1080p projector shootout

[mainaman]

I dont know if this has been posted before,but projectorcentral published a very interesting side-by-side comparison of four 1080p projectors.Their overall winner,the Mitsubishi,looks like a very tempting proposition to me,but has a big limitation(they acknowledge it as well)- the measured(elsewhere) contrast is worse than my Hitachi's The other "affordable" projector,the Panasonic,is found lacking the most important advantage of 1080p(at least compared to the other full HD machines)-HD image sharpness.I havent seen any of these projectors,nor the Optoma(light monster!) or the Pearl(CRT level blacks?),but it seems to me that waiting for a truly acomplished affordable projector(LCD most likely),combining optimal sharpness with high contrast,minimal digital noise,"transparent" dynamic iris and image depth,is not over yet.I have seen the Ruby and it seems to me that SXRD is too smooth,giving relatively soft picture,and flat.Can any of these projecors justify their premium over the 720p LCD home theater machines like Sanyo Z5 that retail for a grand nowadays?

[Liam @ Prog AV]

it seems to me that waiting for a truly acomplished affordable projector(LCD most likely),combining optimal sharpness with high contrast,minimal digital noise,"transparent" dynamic iris and image depth,is not over yet

LOL and it's not like you're asking for much either!!!!!

[mainaman]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

LOL and it's not like you're asking for much either!!!!!

Well,i am not expecting a three-chip 1080p DLP image quality(in fact,contrast aside,i am satisfied by my own humble TX200),but a 1080p LCD projector at least have to match the contrast of Sony VPL_HS60 and who needs a SmoothScren with 1080p,this was pointless even with 720p.As i said though,I havent seen them and i am impressed by the use of inorganic panels,which should address the numerous reliability issiues of the 720p lcd projectors.

[Mad Mr H]

You have to see the new Sim2 projector D80.

That is the best I have seen so far.

It means you would put your Ruby back in its box where it belongs.

Im very sorry to say that the Ruby left me very dissapointed and I would not purchase one at any money.......

In fact the lesser infocus 720p PJ for £1400.00 gave a better all round picture than the Ruby - just my opinion, im sure there are others that wont agree with me.

BUT I would not hesitate to purchase the Sim2 unit if I was looking for a high end digital projector (Which I am not!), The Ruby would no longer be on my "must view" list.

or the Pearl(CRT level blacks?)

Good to see they still know the best to aim for. I must get round to viewing a Pear, I do hope the issues with the Ruby have been resolved...........

EDIT : In my original post I wrote PEARL, I actually meant to write Ruby......corrected.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Funnilly enough I bought myself a D80 about ten minutes after seeing it at the What Hifi Show. It is easily my favorite sub-£10k image. I think DLP will remain the superior technology for projection for some time, especially with what Sim2 are doing with it and with how good this 1080p chip has turned out to be.

@ mainaman - the Pearl is basically what you have defined. But I still don't think it's at the price point you are hinting at. The problem of course being to get that price point, reliability tends to suffer (as does quality of processing, and unfortunately quality of lens). I must admit though, the Hitachi was always my fav of the wee LCDs. Had a TX100 for a while myself

[Mad Mr H]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

Funnilly enough I bought myself a D80 about ten minutes after seeing it at the What Hifi Show.

I totally agree with this, IF I was about to buy a "New Digital" then that would without question be the one for me.........

There is a feeling when you look at something and know it is right, I got that straight away. The Sim2 stand was also without question excellent, But ignore all that and the Sim2 D80 Still has the show stopper and heart winner......

However I would also point out that my "Old Faithful CRT" will remain on its perch still - BUT the Sim2 D80 is the only PJ so far that to me has come close to the quality of a high end CRT.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Yes I still now walk into some CRT rooms and just sit back and gaze for a few minutes getting swallowed up by oodles of contrast and deep, deep blacks....

[mainaman]

I was also impressed by Sim D80,much better than the Ruby at the Show.Right now i am wondering how my old Barco 801S would perform with HD DVD material,maybe it wont need a good scaler or HTPC as much as with DVD.If a sharp picture is possible directly from the Toshiba,i will forget about digital stuff for the next year.

[Bacus]

Originally Posted by mainaman

I dont know if this has been posted before,but projectorcentral published a very interesting side-by-side comparison of four 1080p projectors.

1080p Projector Shootout

[mainaman]

Originally Posted by sikenny

1080p Projector Shootout

My bad.

[welwynnick]

I think the most impressive digital PJ demo I have seen is still the C3X at LAST years' show, when they played the Tiger Woods golf clip and others. that really stuck in my mind - it didn't make any impression this year at all - probably due to the rather unfortunate choice of material. Ah well.

Andy's Barco remains the best picture ever for me, though, and I suspect it's getting even better ........

Nick

[Mad Mr H]

The material used is without question a serious part of the image.

For me well played DVD material from my HTPC is an excellent picture, And one I am still very happy to watch.

HD DVD that brings with it so much more detail, that a projector able to resolve it all, well the picture is stunning on any projector than can display it correctly.

Take that a step further with a "Special" HD DVD player , Keep it all digital, scale to 1080p stay digital right up to the internal DVI card.....and well......I have watched a movie every night for the last 2 weeks, Im about to watch "Waterworld".

On an 8 foot screen you do enhance any "issues" in the media - I have to say, I think I would struggle to beat what I currently have - But as Nick says, Im working on it .