Epson has announced that their earlier price of $6,999 for the TW1000 1080p projector has now been reduced to a ridiculously enticing $4,999. That’s sub $5,000 for one of the best home theatre projectors I’ve had the pleasure of playing with (admittedly, I haven’t played with as many as some folks – particularly up the high-end).
I’ve got one here for testing right now, and I agree whole heartedly with everything mentioned in the earlier review by the mothership. This thing looks stunning, with plenty of tweaks to get the image and colour just how you like it.
The one problem I found was no keystone control, so while the angled throw was close to spot on, I’d have liked a control over the shape of the final image to square up the edges. Not a major drama, and Epson argue that they left it out because high-quality video nuts wouldn’t want it anyway, as it only serves to degrade the final image quality.
I know when I sort out my living room (and own it), I’ll be eager to install one of these puppies with a ceiling mount for a perfect little hook up.
Adz
June 8, 2007 at 1:54 PM
I was looking at the pull down blind in my kitchen (soon to be renovated into my lounge) and was thinking it looks perfect to project something. But for $5000 do I buy one of these or LCD TV?
Report PermalinkSeamus
June 8, 2007 at 2:44 PM
$5000 on a TV or a projector? If I know I can set it up effectively, I’ll go for a projector — you’ll only get a 40-inch screen if you go the TV, but the projector can be twice that (more) without taking over your life. When it’s off, it’s no longer there!
I think I would also keep a smaller TV for general viewing, but a big screen TV is really about movies / games anyway, not watching the news.
Report PermalinkMick
June 8, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Got $5k burning a hole in your pocket? I would bypass the projector and buy a 42″ plasma, and one of the Bose Lifestyle home entertainment deals… you’ll probably actually have some spare change at the end of it. Without getting into the whole LCD vs. Plasma argument, lets just say that its more economically feasible for a regular joe shmoe to get a 42″ plasma vs. a 40″ LCD. Unless you’re the Stephen Hawkings of television viewing, you won’t see a huge difference between the two, other than the one in your wallet.
Report PermalinkTim
June 8, 2007 at 9:42 PM
Interesting, the lack of keystone correction. The one on my BenQ projector is a “digital” keystone correction, so any adjustment is actually cropping viewable area (think of it like digital “zoom” on your digicams) and so I would prefer proper mounting and adjusting over correction anyday. That said, a few years ago I think Epson had a proper optical keystone adjust, but not sure if they still do it.
As for a 42″ plasma… well, my BenQ is putting out a 120″ image onto a motorised screen for less than the cost of a current 42″ LCD or plasma :) Of course, it’s not realy good in daytime, so I’m looking for a 42″ screen during the end of fin year sales too!
Tim
Report PermalinkJared
June 8, 2007 at 9:53 PM
This all depends on your viewing habits. You watch the news and the Simpsons every night, head straight towards a Plasma. You like movies? Go the projector any day….Just don’t skimp out on the sound system.
Report PermalinkRaYdeX
June 9, 2007 at 11:29 AM
I’d disagree wholeheartedly that any LCD or Plasma could be better than a Projector. In the right situation.
I’ve been using a WXGA (Not technically 720p, but capable of it)) Projector for the best part of a year now, for everything. TV, Movies and Gaming. It’s just phenominal.
But I do have a big wall, approx 70 Inches, thats pure white, and perfect for displaying it on.
It looks amazing, and if you want a big screen, that looks amazing, you’ve got the wall space, then go for it.
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