Widescreen TV or Projector?

I have a few thousand to spend, and am looking forward to starting to put together a nice home theater. From what I've read, a CRT projector is quite desirable, but they're pretty pricey. I know that an LCD projector is brighter with lower resolution than a CRT, but how does an LCD compare with a widescreen TV, e.g. Toshiba's 62" model (re:resolution, pleasing display)? Actually, any feedback on projectors vs. TV's would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

If I were you I would get a HDTV 16:9 set. Toshiba makes some pretty good HDTV sets. The best HDTV set would be the 64" Pioneer ELITE. I have heard it has outstanding picture quality. Also, like I said, Toshiba makes some good ones too. This is my opinion on what you should get. Hope this helps.

It's sort of something I'm debating too. I'm shooting for a 50+ inch, under $8000 display + DTV tuner.

For me, a CRT projector is kind of expensive, needs a pretty dark room, and needs major professional tuning before I could use it. LCD projectors, there's a Sharp one that looks decent, but doesn't display the full resolution of a 16x9 anamorphic image, which defeats the purpose of my wanting a new display. There's the Sony VPL-W400Q that gets lots of coverage at thebigpicturedvd.com, but there's a couple of compromise that you can find out about at their site. To it's credit, it's a great deal and does do anamorphic DVDs at full resolution. Then there's the Sony KLW-9000 16x9 LCD display, which would be great if the resolution could be higher. Plus, LCDs tend to display a slight screen door effect.

Then there are rear projection sets. I'm looking into the upcoming lines from Mitsu, Panasonic, and Toshiba with a lot of interest. Panasonic seems to be my leader right now since it'll natively resolve 720p. They're all big and bulky and require some pro adjustments, which isn't a huge deal, but is a slight concern.

Then there's the Dreamvision DLP projector reviewed recently in Home Theater magazine. Too bad it isn't evident if it'll do HDTV of any sort or not. The review was quite glowing. I'm more apt to look into DLP than LCD for light weight displays. TI's website has a lot of info on DLP. Too bad Mitsubishi's line of DLP DTV projection sets aren't going to be out for another year. They'd be my first choice on specs alone.

It always seems like I'm sitting on my ass waiting for something down the line

[This message has been edited by Han (edited 08-26-1999).]

I'd also go with a new generation digital (Sony WEGA) or "HDTV" 16x9 TV!
Sony also now produce a stunning 16x9 rear projection TV - I was dumbfounded, especially having thought that rear projection TVs were such overpriced crap throughout the years!!

As for projectors?? Oh, c'mon! Let's face facts people, video (VHS,LD,DVD)was NEVER really meant to be projected!!

Randall,

FPTVs are pretty pricey new, but you can find refurbished/B-stock CRT FPTVs at prices comparable to DTV RPTVs. Of course FPTVs don't come with speakers, tuners, and goodies like PIP that regular TVs do.

You need to look at actual LCD FPTVs to see how they compare to DTV RPTVs. They are usually resolution limited for HD material, but are portable and have minimal maintenance.

Maintenance/setup on CRT FPTV is largely overrated. It takes some education and a little effort, but is not much more difficult to setup than programming a VCR to tape off air, and set the clock. Or you can have an expert set it up for a couple hundred dollars if you are not technically inclined.

Han,

For $8K you could get one heck of a used FPTV setup, but if light control is an issue, RPTVs are very good as well.

The Sony W400Q is one of the better portable FPTVs available for video and downconverted HDTV.
It's replacement (VPL-VW10HT) has been announced for a November release in Japan at around $5660, and it will display 1280 X 720p+ natively with 1000 lumens output.
http://www.sony.co.jp/sd/CorporateCr...99908/99-0818/

It is uncertain when the model will be available in the U.S., or what the price will be, but it looks pretty impressive.

I have the Sony KL-W9000 RPTV and it looks extremely good with progressive DVD from a computer, has no visible screen door effect from normal viewing distance, and is quite a bargain at under $2200. The picture quality with regular NTSC material is comparable to regular RPTVs.

The DTV RPTVs do have higher resolution output for HD images than LCD displays, but most don't accept computer input. So it's a trade-off between future flexibility and consumer features.

The Dreamvision is essentially a Davis 450 at twice the price. It has a 800 X 600 DLP chip and a 16:9 video mode. The Davis 650 has a 1024 X 768 DLP chip, but no 16:9 mode.
Both the 450 and 650 are slated for replacement soon, and apparently the 650's successor will have the higher res DLP chip AND 16:9 mode support.

DVD Addict,

It's interesting that in one line you say that the new Sony 65" DTV RPTV looks great (which I won't contest), and then you say that NTSC material was never meant to be projected.

Well, it's true that NTSC was never really planned to be shown larger than 19", but RPTVs are essentially just FPTVs in a box, and they look great at their full size with a internal line doubler and NTSC material.

A FPTV with a good scaler and a 16:9 DVD source approaches the quality of film, and the immersive feel of a 84"+ screen unmistakably defines Home Theater at it's best.

-Dean.

Dean, Referring to used CRT front projectors, I'm not a fan of used products. Sorry, just a hang up for me I guess.

I did see the new Sony VPL-VW10HT projector was recently announced (though I only noticed it about a half an hour after I posted my previous message). So taking my foot out of my mouth to speak, I must say I'm really excited about those specs. Pretty much everything I want. I hope thebigpicture gets it ASAP for reviewing. If it performs the way I hope it will, it's definitely going to be my top choice.

Han,

I preordered my VPL-VW10HT today.

Sure it's not official in the U.S. yet (it should be formally announced in the U.S. on Sept 23rd at Cedia'99), and the domestic price has not been set (nor ship date given), but unless they have horrible quality problems, or it is priced unreasonably, the VPL-VW10HT will set a new standard for price/performance for HT FPTVs.

I'm sold.

-Dean.