Non DLP 1080p Projector

Amp34 · 2 Nov 2011 at 20:39

What sort of price am I looking at for a reasonable non DLP 1080p projector? I'm guessing the LCD(?) ones are generally more expensive than the DLP versions?

I'm looking in to buying one in the near future but don't know where to start as a large number are DLP...

Warbie · 2 Nov 2011 at 21:00

Prices vary greatly - any idea of budget?

I personally recommend JVC - they're the pioneer plasma of the pj world. Their new 2011 models are out over the next few months - the entry level X30 being about 3k. It's also well worth checking out their previous generations, especially second hand as you can find some real bargains.

There are shed loads of non dlp options for most budgets - what sort of screen size are you after and what type of room will it go in?

Amp34 · 2 Nov 2011 at 21:20

Budget: A lot less than 3k unfortunately.

I didn't really want to say a budget as I would prefer to know what sort of price I would be looking at for a reasonable one. Obviously high end is out of my budget, so I guess I'd suggest I would prefer not to go too much over £1k which I guess is difficult for a non DLP. I'd prefer to pay a little more and get something half decent rather than something that will hit my budget and be rubbish.

The room is just a bedroom so I guess about 100" and the throw around 5m.

Is the AE4000 a non DLP screen? I'd always been under the assumption that Panny did the best projectors?

LeJosh · 2 Nov 2011 at 21:35

Look up the Epson EH-TW3200.

vanandjuanunited · 2 Nov 2011 at 21:39

epson tw3200 as above

Projecting a 135in diag image from about 4m. My first ever pj so nothing to compare it to but it knocked me out and rarely use my tv these days. Check avforums for more info

3yr warranty on unit and 3yr or 2000 hrs on bulb

lucid · 2 Nov 2011 at 21:45

Surely the simple answer is to look for LCD projectors. They're the main alternative to DLP in the sub-£3000 price category.

Next, have a look at some projector reviews. Start with What HiFi to get a general feel of what's around.

danoliver1 · 3 Nov 2011 at 16:39

The new epson 3d lcd projectors are just out prices start at £999.

starkill3r · 4 Nov 2011 at 01:43

I used to have a Panasonic PT AE4000E, fantastic projector and well worth £1300 i paid for it, I wish i never sold it, I recommend it.

DLP is still good though, I've currently got a Optoma HD67N 3D PJ and it's does the job well.

Rroff · 4 Nov 2011 at 01:56

Not sure why your avoiding DLP do you suffer from problems with rainbow effect or similiar issues?

I tried a few fancy projectors but ended up selling them and going back to my Optoma HD70 - atleast for movies and casual gaming I don't see a huge benefit going for a higher res with a 100" projection and can't fault the HD70 when properly calibrated. Got it late 2006 IIRC and novelty still hasn't worn off to this day

danoliver1 · 4 Nov 2011 at 12:28

Rroff said:
Not sure why your avoiding DLP do you suffer from problems with rainbow effect or similiar issues?

I tried a few fancy projectors but ended up selling them and going back to my Optoma HD70 - atleast for movies and casual gaming I don't see a huge benefit going for a higher res with a 100" projection and can't fault the HD70 when properly calibrated. Got it late 2006 IIRC and novelty still hasn't worn off to this day

True, i went from 720p to 1080p on a 92" screen and the difference was marginal, if your on a budget why not go for a 720p lcd machine if you see rainbows or a dlp machine if you dont.

Ps 5m throw is quite big you would need to check that with whatever model your thinking of.

Amp34 · 5 Nov 2011 at 11:27

Rroff said:
Not sure why your avoiding DLP do you suffer from problems with rainbow effect or similiar issues?

I tried a few fancy projectors but ended up selling them and going back to my Optoma HD70 - atleast for movies and casual gaming I don't see a huge benefit going for a higher res with a 100" projection and can't fault the HD70 when properly calibrated. Got it late 2006 IIRC and novelty still hasn't worn off to this day

Yep, something cronic! I spent the last year looking at a screen projected by DLP projectors at uni and any time bright/dark contrasts bits came up the rainbow appeared.

I did wonder about getting a 720p projector, I'm guessing the hd70 is pretty cheap now but I also want to use it as a screen with my desktop (not everyday but specific applications) and 720p would be rubbish for that unfortunately.

danoliver1 said:
True, i went from 720p to 1080p on a 92" screen and the difference was marginal, if your on a budget why not go for a 720p lcd machine if you see rainbows or a dlp machine if you dont.

Ps 5m throw is quite big you would need to check that with whatever model your thinking of.

I didn't realise that, assumed it was pretty standard, the other option is 2.5m, probably to close for a lot.

I'm not necessarily on a budget, which is why I didn't put a budget in the OP, I'm more interested in best bang for buck as it were. If a £2k projector is likely to be significantly better than a £1k projector then I'll wit until I have £2k spare etc. For example is the Panasonic much better than the Epson? If so I would be happy splurging an extra few hundred. I wouldn't be happy spending £3k on a projector just for the tiny difference in performance from a £1k proj...

danoliver1 · 5 Nov 2011 at 12:08

If i had the money i would get the jvc hd350 for £1600 its 1080p and no rainbows.
Have you auditioned a higher end dlp? They have faster colour wheels so should eliminate the rainbow effect look at the themescene hd82 for £1299 which is the best 2d proj under £1500 at the min.

Warbie · 5 Nov 2011 at 12:42

Agreed ^ - if you have up to 2k to spend the jvc hd350 should certainly be in the running (I have its slightly bigger brother, the HD750, and had its little brother, the HD1, before that. JVC pjs are lush). Do you want 3D?

I'd wait for the new JVC projectors coming out over the next month or so and see what happens to the prices of their current/previous gen models and that of other brands. There should be some great deals on the X3. The new Sony's look very nice too - I may switch over to Sony for the first time at Christmas

Here's a review of the hd350 http://www.avforums.com/review/JVC-DLA-HD350-Projector-Review.html

LeJosh · 5 Nov 2011 at 12:51

I thought 1k was the max, which is why I mentioned the Epson.

If you've got 2k, JVC models are a no-brainer.

Amp34 · 5 Nov 2011 at 15:07

danoliver1 said:
If i had the money i would get the jvc hd350 for £1600 its 1080p and no rainbows.
Have you auditioned a higher end dlp? They have faster colour wheels so should eliminate the rainbow effect look at the themescene hd82 for £1299 which is the best 2d proj under £1500 at the min.

I'm really at the beginning of the projector search, querying the prices, so no, I didn't realise DLP wasn't equal for example.

The JVCs use another tech I haven't heard of, is it closer to LCD or DLP?

LeJosh said:
I thought 1k was the max, which is why I mentioned the Epson.

If you've got 2k, JVC models are a no-brainer.

Thats why I didn't put the £1k in the OP.

Thanks for all the help so far guys.

Starting to get a nice list of projectors to look up and test!