Ask Engadget HD: What's the best home theater projector?
By Darren Murph 
posted Jun 25th 2008 1:30PM
posted Jun 25th 2008 1:30PM
"I'm looking for a projector for my wife's photography business. I would also like it to double as an HD home theater projector when not entertaining clients. I'm going to be projecting on an 88-inch screen with ample room to vary the throw distance. What are some specs I should be looking for to get great hi-res pictures to show nicely as well as watch some action flicks from my Blu-ray player? Should I go with DLP or LCD?"
As you'll see, cost as a factor wasn't mentioned, but we'll go on and assume that SIM2's C3X is just slightly out of the picture. So, help this guy out, will ya? Are you madly in love with your current beamer? Would you recommend your neighbor's unit instead? Talk it up in comments below.
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get the JVC DLA-RS2U
its all the projector you need at a good price.
Need more information to make a good recommendation. How much ambient light is in the room? What is the budget?
We should probably throw the Samsung SP-A800B in the Ring.
http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-projectors/samsung-sp-a800b/4505-7858_7-33057398.html
Marshall
The Real HT Info Podcast
And don't forget the screen. This seems to be popular for those on a budget who need excellent contrast in a space with some ambient lighting:
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/projector-screens-diy-screens/8755-black-widow-pfg-discussion.html
Marshall
The Real HT Info Podcast
I like the Optoma HD81. Real nice, 1080p. Works well. Great picture.
Not super bright, so you need a pretty dark room. Only problem.
For anyone who is on a budjet, the Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 1080 is awesome, I love mine, it's not in the same area as the JVC but produces a gorgeous picture.
The best in class and more 1080p projector is hands down Epson 1080UB.
I've tried Panasonics, Optomas, Mitsubishis and this Epson blows away even much more expensive projectors and it's $2600-$2800 depends where you find it.
http://www.projectorreviews.com/Best1080pProjectors032008/index.php
That ought to answer all the questions, the Samsung isn't in there but based on initial reviews you shouldn't need to spend the extra money on one with the RS2 and the Optoma HD-81LV probably being just as good for almost half the price.
I have a Panasonis PT-AX200U which I would recommend but if money is no objective then the AE200U 1080p unit will outperform almost any other 1080p projector, for much less money.
The AX200U has one decisive advantage on the AE2000 which can make a huge difference for the wife's business use : Light output.
Yes, it's only 720p, so what ? 720p is plenty HD,and the AX200 tops it off with superb color reproduction and a fantastic brightness that make it useable even if there's quite a bit of ambient light.
I covet the JVC RS2or its brother HD100. I've had nothing but trouble with my InFocus Screenplay 7210. I am determined to select the best model this time around.
I don't think that I'll upgrade, however, until there is a universal acceptance of the lampless projectors. One has just been introduced and it should set the pace for other companies to follow suit. Interestingly enough, now there is the added problem with compatibility with 3D designs that are also starting to appear.
No Sony Love ? I love my SXRD XBR2 60" .. I want a Projector as my next baby .. I was hoping a SXRD Projector would be great .. Hummm (I know the JVC uses basically the same tech (LCOS) just a diff name)
You need a 3LCD based projector if you want flexible positioning in your viewing room. DLP have practically no placement flexibility at all.
The best 3LCD projector is the Epson Home Cinema 1080UB or its higher profile brother the Pro Cinema 1080UB (you can get this one only at local Hi-fi dealers, but if you know who can sell you a Sim2, you certainly can find the ProCinema). Both are basically the same thing but the Pro Cinema adds an extra bulb, ceiling mount, and an extra year warranty, plus it is ISF certified and it is between $800 to $1000 more expensive than the HC 1080UB, in my opinion, well worth it. They very good out of the box performance, so you don't have to tweak a lot to get a good picture and they have enough power to cut through moderate ambient light in high power mode. Though with an 88" screen size, well, you don't have to worry about ambient light nor screen gain at all. :)
These are the best 3LCD projectors you will find. They are both less than $5,000. If you can spend a little more, then I would suggest the JVC-RS2 or the RS1. They will give you a little better picture quality but these are bigger and heavier, not practical for moving around if your wife will be using it in different presentations. Hope this helps!!
I would personally avoid DLP projectors due to one concern -- rainbows. While they've gotten better, and MOST people can't see them, I don't want to buy one, have friends/family over, and have them complain about rainbows (or get a headache from it). When I went to demo pjs several years ago, I couldn't see the rainbows but my friend did. That sealed the deal for me.
By far the jvC DLAHD100 is the best front projector. Check out this months review in Sound and Vision. THis projector sets new standards for black level...
By far the JVC DLAHD100 is the best front projector. Check out this
months review in Sound and Vision. THis projector sets new standards
for black level...
JVC DLA-HD100 -or JVC DLA-RS2 (same units)
The best that ever was has be the DWIN TransVision 3. It was $12K and only d 720p but the lens was increible and the black levels have never been duplicated. Awesome!
http://www.dwin.com
David M. Lewis
Vantage Home Theaters
See our listing at http://www.allhometheaters.com!
There's a good deal on the Epson 1080 now. $300 rebate and a free lamp, plus a year's rentals at Blockbuster.
http://www.projectorpeople.com/projectors/projdtls.asp?itemid=21835&itmname=Epson+Home+Cinema+1080
Other current projectors will be cheap this summer as new products come out. It's very competitive for 1080p products, and most of them are really good. Watch for lens shift and 2x zoom though. Oh, and make sure it can be ceiling mounted! Panny AE2000U is very popular too. And the AX200U scales 1080p nicely if you want to save a few hundred bucks.
I recently installed an Epson 1080UB 3LCD Projector in a customers' home with a 135" screen and it looked fantastic. Another thing to look into is how loud a projector can be, if you are going to be using this as a double duty system, you don't want to have to be hearing your projector fan noise. It's very distracting, but the Epson unit is around under 25db.
The InFocus IN83 is killer. It has great color reproduction as opposed to the oversaturated colors of Epson, JVC, Sony. It's bright enough for people to watch with the lights on and you can turn down the brightness for night time viewing. For watching sports it kills those others with it's pixel response time that is hundreds of times faster.
What about the best projector for under $1000? Used in a loft apartment with some light coming in through the windows even at night. Will be on a back shelf with a Blu-ray player hooked up. No HDTV for now at least, but I'd like the option for a few years down the road.
Any good bargains out there?
I have a JVC RS1 and I love it. From what I've read the new versions of this unit have made it that much better. Maybe I'll sell you my old RS1 and buy the new one :)