Time for a new Front Projector

[Ron-P]

A couple of weeks ago my aging Panasonic 200u LCD had a pixel freeze up, green, right in the middle of the screen, it was quite noticeable. A few days later the brightness of that green pixel dropped by 50% so I've been able to live with it and not run out and buy a new PJ right off.

Doing some research the top contender is the Sanyo Z3 for $1,485 over at ProjectorPeople.com (where I bought my Panny).

The Z3 has a 3 year warranty where as my Panny only had a 1 year. My current Panny is only 2+ years old with 700 hours on it. For this reason I will not buy another Panny. I want better coverage. Even the newer Panny's only have a 1 year.

The Z3 is HD ready with a rez of 1280 x 720 where as my Panny is only 858x484. The Z3 is a much better PJ in all aspects over my Panny and should give me a much better image. It also has an HDMI input so I'll be upgrading my DVD player as well.

I'll be buying with in the next couple of weeks so I'll post my thoughts on it once it's up and running.

[kberg]

I believe if you wait a bit longer that frozen pixel will go black and might not be noticeable at all (unless you're looking for it) - I believe that's what eventually happens to frozen pixels, right? If so, you might be able to live with the lost pixel for a lot longer!

[nadams]

Stuck pixels do not always burn out. My uncle had an old laptop that had a blue pixel for about 5 years. I couldn't stand it, but he never seemed to notice.. I guess that's all that matters.

I've been lucky with computer LCDs... I've only had one w/ a stuck pixel, and it's only noticeable if the screen is black. As for TVs... don't really have much experience.

[Ron-P]

It may die or it may stay, that's anyone's guess. But now that I've been shopping, I want to upgrade. I can't turn back now. :) Heck, I already ordered the ceiling mount for the Z3 and I don't even have the PJ yet. The snowball is headed down hill and cannot be stopped, it's just going to get bigger.

I cannot stand looking at the forzen pixel, it's all I can focus on during a movie, can I see it or can't I? It's time to upgrade.

[Toxis]

Hitachi PJ-TX100. But that's just me. I'm not into data projectors.

[Ron-P]

The Z3 is not a data projector, it's a home theater projector if that is what you were getting at.

Secondly, I've never delt with a Hitachi product and there support bass in this hobby is almost nill from the research I've been doing. I don't see many people with their PJs and I want to stick with something popular due to the availability of tweaking info.

The contrast ratio is much less on that Hitachi (1200:1) vr the Z3 (2000:1), the warranty is only 1 year compared to the Z3's 3 year and the Hitachi does not have an HDMI input. Sure, it looks like an ok projector for the money (about $1,200) but the Sanyo looks to be a better PJ for a couple more Franklins.

[kberg]

I cannot stand looking at the forzen pixel, it's all I can focus on during a movie, can I see it or can't I? It's time to upgrade.

I hear ya - and I'll confess that I would probably be doing the same thing if I had that problem.

[del44]

Hey Ron, post your comments on the PQ with the Z3 compared to the Panny. I'm just about ready to bite the bullet and get a FP. I'm not sure on which one to get as of yet. Also,what size screen are you using? Enjoy!

[Toxis]

I hope you're not going off Contrast Ratio alone. That is a pretty worthless stat IMO. Kinda like looking at wattage on an HTiB.

[Tritonman]

Hey Ron, post your comments on the PQ with the Z3 compared to the Panny. I'm just about ready to bite the bullet and get a FP. I'm not sure on which one to get as of yet. Also,what size screen are you using? Enjoy!

Ive done a ton of research and thread reading. If you let me know what your budget is on a projector and the size of a screen you would like..I would be more than happy to offer some suggestions for you.

Here is a great site to start with on your projector search.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/


And Ron..Good Luck with your new projector!!!! I know you are probably going nuts waiting on the new one and dealing with the pixel. I know I would be going insane.

[goingganzo]

looks great for the price

[Ron-P]

Hey Ron, post your comments on the PQ with the Z3 compared to the Panny. I'm just about ready to bite the bullet and get a FP. I'm not sure on which one to get as of yet. Also,what size screen are you using? Enjoy!
I will. I am running an 85" screen.

I hope you're not going off Contrast Ratio alone. That is a pretty worthless stat IMO. Kinda like looking at wattage on an HTiB.
I agree and I am not. There are many more +'s to this unit, that is just one of them.

And Ron..Good Luck with your new projector!!!! I know you are probably going nuts waiting on the new one and dealing with the pixel. I know I would be going insane.
The pixel issue is not too bad at all, the brightness of it has faded so much it's hardly noticeable anymore. I just keep looking for it during a movie and that is more so the distraction. I watched Tommy Boy a couple of days ago and only noticed it once during the entire film. My friend did not see it at all. So, it's not a huge issue anymore and that is why I have not yet bought the Z3. I'm just taking my time still doing research and finding tweaking info to make setup faster when I do get it.

[PolkThug]

I hope you're not going off Contrast Ratio alone. That is a pretty worthless stat IMO. Kinda like looking at wattage on an HTiB.

+1Million

[Ron-P]

Well, the Z3 is one her way. She'll be here mid-next week.