Projector Buying Suggestions Needed

[Vishu_fbd]

Hi,

I have shortlisted 2 projectors BenQ W710ST (720p) and Benq 1070 (1080p).

710 is USD 550 whereas 1070 is USD 939 on Amazon.

The room that is plan to place the projector is 16*12 ft. The 12 ft wall will be used for projecting the image.

My heart says go with 1070 for obvious reasons however I need to take care of Vit M and other important things that are needed to be done which is where the 710 at almost half the price makes more sense.

The purchase will be made from Amazon, US and it will be carried over by my friend returning from US in 3 weeks time.

3d is not a priority and I will be plugging my 220BD+HDD having 720/1080 rips to watch movies. The usage will be approx 7-10 hours a week including some TS HD content.

I understand 720p projector have longer placement needs than full hd projector and I have a fan at 12.5 ft on my ceiling which is why I have opted for 710ST. 1070 will be placed at 10/10.5ft if it makes the cut.

Would need your suggestions if 710ST is a good enough buy and or a full hd one gives a remarkable improvement in PQ for me to stretch and purchase 1070. The reviews I have read says the quality difference is not that much between the two but then I have not seen either in person.

Another reason in shortlisting only the Benq's is that they can be serviced here. Not sure if Acer's/Optoma's are easily serviceable here in Delhi area.

Please suggest which one is a better buy or if there are other VFM/quality suggestions in <1000 USD bracket.

Thanks,
Vishu

 

[prosenjit]

always go for higher one in any product..if you have the budget.
forget 1080p and 720p...higher priced one is having better chips and components..
go once ...go best...
are you sure btw that product purchsed in US can be serviced here...anyway thats diff issue

 

[Vishu_fbd]

always go for higher one in any product..if you have the budget.
forget 1080p and 720p...higher priced one is having better chips and components..
go once ...go best...
are you sure btw that product purchsed in US can be serviced here...anyway thats diff issue

Going higher has no limits in my opinion but from what users have reported the PQ isnt as exponential as the price difference between the two. Like I said it is a battle between my mind and heart and I want to be absolutely clear on my decision.

I need a bit of piece of mind and since Benq has service center atleast I can get it fixed it anything goes wrong. Correct me if that is not the case.

Warranty is not what I am looking for as after one year - US or India purchase, all are rendered orphan. Atleast Benq has same models for US and India which is also a plus unlike Epson. Never heard from anyone on Optoma/Acer service center and their support.

 

[prosenjit]

yes right after one year its same..still some brands refuse to serivice even if i want to pay all charges and spare costs..my concern is just to make sure from your local ben q service centres..
yamaha kolkata centre simply told they cant help on a product bouhgt outside..thats it..
i am noway discouraging you from biyng outside..just told the facts..
good power..little care..product lasts for years..

and about the models...i am telling you from my own exp..i regretted many times for not going for higher..even if i did not have the budget..
but here you do have the budget..so please go for higher one..you wont regret..

 

[Vishu_fbd]

Okay, just gave a call to one of the Benq Service Center in North.

They said they can provide service but it will be chargeable. Charges 550/- for debugging the issue.

I checked the lamp price for 1070 and they said it is 15,000 bucks. They would give their own warranty of 1 month or 200 hours which ever is earlier.

Not bad at all in my opinion. I'm impressed!

 

[Vishu_fbd]

Guys please advise on which one to buy. 710ST or 1070?

Or recommend any other VFM product.

 

[just4kix]

Guys please advise on which one to buy. 710ST or 1070?

Or recommend any other VFM product.

If I were in your place, I would opt for the 1070.

 

[Fillmore]

Just in case you have not gone through this site.
The Best Home Theater Projectors

The reviews are pretty detailed, they always keep updating the site every year with the best in the market.

Go through the throw distance / screen size calculator for each model, so that you know upfront what size of an image you would get depending on your room size.

 

[izn_47]

Guys please advise on which one to buy. 710ST or 1070?

Or recommend any other VFM product.

I would say go with Viewsonic pjd 5533W(was available for 431 USD now 510 on amazon) Same specs but with full 3D capabilities, connect 3d bluray player and enjoy theater 3D in you home.

Its cheaper than benq models, and it has 3 year warranty. So, if device fails you can send it to US again through your same friend to claim warranties.

And if you never owned a projector before I would suggest to go with 720p one.

Also consider Acer H5370BD..

 

[Vishu_fbd]

I would say go with Viewsonic pjd 5533W(was available for 431 USD now 510 on amazon) Same specs but with full 3D capabilities, connect 3d bluray player and enjoy theater 3D in you home.

Its cheaper than benq models, and it has 3 year warranty. So, if device fails you can send it to US again through your same friend to claim warranties.

And if you never owned a projector before I would suggest to go with 720p one.

Also consider Acer H5370BD..

Thanks for the info, the only limitation for me is projection distance and this one needs 11 ft+ for 100 inch screen which I cant afford due to existing fan placement.

So it seems that it is either a ST 720p projector (benq 770ST) or an entry level full hd (Optoma HD25, acer 6510 or benq 1070) of which 1070 makes more sense and gives me peace of mind in terms of service.

I will check calling Acer center for projector support today to see if they service US purchased projectors.

On a side note, the rupee is going down considerably which is also causing a concern.

 

[izn_47]

Thanks for the info, the only limitation for me is projection distance and this one needs 11 ft+ for 100 inch screen which I cant afford due to existing fan placement.

So it seems that it is either a ST 720p projector (benq 770ST) or an entry level full hd (Optoma HD25, acer 6510 or benq 1070) of which 1070 makes more sense and gives me peace of mind in terms of service.

I will check calling Acer center for projector support today to see if they service US purchased projectors.

On a side note, the rupee is going down considerably which is also causing a concern.

Ok, so you want a short throw projector
Well benq w770st is nice one then. But I have read that short throw projectors do compromise on picture quality.

And W1070 is not a short throw one, go for Benq W1080ST instead.

Also, I would suggest to get local quote on these Benq Projectors.

 

[Vishu_fbd]

Ok, so you want a short throw projector
Well benq w770st is nice one then. But I have read that short throw projectors do compromise on picture quality.

And W1070 is not a short throw one, go for Benq W1080ST instead.

Also, I would suggest to get local quote on these Benq Projectors.

The max I can place the projector is 10.5 ft from screen, a distance that limits the 720p projector placement for optimal screen size. The 1080p projector can give decent size video at that distance.

I haven't heard if the picture quality is compromised using ST projector.

1080st is too high a price and i can get 1070 + 3d glasses + screen in that amount as I can easily manage 10.5 ft placement.

Now I just need to understand from real users on the difference 720p and 1080p would make on PQ and does it justify 35-40% more investment. I know it is better to go for full hd in ideal scenario but most of the real user reviews on amazon and avsforum have stated that they dont seem to have any real issue with 720p image quality either.

I will be sitting at 14 ft from the screen and I am looking for around 100-110 inch screen.

Have to take a final call in day or two.

 

[izn_47]

The max I can place the projector is 10.5 ft from screen, a distance that limits the 720p projector placement for optimal screen size. The 1080p projector can give decent size video at that distance.

I haven't heard if the picture quality is compromised using ST projector.

1080st is too high a price and i can get 1070 + 3d glasses + screen in that amount as I can easily manage 10.5 ft placement.

Now I just need to understand from real users on the difference 720p and 1080p would make on PQ and does it justify 35-40% more investment. I know it is better to go for full hd in ideal scenario but most of the real user reviews on amazon and avsforum have stated that they dont seem to have any real issue with 720p image quality either.

Have to take a final call in day or two.

That's what am saying if you never owned a projector before go with 720P.
If you going to project 100 inches then 720P is best.. You will only going to notice the difference between 720p or 1080p when you compare them side by side in real life.
Am saying this in relation to movie watching not for text.

And W1070 is Pc 3d ready only, you can't view 3d images from bluray player or ps3.

But if your budget permits then 1080P.
or 720P for VFM factor.

You gonna use your projector for Bluray Movie Discs or for ripped ones?

 

[Premblr]

If you are in India and then you pay 800+ Rs on Blurays since there are no good rental libraries, 99% of us will be using ripped movies. Now in such a scenario, is it worth investing for 1080p? My thinking was no and went for 720p instead.

At the end of the day, there is no end to this, they are already talking about 4K, remember just 1-2 years back 720p was the in thing.

 

[krishnakanth_590]

If you are in India and then you pay 800+ Rs on Blurays since there are no good rental libraries, 99% of us will be using ripped movies. Now in such a scenario, is it worth investing for 1080p? My thinking was no and went for 720p instead.

At the end of the day, there is no end to this, they are already talking about 7K, remember just 1-2 years back 720p was the in thing.

Wow Premblr !!!! I am in the same situation now as you were when you bought the projector.

Is it worth buying a 1080p projector for watching ripped (mostly 720p or less) movies and for watching Television programs (most of which are SD or even less) ???

Because, buying BlurayDiscs seems to be impossible in near future because of higher prices (atleast for me :sad

 

[Vishu_fbd]

Wow Premblr !!!! I am in the same situation now as you were when you bought the projector.

Is it worth buying a 1080p projector for watching ripped (mostly 720p or less) movies and for watching Television programs (most of which are SD or even less) ???

Because, buying BlurayDiscs seems to be impossible in near future because of higher prices (atleast for me :sad

For me it will be rips, that too 720p. I own a Panny BD220 but so far havent purchased any bluray. Have got some good collection 1080p hollywood movies but all bollywood movies are 720p and thats how it will stay in near future.

No BD rentals in sight.

 

[izn_47]

Well then there's no need to go for 1080p then, stick with 720p.


Do consider ViewSonic PJD7820HD though hyeah:
fullhd 3D bluray ready at 699.99USD on amazon
looks sweet deal to me for a FullHD 3D beamer.

 

[Vishu_fbd]

Well then there's no need to go for 1080p then, stick with 720p.


Do consider ViewSonic PJD7820HD though hyeah:
fullhd 3D bluray ready at 699.99USD on amazon
looks sweet deal to me for a FullHD 3D beamer.

I called up Viewsonic helpline and asked them if they can support a conked off projector purchased from US.

They said leave alone US, if the projector is out of warranty even if purchased from India they wont be able to provide support.

So Viewsonic is a BIG NO NO for me. I would say to everyone that stay away.

Acer support was still helpful, wish they could improve the overall quality of their products. They seems to be the Tata Motors of projectors. I was impressed by the way Benq gives support in India so I have a soft spot for them now.

 

[Vishu_fbd]

If you are in India and then you pay 800+ Rs on Blurays since there are no good rental libraries, 99% of us will be using ripped movies. Now in such a scenario, is it worth investing for 1080p? My thinking was no and went for 720p instead.

At the end of the day, there is no end to this, they are already talking about 7K, remember just 1-2 years back 720p was the in thing.

Which one did you buy?

 

[prosenjit]

well going for the higher end does not mean for 1080p only..as i mentioned if someone has the budget..going for the highest end one can afford is the best idea..(be it a fridge or car, NA for mobile phones,garments etc)
due to
1.better components.
2.better picture..

otherwise 720p is more than perfect at 14 feet distance at 100 inches