Optoma HD81 or Sony VPL-VW50

[Ballistix999]

Hi guys,

OK, I've come down to these two. I'm going to try and get a demo, but in this day and age that is becoming more and more difficult. I live in Oxfordshire...anyone know of somewhere that can demo both? I bet not .

Anyway, anyone got any views? I have a dedicated cinama room with a 7 foot screen. It has multiple sources including HD-DVD, Xbox 360 and Sky Hi-Def.

Given that lot, and particularly focused on the point that whatever I choose the 360 is in that mix and I don't want to burn anything "layer wise".

These two units look brilliant on paper, anyone got any views, I know one is more expensive than the other. I've very tempted by the Sony but I don't know why the HD81 feels like a safer bet!

Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks heaps in advance!

Regards,
TT

 

[samhain]

slightly basic review, but gives the general idea. Hope it helps.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/1080p_shootout.htm

 

[Peter Parker]

Both are very different technologies, and the HD81 is a single chip DLP so will look sharper and it won't have any panel misconvergence. It's also brighter. The Pearl will have better blacks and contrast.

As you say, a demo is the only way to mak ean informed decision over what's right for you, but it seems difficult to find a well set up Pearl judging by some commenst both here and in the US.

Gary

 

[Ballistix999]

That's my worry with the Pearl it looks great on paper. But if you get a "bad" one how do you know without being a "cinema guru". I know quite a bit about things just based on personal experience but how can I be sure I'm getting the best from the Sony and it's setup correctly? Other than buying from a dealer that can then install it, but how rare is that these days?

Oh it's never so easy is it...

One thing I do know for sure is that my experience of Sony is that they are excellent at after sales support and usually swap things out if people aren't happy.

Not sure which way to go with this, I'm very tempted by the Sony..it looks like a fab machine...

 

[Nic Rhodes]

I would buy a Pearl and I would buy from a dealer who knows how to check these devices before they go out to customers. That is what customer service is all about. I find I prefer the look of the type of technology used in the Pearl to other competing technologies.

 

[Ballistix999]

Thanks Nic. Any recommendations on the dealer?

Also...what about Xbox 360 thru this machine? OK with the old fashioned burn worries etc? DLP I know doesn't suffer from this potential problem due to it's design. But with LCD panels I'm a bit more cautious...

 

[Avi]

Hi guys,

OK, I've come down to these two. I'm going to try and get a demo, but in this day and age that is becoming more and more difficult. I live in Oxfordshire...anyone know of somewhere that can demo both? I bet not .

Anyway, anyone got any views? I have a dedicated cinama room with a 7 foot screen. It has multiple sources including HD-DVD, Xbox 360 and Sky Hi-Def.

Given that lot, and particularly focused on the point that whatever I choose the 360 is in that mix and I don't want to burn anything "layer wise".

These two units look brilliant on paper, anyone got any views, I know one is more expensive than the other. I've very tempted by the Sony but I don't know why the HD81 feels like a safer bet!

Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks heaps in advance!

Regards,
TT

TT

I think you need to see your suspects in action to decide for yourself. I spent time with both of these units before reaching my decision.

My observations (based on my eyes/ears)


HD81

Pro
- Bright Image should be good with larger screens sizes
- Living room friendly size
- High res image
- External VP included

Cons
- DI is noticeable in action and noisy (lagged behind what was on screen)
- Very loud fan noise in normal (highest lamp) mode
- Limitations if short throw or lens shift is required
- Must be used with supplied VP so a future VP upgrade may be limited
- Image appeared "digital/Coarse" rather than sharp to my eyes
- RBE/ low IRE dither
- more industrial/commercial case design IMO
- £4995 MSRP

Pearl

Pros
- Bright image (100" screen)
- Living room friendly noise levels
- Detailed high res image (does not look digital, more celluloid film like)
- No RBE/low IRE dither
- Installation flexibility i.e. short throw, lens shift
- DI works very well
- Choice of VP's
- £3500 MSRP

Cons
- largish unit (but very stylish IMO)
- Possible mis-convergence, colour uniformity issues
- Lumens may struggle with large screen sizes
- Doesn't handle 2:2 PAL cadance as well as some

I think there is a lot of hype about mis convergence and colour uniformity that may influence your decision. Go demo the unit to see how this may look in reality. I'm sure non of us wants any type of issue but it's easy to fall into the trap of test signals at 12" from the screen rather than watching movies. Same applies to RBE / low IRE dither on the Optoma. I guess the only thing you can't rule out is if your guests are sensitive to RBE.

For the Pearl PJ Hi Fi in Guildford are solid and have great demo facilities.

AVI

 

[Avi]

machine? OK with the old fashioned burn worries etc? DLP I know doesn't suffer from this potential problem due to it's design. But with LCD panels I'm a bit more cautious...

SXRD is reflective similar to DLP and I've never heard of any issues with image retention. The Sony Prime Support (3 year warranty) is very, very good. I was unhappy with the converegence and they delivered a brand new replacement unit within the week. Just ensure you report any probelms within 7 days of delivery.

AVI

 

[Nic Rhodes]

I would take a trip down to PJ. You will see how it done well there. You may find that the Pearl there delivers everything you need / want. They will do all the checks necessary before sending a Pearl out. Well worth speaking to Elliot after XMas about it.

PS One of the things people never look at too much before purchase, but do worry about it after purcahse is how noisey the projector is. When I buy my next projector, this will high on the list of wants from me. A quiet one.

 

[Timbo21]

I would take a trip down to PJ. You will see how it done well there. You may find that the Pearl there delivers everything you need / want. They will do all the checks necessary before sending a Pearl out. Well worth speaking to Elliot after XMas about it.

That is www.pjhifi.co.uk However, their website doesn't seem to be working ATM. Elliot is member X3ELS from pjhifi

 

[Peter Parker]

You could wait until PJ get the JVC HD1 in and see both that and the Pearl in action at the same time. We're still not sure of the price on the JVC, but it looks to be cheaper than the Optoma. You could stay over in a hotel if the travelling doesn't suit you, plus you get to meet some of the other forum members too.

I've seen the Optoma as well, and think you may be better off waiting for the new 1080 machine from them as this one (as good as it is) is a little bit of a compromise in order to get 1080 DLP to the market sooner thather than later. I think they've done an excellent job considering what you get for the money (a similar VP will cost you over £1000) though.

Gary

 

[Ballistix999]

Hi fellas, heavily leaning to the Sony now. I'm about to splash out tomorrow...but just slightly cautious...still not seen it in action yet, but becoming a kind of "bugger it I'll get it anyway" approach.

Just got to find the right price (seen it for 2995) and dealer (that might put the price up a bit) to make sure that it's setup correctly and so on, ie it's a good one.

TT

 

[Peter Parker]

Be prepared to have to send back a few Sony's till you get a good one. A couple of forum members have had to do that with 3 or 4 of them before they got ones they could live with. If you can find somewhere where you can see it running before you buy it, then that would be ideal, as could then see the actual pj you will buy and only take it away with you if it's up to scratch. Elliot will do all that for you, but postal delivery may have some effect on convergence.

Gary

 

[Ballistix999]

Thanks Gary. Well I could drive over there I think it's about 1.5 - 2hours drive from me to Guildford...might buzz them tomorrow...think they'll match that 3K price? If so I'll got and demo and buy one tomorrow...I'm in the mood.

TT

 

[Peter Parker]

Worth the drive - he has a good demo room too.

I can't speak for Elliot (or any other dealer with premises) re pricematching, but you're paying extra for his help, experience and the lack of hassle having to send things back (not to mention the shop overheads etc which box shifters don't have).

Gary

 

[tfboy]

TT, I have a Sony and of course am well pleased with it

I haven't seen the HD81 and bought the Sony purely on the price I was able to purchase it at.

But from hearing other people's description, I think the style of projected image is quite different between the two of them as you will find out by reading reviews. The Pearl has a slightly softer, more analogue and filmlike presentation. The total lack of screendoor (the gap between the sxrd pixels is very small) gives a smooth 35mm-like picture. Watching SD DVDs looks imho a hell of a lot better than it did when I had my HS50 (1280x720 LCD PJ). Whilst the picture is quite soft due to the lowish resolution of SD, it's a smooth picture where one pixel of DVD (which is nearly 3 pixels of sxrd!) just blends seamlessly into the next.

Where are you in Oxfordshire? I may be able to help you with a demo. LMK

 

[Ballistix999]

Yep I know the score on the price side. I just want to make sure I get the best deal I can AND I'm happy to pay a bit extra. Not 500 quid though. So if its a couple hundred more fair doos.

I'll call em tomorrow. I don't expect they read the forums this late

TT

 

[Ballistix999]

tfboy thanks for that!

I'm in Over Norton, Near Chipping Norton..where are you? You have me wondering, and I'd love to see on in action! If you are close you can come and see my room too...trade secrets/views etc...

TT

 

[tfboy]

I'm in Reading, Berks. Probably an hour and a bit drive away.
Do you have HD-DVD up and running? I've yet to see a pearl with decent HD (only been toying with WM9 HD clips which look good but not as good as HD should be!). I may be convinced to bring mine over. Your screen / environment setup is no doubt better than mine

 

[Ballistix999]

Yer on, come tomorrow, I'm here all week....

My room is a dedicated room, was in Home Entertainment monthly before it went down the pan a couple of years ago. We could set it up and have a realy play around with it...I'm just getting a website done for my room so I can point it at people to see it so can't show you any pics..

Have lots of tea here too.

Ah oops sorry, yes I've got HD-DVD, Sky HD and XBOX 360 to stuff through it!

TT

 

[tfboy]

Yer on, come tomorrow, I'm here all week....

My room is a dedicated room, was in Home Entertainment monthly before it went down the pan a couple of years ago. We could set it up and have a realy play around with it...I'm just getting a website done for my room so I can point it at people to see it so can't show you any pics..

Have lots of tea here too.

Ah oops sorry, yes I've got HD-DVD, Sky HD and XBOX 360 to stuff through it!

TT

As much as I'd love to, work kind of gets in the way
I may have some time in the evenings, but may take thursday off. Will let you know.

 

[Ballistix999]

Sounds good...throw a sicky or take off Thursday do whatever you need to! (just kidding). But it would be super to see it, if you come in the am I'll sort you lunch out. I used to work in Theale, took me about an hour to get there, so it should be that bad.

Pencil Thursday? Can you tell I'm eager to see it?

T

 

[Avi]

Worth the drive - he has a good demo room too.

I can't speak for Elliot (or any other dealer with premises) re pricematching, but you're paying extra for his help, experience and the lack of hassle having to send things back (not to mention the shop overheads etc which box shifters don't have).

Gary

Gary

I'm now awaiting my 4th Pearl and the first two units had been checked by the dealer. Maybe my expectation is just too high.

To be honest the Prime Support Warranty that comes with the Pearl is excellent. When you take delivery report any problems within 7 days such as MC issues they will take care of it arranging the shipping of a new unit and collection of the porblem unit.

AVI

 

[Ballistix999]

Hi Avi, you are assuming I would be able to detect any convergence problems of course...most people here are experts...I'm not sure I could tell, which worries me... :S

TT

PS. I've witnessed Sony attitude towards customers and failing equipment and it is very positive.

 

[Peter Parker]

Hi Avi,

rumour has it convergence can be knocked out if the pj is bashed around a bit whilst in transit, which is why I recommend seeing the one you're going to buy if possible. It could be that the ones you've bought have been OK but the convergence may have been made worse during delivery (if that's possible).

Gary