Not sure about a projector

[Johnny V]

I need some help. I am having trouble convincing myself to go the
projector route. I already have a 53" rear projection sony. I love it
but I have my eye on the Epson S1+ (http://tinyurl.com/46frj) because I
would like to have a 80" screen. The reasons for picking the S1+ are
the cost, brightness, cost, HDTV ready, cost and bulb cost. The main
reason I am concerned about going to the projector is bulb life. I am
worried that I am going to be overly protective on using the unit
because I don't want to run the time out on the bulb. I realize that
the bulbs are 179 bucks but I don't want to be sitting there thinking
"gees the projector has been on for 5 or 6 hours cuz the kids watched
tv and now I am watching using up the time on bulb."

I need a few pros to push the cons away :)

Anyway any help you can provide in me spending my money would be
appreciated.

JV

[Alan Rutlidge]

"Johnny V" <john.kirchel@summit.fiserv.com> wrote in message
news:1111668030.900893.89410@g14g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> I need some help. I am having trouble convincing myself to go the
> projector route. I already have a 53" rear projection sony. I love it
> but I have my eye on the Epson S1+ (http://tinyurl.com/46frj) because I
> would like to have a 80" screen. The reasons for picking the S1+ are
> the cost, brightness, cost, HDTV ready, cost and bulb cost. The main
> reason I am concerned about going to the projector is bulb life. I am
> worried that I am going to be overly protective on using the unit
> because I don't want to run the time out on the bulb. I realize that
> the bulbs are 179 bucks but I don't want to be sitting there thinking
> "gees the projector has been on for 5 or 6 hours cuz the kids watched
> tv and now I am watching using up the time on bulb."
>
> I need a few pros to push the cons away :)
>
> Anyway any help you can provide in me spending my money would be
> appreciated.
>
> JV
>

Okay, a candid no holds barred opinion. The Epson S1 is a very mediocre
projector. I'm saying this from a user point of view. We use a training
room which has one and even though the replacement lamp cost may be low its
light output and resolution are disappointing to say the least.

We also have a BenQ PB6200 (more expensive) but has a much better picture
quality, higher light output, higher native resolution (1024 x 768 pixels)
as opposed to the Epson at 800 x 600. Also BenQ supports HDTV via the
component input (progressive as well as interlaced modes). Look around and
expect to get the 6200 for about $2k.

Food for thought.

Cheers,
Alan

[That guy from the place .... you know.]

On 24 Mar 2005 04:40:30 -0800, "Johnny V"
<john.kirchel@summit.fiserv.com> wrote:

>I need a few pros to push the cons away :)

When we got ours (Infoxus X1) a year and a bit ago, I was worried
about the potential cost of bulb use. But once I saw how much wife
and daughter both enjoyed the big screen, I realised the costs were
pretty small given the experience. We use our projector as our
everyday TV, and should get around 3 years out of the 4000 hour bulb.
After 3 years, I'll be itching to replace it with something newer
anyway, and am quite pepared to write off the $1400 purchase price for
three years enjoyment.

It was one of the best purchases we've ever made. Never looked back.

Peter

[TT]

"Johnny V" <john.kirchel@summit.fiserv.com> wrote in message
news:1111668030.900893.89410@g14g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> I need some help. I am having trouble convincing myself to
go the
> projector route. I already have a 53" rear projection
sony. I love it
> but I have my eye on the Epson S1+
(http://tinyurl.com/46frj) because I
> would like to have a 80" screen. The reasons for picking
the S1+ are
> the cost, brightness, cost, HDTV ready, cost and bulb
cost. The main
> reason I am concerned about going to the projector is bulb
life. I am
> worried that I am going to be overly protective on using
the unit
> because I don't want to run the time out on the bulb. I
realize that
> the bulbs are 179 bucks but I don't want to be sitting
there thinking
> "gees the projector has been on for 5 or 6 hours cuz the
kids watched
> tv and now I am watching using up the time on bulb."
>
> I need a few pros to push the cons away :)
>
> Anyway any help you can provide in me spending my money
would be
> appreciated.
>
> JV
>

The first thing I want to say is "I love my projector and I
wouldn't ever be without one." It's a Sony VPWHT11 (2+
years old) and I watch movies at 4.5m on a 3.5m x 1.0m
screen. This *IS* home cinema i.e. reproduction of a
theatre *AT* home. You will not get this with a TV - ever.

So yes bulb life is a concern but I don't use it every day I
have a TV as well. Watching 4 x 3 analog TV on a large
screen is a PITA anyway so until digital TV is broadcast
24/7 there is absolutely no point. So I just watch my
movies or music DVDs, special things that you want the
experience of.

The other rationale behind this is light control. Using a
PJ in daytime with some ambient light is also a PITA so now
you get restricted to night time.

So what I am saying is the PJ will not replace your TV but
supplement it and that is why you will give it to the kids
to use.

So hopefully I have made some sense here given you an
insight into what you are doing. BTW 2000hrs bulb life is
more than you spend at a normal job in a whole year! Do the
calculation for yourself and work out how much you will
actually be using a projector.

Regards TT

[Michael]

Hey? Digital TV doesn't stop at midnight or anything.

"TT" <swatter@geo.net.au> wrote in message
news:d1vkor$neh$1@nnrp.waia.asn.au...
> Watching 4 x 3 analog TV on a large
> screen is a PITA anyway so until digital TV is broadcast
> 24/7 there is absolutely no point.