OK, I'm breaking down and want to buy a projector, what else do I need?

[Tonepub]

Hey guys:

Give me some advice....

After all these years I'm going to add video to the system. I have a Luxman universal player (older) that only has component outputs, so I know I need some kind of Blue Ray player as well....

So, I'd love to hear some advice on projectors and if I'm just hooking up a Blu Ray player to said projector, do I need a processor too and if so, why?

Last but not least, I've got room for a 100" screen, so your thoughts here will be much appreciated.

thanks!

[Masterlu]

Now your talking!

Alot depends on the projector; and your budget. Tell me more...

[Tonepub]

Not sure about budget yet. Because of my room setup, I'm going to live with 2.1 (at least for until I have the money for three more channels of Burmester...

[Masterlu]

Can't really tell you much, projectors range from a couple thousand to a couple hundred thousand.

Processors are pretty much a must too, although they aren't as expensive as they once were.

Even a good screen can get fairly expensive, especially if it's electric.

Alot will depend on how critical you are of the image. I am very picky, for years my audio over-powered my video. Now, I can finally say my video is on par with the audio.

[Tonepub]

At this point, I'm only moderately critical. What I'm most curious about is what you get as you go up the ladder on projectors...

I've seen the Meridian that's about 200k and that's way overkill for my needs. I saw a nice setup at CEDIA last year in the Paradigm room that was about 25k for everything, electronics, speakers, projector proc. and screen and that was very nice.

Also, what does a processor do that you don't get from just plugging your Blu Ray player into the projector?

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by tonepub

Also, what does a processor do that you don't get from just plugging your Blu Ray player into the projector?

I'm wondering about this too. If we are watching 1080p contents, wouldn't plugging a blu-ray directly into a projector be the cleanest route? I image a processor would be needed for those that watch a lot of DVDs or less-than-1080p contents.

[Masterlu]

The processor does alot for you:

Here are the Key Features of my Lumagen:

- HD analog/digital inputs with transcoding and scaling
- SD analog/digital inputs with transcoding and scaling
- SD and HD per-pixel motion adaptive deinterlacing
- User adjustable image enhancement
- Transcode Component and RGB analog HD sources
- Component and DVI inputs auto-switch between SD and HD source modes.
- DVI input accepts 480/576i, 1080i, 1080p24, 480p to 720p input formats
- Source aspect ratio selectable as 4:3, letter-box, 16:9 and 1.85
- Programmable output aspect ratio from 1.33 to 2.35
- Panamorph mode 1 and 2 compatibility
- Zoom in any source up to 33%
- RS232 interface for field upgradeability and control
- NTSC, PAL and SECAM auto-detection
- 3D comb filter for Svideo and Composite inputs
- Programmable output resolution from 480p to 1080p, plus 1080i
- 10 bit DAC for analog outputs - Four configuration memories per input
- All setup parameters are unique for each memory.
- Can correct for red or green push in a display
- Input-cropping, black, contrast, color and hue setup
- Adjustable non-linear stretch display mode
- Y/C-delay calibration.
- Primary gamut correction
- 2/5/11 point parametric grayscale calibration
- Gamma calibration
- CUE and ICP filtering
- Extensive suite of built-in test patterns
- Programmable input and output color-space
- 2:2, 3:2, 3:3 pull-down for film sources
- True 24 fps

Input configurability:
- Inputs 1-4 can be DVI, HDMI 444 or 422 component, RGBHV
- Input 5 can be Component (HD/SD), Scart (uses in7 for CVS) RGBS, RGsB
- Input 6 can be Component (HD/SD), Scart, RGBS, RGsB - Input 7 always Composite
- Input 8,9 can be SVideo or Composite
- Input 10 can be SDI or Composite (uses CVS on in6 for Composite)

- Output resolution up to 1080p for analog and digital outputs
- Sharpness control on all input sources (only on S-Video and composite for VisionDVI)
- 1080i deinterlacing at up to 1080p output
- 10 bit DAC with oversampling for analog outputs
- 3D comb filter for Svideo and Composite inputs
- 2 more DVI inputs, 1 SDI input and analog BNC outputs standard

[dpgstereo]

If you are looking for a front projector for $15,000 or less, check out Home Theater Magazine. This seems to be their nitch and do a lot of review of new products in this price range. Many 1080P projectors in this range.

Good Luck!

[KahunaCanuck]

I have a JVC RS2 I picked up last year...there are newer versions, I paid around the 5k mark for it. In that range I liked Sony, Panasonic & Marantz, but found the JVC the best bang for your buck, imho! I run an electric drop screen but you can save with a mounted wall type. Depending on your room, if you can control the light you shouldn't need too much gain. Once you have a PJ though, you won't look back!!!

[1KW]

Originally Posted by tonepub

At this point, I'm only moderately critical. What I'm most curious about is what you get as you go up the ladder on projectors...

I've seen the Meridian that's about 200k and that's way overkill for my needs. I saw a nice setup at CEDIA last year in the Paradigm room that was about 25k for everything, electronics, speakers, projector proc. and screen and that was very nice.

Also, what does a processor do that you don't get from just plugging your Blu Ray player into the projector?

I have Paradigm speakers in my home theater and I have been happy; they are fine for movies, tv and concert music. My DLP projector is a HD Mitsubishi projector, as far as I am concerned the best quality is the diamond series. I am not trying to brag, but the picture is better than my friends Runco and it is a 1/4 the price. It seems Mitsubishi is now more into LCD Home Theater Projectors - DLP projectors and HD projectors from Mitsubishi Digital Electronics. My blu ray 1080 is plugged directly to my projector, cable box and divvx player are via component cables switched via my hometheater processor as they are not 1080