CEDIA News: Sony, JVC & Mitsubishi Show Off New 1080p Projectors

As part of a continuing effort to offer heart-pounding big-screen excitement without the equally heart-stopping prices, Sony, JVC and Mitsubishi are coming out with new, better-performing 1080p front projectors at the same, or lower, prices as current models. The announcements were made at last week's CEDIA trade show in Denver.

These models, however, don't match the new entry-level 1080p price points previously announced at the show by companies including Epson, Optoma and Sanyo (see the previous CEDIA projector blog here.) They do, however, in some instances include higher-end features, such as name-brand video processors and bumped-up brightness and contrast ratios.

Sony hit the show with the news that it was already replacing its popular VPL-VW50 projector--CR’s highest-rated model--with a new one, the Bravia VPL-VW60. Despite improvements, which include better brightness, improved contrast and newly designed SXRD (LCoS) panels, it carries the same $5,000 price tag. Sony also showed a super-high-end model, the VPL-VW200, which will sell for about $15,000. The VW60 is available this month, while the VW200 debuts in November.

Mitsubishi also showed up with a replacement, the HC6000, which kicks the current HC5000 model to the curb starting next month. Priced less than $4,000, the 3LCD projector has an improved iris and better contrast, the company said, along with two HDMI connectors, a powered lens shift and zoom, and built-in Silicon Optix HQV video processing.

JVC took a slightly higher priced road with two 1080p three-chip D-ILA projectors that use new LCoS-based D-ILA chips and sport 30,000:1 native (not dynamic) contrast ratios, the company claimed. However, only one model--the DLA-HD100--is destined for traditional consumer electronics retail stores (the other will be sold to integrators and custom installers). Features include HDMI 1.3 inputs, built-in Gennum VXP video processing and the ability to stretch 2.35:1 images to fill 16:9 screens, thereby avoiding black bars above and below the image. Price wasn’t completely finalized, although the company said it would be somewhere south of $8,000 when it becomes available in November.

While 1080p is currently state of the art, JVC won the “spoiler” award at the show by offering a demo of an even higher resolution now on the horizon. Dubbed “Quad HD” by some as it boasts four times the resolution of 1080p projectors, the JVC prototype projector offered a 4000x2000p image that looked absolutely stunning. During its CEDIA press conference, JVC said the “4Kx2K” projector was initially being developed for professional applications, such as airline flight training, but that it could eventually find its way into home theaters. We can’t wait. On second thought, given the anticipated price, maybe we can.

--James K. Willcox

Comments

[Steve Dunn]

I have just set up a projector in my new "man cave" that I have been hoping to have for over 23 years. My son and I did a lot of research and this is what we came up with. I bought a refurbished Sharp XR10X (720p)projector for $475, a Focuspic screen that hangs from the ceiling for $120, a Onkyo SRT 600 HTIB- $269 and all of the cables (Approx $150) to attach the above aloong with an upcoverting Sony DVD player at $90.

We just got the whole thing set up and I have to say that the picture is gorgeous and the sound is incredible.

I also have a Sony Bravia 65" DLP rear projection HD TV (cost $4300) with a Denon 5.1 stereo system and speakers ( $1800 in total) and while the sharpness on the Sharp XR10x is not as good as the Sony TV, the overall viewing experience is much more rewarding as it really feels like you are in an old time Theatre. The detail from the projector is much , much better than I had thought it would be.

Perhaps most telling is that my three boys now want me to swap the Sharp projector and it's set up for the Sony TV and it's setup. That is not going to happen anytime soon. I fully expect that my man cave will now become the viewing center of choice in my family.

Forgetting the viewing quality issue, just the huge difference in price for the projector setup (about $1,150 with everything) versus the Sony TV setup ($6100- which would cost about $4000? today)indicates that I should have probably done the projector set up twice.

The primary drawback to the projector set up versus the HDTV set up is the need for a room you can control how much light comes into. If you do not have a way of managing light, you will get a less vivid picture than on the TV during the day. I have simple translucent window blinds on the two windows in the man cave and they block enough light to give you the theatre experience without stumbling around in the dark.

The biggest pluses of the projector set up is the mammoth size of the screen picture ( 100 inches diagonally) and the fact that the projector is ceiling mounted ( took about 10 minutes to install) the screen rolls up into it's case and the projector stays out of the way when not being used. The man cave can be used as an office and den without the feeling of sitting in a movie theatre when you don't want to. Also, the vividness of the picture does not fade as you move to the sides of the screen- it remains the same from any viewing angle, unlike the Sony, where there is a very marked drop off past a 45 degree angle from the screen.

I cannot wait to have my brother come see it. He spent many, many, many thousands of dollars to set up a screening room in his house compared to what I spent and I got 85 to 90% of what he got. No I don't have a remote that with one push of the button turns off the lights, fires up all of the equipment and starts the movie and the popcorn maker, but I am fine with having to turn the lights off, turn on the cable box, the DVD player and the projector and making the 12 foot walk to the screen and pulling it down along wht the window shades. Takes two minutes.

FYI the refurbished projector came with a full warranty and a brand new bulb. Works just fine.

[MEK]

You can get a high-quality projector for under $1000. It will not be 1080p; instead it will be 720. However, I can tell you that you will be stunned by the sharpness and beauty, especially at the 100' diagonal or more that is typical for projector viewing. I bought a Mitsubishi 1500C projector in December and we mostly watched football games on it. My friends and family fell in love with it and were especially excited when they realized how cost-effective projectors are compared to HDTVs. At this point, we are just projecting onto a blank wall, but I plan to make my own screen. The best resource I found in my research on projectors and screens was at avsforum.com. They have separate forums for Under $3000 projectors, high-end projectors, screens, and other relevant topics, as well as several forums for HDTVs and other audio/video topics. If you get started there, you will also see that 1080p projector prices are dropping and you can currently find a few for under $2,000.

[Randall]

How about a moderately priced projector suitable for outdoor use to simulate sitting out at the drive-in theater? The grandkids should get to also know the fun of watching movies outdoors in the summertime as a family. Any recommendations? I've the projection screen already.
Thank you!

[Katherine]

I am really interested in getting a projector system to replace my tv, especially in view of the space-saving benefits, though I don't need state-of-the-art. Does Consumer Reports plan on doing a comprehensive review and rating of projectors, including price/quality trade-offs and bulb life? Can one get a reasonably decent projector for less than the $4000 to $15,000 range mentioned in the article, "CEDIA News: Sony, JVC & Mitsubishi Show Off New 1080p Projectors"? Is there a good existing resource where one can find this information?

[John Hilb]

At the 42" diagonal neighborhood, I must agree that an LCD panel (or perhaps plasma) makes much more sense. I had a room (attic) in which I could use as a dedicated "Home Theater". I installed a JVC HD-1 1080P front projector, and a 130" diagonal screen, along with 7.1 surround sound. While the installation (I did everything myself, and bought everything on the Internet) was more effort than setting up a panel, the "wow" factor is beyond comparison. I typically watch blue-ray movies (rentals by mail from blockbuster) through a Sony PS-3, which provides a truly outstanding experience. HiDef cable football games are really something, also! Just as I found after using broadband, I could never revert back to a dial up service for the Internet, the same is true of a high-res big screen experience...you do not know what you are missing until you have it. The main requirement (other than money!) is that the room must be fairly dark, for the highest picture quality, which cannot always be easily achieved in a "family room" setting.

[Dave]

As a projector, I am looking at something in the $1K range, and I see that real quality may not start until $4K or more.
What is the downside of the basic projectors (1080 X 760) with 2500-3000 lumens for my home theater application?
Secondly, if I were to purchase one of these smaller priced projectors, which one would be the better quality for performance and longevity?
Last, I am thinking I could get away with projecting on painted drywall (with the special recommended paint) or us a large sheet of dry erase board. Which of these 'cheap' options are better and is there a better, 'cheap' way of getting it done??

I would appreciate comments from somebody, Thank You in advance!!

D E

[Deanna]

What is the best big screen for the buck? I am looking for a 40" or around there with high quality and lower price tag. We also use our tv for gaming with an XBox 360. I don't know what would be best plasma, lcd or hdtv.Any assistance would be appreciated.

Deanna Graham

[Ginger]

Is there a smaller, less expensive front projector? I don't need that bg of screen but would like to have the ability to put it away. I hqave a modest home with only one linving, dininge area, no family room.

[M Ezpinosa]

In a smaller multi-use environment, a projector hides away when not in use, so does the accompanying screen. There is no need to worry about putting a large TV as a "centerpiece" in a multi-use room. It takes up space, even when mounted on a wall. Some families prefer having family pictures on limited wall space. If one has a larger home with ample wall space or floor space, situating a large TV may not be a challenge.

Then there is the resolution versus size issue. Smaller screens are less susceptible to poor resolution while larger screens are capable of showing artifacts. 1080p is perfect for large screen viewing because of its higher resolution. At 50-inch and higher, 1080p really shows its strength. At everything smaller, 1080p benefit is less apparent. If one wants something that approximates or beats a move theater experience, nothing beats an 80-inch screen or a 100-inch screen in a moderate room.

For entertainment value, a $2000 projector can easily project a 100-inch diagonal image onto a good $2000 screen. That is 100-inch of 1080p resolution for $4000 vs. a 52-inch 1080p TV. 100-inch diagonal screen in 16:9 is approximately 87 inches by 49 inches. This brings home the enveloping cinematic experience. With a properly selected sound system, one can obtain an immersive experience at home that large commercial theaters can never hope to match. If movie watching is a strong hobby, one cannot go wrong with using a solid 1080p projector.

[Michael Bailey]

These are great items for the people with that much money, but I could get a nice 42" 1080p LCD for $1,500 or less and not have any installation problems to boot. Why buy these projectors for two or three times the price with more maintenance problems than the LCD?