Which PJ to buy?

[ILoveC4]

I'd love some input from you all on which projector to buy for my new theater. I would prefer one that can either be controlled via Serial or IP. I have 6 CAT5 and a high quality HDMI cable ran from the rack to the housing for the projector. The projector will be recessed inside of my soffit, so it will be completely hidden...looks aren't a big deal here. The throw distance is about 17", and I went with a 110' acoustically transparent screen.

The room has no windows, and only one door...which is exterior grade with a threshold and everything. There isn't any ambient light that it will need to contend with.

I've heard good things about the Panasonic projectors...any thoughts there? I don't care about 3D, but if it had it then that would be cool...so long as it could be turned on and off. I'm sure my kids would get a kick out of it. I'll be buying it in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

[turls]

You know you can spend any amount on a PJ...throw us a bone here on budget.

[ILoveC4]

Budget...under $5,000. Ideally between $2,000 and $3,000. I want something good...I want quality, but I don't want to exceed that point of diminishing return.

I've been eyeing the Panasonic AE8000U...which looks like it goes for $2,500 - $3,000 online.

[turls]

Ok, I don't really have any experience with that price range. I would think you would have trouble with the light output in that price range for 3D depending on the gain of your screen. Also with that throw distance. I know you said that wasn't a priority.

[cashmoney]

The Panasonic is an excellent unit and very bright at 2400 lumens, especially for a smallish room with no windows. It will more then handle what you throw at it including 3d.

[Cyknight]

One piece I'd advise you to look at is the Epson 50xx and 60xx series. Also 2400 Lumens, 3D and right in your preferred price range. Serial controllable. Not sure but the 60xx may still come with a free spare bulb as well.

I've found these units to perform as good as most 4-5k projectors.

The panny isn't bad either mind you.

Whatever projector you use, make sure the unit works in the throw distance you have vs screen-size. Projector Central has an easy tool to check.

Recessed in soffit? To me soffit is the overhang outside your house....

Anyway, be warned about one thing when doing this - most projectors do not have enough of a lens-shift to drop down when at ceiling height and NOT hung up-side down. This means angling it etc or placing it on it's top, which means using keystone and whatnot to compensate the image. And compensating is always compromising. Hidden or not - see if you can use a ceiling mount to put that puppy up if you're at or near to ceiling height.

[ILoveC4]

One piece I'd advise you to look at is the Epson 50xx and 60xx series. Also 2400 Lumens, 3D and right in your preferred price range. Serial controllable. Not sure but the 60xx may still come with a free spare bulb as well.

I've found these units to perform as good as most 4-5k projectors.

The panny isn't bad either mind you.

Whatever projector you use, make sure the unit works in the throw distance you have vs screen-size. Projector Central has an easy tool to check.

Recessed in soffit? To me soffit is the overhang outside your house....

Anyway, be warned about one thing when doing this - most projectors do not have enough of a lens-shift to drop down when at ceiling height and NOT hung up-side down. This means angling it etc or placing it on it's top, which means using keystone and whatnot to compensate the image. And compensating is always compromising. Hidden or not - see if you can use a ceiling mount to put that puppy up if you're at or near to ceiling height.

It will be mounted to the ceiling with a ceiling mount. I should have clarified that earlier, I'm sorry.

[tebery]

I have a Panny unit and have been very pleased with it. I too could care less about 3D. 4k on the other hand is something I am looking forward too.

[ILoveC4]

Upon further research, I'm know leaving towards the JVC RS46.

Any opinions on that unit?

[AVHomeInstalls]

Dan,

I've installed a lot of projectors in the $1200-$2500 price range. Recently many of my customers are going with the Epson 3020 and 5020. Both have serial control, but the 5020 has lens shift capability. Two small features I've integrated with these projectors are side-by-side picture and use of the built-in speakers on the 3020. For side-by-side I've run a component video cable from the cable TV box to the projector and with the 3020 also analog audio. The side-by-side lets them split screen a TV image with whatever other signal they are feeding via HDMI (limitation only one digital source). Since the analog audio to the cable TV box is direct lets them watch TV using built-in speakers on the 3020 for quiet night time viewing.

Extra thought: Since Component Video can be a second source for this projector, you could split screen for the C4 navigator screen from a HC. Might be a little trick to assign HC input to PJ Split Screen, but pretty cool to pop-up the C4 navigator while still watching a movie!

I've really like the picture quality on the Epson 8350, 3020 and 5020 (highest contrast ratio). I liked it better than the Panasonic 7000 I've installed on Elite high-contrast gray screen. I know 3D is not that important, but the newer Epson's use RF (bluetooth) rechargeable glasses and that might be important if your going to encase the projector. The Epson's can also convert any 2D content to 3D.

[SY3]

Here's a post on AVS where someone else was trying to make the same decision. Hope this helps if you haven't already read it.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1449508/help-me-choose-jvc-rs46-vs-panasonic-ae-8000

[Cyknight]

On the mount - just wanted to point it out - better safe then sorry.

JVC is very nice too, albeit it genereally a touch more expensive. But if I look at service rates I've had to deal with in the last 1-2 years, it this way: JVC-Panny-Epson 9-3-2. From that aspect I'm a little on the fence on JVC currently.

Also keep in mind what you expect to watch most. I'd say the Panny is best for sports and really fast pased action. JVC is probably best for darker movies. The epson tends to fall in the middle. Note that I'm not saying either of them is bad, just that they have their specific strenghts.

Edit: wanted to clear up that most calls for the JVC were bulbs which seem to last the shortest time.

Also: these stats are for all models of those three brands -the three brands I've installed (most) in the "consumer" class- not specifically just the ones mentioned.

[Cyknight]

Just for statistics by the way - the Epsons seem the most popular choice at the moment - probably because they're considered best bang for your buck.

[avittech]

I would do the Epson 6020 all day long. It has the best warranty - advanced exchange from Epson for 3 years. comes with a chief ceiling mount, spare bulb, and it looks great.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=V11H528020MB

[cashmoney]

Realistically, in the price range your at all of these projectors are going to behave and perform similar as both are large reputable brands with strong positions in the institutional market segment. From a technology perspective Panasonic has an upper hand since their merger with Sanyo who was one of the top 3 large venue and boardroom projector manufacturers for years.

Comparing the Epson 5020 to the Panasonic AE8000 comes down to some small detail, but I'd call the Panasonic the winner for a home theater.

Panasonic is considerably quieter

Draw less power at same brightness

Powered Lens Focus

More HDMI Ports

More 12v Trigger Ports

6 Lens Memory positions for 3D vs 2D projection, 16:9 vs 4:3 vs Widescreen

Don't even think of comparing Contrast Ratio's as they are bogus for both brands, I hate the games some of these guys plays with these numbers. Funny how per the stated spec both of these projectors would have exponentially better performance then D-Cinema Projectors from Christie or Barco... NOT!

[chicagoskiguy]

I think we're at an odd place for projectors. I think 4k will be the thing to have due to the resolution and the size, but obviously not there yet in selection or price. Unfortunately my theater is on hold for the moment, but if you decide to go Epson, this place has refurb 3010's for $949..... to me, it seems to be a sweet spot of having something very good for today, but not spending so much that you won't immediately replace it with the first good reasonably priced 4k option when it comes out. I realize that you have to take into account position, throw, etc, but still.

http://www.visualapex.com/home-theater-projectors-refurbished/Epson-Projector-Details.asp?For-Projector-Model=Home-Cinema-3010-R

Good luck!

Out of curiosity, which AT screen did you go with?

[cashmoney]

I think we're at an odd place for projectors. I think 4k will be the thing to have due to the resolution and the size, but obviously not there yet in selection or price. Unfortunately my theater is on hold for the moment, but if you decide to go Epson, this place has refurb 3010's for $949..... to me, it seems to be a sweet spot of having something very good for today, but not spending so much that you won't immediately replace it with the first good reasonably priced 4k option when it comes out. I realize that you have to take into account position, throw, etc, but still.

http://www.visualapex.com/home-theater-projectors-refurbished/Epson-Projector-Details.asp?For-Projector-Model=Home-Cinema-3010-R

Good luck!

Out of curiosity, which AT screen did you go with?

We are YEARS out from affordable 4K projectors and more importantly native 4K CONTENT ... How 4k content is delivered to our displays and projectors may not even be in a format we're use to. I can tell you that the studios have every intention of moving into the digital domain and away from bluray. They have already started to warn corporate users, schools, universities, business, and other folks who get their media from places such as Swank and Criterion that within the next 5-10 years all media will be via Digital Movie Server.

I would not be making purchasing decisions based on 4K, heck they are already working on high resolution including 8K.

[ILoveC4]

I think we're at an odd place for projectors. I think 4k will be the thing to have due to the resolution and the size, but obviously not there yet in selection or price. Unfortunately my theater is on hold for the moment, but if you decide to go Epson, this place has refurb 3010's for $949..... to me, it seems to be a sweet spot of having something very good for today, but not spending so much that you won't immediately replace it with the first good reasonably priced 4k option when it comes out. I realize that you have to take into account position, throw, etc, but still.

http://www.visualapex.com/home-theater-projectors-refurbished/Epson-Projector-Details.asp?For-Projector-Model=Home-Cinema-3010-R

Good luck!

Out of curiosity, which AT screen did you go with?

I went with the Dragonfly screen: http://www.snapav.com/p-349-df-sl-120-aw.aspx

To be honest, the reason why is I essentially got it for no charge. Based on an order I made, they gave me a free product worth up to $XXX and that's the free product I chose. If it sucks, I'll take it down and buy something. I've heard good things about it though.

[ILoveC4]

Anybody know the difference between the Epson 5020 and 6020?

[RyanE]

1000.

RyanE

[Cyknight]

5020 and 6020 have the same basic specs.

6020 is only (technically) available via professional installers.

6020 comes with full 3 year warranty - meaning parts and labor as usual and a full replacement warranty for the full 3 years, an extra bulb and a mount.

The 5020 has 2 year parts and labor only, no replacement and does not have the 2nd bulb and mount.

6020 is black, 5020 (last time I checked) is available only in white.

[R_Willis]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned BenQ. It seems their low cost ($1k-3k) projectors get a lot of rave reviews on avs.

I'm also looking to upgrade here soon, as I'm still using my old Sony HS20 Cineza. 3d isn't important to me at this time either.

[cashmoney]

BenQ and Optoma both make decent products and at excellent price points.

The BenQ W7000 is a good option in the discussed price point however the Panasonic is still the winner when it comes to real life specs and performance. The BenQ has black levels that leave a bit to be desired and has less light output then these other options.

[Cyknight]

BenQ is just a step below what has been discussed. Nothing against them mind you - good product for the price. But I would say that even the W7000 just can't quite stand up to the three other projectors discussed.

Again if you're happy to settle for a bit less for a lower price, BenQ and Optoma are certainly viable option, I just wouldn't consider them in the "around 3K" pricepoint myself.

[cashmoney]

BenQ is just a step below what has been discussed. Nothing against them mind you - good product for the price. But I would say that even the W7000 just can't quite stand up to the three other projectors discussed.

Again if you're happy to settle for a bit less for a lower price, BenQ and Optoma are certainly viable option, I just wouldn't consider them in the "around 3K" pricepoint myself.

I think I hear an echo.