I have been to Bristol a couple of times as a trade visitor.

Sim2 usually put on a good show. I have seen Runco do some very good and some very poor demonstrations. Meridian's launch of their DiLA projectors was a disappointment. Projection Design's debut of one of the first 1080p projectors was pretty good considering the technology was still in development.

Bristol, or any trade show for that matter, is not a place to make definitive judgments on quality. If you have ever had the awful task of putting together a show system you'll know that it's a challenge just to get in and get set-up!

Chris can you recommend a good cheap HD projector.

I have spent alot on my gear in the past, over £40,000.00 and have been placed on hold by the other half.

I have 3 rooms done and my last room is to have a projector HD.

I have a 7.1 Flagship room. I have a 2 channel music room and now have a 5.1 mid range setup but looking for a projector to install

Why did you post something that had nothing to do with the topic?

I'll post how i like and you will not play god with me and tell me what to do..................so now CHILD u may move on..

By the way if u are interested in a projector have a look at this http://www.dixons.co.uk/product.php?..._id=ppc_tvcamp
As to be seen to be believed, however if you suffer from RBE then maybe not for you.

This also is 1080p compatible.

And here is a screenshot of it in action http://www.cigarbest.com/sales/optomahd654.jpg

A review here http://www.projectorcentral.com/optoma_hd65_review.htm

Good and Cheap don't usually sit together, so I won't waste your money or my time recommending the lowest cost stuff. I'd rather suggest something worth owning within a couple of price categories.

True HD projectors go for £30K+ right down less than £2K, so the following projectors are not expensive as far as 1080p projectors go. You should also be aware that this list doesn't take account of room conditions, screen type, screen size, viewing distance, sources, use, or any of the other stuff I would normally cover with a client during a consultation to select an appropriate product.

My pick of the crop under £5K would be the JVC HD1. This is a 3 chip DiLA projector with great picture performance and is available discounted to under £2800. Combined with a decent scaler and then properly calibrated I think this projector is hard to beat under £5K

Worthy mentions go to the Sim2 HD80 (£4.5K single chip DLP with good inbuilt scaling) and the Epsom TW2000 (£3K 3 chip LCD with H&V lens shift and virtually silent operation).

Under £2K I would consider the Optoma HD80 well worth a look. For £1750 you get a 1080p single chip DLP that once calibrated will give most other projectors under £3K a damned good run for the money.

You'll notice I mention calibration a lot. That's because it makes a huge difference to the performance of most projectors, and particularly so at the budget end. As an example of how much of a difference it can make I put on a little demonstration at a friendly Hi-Fi/AV dealer.

I took two Optoma 720p projectors, their current £800 projector and their £1500 model which was getting rave reviews. Both were set up with the same DVD source and on to the same screen doing a 50:50 split. One half of the screen picture was from the £800 projector, the other half from the more expensive machine. Together they made a complete picture so that an instant comparison could be made very easily.

Next, both projectors had their brightness, contrast, colour and sharpness controls set correctly using a test disc, but I then carried on to do a full colour calibration on the cheaper machine. The demonstration then began.

The Hi-Fi dealer had invited some of their customers along. All they were told was that one projector had been calibrated, the other as pretty much as it would be straight from the box apart from a basic set-up. The question was simple - "Which side looks the most natural?" Everyone chose the cheaper calibrated projector.

A calibration costs around £300. It's better value than upgrading to a new projector.

All the above projectors have a native resolution of 1080p. That's about as high as you can sensibly go with home cinema. The other resolution choice is 720p which is what cheaper entry level projectors use, but also some excellent higher-end product too. Resolution isn't the be-all and end-all of projector specifications. Take some time visit dealers who know what they're doing with projection or come talk to me. The service and advice is worth the extra cost.

Regards

So you can add to the debate.

Not hard if you try..

Thanks for the posts. Take Care..

Which do you prefer for connection HDMI or Component when viewing projectors?

How about screens used, do you have a make that you find works well with Projectors?

What do you think about infocus projector: http://www.avland.co.uk/infocus/in83/in83.htm to the SIM 2 mentioned above in your quote..

HDMI would be the connection of choice, basically because this is the only connection out the two you mention that will carry the high resolution signals from HD equipment like BluRay/HD DVD, unless you are connecting Sky HD where the component connection can be used. Personally I use HDMI for the PJ.

Screens are a minefield, there are various types of finishes, matt/reflective, some are pure white some off white even grey, each one will react differently to the PJ you will be using, it's very important to get it right. You really need to look at the PJ's contrast ratio and match the screen with this, a PJ with a relatively low contrast ratio matched up to a screen with a matt finish will not reflect the right amount of light back to the viewer, a PJ with a good contrast ratio matched up to a screen too reflective will bounce back too much light. In addition to this you need to look at the room and the amount of ambient light that it has. After all this you then have to choose whether you require a manual, electric or fixed screen, screen size/format, a plain screen or one that is masked (has a boarder). Most dedicated dealers should be able to guide you through this, some will even do home visits.

I have not seen either PJ, but having a Sim2 myself (not the model mentioned by Chris) which I am exceptionally happy with, I would go have no hesitation in recommending one of their models. One thing I will say, don't go for the first thing you see, take your time and demo as much equipment as you can.

I think you have to consider HDMI as the first choice for HD source display purely because of HDCP.

As TommyW rightly says, screen choices are very much determined by the projector, the room and the viewing conditions.

I've used and calibrated Infocus in the past. They always respond well to colour calibration, and they are closer to the correct D65 level straight out of the box than most other brands I see. BTW, don't be fooled by "Calibrated at the factory to D65", The whole video chain from source(s) through switching and cables to the projector, screen and room all have an effect on colour balance which I why I recommend colour calibration.

I haven't used the IN83 for my own jobs though because it lacks an optical vertical lens shift. It's a feature I'm willing to sacrifice at £1800, but not at £3500. However, if your room's ceiling height and screen position can accommodate the projector's throw angle then there's no reason not to shortlist the IN83.

Regards

TommyW, HT5000, verrrryy niiice

Very happy with it, I was a bit hesitant going the DLP route at first but I have no regrets now.

At the moment I'm deciding whether to go for a dedicated 2.35:1 screen as I'm using the 'cinema scope' lens more and more as it works really well. I feel I'm losing a little impact, even though it's a 100" screen the impacts there when 16x9 material is being viewed but you lose some height for wider material, if you get my meaning. I think I need to up the size if I'm going to stick with the wider format, I don't want to go too big because that would mean altering the seating and rear speakers and the room has just recently been re-fitted.

All in all it's a cracking piece of equipment.

Scope is hard for many non-enthusiasts to get their head around but I think the results are just fabulous. Go for it

Thank you both info.

I am after a 1080p or projector that takes 1080p input for a small room that has alot of light.

Distance from screen to Projector is very very short. around 4 meters if that..

I am after a manual screen too and light weight that will provide a good pictures from the projector..

I am looking at spending around no more than £2000.00 for screen and projector.

Hence why i listed the sony to find out more info.. but open to any good projector..

When you go to the cinema, they turn the lights off, there's a very good reason for that.

Perhaps massively more expensive projectors have much brighter bulbs in them?, but I've never seen one yet that is any use in a bright room - however, I've probably never seen any really expensive ones.

If by "a lot of light" you mean enough to comfortably read a newspaper by then you should forget projection.

Ambient light for projectors is like background noise for a HiFi. This is true for all projectors regardless of brightness or lamp power. Ambient light kills the dynamics and ruins the effect.

For example, imagine you went for a demo of the B&W speakers and the guy had another HiFi playing in the same room. You would be quite right to complain that you couldn't hear the B&Ws properly because of the background noise. Well it's like that with ambient light and projectors. Anything in the picture that is brighter than the ambient light will be visible, but anything darker will be hidden by the 'background noise'.

There are projection screens made that for video work like noise canceling headphones do for sound, but they don't roll away and they cost more than your combined pj and screen budget.

£2K will buy you a fairly large flat screen TV that will work much better in high ambient light. You won't be able to hide it like a projector screen, but unless you are prepaired to do something about the light situation then I would suggest a flat screen TV is your best option.

Regards

I addition to the info Chris has given, if the room is going to be a dedicated room not one that is used for daily living you might want to look at fitting some blackout curtains/blinds. They don't have to be black, there are plenty of designs/colours out there if decor is important to you, but black would be my recommendation.