Bill Livolsi at Projector Central recently got a look at the BenQ W10000 DLP projector. This is a full 1080p DLP projector that uses TI’s DarkChip3 technology. The zoom lens isn’t great a 1.35:1, but its lens shift features are good. It boasts 1200 ANSI lumens of brightness, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and one HDMI input.

However, this projector is more expensive than competing LCD 1080p displays (at an MSRP of $7k), requires an ISF calibration to get a decent picture, and doesn’t scale standard-definition sources up to 1080p very well.

Actually, this projector is $2k more than the exemplary VPL-VW50 1080p SXRD projector from Sony, and it also costs more than Panasonic’s LCD 1080p display. Personally, I think that this projector would have to work some real magic on you in order to convince you to buy it.

For some real details, read the review below.

Review: BenQ W10000 1080p DLP Home Theater Projector

One of the cool things about this business is seeing all the cool new stuff they come out with. Like the XV-Z20000 DLP projector from Sharp. Ultimate AV are the lucky folks, and get a chance to look at all these gadgets. They recently reviewed this projector, and they liked what they saw.

The Sharp projector costs $12k. It’s a 1080p DLP projector with two HDMI inputs, plus a DVI input. The display will accept 1080p/60, but it will not accept 1080p/24.

How did the Ultimate AV folks like the projector? They liked it a lot. Of course, the law of diminishing returns applies, and $12k doesn’t get you twice the performance of a $6k projector. But they still see the value - the projector has an especially detailed image.

Sharp XV-Z20000 1080p DLP projector

So it seems Epson will be the first to market a projector that supports HDMI 1.3

The interesting conundrum this shows is that if you have a PS3 you would have to run a cable from your PS3 to the projector, then from the projector down to your receiver since there is no receiver yet that can switch HDMI 1.3 signals.

Hopefully that will be remedied next month at CES.

Manila Bulletin Online

Ultimate AV takes a quick look at the Sharp XV-Z20000. It’s a single-chip 1080p DLP projector that costs a whopping $12k. Which is a bargain, almost, compared to some other 1080p DLP projectors. Uh… okay.

This projector has a manual zoom lens, focus, and vertical lens shift. Sheesh. For $12k I’d expect automated, and a horizontal lens shift as well.

The colour temperature posed problems, but this projector is otherwise quite excellent with excellent resolution, scaling, deinterlacing, and black level. See the complete sneak peek below.

Sharp XV-Z20000 1080p DLP projector: Short Take

There are several 1080p projectors priced around the $5k mark coming out this fall. Isn’t technology amazing? Projector Central takes a look at the Optoma HD81 1080p DLP projector.

It has a contrast ratio of 10,000:1, and puts out 1400 ANSI lumens of brightness. It uses a single DLP 1920 x 1080 chip with a 7-segment, 6x speed colour wheel. It has 3 HDMI inputs, but only a 1.2 zoom lens, and no lens shift. Also, fan noise is higher than average.

On the plus side, it is very bright, produces a sharp image, has good deinterlacing, and gives a solid black level.

For more, read the full review.

Review: Optoma HD81 1080p Home Theater Projector

DigitTimes has a small article about the cost of a rear-projection HDTV versus the cost of an equivalent-sized LCD or plasma display. It makes for interesting reading.

The stats are for a 52″ 1080p television, and they are:

All component costs:

LCD $1621
plasma $1749
DLP $807

In other words, it costs twice as much to hang your 1080p 52″ television on your wall instead of placing it on your floor. Frankly, I’m surprised. I thought it was more than that.

DLP RPTV half as costly as LCD/PDP for 52-inch TVs

I rarely buy extended warranties. Actually, I’ve bought two in my life. One was for a Sony camcorder, and I never needed it. The second was for my new car, just in case. I’m not a believer, generallly, in extended warranties. If I buy a DLP rear-projection set, however, I may need to rethink that.

Consumer Reports says buyers of DLP (Digital Light Processing) rear-projection sets might want to invest in a long-term warranty.

The magazine says the microdisplay HDTVs are more likely to need repairs than other high-def sets — and repair costs can be significantly higher. In addition, the DLP’s light bulb, which helps display the image on screen, sometimes don’t last more than a few years.

A little disconcerting. But I wouldn’t let it stop me from buying a DLP set. I’d just get an extended warranty!

Buying a DLP HDTV? Get the Warranty