Quote:
deano59 says...
"Does that mean that I don't need Lens shift? "
Usually if the top of the screen is parallel with the bottom (the bit nearest the roof if you have it mounted upside down) of the projector, you don't need lens shift. If you have very high ceilings and the top of the screen is quite a bit lower than the bottom of the projector then you probably should consider it.
Quote:
deano59 says...
"How big is your screen? How far back is your projector from the screen?"
My screen is 6ft 2in wide visible area (diagonal would be just under 84") excluding the black borders, and the projector is 10ft 3in away.
Optoma have a screen size calculator that lets you work this all out before you get it:
http://www.optoma.co.uk/distancecalc.aspx
Quote:
deano59 says...
"What is it like with Standard definition DVD?"
It's okay, when you are looking at small details it's a bit blurry. You notice the compression a little bit, but it's watchable. Standard def TV is much worse though as it's highly compressed.
HD TV though is nice. :) Freeview HD is very good.
Quote:
deano59 says...
"When you say DLP projectors don't suffer from judder in fast action sequences does that mean that LCD projectors are more prone to it?"
Well the problem depends what the cause is. Movies are shot at 24fps, so when you see pans at certain speeds you will notice judder, nothing is going to fix that completely.
There are techniques to reduce this, but I read they can be hit and miss, improving it in some places but making things worse in others. Just accept the fact that if you want an authentic cinema experience, then juddering on some pans is authentic and would be no different in the cinema.
If the judder is being caused by the screen not being able to update fast enough, then DLP by definition can't suffer from that because the technology is already updating the image at scarily fast rates to keep in sync with the colour wheel.
I understand LCDs can be susceptible to it, but I'd be surprised if any decent current LCD projector suffers from it.
Quote:
deano59 says...
"Any idea what it is like with video games like xbox and PS3/4? "
Alas all I have connected to it is a Wii, but I can tell you Mario Kart is beautiful. :) I'm sure it's even more amazing with an HD console. This 3D Optima (and the 2D one I replaced it with) are, in a dark enough room, as colour rich and sharp as watching a modern LCD TV.
I can see them inducing motion sickness for certain games though, with a big screen.
Quote:
deano59 says...
"Unfortunatley all my surround kit although good 10 years ago is now completely out of date - do you go the seperates route and if so which receiver and speaker package would you recommend."
I'm a big fan of Marantz amps, but other people swear by Yamaha. I think it's probably a personal choice.
I'd upgrade bit by bit, first get a 7.1 amp that has HDMI switching and Audyssey or equivalent for automatically setting up levels via a special mic, then I'd hunt down speaker deals at Richer Sounds for any bits you want to replace.
Just because your speakers are 10 years old doesn't mean you need to replace them!
If you are finding dialog hard to hear (even after raising the level a bit higher than the front mains) then consider replacing your centre speaker. Likewise the left/right front speakers if they are distorting, replace those.
I prefer vertical standing speakers for the front L/R, and bipolars for all the rears. You don't have to spend lots of money to get nice ones.
If your speakers were expensive, and once really good but now distort, you might want to have a go at repairing them, there are often kits on ebay. But again depends how much they were as to whether it was worth it.
I still have my Paradigm PS-1000 sub, but two years ago it started buzzing as a tear had appeared on the surround that attaches the cone to the frame. It cost me £150 from Richer Sounds and about two weeks later went back up to £300 and never dropped in price for the next year before they stopped selling it.
Amazing bargain, I love that sub, so I paid £70 to get it repaired as to get an equivalent new would have cost me £400+.
Bottom line with speakers, is nobody else's ears matter but yours. If you listen to a £150 pair of speakers and you like the sound, don't let someone convince you a £500 one is better, it really probably isn't that much better.
If you are sitting there thinking, "that speaker doesn't sound right" then think about replacing it. Otherwise don't! And when you do, look for a bargain in Richer Sounds (assuming they deliver to you!).
Quote:
deano59 says...
"Thank you so much for all your help so far - its great to get some insights into this projector"
Your welcome! I hope it's some help. If there was a big reason you were interested in the Epson then don't let me talk you out of getting it. As you've had a DLP before though, you'll be more than happy with the Optoma, I love mine!
With regard to 3D glasses, I've tried 4 different pairs and I'm going to write up my experiences with them soon.
Quote:
deano59 says...
"I had a DLP projector before and never noticed the rainbow effect unless I purposely looked away from the screen and then back quickly. Can you notice it on your machine?"
I don't think I've noticed it at all on this machine yet, I only ever noticed it on my old Davis CinemaOne when there was a really dark scene with a small bright area on it and I glanced back and forth, then I'd see it in my peripheral vision.
I should make an effort to look out for it.
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