Spiky

Groupon just popped up for a Mits HC7800 + 106" screen + mount + 2pr glasses. $1500. Adds dynamic iris compared to the HC4000, prob some other features. The deal is decent, typical Groupon. Not like woot! deals. (although woot! deals aren't what they once were)

Sdallnct

Well my budget was really a $1,000. And I don't think the screen would fit. Thoughts on a refurbished? This seems a solid step up from the HD20 (I know most things would be a step up from the HD20). But well reviewed. And seems like a good price. Probably saving $300-$400 being a refurb. And come with full warranty.

http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Proj...FSWoPAodj2AAGQ

Actually saves about $250 off Amazons new price

Spiky

Full warranty means refurb shouldn't matter. Unless the company has a poor history, but I don't think that's the case. Epson tends to price lamps lower than the comparable Pannys, and they are usually rated longer. They really do make excellent PJs. If you look at the first page of this thread, I had comments on this model, too. They had lamp issues with the 8xxx series, but I think it's been cleaned up by now. You may want to check on that, though.

If you want better processing and picture, for $200 more they have the 8500 refurb. That has nearly the latest Reon processor and better Epson processing straight from the LCDs, too. Could save you money elsewhere, depending on the sources and receiver you want.

LOL, I was looking back, saw this from one year ago:
I think it's high time this comment is fulfilled.

Sdallnct

Yes, yes....I am getting a new projector. It makes no sense to buy a bulb at $250 when the HD20 is selling every day for $800 (with bulb). So at the very least, ill have an HD20.

However, I wouldn't mind stepping up "a bit". I've certainly been happy with my HD70, so I'm sure I'd be fine with the HD20. However, sure, I'd love a projector that wasn't as loud as those. And while I have a dedicated theater room, more brightness would be good (assuming it doesn't take away from the quality). And I know the HD70 & HD20 are getting a bit dated with their base DLP chip. Least the Mit HC4000 has the darkchip

I doubled checked the Groupon. I thought that might make a nice move into a total theater upgrade. But I can't get that screen to fit. Even if I were to remove the door molding I'm still off by a full inch. And really 106" would be nice, but probably to big for the room. 100" or 102" would likely be as big as I'd want in there. And reversing the room (putting the screen on the opposite wall) would drastically reduce my seTing capacity.

With all I need to buy soon (and saving for a car for me ) I really should stick to a grand. I really thought I could find that Panny or even the Mit HC4000 for a grand or less, but I just can't.

Yea, I read where Epson really does well with warranty. My only hesitancy it jumping over to LCD

Edit: damn, that 8500 looks fantastic! That may even be better than the Panny and clearly a significant upgrade to the other two was looking at (HD20 and HC4000). That and it seems to be a fantastic deal! That may have to be the one!

Sdallnct

Ordered a new projector!

I struggled a bit. I was torn between the slightly newer Epson 8350 or the 8500. A new 8350 was the exact same price as the 8500ub refurbished. Or save $200 and get the 8350 refurbished. The refurbished models come with the same as new excellent Epson warranty. I originally was going for the MIT HC4000 or Panny PTAE100u, but couldn't get them close enough to my budget.

My budget was really a grand. I ended up going with a refurb 8500ub for $1,099. With no tax and free 2nd day shipping I was close enough to my budget. Plus I looked around a lot, and that seems a great deal for that projector. I found some used units selling for more than that.

I decided to do the 8500ub "for me". Family wouldn't have known a difference. But I like settling in and watching a good movie. The 8500ub seems to really excel at movies with its much better black levels and overall better pic.

I did double check a projector throw calculator. So there is a good chance I can put it exactly in the same spot as my current projector. With the lens shift to make up for the offset, should work. Plan now is to use my same DIY mount. Ill either drill new holes in the plexiglass used on my current one, or splurge on a new piece of plexiglass.

They had a package deal with a new 100" screen, but too much money. I may get energetic and build a new screen. But the 94" one I use works well. So will see.

Came w/free 2nd day air, so hoping I get on Saturday.

chipmac

Good luck with it. Right now though Amazon has the Mits HC4000 for $1120. Not really much more than you wound up spending. I've been looking at that one and the Epson too but I've read too many stories that have me worried about the Epson being reliable as far as the Auto Iris and the lamp life. Even with their excellent warranty I don't feel like sending the PJ back and forth until getting a good one.

Sdallnct

Yea, I saw the drop in price of the HC4000. And between it and the Epson 8350 would be a tough call. But given i can get the 8500 which is in entire different category, the upside was just too good to pass up. Tho I do love DLP.

I'm sure the 8500 is available at such a good price was due to some early issues. But they were resolved later and they came out with the nearly identical 8700 pretty quickly to deflect that negativity. The price is really amazing for that unit.

I'm willing to take a chance. 1st, Visual Apex allows returns up tho 30 days and 5 hours of lamp life for no restocking fee. So I should have plenty of time to tell if there are any immediate issues. 2nd, Epson will send you a replacement projector even before you send your unit back in (you provide a cc in case you don't return yours).

Edit: I know the proof will be in the projector itself, but I just got my order confirmation and they have included a calibration disc, HDMI cable (35ft) and dust cover. I looked all over that site looking at their return policy, warranty info and such, and didn't see anything that they included those items with purchase. But then I wasn't looking for that. So might have missed it.

chipmac

Sounds like you got a great deal. I've been researching again like crazy since this thread was resurrected. I'm going to need to either replace the lamp in my Mits 1500 soon or replace the projector with one that does 1080p and has a longer lamp life. I really love DLP over LCD for some reason but an LCD with lens shift would be so much easier to make work with my 7 foot ceiling. So I keep wavering on easier placement or better PQ. The fact that I'm uncomfortable with Epson's reliability right now isn't helping so I'll be looking forward to how well you like yours.

Sdallnct

You should check out that Panasonic PTAE100u. After reading reviews that had the street price of a grand, I had settled on it. Yet I couldn't find it under $1,300. So I passed.

Well I just got tracking infor, and looks like I won't get till Monday. But should be pretty plug a d play for me, and I've looked up info on checking convergence, which was the biggest issue on early units.

Spiky

That's awesome Sdallnct!

Visual Apex has long been a very customer-focused store. I think that's where I bought my first PJ. Great reputation on the web.

Sdallnct

So, with awesome new projector on the way...what new high quality BR should I go get for first movie night?

chipmac

I'd say Skyfall but that's a few weeks away yet. You could try Frankenweenie for greyscale. My go to disc is almost always Fifth Element after calibration followed by any Pixar disc.

Sdallnct

Yea, when I did a Google, I about drove to BB to get Skyfall then realized not out yet.

I have Dave Matthews Band on BR which I love. I got wife LOR on BR (theatrical cut) that we haven't opened yet. I got a couple days to look around. I might pick up Nemo on BR.

Sdallnct

OK, just suppose, I wanted to buy a fixed screen without spending a ton....suggestions? I'd be looking at something like a 100" to 104" depending on how big the boarder is.

It would go with that 8500ub, so don't think grey is needed or even high contrast. Probably just white.

I built my current 94" screen and very happy with it. But think I could do better. I bought the material on ebay and was specific screen material (not blackout drapes or anything).

Figure if I'm significantly upgrading the pj, might as well at least look at the screen as well.

chipmac

I bought an Elite 100" screen from Amazon that I'm happy with using my Mits 1500. My viewing angle is only about 12 feet wide from 13 feet back though. Some people with a wider viewing angle might need something better. It was pretty easy to assemble too.

http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Screens-...=elite+screens

Sdallnct

Was reading reviews and your comments. Fixed screens don't come pre-assembled? Didn't even occur to me. So you still have to stretch the fabric, etc? Might as well build one from scratch. I mean, building the frame was the easy part.

mhanlen1

I've done a home theater install before, and I build screens all the time for work- I'm pretty sure those screens that you have to assemble have snaps. It's not like a canvas you have to stretch and affix to a frame. The frame is built like ikea furniture, and then you snap (a click snap like a coat or kids jeans) the frame around the edges. Affixing the fabric part is the least time consuming area of the whole project- should take a minute or two.

chipmac

Yeah. The one I bought had the top and bottom of the frame in two pieces that had to be assembled to the sides. The screen had been looped on all four sides that you then slid plastic rods into. These rods then snapped into the frame on the back to pull it tight. It took longer to measure and position it on the wall than to put it together. It looks a lot nicer than anything I could've built myself.

Sdallnct

OK, WTF? What did you guys (yes I'm looking at you Spiky) get me into??? The damn thing is GIANT!! I never thought to look at the physical size. It has to be double the size of my HD70!!





I'm going to have to think about that. It doesn't seem too heavy. I'm sure my DIY mount will hold it. But that is really going to stick out in the room I feel. Not to mention the added thickness. Yes, I have 8' ceilings and low profile mount, but I built a step up for the rear row of seating.

If keeping, I might have to look at buying a mount. The twisting I have to do for my DIY mount, is going to be a pain in the ass with something that big....not at all convenient. Though with the bulb access on the top, I'd never have to take down.

Shouldn't these things be getting smaller, not bigger!!

chipmac

Yeah I saw one in Best Buy and my reaction was the same as yours. That thing is a monster compared to the Optomas and a tad larger than the Mits models. I seems like DLP projectors are a smaller than LCD models.

Sdallnct

Yup. I did some looking. Unless I want to go with the HD20 (which I really don't) I'm not going to save any real size.

Mount suggestions? Needs to be low profile.

This seems to be custom to your projector. And maybe local. $50 doesn't seem too bad.

http://www.projectormountstore.com/s...?id_product=72

chipmac

http://www.mountdirect.com/Projector...ries_p/pms.htm

I liked the flexibility of this one. And it works universally so when I upgrade it should still work for me.

Sdallnct

Was looking at the low profile one from the same company.

http://www.mountdirect.com/ProductDe...roductCode=LFM

But don't see how much weight it will support.

chipmac

http://www.mountdirect.com/Epson_Pro...Wall_s/239.htm

This link says 99% of PJs up to 20lbs should work. Heavier than that and the case is to big to attach it to.

Spiky

Uh oh, I think I'm in trouble.

You should see mine, it's even bigger. I had to relocate it. And, I can much more easily block the beam when I stand up. 6'4", 7' ceiling.

But that appears to be mainly width, yes? Not vertical, which would be worse? I hope.