New Projector or New Bulb

[admin_exported]

I currently have an Infocus Screenplay 7205 DLP Projector. It is ceiling mounted approx. 6m from the screen and gives a 10/11ft wide picture. (my room measures 8m x 4.5m ,is a basement which has no windows and is totally dark)

I've just got the "replace bulb" instruction, and given that a new bulb is £300ish, i was wondering if i would be better off putting this money to a new HD Projector.

I notice the Panasonic PT AE 4000 is HD, and gets great reviews, but it is an LCD- is this as good as my non HD 7205 DLP Projector, and will i get a better picture at 10/11 ft wide. Also what distance away from the screen would i have to mount it get this size of picture?

Alternatively, if anyone can give me a recommendation on a better HD Projector than the 7205, i'd be interested to hear from you.

Thanks

 

[Clare Newsome]

Welcome to the Forums

Excellent though the Screenplay was in its day (it was one of our Award winners in 2004!), projectors have progressed a lot in the past few years - the quality of performance for the money is now phenomenal, regardless of the technology involved.

I'd urge you to arrange a few demos and see how the new models have changed - and also to pick up a copy of our current, February issue! We have a Group Test of @£2000 projectors - including the Panasonic '4000 - plus a Jargon Buster feature on the subject that covers off exactly how to calculate the right throw length for your room, plus discusses the different technologies involved.

As a projector user myself, I'd defiintely urge an upgrade to a Full HD spec if you're intending to feed your projector HD content (Blu-ray, HD TV, HD gaming), as with your 120in screen you're really going to notice the uplift in quality.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response Clare,

I had already read the magazine but missed the "throw" info. i've read it now and makes perfect sense.

My concern was whether a 6 year old DLP Projector (that cost £3500! in 2005), which i've been very happy with, could still compete with new HD LCD one, and you've given me the answer i was looking for..

I'm on my way to demo the panasonic and epson - thanks again.

 

[Tonya]

It's hard to get side by side demos of projectors, but as mentioned above, the technology really has advanced leaps and bounds.
I finally replaced my trusty Sanyo when the bulb gave up with a Mitsubishi HC3800 and was quite shocked at the difference.
Not just the HD resolution, but the lamp time of 5000 hours and whisper quiet operation is also most welcome.
Today's projectors are so much more configurable than those of yesteryear.

OK, only one HDMI input on the 3800, but that's what your reciever is for!

 

[Xanderzdad]

I have to second Tonya. I also bought the Mitsubishi to replace my award winning Benq and was equally pleased at the improvement in picture quality, quietness and lamp life. The picture is not only sharper as it is full HD, but the colours and contrast are better and the motion is perfect.

I thought my old projector was good until I upgraded (for the same reason as you - a new lamp is so expensive I opted to trade in for a new projector instead).