Hi there - considering getting a projector :)

pixelated

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allo!

Can anybody give me some advice? I originally was thinking about getting another Plasma but thought as I already have one I'd go for the projector option :)

I went for a demonstration at Sevenoaks and they showed me the InFocus 5700 and I thought it was bloody fantastic. However he said that I may as well consider getting the InFocus 4805 as it'll still give a brilliant picture but half the price... is this true? Seems strange to me considering the 5700 is much more expensive. Does anyone have any ideas regarding this? :) Is it worth getting the 4805 or should I just get the 5700?

Cheers

Stu
 
I too Demo's both of these PJ's and could see very little visable difference betwen them considering the difference in price. I plumped for the 4805 in the end which I'm still waiting to pick up.
 
note that the 5700 has a much longer throw lens compared to the 4805 which is short throw.

You may not be able to accomodate the 5700 in your room.

Just something to consider.

There are plenty of happy 4805 owners here, just wait for the good feedback. Its a great machine.

Cap :)
 
Thanks for your replies :)

I'm glad to hear you say the positive stuff about the 4805, as it will save me £1000 ;) lol

Short throw means a bigger image at shorter distances? That's definitely what I'd want then. I think roughly the projector would be around 3 metres away from the screen, certainly no further... but it can go closer if that's better... I am a Plasma guy, I know nothing of projectors so forgive me ;) lol

Cheers

Stu
 
Yep, short throw allows you to accom big screen images in a smaller room. However, no two throws seem to be the same. Panasonic, Sony, infocus et al.

Have demoed both the 4805 and the 5700 and was underwhelmed by the 5700. Try and demo the 480 as it does have a lower resolution which may make screen door (refer to faq) more evident from your seat.

Keep asking questions and demo.

Cap :)
 
I was originally considering a plasma...my first step was to do the sound and it was while that was being demoed that I first saw my first proper projector...after seeing one I just had to get one!!!

I saw the 7205 one week and thought it was great.. a month later I was shown the 4805 and thought that was good too, then I spotted they had a 7205 on the shelf under and they swapped straight over to it, it really wasnt that much difference to me!! but it should of been seeing as it has a lower resoultion etc etc in the end bought a AE700 mainly becuase of the short thow lens, can get 84 inch from 2.9m. (V happy!!) I think its best to work back from the screen size you want and create a short list of projectors that can achieve that throw and demo them all. www.projectorcentral.com has some tools that give indications of screen sizes each projector can achieve, once you settled on your choice ask on here for any users expericences.


Dave
 
To be honest I haven't really thought about the exact size a lot... I can't even hazard a guess as to my aim? Above 60inches from 3 metres I suppose? Bloody hell, I need to read up ;) lol

What do you think the chances are of the Screen Door effect thing affecting me from roughly 3 metres away on the 4805? Obviously if the price difference was a few hundred pounds I would get the 5700 or similar priced projector, but as it's £1000 difference I'm just making 100% sure it's worth the extra money :) How much was your Panasonic, David? Is the image quality better than the 4805?

This may be a daft question but... it's being used primarily for movies, does it matter between LCD or DLP? I notice that your Panasonic is LCD, and the 4805 is DLP...

Stu :lease:
 
I own a 4805 which I view from about 3 metres back at a screen size of about 72 inches across. I see little to no screendoor and when I do it's only ever in text, never in the images. Don't think you need to worry about that aspect too much. DLP does tend to have a more natural, smoother image than LCD which are usually sharper, but a little more 'digital' or artificial looking. Some viewers of DLP suffer from the 'rainbow' effect but by no means everyone. I see them rarely in one or two movies but they are not enough to spoil my enjoyment of this otherwise flawless projector.
The AE700 LCD by Panasonic also has its problems in the way of verticle banding which is much more visible if yours suffers from it. Again, not all of them do.
DLP tends to have better blacks and contrast due to it's inherent design but LCD has stronger colours.
This is all just based on what's the norm. Of course there are exceptions. The new Sony HS50 looks superb on paper but I've yet to see one in action. But at a new low price of £999, the Infocus 4805 is still the budget projector to beat and as you've seen, the quality of it's picture is very close to projectors costing twice as much or even more and the video processing it has is exactly the same as in it's top of the range 7205 model costing closer to £4k !!!
 
I paid £1299 for the AE700 from discount TV and got a free microwave to sweeten my wife, There are hundreds of threads on the merits of LCD/DLP on here, have a read but do have a good thorough (LONG) demo,
60 inch may sound large compared to a plasma but once you get used to it you will go bigger. from what I can see the 4805 on Projector central s calcs will give 1620 to 1940mm diagonal from 3 metres (16:9), maybe an 4805 owner reading this can confirm that in real life.
 
I must say I prefer the description of DLP that Oakley gave, with it being more natural...

I really can't decide... it's a tough one isn't it? I don't really want to spend over £2000 for the projector. but would if it was REALLY worth it, but not much more. lol

Oakley: overall you're happy with your 4805? Never wish you went for the 5700?

David - picture quality wise - what's better, your Panasonic or the 4805/5700? Sorry for all the questions.

Stu
 
Hello Stuart Kirby

I don't think your going to get too many folk coming on saying 'my projector is duff' :)

If your unsure what to go with then the 'discounted' In Focus unit or a ThemeScene H30A (SRP £1095.00 inc three year warranty) is probably a good place to start - assume you'll keep them 18 months and resell them for 50% of the purchase price and upgrade to the next level up.

If you do A-B demo's 'on a budget' its all to easy to fall into the 'I couldn't see much difference' trap - subtle differences that don't shout out on a short demo can make a huge difference to your viewing enjoyment over the life of a Projector; you wont find many threads from folk with a decent projector saying 'I think I'll down grade to save a few quid - I'm sure I can put up with a lesser projector'.

Keep in mind the projector is only one part of your signal chain - you need a decent source, cabling and screen to ensure you give the projector a chance of producing its best output.

You also have to factor in your skill, perseverance and ability to 'dial in' whichever projector you go with (or budget to call in a specialist).

You could just as readily do A-B comparisons between 'same model' projectors as you do different brand projectors; A. Out the box settings vs. B. Fully calibrated settings.
Best regards

Joe

PS When your working out throw distances keep in mind the lens calculators work from the front of the lens to the projection screen - you need to make allowance 'behind' the lens for the body of the projector + any clearance required for cables and connectors.
 
Thanks a lot for that. :thumbsup:

I planned to spend around £500 on the screen and as much as someone may recommend for a DVD player... the shop said a Denon one for £550 is a good one... I should hope so! lol

As you are a retailer, if you were buying one, considering the price difference, performance etc... would you get the 5700, 4805, the Sony HS50 or something else? Preferably £2000 and under :)

Cheers

Stu
 
Hello Stuart Kirby

01. Source - this is where it all starts and without a decent one the rest of the kit cant perform.

A Denon DVD-3910, DVD-2910, Arcam DV79 or Pioneer DVD-868DVi would all be top of my hit list - though all but the DVD-2910 are above your indicated budget.

02. Projector - as before I've put my money into the ThemeScene H57 and so far no complaints from customers we've supplied to.

03. Screen - not convinced you'll need to spend as much as £500.00.

Do you require a roll up/down screen - if yes can you live with manual rather than electric.

A Fixed screen will be best - though not aesthetically feasible for everyone.

Best regards

Joe

PS Keep in mind Projector mount, cables etc when working out your budget.
 
I have to be honest and say that I would love to be able to upgrade my 4805 to a higher resolution one. But that's the nature of this home cinema beast. You're always looking to upgrade, improve and better what you already have. Saying that, I have never once regretted the £1300 I spent on the 4805. I love the images it produces and I am always saying 'WOW' at the blacks, the filmic image and (with the right DVD) the incredibly detailed pictures it produces.
The 4805 has, as I've previously mentioned, a top of the line Faroudja video processor. The same as found in all it's Screenplay range right up to it's 7205 model. But it's also the same as found in the Denon DVD1910, 2910 and 3910 so you do not neccessarily need to spend too much on a progressive scan DVD player so long as it has component and preferably DVI/HDMI then you'll be fine. I'd say around £250 is a good price to pay to match the 4805. Such as the Denon DVD1910, the Samsung HD945 or even a mid priced Sony with component will give great results. Look at spending around £200 for an 80 inch manual screen and then spend around £100 on good video cables and you will end up with a superb pj system all for less than the asking price for the 5700 and don't forget.........................
You can then look forward to upgrading in the future !!!
 
I've got a 4805 and its a brilliant picture with regards to throw I fill a 92" screen (16:9) from 12 ft if this helps.
 
Hi there to you all

I could've sworn I replied to this earlier... lol anyway - Joe - I have a budget of around £3000, maybe £3500 if it was really worth it. What system would you recommend? I was asking about the 4805 over the more expensive due to it's price... considering it's £1000 lower than the 5700 and comparable performance...

Joe - so you really recommend the ThemeScene over the 4805, 5700 and the Sony HS50? That must be some projector... hmm, even more to think about.

What system do you recommend? Trying to stay within £3000, but at a MAX! £3000 :) hehe

Oakley: thanks a lot for your help - much appreciated... think I may still go with the 4805... maybe!!

Stu
 

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