Screenplay 7200

[GliderRider]

Any views on the Screenplay 7200 in terms VFM? This PJ is now selling £2500. I was pretty much ready to place an order when I got a demo on the AE700 which blew me away. Does this mean for double the money I'll get twice the experience on the screenplay which I havn't seen? In other words will I get an even more realistic movie experience with the DLP? This will be my 1st PJ.

[SimonInd]

I would have thought it would blow the AE700 out of the water but then it is twice the price. I recently upgraded from a AE100 to a BenQ PE8700 ( £2400 ) and the difference was massive. Now I know the AE700 is going to be better and the 7200 has the older generation Mustang DLP chip, but I'd still of thought it would give you better brightness, colours, better blacks/low level detail, and vertical banding or screendoor. Without seeing them side by side you can never be sure though...

Simon

[GliderRider]

Thanks, Simon. The 7200 quotes a 1400:1 CR. This lower than a lot of projectors for less money. Does the fact that it is well engineered and DLP compensate. For me, I'll be using in a dark room so may not be a problem. Thoughts please, anyone. I'm really stuck on DLP vs LCD.
Andy

[Muf]

Hi Andy,
I have a Toshiba MT-8 which is a re-badged 7200 made by Infocus for Toshiba and it is a great PJ. I got it 16 months ago and it has never given any bother. I use it for looking at HD movies and DVD occasionally but my wife uses it as a TV, sometimes up to 10 Hrs/day. It now has over 2700 Hrs on the clock, still on the original lamp and still looks as good as day one.
The contrast is excellent although quoted at only 1400:1, contrast figures can be misleading. I had considered upgrading to the newer MT-800 / 7205 (same unit with later DLP chip) but my MT-8 is serving so well I decided I will wait for an improvement in resolution before my next upgrade. Unfortunately I can't give you a comparison with the AE700 or any of the current crop of LCD's as I haven't looked at any of them. 18 months ago I couldn't find an LCD that came close to the MT-8 but I believe the situation has improved enormously. I find Rainbows are very infrequent on the MT-8 compared with the lesser DLP,s (slower colour wheel DLP's). Yes I am one of those who can see rainbows but unlike others there is no suffering involved just a great picture.

Jim.

[GliderRider]

Thanks Jim, that helps, I've got another demo on the Panasonic 700 tomorrow, but gut feel tells me I'll still go for the screenplay. Not many left by all accounts, so a demo is out. hope it pays off.

THanks for advice.

Andy

[Gary Lightfoot]

I have an older NEC HT1000 which is xga 4:3 but I use it in dedicated 16:9 mode. It's rated at 3000:1 contrast, but after calibration with a Hoya FL-Day filter, iris closed and in eco mode, I measure 1833:1 to 2000:1 genuine on/off contrast. Small differences in black level can make a lot of difference, but with the iris open, contrast was around 1300:1 to 1400:1 on/off. Black level is pretty good too.

If black level is important, don't go for LCD (except for Sony H50), but go for a lower lumen DLP (if you don't see rainbows that is).

HTH

Gary.

[GliderRider]

OK Guys, thanks for your comments so far they have been really usefull However, before I finally commit to buy the 7200 tomorrow, If anyone out has one, then your view would be much appreciated, especially any negatives. Also, is there a better DLP for £2500?

Cheers

Andy

[martian1]

I have done the same seen the 5700 in action cool ordered a 7200 ...Also seen hitachi and sony hs20 very good but just not cinema...either i am a freak or this rainbow thing isn't the issue everyone makes it out to be , i had no problems with viewing. Waited over 6 months to make my decision
I f you get yours before me pm me with your findings...good luck m8t

[Muf]

One thing I forgot to mention Andy. There is a very slight lens distortion on the 7200 and MT-8 at the bottom of the screen, a slight curve (Barrel effect) on the bottom corners. It amounts to a few milimetres on an 8 foot wide picture. I have seen posts where people were upset by this but it doesn't bother me.

Jim

[GliderRider]

Thanks Muf, one other question. I can't find any info re noise level for Screenplay 7200. What is it on the Tosh? Does it cause any problem for you? and can you hear any whine from the colour wheel that a few people have mentioned?

If anyone can give the official Db rating for the 7200 noise level it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Andy

[Muf]

MT-8 noise level is quoted at 32dB and is not very obtrusive. There seems to be two speeds on the cooling fan so when the room temp is high the PJ occasionally switches to a higher speed, then back to normal speed again when temp is under control. Yes there is a distinctive whine from the colour wheel stepper motor (this is a characteristic of single chip DLP's) but again it is not excessive and has neither improved or disimproved with use. I have a spare lamp on stand by and it is nice to see that the assembly has it's own built in fan so the fan gets replaced with the lamp.

Jim.

[martian1]

How much was tha lamp

[Muf]

The lamps are expensive, in the region of £350 from http://www.lampz.co.uk/ . As I remember there is a different part No for the Infocus lamp so price might be a bit different. One thing about Lampz, the price of the lamp is the total price, they will post it free of charge.

Jim

[martian1]

Oh.. I thought they were about £270 see this link, left column, Lamps then scroll to infocus then scroll to 7200...

www.tsi-europe.com

[GliderRider]

Thanks for all your help guys, I just ordered the 7200, should have it tomorrow. I'm way over budget so hope it pays off. If my wife is impressed I'll get away with it!

Cheers

Andy