I'm looking for the best video projector for video use in the 5K to 6K price range. I do't care about computer use, only video. It needs to look good in NTSC and HDTV using cable TV (not just on DVD). It does not have to have a built-in tuner.

Also looking for a good scaler in the $1k range to go with the projector. Or, if the projector looks good enough without a scaler, maybe I can get by without a scaler?

One more thing, I'm looking for a lift to fit the projector that has a smaller dimension from front to back than 22 and a half inches.

The screen size is only 60", 3:4 format, front projection. Client would like to use the projector in a room with "some" light.

I'm sure some of you guys have some great suggestions. I would appreciate hearing them.



Thanks in advance

Keith

InFocus LS110

Don't use the Runco CL-500 I have installed 2 of these and they look terrible and are nightmares to program into a remote. Sharp makes a tiny LCD projector with a 4x3 panel, it looks pretty bad to but its really bright so it can be used in high ambient light conditions. Thats all I have experience with right now.

Check www.projectorcentral.com
great site, just like this one.

My vote would be for a Dreamvision CineXone or the InFocus LS110 in that price range. Dreamvision has a matching scaler called the Optimizer that does a decent job for around $1500.

There is supposed to be a 16x9 LCD from Yamaha retailing for about $5500 coming next month. I think the model will be LCD5500 or something like that. It's LCD, but it's half the price of a DLP and it's supposed to produce 800 ANSI lumens.

Ooops

Sanyo PLV-60 native XGA widescreen, 1300 lumens, 700:1 contrast, . I paid $5000, but it's down to $4100 now. I don't use it with a scaler or line doubler, just straight HD off my cable or Prog Scan from my DVD. I love it.

I carry both the Infocus and Dreamvision products.
I have several questions, why 4 by 3 ratio ?
What will be your sources?

Thanks for your suggestions, guys! I'm going to check out the projectors mentioned if I can find them on display somewhere.

As for Twix's question about the 3:4 format screen: The reason that they are going to use a screen of this shape is because it has to fit into an area inside an existing cabinet, a very expensive cabinet that they don't want to part with. At least for the next few years, there will still be a lot of 3:4 programming on TV. And for many more years they will still be watching re-runs and classic shows like I Love Lucy and Andy Griffiths. If Gomer Pyle were to see himself in a re-run on a modern HD-compatible TV, he should still say "Golllleeee!" with same excitement he had for the picture on a analog-only set. Most HDTV-compatible sets look like crap on standard broadcasts. I have had more than one return of a top of the line Sony Wega TV because of a poor picture on normal cable broadcasts, even though it looks so good on a DVD-generated picture or an HDTV picture. I am very concerned about having an poor picture for 90% of what they are going to watch for the next few years. Sorry I got off the subject just a little, I guess thinking of Gomer Pyle got me distracted. I realize that the shape has nothing to do with the poor picture quality of conventional television broadcasts on HD-compatible TVs, but it is one of my biggest concerns about selling a projector to these people. Anyway, it's mostly a cabinet issue. I've gotta go now-- Leave It To Beaver is about to start.

Seriously though, thanks for your help. Additional input is greatly appreciated.

Keith

P.S.
It's the episode where June tells Ward that he's been a little hard on the old Beaver lately.

Keith,

I have both the Infocus ls110 and Dreamvision cinexone in my show room. I was really glad to compare both units. I have also sold the DV with the optimizer and found it to be very good. Both units perform very well and I have found both units would appeal to different customers and set-ups. The cinexone is less expensive and you can sell the optimizer later to break up the cost. Just don't forget the db-15 extension from the projector to the optimizer! The ceiling bracket is crap though ( i had to shim the side of the projector with a paper match inside the bracket! )
The ls-110 dcdi was made by faroudja and that does make a difference.
I have it playing both HD and 480p using the Philips q-50 dvd ( dcdi by faroudja again)really nice!

Tip: watch out for very bright units ( sharp,sanyo etc..) when used for older play back material ( gomer pile stuff) the grain seems really more evident and uses up the old bulb life sooner ( unless you can reduce it in the menu of the unit like both of the aformentioned projectors )

I saw a demo of the new Yamaha LCD projector a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed.

Thanks for your help, guys. I'll check out the projectors you've suggested. Actually, it isn't so much the black and white programming that concerned me, it's the cable broadcasts that look like the sharpness and contrast are poor when reproduced on an HD-ready TV. It is likely the A to D chips that are too slow to translate the programming. I particularly notice the problem with shows that have been over processed-- you know, maybe they have been converted from A to D, back to A, then back to D, then back to A. Some of the information gets lost in the process and it looks like crap. It's like watching video on a computer. It looks okay on certain programming, such as a DVD, but looks very bad on other programming. I haven't yet seen an HDTV-ready television that looks as good on NTSC as an NTSC-only set. Am I just not getting around enough or am I right? Does anyone know why no one seems to be able to produce such a set? My theory is that the A to D and D to A converters just aren't fast enough yet. Anyone know the real story?

Just Wondering,

Keith

Keith

My theory is that the digital signal is too fragile. If you don't have the bandwidth in your processing, converting, or transmission equipment, you suffer from digital problems. Just like digital distortion is 10x worse of a sound than analog distortion is, in the audio world. Progressive Scan DVD's look phenominal on my projector, and that's just straight component out of my DVD, through my receiver, and into my projector. HBO HD and Skinamax HD both look even better. The broadcast channels I do get often are crap. I've been reading several forums about my local HD channels and their problems, and it seems that most of the problems are originating either with the network feed, for which I hear nothing about, at the station when they upconvert(worthless-ize), or at the transmitter. So I'm guessing DTV is just too new and hasn't had all the kinks worked out before it was pressed into action.

Just a follow -up, I auditioned the Plus Piano avanti
yesterday and I was impressed. At $5000 plus CDN retail this unit really kicks ass. Definatly kicks the Dream vision and is running close to the infocus ls 110

Price is also controlled by the complany so no internet whores!