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Author
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Topic: DVD projector recommendation
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Mike Peckham
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1461
From: West Sussex, UK.
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 04, 2006 12:05 PM
Ok, guys I know this is a predominantly film centered forum, but I know that many (if not most) of the members run DVD projectors alongside their cine projectors and thus get the best of both worlds.
When I return to the UK later this year, one of the many projects that I want to get under way is setting up a proper screening room in my garage, and this will incorporate a DVD projector along with my GS 1200.
I have very little knowledge about setting all this up and thought that it might be worth starting to do some research now, I can fantasise about it at least! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
So, What DVD projectors come reccomended, for use on a screen of about 6ft wide, and what ancilary equipment will I have to get to go with it? Sound system, DVD player etc.
Also, and this might make me seem incredibly naive, is the DVD projector best mounted on the ceiling? I'm hoping so as I have a projection room already lined up ( in what would be the workshop if this were a proper garage) and it would be nice to keep this a cine only area! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Mike ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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Auntie Em must have stopped wondering where I am by now...
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Joe Taffis
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 04, 2006 04:36 PM
hi Mike, i've been using a BENQ PB6200 for almost two years now with no problems and what I think is very good to excellent picture quality on a 96" wide Da-Lite (glass bead type) screen. This is one of the low-medium priced machines ($1200 USD range), and i'm happy with it. I may mount it from the ceiling in the future, but for now I don't want to spend the money on a factory made ceiling mount(they're pretty expensive), so it sits in a stand with my ELMO on top, TECHNICS stereo receiver next down(sometimes with my cable TV digital box on top for television viewing), my SONY DVD player next down, The PB6200 next, and VCR on the lowest shelf. The sound for the television, VCR, and DVD player all run through the receiver amp and are easily switched with the remote control. I use the separate remotes for the DVD, VCR, and the video projector. I use two KENMORE speakers on either side of the screen for video projection, with an ACOUSTIC speaker cabinet in the center for my ELMO, not stereo(ST1200D)so separation isn't necessary. The DVD player is connected with a VGA cable to allow for the "Progressive Scan" feature, an "S" cable can also be used, and a regular plug for the VCR video input. Ceiling mounting is the way to go for the video projector if you can get a good mount to allow access to the controls without moving it.
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Joe Taffis
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 04, 2006 05:25 PM
Hi Mike,
I would have to whole heartedly recommend a Panasonic 700 or 900. I've had mine for 18 months and it has operated flawlessly. The picture quality is stunning on an 8ft wide matt white screen - somewhere between 16mm and 35mm( maybe 28mm! ). Bright saturated colours, needle sharp, NO screendoor effect (even 6inches from the screen!), extremely quiet. Comes with vertical and horizontal lens shift for easy alignment to the screen, and best of all a 2X zoom lens, so you can put this machine at the back of the room where it belongs-alongside the GS1200. Set up is a piece of cake, takes about 5 minutes - no need for a ceiling mount-this machine is specifically designed to sit on a stand or shelf against a rear wall since it has a front fan exhaust! A film lovers dream machine! And, most importantly, my GS1200 and Panny seem to really like each other!
A word of caution video projectors fall into two main camps- LCD projectors and DLP projectors. DLP projectors are claimed to have better contrast than LCD projectors. This was true a couple of years ago, but today's LCD projectors are just as good. DLP projectors all use a spinning color wheel to generate the color, and about 15% of the population is sensitive to this rapid colour sequencing- seeing rainbow effects, even producing headaches and vertigo. If you decide on a DLP machine make sure you (and your friends and family) are not sensitive to these effects. You MUST home test a DLP machine first before buying. The Panasonic is an LCD machine and has none of these problems.
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 05, 2006 11:03 AM
Mike there is absolutely no reason to pay 13k pounds for a video projector! Projectors have come an awful long way in the past 2 or 3 years. For instance, the Panasonic projectors now have built-in electronic processing called smooth screen technology which TOTALLY eliminates the chicken wire effect. It also has a built-in Dynamic Iris which measures the picture brightness every 1/60 th of a second and automatically corrects for maximum picture contrast! These techmologies were just not there 2 years ago. The projector that John Clancy is talking about (the one that Colin Clark has) is probably a 3 chip DLP model. These are the very top of the line, and are similar to the ones used in professional digital cinemas or ultra high-end home installations. I can assure you that if you get a Panasonic 700 or 900 for about 1k pounds, you will probably get 90 to 95 % of the picture quality of Colin's machine. Colin is paying 12k pounds to get that extra 5 or 10% improvement in quality! When you get your 1K Pound video projector home and fire it up, you will be amazed at the picture quality- it really looks as good as the cinema! Couple it to a good quality progressive scan DVD player and a 5 channel audio system and you will be in cinema heaven. You will literally feel like a kid in a candy store- thousands of dirt cheap movies are now yours to see in a way you have never seen them before. This is in no way meant to detract from 8mm film projection, which is equally wonderful in its own way, and offers a lot of technical interest which is unique to film projection. If your like me, you will still be using your GS1200 a lot, but also enjoying DVD projection. Literally, the best of both worlds!
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Chris Quinn
Master Film Handler
Posts: 372
From: England, Bedfordshire.
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted April 05, 2006 01:05 PM
First of all Mike,
Wow, who would have ever have thought that Mike Peckham would want a DVD projector. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Right to business,
I thoroughly endorse Paul Adsett, every thing he has said is 100% correct. The panasonic AE900 is the only way to go the AE700 is no longer available new or won't be when your ready to buy. Picture quality on the panasonic is above all the rest and will give you that 28mm look it is also HD ready so when the HDI and Blue Ray formats start you will not have to change your VP as well as your DVD player.
The only problem i can see with the AE900 is that the box is a bit bland for your usual requirements.
As far as £13000 Video projectors go, they are now replaced by £1200 ones, technology has moved on leaps and bounds and these very high end projectors are not worth the investment as the picture quality is only marginally better and 99% of people on a 6-8ft screen would not even be able to tell the difference, the problem with DVD's is the same as film, you can only get out of the disc what has been put there. DVD's vary a lot in transfer quality which is noticeable when blown up, but new releases are usually ok, it's just the classics that are brought out, although many of them are remastered and look stunning.
So i look forward to visiting your new home cinema Mike, so hurry up and get back home and stop all this tramping around the world, you sound to me that your starting to feel a bit home sick anyway??
Chris.
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The other half thinks i'm up to something. Shes right of course.
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Mike Peckham
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1461
From: West Sussex, UK.
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 05, 2006 07:28 PM
Thanks guys, as I've just said over on my other thread, I knew you guys were good when it came to super 8 but I am overwhelmed with the good advice about DVD projection.
Just reading through what's been written above I can see that I'm going to really enjoy setting this all up, Joe, your posting has really whetted my apetite for building up a combined system and I can just picture your stand with the Elmo and the DVD projector and Amp all set out, this is going to be a lot of fun.
It seems as though the Panasonic 700 is the projector for which there is general consensus and realistically that will be about my price range so it sounds even better.
Paul, good advice about the difference between LCD and DLP projectors, something I hadn't previously heard about so it will definitely figure in my decision making.
Chris, I have never had anything against DVD projection, it has just never floated my boat in the same way that cine has . Due to the wholly unique appeal of cine I shall certainly not be abandoning it as I just can't imagine life with out a cine projector to fiddle with or the magic of seeing film projected on to the big screen. I'm sorry to hear that the Panasonic doesn't have a very nice box though, maybe I shall have to reconsider my plans...
There will be more questions forthcoming...
Thanks again guys
Mike
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Auntie Em must have stopped wondering where I am by now...
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 06, 2006 09:22 AM
Hi Winbert,
No I'm not really saying that. Both LCD and DLP projectors have their own advantages and quirks. But in the Home Theater Market 'sweet spot' of projectors in the $2000.00 price range, LCD projectors (which have 3-separate color panels) have now captured the largest portion of the market. Why? Because of projectors like the Panasonic 700 or 900 which produce stunning quality pictures and also offer many more features which are just not on DLP projectors in that price range, features such as, High Definition capability, lens shift, 2x zoom lenses, and specific design for rear shelf mounting. The contrast and brightness advantage that DLP could claim a few years back has now been eliminated in the latest technology LCD projectors. Plus you always have to worry with a single chip DLP projector, which uses a spinning color wheel, how many people in your audience are being bothered by the 'rainbow effect'. Of course you could always go for a $20,000 3-chip DLP projector, which does not need the spinning color wheel, but how many of us could afford that!
For two excellent articles on the pros and cons of LCD versus DLP projectors:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/ae900_pe7700.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/lcd_dlp_update7.htm
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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