be able to watch tv with sunlight in the room...

This way i don't feel like a Vampire! I have blackout cloth based curtains and am well familiar with soft lighting techniques, however just don't favor them... my body need VitaminD ... hahaha!

Thanks for all your positive comments guys...

 

[manoj.p]

Re: Inspiration

I think it is high time that you should share the photos of your entertainment room, maybe many of us can have a further foot of inspiration from you.

V.

Not sure if our theater room can be considered inspiration, but sure why not. If it even helps one person to setup their room, its purpose is met.

 

[manoj.p]

Re: Inspiration

Okay, I posted the picture in a new thread.
http://www.hifivision.com/home-theatre-projectors-screens/20342-our-theater-room.html

 

[rshri]

Re: Doubt

I am surprised that no projector in the world can live up to your expectations for a recommend.

Are you considering to order a custom made projector for yourself?

V.

Vinay, I have finally decided and zeroed-in Panasonic PT-AE7000. I will go for this when this becomes readily available
Panasonic's PT-AE7000 is its first 3D home theater projector, arrives in September for $3,499 -- Engadget

 

[vinay]

Rshri,

I am happy that you finally found the projector of your choice, it seems you have hit a jack pot at your work place, because earlier 8350, you were at the verge to buy, but pulled out due to budget issues, and now you can afford a three times expensive projector, many congratulations for the jackpot, i too at times win such jackpots while trading, and the joy is to no end. Your Diwali is going to rock with this great projector.

It seems you are running out of time in a big way, you need to plan for the room, acoustics, interiors, and the screen, go for nothing less then Dalite, that too a motorized one, you will go for 5.1 or 7.1?

Since you are from a school that home theatre is no match to a cinema hall, it does make me wonder that why are you then going for the projector and importantly you see so many drawbacks in installation and what not.

However i need to assure that if you will go for a decent projector and follow the acoustics etc, then you will take your words back, and roll in a correct school, by which you will end up saying with proud that a cinema hall is no match to a home theatre.

I assure you once again that a movie hall will be history for you, many people under estimate the power of a private theatre at home.

My best wishes.

V.

Vinay, I have finally decided and zeroed-in Panasonic PT-AE7000. I will go for this when this becomes readily available
Panasonic's PT-AE7000 is its first 3D home theater projector, arrives in September for $3,499 -- Engadget

 

[manoj.p]

Rshri,
You can have a rethink - JVC RS45 is at the same price and has lens memory (same as panasonic). The JVC will BEAT Panasonic in black level and contrast hands down. Read more about the first impressions of RS45 from cedia.

 

[rshri]

@vinay - I have never had any serious budget issues. I pulled out because spending a large amount on my entertainment alone (rather than my family & parents) seemed selfish to me. This may sound strange but its true!
Lately, I have done and spent a lot on my family and parents. So I now sort of feel I have "earned" the right to buy PJ for myself

@manoj.p - Thanks for suggestion! I didn't know about this PJ. I will check it out.

Even so, buying Panasonic/JVC projector is still far away for me because it will be too costly when introduced. Real performance issues will surface only after 6 months or so. In fact, I am seriously thinking of buying a cheap Epson 720p projector and use it temporarily for 1 year or so before moving on to Panasonic/JVC.

 

[LIZARDKING]

Guys i am in need for a good screen by Stewart, Screen Innovations or any other that will be suitable for my new Projector i am receiving in a weeks time. Its a JVC DLA 7X. Please suggest one in 100", and where can i get it here in Mumbai. Who is the dealer of the above mentioned brands? Thanks!

 

[vinay]

Lizardking,

I am having the Dnp Screen, it is just too good and a class apart though expensive but would last for a life time with no issues whatsoever.

Projection screens for movies or gaming!

V.

 

[LIZARDKING]

Hi and Thanks! Could you please tell me how much did you pay for your screen?

 

[vinay]

I had paid Rs.1,45,000/- for the screen which was about 4 years ago.

The screen looks much better when you see it in person so i will suggest come over to my place for a view. While importantly since i have both the screens, you can have a full fl edge demo between fibre as well as the dalite screen.

On the other hand you can compare my 2 screens with the screen you are having, so this becomes quite a range of 3 screens to take the buy call.

The brand which you are looking for is quite stunning and great, i think a few years ago i had seen it at Lakozy in their mumbai showroom.

If there is anything more you will like to know then do let me know.

V.

 

[LIZARDKING]

Thanks Vinay but i went ahead and bought a SI screen. Where in Bombay are you staying? I am at Prabhadevi.

 

[vinay]

Well that was real fast and i think that is the way it should be, many congratulations.

So what's the screen size and other details + how much did it cost?

Once the screen and projector is up please consider to share the pictures.

I will send you a private message so that we can plan a meet.

V.