DLP HD Projectors less than $2k????????

[robert393]

Here is an excerpt. You can read the entire artilcle here
Sharp gave a great demonstration of their new Z20000 1080p model. They showed it with three different sources--a pristine 1080p source, Blu-ray 1080i DVD, and conventional 480i component video. Three distinct levels of image quality were obvious. The 1080p source was exquisite, and showed the true potential of the projector. Blu-ray DVD looked very good, but it was clearly a step down. It is definitely better than standard DVD, but it falls short of the best possible high resolution sources. The image quality with Blu-ray on this particular 1080p projector was not much different than that which is available on the better 720p projectors on the market today.

It will be interesting to see how consumers respond to what is shaping up to be an enormous price gap between 720p and 1080p. For example, the newly announced Optoma HD72 (1280x768), is a DLP projector rated a 1300 ANSI lumens and 5000:1 contrast. It features the new BrilliantColor technology from TI, and it will sell at street prices of just $2,000 this spring. Will typical broadcast HDTV look noticeably more "high-def" on a $20,000 1080p projector than it will on this $2,000 unit? Probably not. In fact it is possible that the HDTV 720p broadcasts from ABC, Fox, and ESPN (which constitute the vast majority of HD sports programming) will look a bit clearer and sharper on the HD72 due to display of the signal in native format. Certainly standard television and current DVD formats will not look much better on 1080p displays than they already do on 720p.

This is very exciting news for those wanting to enter the age of HD! Imagine an pristine HD image of 100" for less than $2k!

Robert

[GMichael]

Here is an excerpt. You can read the entire artilcle here
Sharp gave a great demonstration of their new Z20000 1080p model. They showed it with three different sources--a pristine 1080p source, Blu-ray 1080i DVD, and conventional 480i component video. Three distinct levels of image quality were obvious. The 1080p source was exquisite, and showed the true potential of the projector. Blu-ray DVD looked very good, but it was clearly a step down. It is definitely better than standard DVD, but it falls short of the best possible high resolution sources. The image quality with Blu-ray on this particular 1080p projector was not much different than that which is available on the better 720p projectors on the market today.

It will be interesting to see how consumers respond to what is shaping up to be an enormous price gap between 720p and 1080p. For example, the newly announced Optoma HD72 (1280x768), is a DLP projector rated a 1300 ANSI lumens and 5000:1 contrast. It features the new BrilliantColor technology from TI, and it will sell at street prices of just $2,000 this spring. Will typical broadcast HDTV look noticeably more "high-def" on a $20,000 1080p projector than it will on this $2,000 unit? Probably not. In fact it is possible that the HDTV 720p broadcasts from ABC, Fox, and ESPN (which constitute the vast majority of HD sports programming) will look a bit clearer and sharper on the HD72 due to display of the signal in native format. Certainly standard television and current DVD formats will not look much better on 1080p displays than they already do on 720p.

This is very exciting news for those wanting to enter the age of HD! Imagine an pristine HD image of 100" for less than $2k!

Robert

It was a matter of time after Mitzu put out their $3k DLP a couple of months ago. The LCD's have gotten so good that the DLP's had to come down to compete.

[dean_martin]

It was a matter of time after Mitzu put out their $3k DLP a couple of months ago. The LCD's have gotten so good that the DLP's had to come down to compete.

I saw a demonstration of Mitsubishi's $3K DLP projector yesterday. I was impressed. Last time I was in this particular shop, they were displaying a $14K Marantz projector. The store mgr. claimed the Mitsu performed at least at 90% of the much more expensive Marantz. The Mitsu DLP sets were impressive too.

[GMichael]

I saw a demonstration of Mitsubishi's $3K DLP projector yesterday. I was impressed. Last time I was in this particular shop, they were displaying a $14K Marantz projector. The store mgr. claimed the Mitsu performed at least at 90% of the much more expensive Marantz. The Mitsu DLP sets were impressive too.

Great. DLP's are coming down. Soon 1080p will have to come down to compete in the market. Well, maybe not soon enough for this year, but not far off.

Next, will Sanyo and Panasonic come out with huge improvements to their LCD's again this year? I'm glad that I've waited to buy my projector. I came close a couple of weeks ago when the Sanyo Z4 dropped to 1799.00.

My house should be done this summer. I wonder what will be the best deal at that time. The anticipation is killing me.

[westcott]

Great. DLP's are coming down. Soon 1080p will have to come down to compete in the market. Well, maybe not soon enough for this year, but not far off.

Next, will Sanyo and Panasonic come out with huge improvements to their LCD's again this year? I'm glad that I've waited to buy my projector. I came close a couple of weeks ago when the Sanyo Z4 dropped to 1799.00.

My house should be done this summer. I wonder what will be the best deal at that time. The anticipation is killing me.

GMichael,

That Evan Marshall is something. He calls it as it is. It can be expensive to be an early adopter of technology. Makes me happy to know my projector will provide good service over the next few coming years.

I feel for you. Having to wait this all out until the house is finished would be brutal. Who knows, Cannons SED technology may be affordable by then.

Good Luck and post some pictures.

[GMichael]

GMichael,

That Evan Marshall is something. He calls it as it is. It can be expensive to be an early adopter of technology. Makes me happy to know my projector will provide good service over the next few coming years.

I feel for you. Having to wait this all out until the house is finished would be brutal. Who knows, Cannons SED technology may be affordable by then.

Good Luck and post some pictures.

Thanks,

It may be tough now, but I'll get that much of a better deal when the time comes. (I hope)
I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever I get for awhile. Even the Z3 would be great. 720p is nothing to sneeze at. I have to balance my desire for the best, with my need to get one for the bedroom too, and the house budget divided by the technology of the time. Huh? What the H.ll did I just say? Hoping to get the Z3 for the bedroom. Wanted the Z4 for the living room but may upgrade before I buy it to whatever is new, best & priced right.

I've already started thinking about where I'll stand when I take the pictures. It would be nice if they cleared the lot this week.