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Compared to the Panason plasma TV

I f you are going to plunk down that kind of money, look at the Panasonic plasma TV, TH-42PWD3.

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All kinds.

My comments got clipped off, when I submitted last night.

This is a follow up commentary (see review below) on my further experience with the VPL-VW10HT, which I still have and use. However, I must warn you that there is something new in the mix and that is my exposure to plasma TVs, in particular the Panasonic TH-42PWD3 -- a 42" wide screen.

This Panasonic plasma TV has provided, by far, the finest viewing experience I have known. Yes, it is smaller than the screen I us on my 10HT, but it's clarity is incredible. The experience pushed me into another level of viewing enjoyment.

For one, plasmas TVs are not light sensitive, which means that you can leave the shades and doors open, even have a lamp on in the same room, without distraction. The plasma is BRIGHT.

More important, it is clear and sharp. And last, but not least, it can play the dark movies with very little loss. In other words, I can watch night scenes and see something pretty close to what the director saw and perhaps what was seen in the theater. With the 10HT, when it encounters a night or dark scene, you are just in the dark. You can tweak it, etc., but there is no way around it.

I understand that the new Sony 11HT has twice the contrast, so that will help. And the Grayhawk screens from Steward are made for LCD projectors like the HT. Still, I have seen the light from behind, in the plasmas and I am convinced this is where to put your money.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, just doing my duty to report what I see. And although guests and the kids love the HT, I prefer the TH-42PWD3, every time. I have it in a small room, so that I am not very far (8 feet or less) from the screen. This makes the smallness of the screen much less of a problem. The plasma, with a good progressive-scan DVD player and good speakers has been a new viewing experience.

I can't imagine having an LCD front-view projector again on my shopping list. Until something better comes along, the plasmas (and the Panasonic is really the best I have seen) have my attention.

Keep in mind that my major use of any of these screens is to watch movies, although I must say that watching DISH satellite on the plasma has opened up the door for me for satellite movies. Since you can very the aspect mode, it is possible to fill the plasma screen with your average decent movie and have a much better experience. Satellite on the 10HT is not a pleasant experience, as those of you who have one know.

Also I have been working with a set of Dynaudio bookshelf home-theater speakers, along with an M&K 150 subwoofer and this has given me the best sound I have ever heard. These speakers are not cheap, but they are worth every penny. The tech guys tell me they are somewhat of a cross between a real home-theater speaker and a music-lover's speaker. I guess I am more of a music lover that I thought, because the sound of these speakers (with DVD movies) is the best I have heard. I have the Audience 42 Dynaudio system and would recommend it as a not-too-expensive system that sounds better than that. If you have questions, feel free to email me.

Quality - Price, very low fan noise «Overall good size screen possible 5.5 X 9ft and still excellent result

Black could be sharper, we all know that by now. It is tru I find the black to be lacking but I have seen the Sharp Seleco with some pixel and Dream Vison had a lot more pixel however the color were slightly more vivid.

I only had the projector for a little while and it is only set up on my basement wall ( white flat surface 5.5ft x 9ft)
I am quite happy with the result already, I am looking for a proper screen and it is a nightmare to fine one here in Canada. Not to many product sample available with this projector set up. I am anxious to get my cinema ready with proper and darker wall color and view my first real movie on a big screen (110" or 120" 16x9 format)
I had read a lot praise about this unit. I have to say that mine was a store demo it had already several hours on it and there is not green coloration or dead pixel as many of you have experienced.
For the price I paid I would encoruage any one to get one or spent the extra $$ on the newer version. But for 4K you can buy some good progressive DVD palyer with a 3:2 pulldown. Everything is how much can you spend... !!!

I will come back and give another opinion aft a proper set up. I am alos looking into this Home PC cinema. I think it is a good way to go. Let the computer control most of it. But if you are not into computer this projector will satisfy most of you. The line doubler is not bad, I have wacth regular Betamax tape on it, however the color a bit washed, but no artifact. I am still using my former DVD player Sony DVPs7000, one of the best for its time and with this unit I haven't seen any distracting artifact appears.

Get one and enjoy.

I will give it 5 stars for value regarding its affordability. However its overall rating will fall because of its lack of black and tame coloration. Maybe I'm asking a lot from that projector. But yes it could be improved slightly. Like the 11HT should be. The decision is in your wallet.

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Seleco dlp Sharp Dlp, Dream Vsion Dl 500

Great picture, low noise, great features

none so far

After having this unit properly calibrated it looks stunning. If your going to fork over this kind of money it better be worth it and this projector delivers the goods as with any product to truly squeeze every ounce of performance out of it you should view it in total darkness( as with any projector and calibrate it with either a test disc or hire someone.

If you want a good deal try my guy @ J&R -Todd 800 221 8180 ext 1039. I saved a bundle on tax and it was double boxed factory fresh as labeled.

Great performance on all sources!!!!

Check it out

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sharp, zenith,

Clear Picture. Very large screen size. Wide Screen, HDTV capable.

Sony discontinued plate mount bracket for ceiling mounting requires aftermarket bracket at high price.

I have used this for almost a year now and it is truly awesome. I have it hooked up to a Toshiba progressive scan dvd, Panasonic HDTV receiver, VCR and a computer, with a Denon 3801 and AR Phantom speaker system. You can't beat this thing for a true movie theater experience at a "reasonable" price. The picture looked better for the price than anything else I saw. I just got the Panasonic TU-HDS20 receiver so my system is now complete. I thought I should let people know that if you have the money and room setting(no outside light)and you like to watch movies on DVD that you will not be disappointed with this product (unless you get a lemon, which I suppose is always possible with any product).

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Viewed Sharp, Marantz and other projectors at various dealers.

Superb picture, quiet, genuine 16:9

None I have found yet.

I would recommend this excellent product to anyone. It has transformed my home cinema. Buy one.

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Seen loads on demo.

Very attractive price, genuine 16:9 pictures, good blacks and contrast with low gain screen, highly flexible, very bright, true HDTV performance.

Need to match screen carefully, dust blobs need to be cleaned out occasionally.

I have owned this projector for 3 months and it is excellent. Good brightness and excellent colors. Does not need total ambient light control. Needs to be tweaked (with Avia, etc.) and matched with low gain screen to get best blacks and contrast. Once set up, not a fussy projector at all. Very flexible with inputs (1 s-video, 1 composite, 2 component including VGA). True 16:9 HDTV performance from OTA broadcasters. The Super Bowl was unbelievable in HDTV on this projector. The true 16:9 isa unique to this projector and was what pushed me over the edge in buying. Highly recommended.

Easy setup,big screen impact,compact size(compared to RPTV),stunning picture.

Have to remove dust particles in lens about once a year

I have had the 10HT almost a year now and am still impressed with the picture. I think the DLP's I looked at might have provided a slightly better picture (resolution),however,when you add up the higher $,adding a hush box and all the tweaking and extras you need to buy to optimize the DLP, the 10HT was a hands down winner for me. Everyone who has seen my HT is just amazed. One thing I noticed was that my audio actually sounds even better since going to a front projector. I don't know if that is because I no longer have a large RPTV that bounces sound all over or whether it is a bigger screen/bigger sound effect. I have a dedicated HT room so I have complete control over ambient light which is important.

SETUP:
Sony VW10HT
Dalite 120" 1.1 gain screen
Mirage 490is front
Mirage MC-2 center
Mirage 290is surrounds
Sunfire Sub
B&K 307 Receiver
Toshiba 5107 progressive scan DVD

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Sharp LCD and various DLP's.

1000 ftl. brightness
great built in scaler (DRC)
16x9 LCD panels
light weight, small size
great High Definition performance

Blacks could be a little blacker, but who cares!
Has trouble sincing HD broadcast channels when used with RCA Model 100 HD tuner. You must individually key in each station. Sony has admitted to a chip problem where output of the RCA (540P) will not sinc to the HT-10. This problem has been solved with the HT-11, and in any case is only a problem with the RCA tuner, nobody elses.

I have been a front projector owner and booster since the mid 1970s starting with the original Kloss Novabeam. I am now on my sixth and best projector to date in the HT10. I am currently projecting onto a DayLite 110" 16x9 screen in a room with a two story wall of glass windows facing the screen. Having been in the electronics business for most of my career, it takes a lot to 'blow me away' since I hit all the electronics shows (CES, CEDIA, AES)and am fortunate enough to see state of the art systems set up by the pros. Until the HT-10 came along, I could never get to the size of screen I desired and still maintain the brightness and sharpness required for quality viewing. The Sony HT-10 with built in scaler, 16x9 LCD panels, and 1000 lumins brightness absolutely fills the bill. I highly recomend this unit to any and all people considering the purchase of a front projector (including you die hard CRT guys). HD broadcasts are absolutely not to be believed! However, I just saw a demo of the new HT-11, and believe it or not, its even better, with blacker blacks and 2x3 pull down! Major bang for the buck, HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!

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3 Kloss Novabeams (various models ending with the Model 100.
Zenith HD with 7" CRT's
Runco 991

16:9 native panels (only unit I know of that does this). Very bright, uniform picture, edge to edge.
Tremendous 3D Comb Filter (for LD buffs)
Great color palette.
HDTV capability.
Lots of inputs. 2 sets of configurable component inputs (including progressive capability), S-Video and composite.
Ease of set up makes this a true plug and play device.

The bulb is going to cost you about $450 for ~2000 hours use.

Very short supply at this point.

Without a doubt, the best bang for your video buck out there. The price/performance ratio is amazing. Coupled with a progressive scan DVD player, like the Toshiba 5109, the VW10HT produces a picture unheard of up to this time in the ~$6000 category. Additionally, the unit uses native 16:9 LCD panels and, at this time, is the only LCD projector to offer this.

An anamorphic, progressively scanned DVD presentation is a sight to behold. And HDTV on this set, I've been told by others who follow these things, is remarkable. (My area does not yet have much HDTV programming and I'm taking a wait and see attitude on that).

Surprisingly, LD's connected via the compositive inputs take on a new life since the 3D comb filter in the VW10HT produces rock solid reds and almost total absence of color bleed.

The lack of complete black (impossible with current LCD technology) has been greatly overblown. To me, it is not an issue, and I've enjoyed movies like Dark City, The Red Violin and The Matrix on the VW10HT. More important to me is the "white level" which is excellent on this projector.

All in all, one of the best home theater investments I've ever made. A landmark product. It must be seen to be believed.

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I've auditioned a wide variety of front projectors over the past year or two. Everything from >$40,000 CRT's to <$5,000 presentation units.