budget 1080p projectors - will they be rubbish?

[richard plumb]

I'm still swaying back and forth between hanging onto my AE100 until 1080p panel projectors come out at reasonable cost (£2k or less), or getting something like an AE900. Initially for SkyHD, then for HD discs later on.

One thing I hadn't considered is - what will the first generation of 1080p LCDs be like?

Yes they'll have a lot more pixels (5x AE100 Vs 2x for a 720p), but will they use them properly?

Will they have issues like the first budget PJs (bad contrast, bad fill ratio, blah blah), or will the developments in 480/720 PJs be applicable to 1080 panels.


basically do you think a theoretical AE1080 should be as good as its 720p brother, just with more pixels, or will there be compromises with the use of the new higher res panels?


Oh, and will we see a £2k LCD 1080 PJ before christmas '07 (my imaginary timeline - skyHD now can wait, but bluray this November will stretch my resolve)

[BadAss]

The current crop of LCD PJs have only just got over the hurdle of SDE so I don't think the technology in 1080p panels is there yet. As in another thread it's my prediction 1080p LCD panels will take another 2 years to hit the budget market. By this time other technolgies like SXRD will have come down in price and may even replace LCD as the primary choice for some manufacturers.

The other thread is here. How long before 1080p LCP projectors?

[Gary Lightfoot]

With the runours of a sub $5000 cut down Ruby (Pearl) coming some time soon, I think 1080 LCD will have to be cheaper to get any part of the market IMHO.

Gary

[richard plumb]

wasn't SDE sorted by other means than the actual panels? I thought people like panasonic used filters in the light path to avoid that?

Do you see me being able to buy a *good* (i.e. HS60 equivalent quality) 1080p projector during 2007 for £2500?

[Gary Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by richard plumb

Do you see me being able to buy a *good* (i.e. HS60 equivalent quality) 1080p projector during 2007 for £2500?

Good question which we'd all like to know the answer to.

Maybe if the Pearl works out at a similar price to the Ruby regarding $ to £ ($10,000 = £6000 street), then we may see a sub £3000 Pearl later this year. 2007 may see a price drop and competing 1080 from other manufacturers. All guesswork though.

Gary

[BadAss]

I think it would be £3000 too.

[christoph]

Originally Posted by Gary Lightfoot

Maybe if the Pearl works out at a similar price to the Ruby regarding $ to £ ($10,000 = £6000 street), then we may see a sub £3000 Pearl later this year.

do you really think, that the pearl will come before the end of the year 2006???

that would explain the small pricedrop on the ruby...

[richard plumb]

will the pearl be smaller than the Ruby? There is no way the missus would let a ruby-sized projector into the house..

[Gary Lightfoot]

I've a feeling the Pearl may be this year, but no idea of any other details. I'll be guessing it'll be UHP and manual zoom and focus, possibly a manual iris if the dynamic one isn't fitted, but other than that I know as little as you guys. Elliot or Gordon will be the first to know I would think.

Gary

[X3ELS]

Originally Posted by Gary Lightfoot

I've a feeling the Pearl may be this year, but no idea of any other details. I'll be guessing it'll be UHP and manual zoom and focus, possibly a manual iris if the dynamic one isn't fitted, but other than that I know as little as you guys. Elliot or Gordon will be the first to know I would think.

Gary

Elliot will be first , but unfortunately i am not allowed to say anything about it at present, sorry! You will see it this year though, preorders will open up soon.

[Gary Lightfoot]

You're such a tease Elliot.

When will the details be available for public consumption?

Gary