Themescene HD80 - Bargain!

jimbo747 · 26-07-2007, 10:47 AM

Well i've just managed to get a really good deal on an HD80. Was looking around for quite a while because I realise how much money can be saved and came across avwow.com who have a price match. I managed to find it at hifix.co.uk for 1799.00 which I thought was good and then I thought i'd drop avwow.com an e-mail to see how much I could get it from them for. They quoted me 1750.00!! So I got on the bandwagon and ordered it!!

If anyone is looking at getting one, get it from them using discount code Q9d5F9yg.

I'm really looking forward to getting the pj since i'm upgrading from a Pany ae500 and can't wait to see the difference!

sniffer66 · 26-07-2007, 11:32 AM

Thats a fantastic deal ! Is that still with screen and HDMI cable ?

jimbo747 · 26-07-2007, 1:16 PM

Unfortunately not no. But I have no need for them anyway so it's all good.

Timbo21 · 27-07-2007, 3:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniffer66

Its a pricing war !!

It's horrible when you think you got a fantastic deal, and then find very soon afterwards you could have got it even cheaper.

Still it might not be too late to cancel

sniffer66 · 27-07-2007, 3:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timbo21

It's horrible when you think you got a fantastic deal, and then find very soon afterwards you could have got it even cheaper.

Still it might not be too late to cancel

It is for me

Oh well, theres always a better deal somewhere, live n learn

anibap · 27-07-2007, 4:16 PM

So what's the best price now ? £1500 ??

lone ranger · 27-07-2007, 9:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anibap

So what's the best price now ? £1500 ??

good question,whats the best price now.

Docta teef · 27-07-2007, 11:43 PM

Come on guys who can do one for free first? Thats what i would call a price war.
To be fair some of the discounts you guys are doing compared to what you can get on the "high street" are fantastic (lookin partly in your direction nik) cheers guys.

chris1976 · 27-07-2007, 11:49 PM

pm me,if anyone can do 1650 inc hdmi lead

sdb123 · 28-07-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris1976

pm me,if anyone can do 1650 inc hdmi lead

It would probably be best for you to contact each retailer individually to see if they can meet your requirements.

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 10:04 AM

I have just placed an order with avwow.com for the HD80. I have been thinking about it for days and then thought oh! s*d it let's do it! So I picked up the phone and pulled the trigger.
Just as well I did, because I was told that there is a strong expectation that the price is going to jump about £250 any day now, so if you too are thinking about it don't delay, or you will miss the boat!

sniffer66 · 02-08-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacko5

I have just placed an order with avwow.com for the HD80. I have been thinking about it for days and then thought oh! s*d it let's do it! So I picked up the phone and pulled the trigger.
Just as well I did, because I was told that there is a strong expectation that the price is going to jump about £250 any day now, so if you too are thinking about it don't delay, or you will miss the boat!

I'll look forward to your review !

I juts noticed from the PJ Central reviwe that the 80 has a manual iris coupled with voltage driven bulb control, rather than the auto iris on the 81. would be interested to see how that works out

ntslik · 02-08-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacko5

I have just placed an order with avwow.com for the HD80. I have been thinking about it for days and then thought oh! s*d it let's do it! So I picked up the phone and pulled the trigger.
Just as well I did, because I was told that there is a strong expectation that the price is going to jump about £250 any day now, so if you too are thinking about it don't delay, or you will miss the boat!

there is no way it is going up in price, they have strung you a line so that you would place an order. Contact Optoma to confirm

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 1:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntslik

there is no way it is going up in price, they have strung you a line so that you would place an order. Contact Optoma to confirm

Sorry, I had no intention of giving false information. I am only going by what I was told and thought it was only fair to give a 'heads up' to my fellow members.
I will, however, come back to you for an apology if my information turns out to be correct.

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 1:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniffer66

I'll look forward to your review !

I juts noticed from the PJ Central reviwe that the 80 has a manual iris coupled with voltage driven bulb control, rather than the auto iris on the 81. would be interested to see how that works out

I will do my best Sniffer.
Yes, the HD80 has a manual iris with 16 stops. It puts out a lot of light even in eco mode, so the iris can be closed down to cut down the light and presumably increase contrast. The variable lamp (AI) only operates in the high lamp mode, which I doubt I will be using.

sniffer66 · 02-08-2007, 2:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacko5

I will do my best Sniffer.
Yes, the HD80 has a manual iris with 16 stops. It puts out a lot of light even in eco mode, so the iris can be closed down to cut down the light and presumably increase contrast. The variable lamp (AI) only operates in the high lamp mode, which I doubt I will be using.

Its looks very much to me like the 80 has the same chassis, fan and bulb as my 81, so believe me, you won't be running in Brite Mode LOL. It's ever so slightly loud

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 2:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniffer66

Its looks very much to me like the 80 has the same chassis, fan and bulb as my 81, so believe me, you won't be running in Brite Mode LOL. It's ever so slightly loud

Have you got your HD81 back yet?

You are right I think it is essentially an HD81 in all respects except some mods to bring it in at an unbelievably low price. (ie) built in processing instead of outboard Gennum. No auto iris.
Apparently the first class optics of the HD81 are retained, so visually it should produce a similar image without some of the control and refinements that a quality processor produces. Especially the ability to fine tune SD inputs I would think.

sniffer66 · 02-08-2007, 2:47 PM

Yup, my baby arrived back this morning with the latest firmware on

I think apart from the external VXP processor and the fact its a DC3 not a DC2 theres probably very little in it. I'd love to see them side by side. if I had paid £4k for the 81 I'd be a little gutted but after selling on my lumagen and screen I paid the same price for the 81 I would have paid for an 80 I'm pretty happy. The Gennum makes SD look damned good

sdb123 · 02-08-2007, 3:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacko5

Have you got your HD81 back yet?

You are right I think it is essentially an HD81 in all respects except some mods to bring it in at an unbelievably low price. (ie) built in processing instead of outboard Gennum. No auto iris.
Apparently the first class optics of the HD81 are retained, so visually it should produce a similar image without some of the control and refinements that a quality processor produces. Especially the ability to fine tune SD inputs I would think.

Hi jacko5,

Would I be mistaken in thinking you had a JVC HD1 (or at least were looking to buy one)? What's enticed you to the HD80?

Steve

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 3:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniffer66

Yup, my baby arrived back this morning with the latest firmware on

I think apart from the external VXP processor and the fact its a DC3 not a DC2 theres probably very little in it. I'd love to see them side by side. if I had paid £4k for the 81 I'd be a little gutted but after selling on my lumagen and screen I paid the same price for the 81 I would have paid for an 80 I'm pretty happy. The Gennum makes SD look damned good

I remembered the DC2 v's DC3 after I had posted. The Gennum processor must be worth at least two grand and I believe you are used to using a processor.
Side by side I would imagine the image quality would look much the same feeding HD DVD from a decent 1080p player like my Toshiba XE-1, but when you get some artifacts/noise from feeding SKY SD or SD DVD you will be able to refine the image , whereas I will be stuck with it.

I'm not trying to be flash, but I already have a JVC HD1 so the HD80 is a second projector. I just couldn't resist a quality 1080p DLP PJ at that price.
My JVC is shelf mounted and the HD80 will be used at low table level and be kept in a corner when not in use. I used my Optoma HD72i, which I used to have like that for a few weeks before I got around to ceiling mounting it. It only takes a minute to plug it in and line it up and away you go.
The HD1 and HD80 will produce different images I am sure and it will be interesting to see how they compare. If I had to hazard a guess I would say the JVC would be best for certain types of films with lots of dark content, like SIN CITY or DESCENT and the HD80 would be best for SKY HD sports.
I musn't pre-judge it but I will give it a good evaluation and post my findings.

sniffer66 · 02-08-2007, 3:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb123

Hi jacko5,

Would I be mistaken in thinking you had a JVC HD1 (or at least were looking to buy one)? What's enticed you to the HD80?

Steve

Funnily enough I was going to ask the same thing

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 4:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniffer66

Funnily enough I was going to ask the same thing

Some people have two cars and I only have one.
Soon I will have two projectors.

I am sure plenty of people can beat that.

sdb123 · 02-08-2007, 5:54 PM

Fair play....I'd be interested in your evaluation against the JVC; honest opinions and feedback count for a lot in my book.

sniffer66 · 02-08-2007, 6:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb123

Fair play....I'd be interested in your evaluation against the JVC; honest opinions and feedback count for a lot in my book.

me too, SWIMBO would never let me have the biggish HD1 on the ceiling so it would be good to know if the compromise 81 comes anywhere near the JVC

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 7:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb123

Fair play....I'd be interested in your evaluation against the JVC; honest opinions and feedback count for a lot in my book.

You will definitely get an unbiased opinion from me. I have already gone on record criticising certain aspects of the HD1 and praising others.
Just because I own something doesn't mean I have to defend it right or wrong. After all it's just a bit of technical gadgetry, I didn't marry it or father it!
I've noticed things get a bit personal over on avs forums to the extent that one of the notable posters there, who has carried out many reviews, particularly on Optoma PJs, has said that he won't do any more because of the lynch mob(his words) who attack him every time he does one. Granted he seems to like Optomas, but he gives plenty of factual readings to support his opinions.

sdb123 · 02-08-2007, 7:38 PM

No worries....I personally find AVS a tad anal for my liking.

The HD80 will seemingly fit very nicely into my new setup and is very high on my list for consideration at the moment. It would be nice to get some real world feedback on the pro's/con's of HD80 ownership.

Steve

jacko5 · 02-08-2007, 7:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniffer66

me too, SWIMBO would never let me have the biggish HD1 on the ceiling so it would be good to know if the compromise 81 comes anywhere near the JVC

I must admit the HD1 is a big imposing beast and being black it wouldn't exactly look inconspicuous on a white ceiling!
Mine is shelf mounted, but even so I am always aware of its presence. A bit like having a rotweiler!

Timbo21 · 02-08-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacko5

I must admit the HD1 is a big imposing beast and being black it wouldn't exactly look inconspicuous on a white ceiling!
Mine is shelf mounted, but even so I am always aware of its presence. A bit like having a rotweiler!

Really looking forward to hear how you think your two pj's compare

.

T.

kmark40 · 02-08-2007, 11:18 PM

just venturing out into PJ waters for the 1st time, so your opinion between the two would be much appreciated. Probably a year or so before I buy anyway!