720p projector vs 1080p projector

[rick]

I have a Mitsubishi HC1500 720p 1080i projector with a panasonic DMP BD80 blu-ray hooked up to it and was thinking about getting a 1080p projector.Does the 1080p projectors have that much of a better picture to make the upgrade.The picture I am getting now with my projector is really good and I was just wondering if it would be that much of a difference for the money. I am talking about the ones in the price range of 2000.00. I would like the thoughts of those who have had both 720p and 1080p projectors.
Thanks,Rick

[MrBoylan]

I have a Mitsubishi HC1500 720p 1080i projector with a panasonic DMP BD80 blu-ray hooked up to it and was thinking about getting a 1080p projector.Does the 1080p projectors have that much of a better picture to make the upgrade.The picture I am getting now with my projector is really good and I was just wondering if it would be that much of a difference for the money. I am talking about the ones in the price range of 2000.00. I would like the thoughts of those who have had both 720p and 1080p projectors.
Thanks,Rick

Hi, Rick,

My partner on BPBS (the other co-founder), Joe Lozito upgraded last year from a 720p Sanyo projector to a 1080p Sanyo projector and he loves it. Much sharper, more cinematic image. Whether you immediately see a big difference or not is going to depend on how big the screen is and how far away you sit. In his case, he's about 12 feet away from a 100-inch screen and the difference was immediately obvious, specifically on Blu-ray Discs (1080p and 1080i sources) and HD cable (1080i source). Standard def stuff didn't benefit as much from the upgrade.

Also, keep in mind that different imaging technologies will affect how good the image looks as well, perhaps as much or more than the resolution. DLP projectors like yours typically reproduce black levels better than some LCD projectors, but single chip DLP projectors can suffer from something called "Rainbow Effect" (RBE) - a smearing of colors on fast-moving images. This is caused by the spinning color wheel that adds color to the projected image.

Most of the LCD home theater projectors use 3-chip imaging assemblies (one each for red, green and blue) so they don't need color wheels (and won't have RBE). Also, recent advances in LCD projection technology have made LCD projectors much more competitive in their contrast ratios in the last couple of years.

Some good inexpensive 1080p 3LCD projectors include the Panasonic PT-AE3000, Epson 6100 and UB7500, Sanyo PLV-Z700 and PLV-Z3000. The Panasonic has a neat feature for fixed height ultra wide screen implementations called "zoom memory." This allows you to zoom Cinemascope movies (2.35:1) to fill an entire 2.35:1 projection screen with no black borders at the top and bottom (without stretching or distorting the image). You can store one zoom memory for 2.35:1 movies and another setting for 16:9 movies and get the exact right picture size at the touch of a button. Most other projectors require you get a separate anamorphic lens and processor in order to support fixed height ultrawide screens.

The Sanyo PLV-Z3000 is unique in offering a 5:5 120 Hz pulldown feature (similar to LCD flat panels) which allows you to see 24 FPS film motion as God intended (or at least as the director intended).

One place I recommend for online purchase of these projectors is B&H here in New York City - they're authorized delaers with good service and low prices. Here are some links to some good 1080p 3LCD projectors:

• Sanyo | PLV-Z700 Full HD 1080p Home Theater Projector | PLV-Z700
• Sanyo | 120hz FULL HD 1080P LCD FRONT PROJ. | PLV-Z3000 | B&H
• Epson | PowerLite Home Cinema 6100 Projector | V11H291120 | B&H
• Epson | PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB Projector | V11H292020
• Panasonic | 1600 ANSI LUMENS HD LCD LCD PROJECTOR | PT-AE3000U

Hope that helps.

Regards,

-Chris

[rick]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the reply.I have been looking at all five of the projectors that you posted.I have a 110 inch screen and set about 14 to 15 feet away from the screen.I like the features of the panasonic with the removal of the black borders but I also like the sanyo plv-z3000.I guess I will have to think on it a little more. Thanks for the help.
Rick

[Jason]

Thanks for your introduction. Both Panasonic and sanyo plv-z3000 have good features. Will try one of them when the price drop under $1000.