My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the best
choice at that point.

Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
(Cheaper is fine!)

Usage will be DVD (movies) 85%, Sky 10% and games - PS2 and PC - for the
rest.

Permanent installation and in a controlled environment- ie my HT room, so
looks/size are of no concern and ambient light can be controlled.
Oh-and I'm not wedded to any technology-type :-)

Many thanks for all suggestions
-P

From:	Aaron Lawrence
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:29:16 +1300

Suddenly, Pleb Plebian sprang forth and uttered these pithy words:
> My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the best
> choice at that point.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
> (Cheaper is fine!)

Harvey Norman had some AE-500's at precisely that price.

- it got good all-round reviews on projectorcentral.com
- I could see that it looked good in the shop
- HN are a big outfit, likely to be round for a while;
(I had some minor issues with a Onkyo receiver from them, the second
time they replaced it, no complaints)

Personally I waited for the AE-700, because it added more zoom and lens-
shift. These are very practical features because it means you can fit it
in many more different rooms. (Its also slightly brighter and higher
contrast).

I chose not to go for a DLP projector because of the risk of rainbow
issues (for the affordable units); even though it's a low risk for a
particular individual, with a nice device like this you want to be able
to share it with friends, without worrying that someone might find it
unwatchable.

I find the AE-700 to be stunning in all respects; except I would like
darker blacks still.

--
aaronl at consultant dot com
For every expert, there is an equal and
opposite expert. - Arthur C. Clarke

From:	Brian Withers
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 21:43:34 +1300

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:29:16 +1300, Aaron Lawrence
wrote:

>Suddenly, Pleb Plebian sprang forth and uttered these pithy words:
>> My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the best
>> choice at that point.
>>
>> Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
>> (Cheaper is fine!)
>
>Harvey Norman had some AE-500's at precisely that price.
>
>- it got good all-round reviews on projectorcentral.com
>- I could see that it looked good in the shop
>- HN are a big outfit, likely to be round for a while;
>(I had some minor issues with a Onkyo receiver from them, the second
>time they replaced it, no complaints)
>
>Personally I waited for the AE-700, because it added more zoom and lens-
>shift. These are very practical features because it means you can fit it
>in many more different rooms. (Its also slightly brighter and higher
>contrast).
>
>I chose not to go for a DLP projector because of the risk of rainbow
>issues (for the affordable units); even though it's a low risk for a
>particular individual, with a nice device like this you want to be able
>to share it with friends, without worrying that someone might find it
>unwatchable.
>
>I find the AE-700 to be stunning in all respects; except I would like
>darker blacks still.

This is what my TV Expert uses, a Kiwi Cable developer.

http://www.videoprojectors.co.nz/Sony/Sony_hs20.htm

No its not a DLP one..

From:	Scott
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 08:54:18 +1300

"Pleb Plebian" wrote in message
news:1106498082.576520@ftpsrv1...
> My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the best
> choice at that point.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
> (Cheaper is fine!)
>
> Usage will be DVD (movies) 85%, Sky 10% and games - PS2 and PC - for the
> rest.
>
> Permanent installation and in a controlled environment- ie my HT room, so
> looks/size are of no concern and ambient light can be controlled.
> Oh-and I'm not wedded to any technology-type :-)
>
> Many thanks for all suggestions
> -P
>
http://www.ausmedia.com.au/panasonicae500.htm

Given the exchange rate at the moment you're looking at $3238+gst which
pushes you up to $3642 +shipping But still you get the 700 at maybe $300
more than your budget, depending how the shipping pans out. Which is
certainly better than the 5K locally.

Alternatively buy a ticket to Sydney or Melbourne find a Harvey Norman and
pick one up for 3K, have lunch fly home pick up some duty free, you may or
may not be hit with GST, and you'll still be a grand in front.

I believe the decent (based on reviews not personal experience) alternatives
are the Hitachi and Infocus 4805. If it was me I'd try and stretch the
budget for the 700.

From:	E. Scrooge
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 09:29:33 +1300

"Scott" wrote in message
news:K4TId.10731$mo2.822515@news.xtra.co.nz...
>
> "Pleb Plebian" wrote in message
> news:1106498082.576520@ftpsrv1...
> > My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the
best
> > choice at that point.
> >
> > Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
> > (Cheaper is fine!)
> >
> > Usage will be DVD (movies) 85%, Sky 10% and games - PS2 and PC - for the
> > rest.
> >
> > Permanent installation and in a controlled environment- ie my HT room,
so
> > looks/size are of no concern and ambient light can be controlled.
> > Oh-and I'm not wedded to any technology-type :-)
> >
> > Many thanks for all suggestions
> > -P
> >
> http://www.ausmedia.com.au/panasonicae500.htm
>
> Given the exchange rate at the moment you're looking at $3238+gst which
> pushes you up to $3642 +shipping But still you get the 700 at maybe $300
> more than your budget, depending how the shipping pans out. Which is
> certainly better than the 5K locally.
>
> Alternatively buy a ticket to Sydney or Melbourne find a Harvey Norman and
> pick one up for 3K, have lunch fly home pick up some duty free, you may or
> may not be hit with GST, and you'll still be a grand in front.
>
> I believe the decent (based on reviews not personal experience)
alternatives
> are the Hitachi and Infocus 4805. If it was me I'd try and stretch the
> budget for the 700.

If you have to fly round to get it cheap you can't think that the projector
is ever going to be good value in the first place.
Obviously those with plenty of DVDs are going to get far more use and real
enjoyment value out of a projector than the person that hardly uses one.
There's also bound to be far better projectors in at least 5 years time, the
best today simply won't match up to them.
What "Pleb" has chosen should do the job until they later get round to
having to replace it. To have a projector or not to have a projector, makes
the choice a lot easier. And not all projectors on demo are setup to give
the best results, such displays need checking from time to time to see any
differences even amongst the same models.

And after flying to Aussie to get it a bit cheaper, if it should have a
serious fault getting it replaced won't be as easy as just walking in to
swap it for another one. Which a good store will do. Look at "L. O."
articles of experiences after buying an DVD recorder. He would've had a
great time after flying over to Australia just to buy the thing cheaper.
LOL

E. Scrooge

From:	Scott
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 14:46:25 +1300

snip>

> And after flying to Aussie to get it a bit cheaper, if it should have a
> serious fault getting it replaced won't be as easy as just walking in to
> swap it for another one. Which a good store will do. Look at "L. O."
> articles of experiences after buying an DVD recorder. He would've had a
> great time after flying over to Australia just to buy the thing cheaper.
> LOL
>
> E. Scrooge
>
Yes, more just making the point of there seems to be something a little out
with the Australian/NZ pricing on the 700.
There may be a bit of leeway with bargining locally perhaps? (about $1500!)
Not sure if the Australian units would come with an international warranty
and even if it did if the NZ service agent would accept it, as they may
consider it a parallel import and not accept it for service full stop.

Trade Me usually has a few people climbing out of the 500, but then you run
the same risk with reliabilty/faults...

See if HN have any 500's on runout and whack it on 2yrs int free :)

From:	E. Scrooge
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 16:34:30 +1300

"Scott" wrote in message
news:PeYId.10824$mo2.829993@news.xtra.co.nz...
> snip>
>
>> And after flying to Aussie to get it a bit cheaper, if it should have a
>> serious fault getting it replaced won't be as easy as just walking in to
>> swap it for another one. Which a good store will do. Look at "L. O."
>> articles of experiences after buying an DVD recorder. He would've had a
>> great time after flying over to Australia just to buy the thing cheaper.
>> LOL
>>
>> E. Scrooge
>>
> Yes, more just making the point of there seems to be something a little
> out
> with the Australian/NZ pricing on the 700.
> There may be a bit of leeway with bargining locally perhaps? (about
> $1500!)
> Not sure if the Australian units would come with an international warranty
> and even if it did if the NZ service agent would accept it, as they may
> consider it a parallel import and not accept it for service full stop.
>
> Trade Me usually has a few people climbing out of the 500, but then you
> run
> the same risk with reliabilty/faults...
>
> See if HN have any 500's on runout and whack it on 2yrs int free :)

I was checking to see how many lumins the 500 is rated at, I don't think
it's very high. This owner review was first up with the bulb only lasting
350 hours. There may be reasons for the early failure, might've been a shop
demo that's done a lot more hours before it was sold.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews71825.html

The Mitsubishi models get good mentions. Anything that that shows good
colours and closest to a displaying a real black colour has to be the main
thing, nothing that gives a washed out looking display.

E. Scrooge

From:	BB
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 20:40:58 +1300

I can only recommend the Epson TW10H. Nice price and it works really well -
and it's quiet. Mines ceiling mounted with a $28 speaker bracket from
Jaycar.

Why spend top dollar when you don't have to.

BB
NZ

--

"Pleb Plebian" wrote in message
news:1106498082.576520@ftpsrv1...
> My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the best
> choice at that point.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
> (Cheaper is fine!)
>
> Usage will be DVD (movies) 85%, Sky 10% and games - PS2 and PC - for the
> rest.
>
> Permanent installation and in a controlled environment- ie my HT room, so
> looks/size are of no concern and ambient light can be controlled.
> Oh-and I'm not wedded to any technology-type :-)
>
> Many thanks for all suggestions
> -P
>
>

From:	cowboyz
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 21:26:44 +1300

"BB" wrote in message news:41f4a688$1@clear.net.nz...
>I can only recommend the Epson TW10H. Nice price and it works really well -
>and it's quiet. Mines ceiling mounted with a $28 speaker bracket from
>Jaycar.
>
> Why spend top dollar when you don't have to.
>
> BB
> NZ
>
> --
>
>
>
> "Pleb Plebian" wrote in message
> news:1106498082.576520@ftpsrv1...
>> My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the best
>> choice at that point.
>>
>> Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
>> (Cheaper is fine!)
>>
>> Usage will be DVD (movies) 85%, Sky 10% and games - PS2 and PC - for the
>> rest.
>>
>> Permanent installation and in a controlled environment- ie my HT room, so
>> looks/size are of no concern and ambient light can be controlled.
>> Oh-and I'm not wedded to any technology-type :-)
>>
>> Many thanks for all suggestions
>> -P
>>
>>

I went for a $2000 panasonic after being advised they were complete crapTM
and even the saleman told me I wouldn't be happy unless I was spending at
least $5000. I couldn't be happier with it.

From:	E. Scrooge
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:16:03 +1300

"cowboyz" wrote in message news:ct2bg6$q8$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
> "BB" wrote in message news:41f4a688$1@clear.net.nz...
>>I can only recommend the Epson TW10H. Nice price and it works really
>>well - and it's quiet. Mines ceiling mounted with a $28 speaker bracket
>>from Jaycar.
>>
>> Why spend top dollar when you don't have to.
>>
>> BB
>> NZ
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>> "Pleb Plebian" wrote in message
>> news:1106498082.576520@ftpsrv1...
>>> My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the
>>> best
>>> choice at that point.
>>>
>>> Does anyone have any thoughts on other machines up to that price point?
>>> (Cheaper is fine!)
>>>
>>> Usage will be DVD (movies) 85%, Sky 10% and games - PS2 and PC - for the
>>> rest.
>>>
>>> Permanent installation and in a controlled environment- ie my HT room,
>>> so
>>> looks/size are of no concern and ambient light can be controlled.
>>> Oh-and I'm not wedded to any technology-type :-)
>>>
>>> Many thanks for all suggestions
>>> -P
>>>
>>>
>
>
> I went for a $2000 panasonic after being advised they were complete crapTM
> and even the saleman told me I wouldn't be happy unless I was spending at
> least $5000. I couldn't be happier with it.

Fair enough. The biggest difference is in the price. There's trade offs
back and forth. A slightly higher resolutltion, but then it's not as bright
PTAE 500 rated at something like 850 Lumens. Budget projectors vary around
1200 and 1400 Lumens, more forgiving if the room isn't completely dark.
And then 3 to 4 years down the track, you might want one that's not only a
lot better, but also at a good cheap price. More than likely people will
have their screen longer than they'll have their first projector for.
When looking at different ones all showing the same video (HN has 4 going at
once onto 4 screens), the ones that show darker blacks and richer colours
and better looking face colour and more impressive than a slightly higher
resolution.
Also by themselves they're all going to look impressive enough if adjusted
to get the best out of them, as long as they're in very dark room.
Around $2,000 appears to give good results. $5,000 up should give
outstanding results and should be well ahead of the budget ones with large
Plasma TV like picture rich colour picture quality. In a few years time
they'll all most likely be a lot better.

E. Scrooge

From:	Pleb Plebian
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 15:33:09 +1300

From:	Dave - Dave.net.nz
Subject:	Re: Any thoughts on a Projector?
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 08:27:49 +1300

Pleb Plebian wrote:
> My budget's up to about $3.5K - the Panasonic PTAE500 looks like the best
> choice at that point.

> Oh-and I'm not wedded to any technology-type :-)

hmmm, with regards to your last comment...
might not be what you're interested in, but a fun project none the less...

"Build your own XGA projector"
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20041113/index.html
"Build your own XGA projector II"
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20041201/index.html