Projector owners advice.

[sabotg]

I have on older Hitachi RPTV and was thinking about the possibility of going to a front projector. At 2,699 the Panasonic PTAE2000u is looking pretty good but I've also heard that your screen can be as important as the projector you're using with it. So here are some of my questions.

1. Most of the higher installations use stewart filmscreen but those things can even outprice the projectors. What other brands have you used that kick azz. (Thinking 106")

2. What is your experience with lamp life? The panny replacement lamps are $400 a pop.

3. Is anyone doing a 25-35ft HDMI run? Do you see any snow or artifacting.

4. If and when I do the install I'm planning on having an electrician install a ceiling socket near the projector. Anyone do this and have a cost estimation?

5. If you have positive comments on your upgrade to front projection or have a good installer/electrician in the Seattle area let me know.

Thanks again pokies for all your help.

[Grimster74]

I have on older Hitachi RPTV and was thinking about the possibility of going to a front projector. At 2,699 the Panasonic PTAE2000u is looking pretty good but I've also heard that your screen can be as important as the projector you're using with it. So here are some of my questions.

1. Most of the higher installations use stewart filmscreen but those things can even outprice the projectors. What other brands have you used that kick azz. (Thinking 106")

2. What is your experience with lamp life? The panny replacement lamps are $400 a pop.

3. Is anyone doing a 25-35ft HDMI run? Do you see any snow or artifacting.

4. If and when I do the install I'm planning on having an electrician install a ceiling socket near the projector. Anyone do this and have a cost estimation?

5. If you have positive comments on your upgrade to front projection or have a good installer/electrician in the Seattle area let me know.

Thanks again pokies for all your help.

#1 Answer: Look into Elite Screens, best bang for the buck out there in my opinion if your not going the DIY route

#2 Answer: Haven't had to replace a lamp yet but 2000-3000 hours lamp life seems pretty decent, I've had my projector for close to a year now and I think I only have like 500 hours on it

#3 Answer: 25 foot run and see not artifacting what so ever, just make sure you get a pretty decent cable for the run, mine is a Monoprice HDMI

#4 Answer: I installed my own so I can't help as far as electricians and there hourly rate

#5 Answer: Once you go with a FP, movies have a whole new meaning. I find it hard to watch a movie on the 62" DLP I have upstairs now.

[sabotg]

Thanks Grimster! What projector are you using?

[Grimster74]

I have the Epson HC1080P throwing a 92" image on an Elite Screen from a projector mounted distance of just over 10 feet. Just click the link below for pics.

[sabotg]

Sweet! Great job. Very Clean. Screen image looks great. I'll need to get some blackout shades like that for my setup.

[Lost240]

I've had great luck with a home made fixed 100" projector screen

[kuntasensei]

I'll second the Elite Screens suggestion. I'm running a Sanyo PLV-Z2000 on their MaxWhite material (100") from 13' away and absolutely love the picture I'm getting.

Not sure what lamp life is like on the Pannys, but with my Sanyo PLV-Z3, I got 3,300 hours out of my first bulb running it in eco mode. Only reason I ended up changing it was for fear of the lamp popping. It had dimmed some, but was still quite watchable. The Pannys use a higher wattage bulb if I recall correctly, so I'm not sure what kind of lamp life you'll see... but you should get a good bit of usage out of it.

[Sherardp]

Go for the Carada and be done, its more on par with Stewart Screens. Little more money but its an excellent value and they look awesome. If you can step ya budget up go for the Panny, Epson 1080 UB, or the JVC HD1.