Home Projector or Plasma TV??

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mariniam

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Hi guys,

Im a proud newbe of gtplanet (great forum!) and wanted to ask if anyone out there has tried playing GT4 on home theatre projector with 480p or 1080i. Im asking because I'm in between buing a plasma TV or HDTV home theater projector. I know GT4 will look fantastic on a Plasma TV with 480p or 1080i but how good would it could look on a projector in these modes? I know the plasma will look slightly better that the projector but imagine playing GT4 in 16:9 format 1080i at 160 inches... almost like being inside the car. So if the picture quality between plasma and projector is not huge I think it would probably be worth getting the projector.

What do you think?
 
Johnhannibal
I've read somewhere on this forum that the PAL release won't get 480p or 1080i (one of those two, can't remember)
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The PAL version will have neither of those, there will be no progressive mode and no 1080i, just the standard PAL graphics.

Cheers,
the Interceptor
 
I wouldn't get a projector unless you're certain you want one because there are many downsides (initial cost, maintainance costs, need for a dark room, etc.) ...

And I wouldn't get a Plasma YET because of their current downsides (price, ghosting, fragility, inefficiency (which also causes heat, enemy of electronics), etc.), most of which will probably be improved upon/solved with next year's models ... Consumer Reports says that the price of Plasmas and LCDs should drop dramatically this year (by up to 1/3 in price by the end of the summer), so I might wait a little bit to see if that's actually true ... It would be nice to save $1,000 USD on a TV by simply waiting a few months :)
 
Jmac279
I wouldn't get a projector unless you're certain you want one because there are many downsides (initial cost, maintainance costs, need for a dark room, etc.) ...
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I disagree... I have a projector, and I mainly use it to watch movies and play GT3. Now that GT4 is coming, I'm going to make some slight changes to my living room setup... Better screen, better chair (used a beanbag as a racing seat)

Playing GT3 with a good setup (wheel, comfortable driving position, good sound system and 180' screen is a orgasmic (orgastic? correct me, I'm a friggin Fin) experience...

Since I'm a pal user, I don't dream about 480p or 1080i... but I have been satisfied with just plain 480i with a good quality s-video cable. Ofcourse picture quality could be better, but in this matter size matters too... :)
 
Stupid question for all you guys who know what it is but can somebody tell me what 480p, 1080i, progressive (thing) is?? :dunce: :dopey:

Thanks
 
kikie
Stupid question for all you guys who know what it is but can somebody tell me what 480p, 1080i, progressive (thing) is?? :dunce: :dopey:

Thanks
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Try doing a search. This has been explained several times before. You'll find enough info to explain it all to you.
 
I have a projector and love it, I would also stay away from Plasmas, they aren't as good as we all used to think they were.

I you can control the light in the room, then I would go for the projector
 
Solid Lifters
Try doing a search. This has been explained several times before. You'll find enough info to explain it all to you.
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okay 👍
 
This site offers awesome setup for projector and driving seat. Check out the videos too 👍
http://www.force-dynamics.com

Id say projector is the way to go since its also portable.

You can buy the NEC HT 1100 which is by far the best in its category with HDTV functionality (4000$ range) for just 2200$ from www.spacecentersystems.com. Its picture is absolutely awesome and for 2200$ you cant get an entry level plasma TV with 852*768 resolution 👎
 
Gravity
I you can control the light in the room, then I would go for the projector
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Good point, and also, if you get a projector with 1200 - 1500 ansilumen, you dont have to make the room completely dark. Cheapest ones (for hometheater use) have something like 700 - 1200 ansilumen.
 
Solid Lifters
Try doing a search. This has been explained several times before. You'll find enough info to explain it all to you.
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Found it.
Still a little bit confusing tough. Some of these explanations are contradicting each other. Have to do some more research but if someone can help, much appreciated
 
If you have a projector it will most likely have a component input. So go and get a PS2 component cable, it'll boost your picture quality even with the standard 480i. And if you're thinking about buying a projector, don't forget the huge cost of a replacement lamp. In average it should hold 2000 to 3000 hours, but it can easily cost you 400€ and more.

Cheers,
the Interceptor
 
kikie
Found it.
Still a little bit confusing tough. Some of these explanations are contradicting each other. Have to do some more research but if someone can help, much appreciated
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Here's a quick explanation.
480i is interlaced which means the picture is drawn in 2 passes. All odd lines first, then the evens. The aspect ratio is 4:3.
480p is not interlaced, all lines are drawn at once. Gives you a cleaner picture. Still 4:3 aspect ratio.
1080i is interlaced like 480i. The difference is it is a higher resolution and is 16:9.

A lot of people on here noticed that the screen on the Asian/Japanese copies would sometimes appear jumpy. I figured out that this happened on 480i/1080i settings. I run in 480p and never get the jittery screen. I think the game was progressive natively and the jitters came from down-sampling the video to interlace. I'm guessing the PAL and perhaps the US version (not sure of US version) lost the 480p because PD changed the games native format to interlaced to fix this issue and decided to do away with 480p/1080i. Could've been a time issue as if they had delayed the game until April to fix, they would've probably came in one morning to find their building burned down by those still waiting on the game.
 
dhwebb
Here's a quick explanation.
480i is interlaced which means the picture is drawn in 2 passes. All odd lines first, then the evens. The aspect ratio is 4:3.
480p is not interlaced, all lines are drawn at once. Gives you a cleaner picture. Still 4:3 aspect ratio.
1080i is interlaced like 480i. The difference is it is a higher resolution and is 16:9.

A lot of people on here noticed that the screen on the Asian/Japanese copies would sometimes appear jumpy. I figured out that this happened on 480i/1080i settings. I run in 480p and never get the jittery screen. I think the game was progressive natively and the jitters came from down-sampling the video to interlace. I'm guessing the PAL and perhaps the US version (not sure of US version) lost the 480p because PD changed the games native format to interlaced to fix this issue and decided to do away with 480p/1080i. Could've been a time issue as if they had delayed the game until April to fix, they would've probably came in one morning to find their building burned down by those still waiting on the game.
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Thank you very, very much for this explanation 👍
 
Yup thanks for the explanation dhwebb, very explanatory indeed.

I think 400euros every two years is not all that bad considering the size and quality of picture you're getting for the amount. Thats 200 euros a year and 54cents a day... not bad at all! 💡

Plus a with plasma TV once its life span has come to an end you have to chuck it in the bin! Theres no way to replace its lamps or whatever it uses. And dont forget burn-in on the screen.
 
mariniam
Oh you lucky boy! May I come over tomorrow night for a little spin?

Is that your new home being built in the other photos?
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Yes, those are from when it was being built. We've been in here for a year and a half now. The theater was one of the priorities when finishing the basement since I'm a movie and videogame nut.
 
Don't you just love it when everyone disagrees with and/or ignores your post and then they make the EXACT same points you made ?

Also, Consumer Reports just did a massive TV/Projector survey w/ like 1000 people judging TVs and one of Sony's projectors came out on top ... Actually, Sony won every category except DLP, oddly enough, where Samsung and Panasonic topped that list ...
 
Jmac279
Don't you just love it when everyone disagrees with and/or ignores your post and then they make the EXACT same points you made ?

Also, Consumer Reports just did a massive TV/Projector survey w/ like 1000 people judging TVs and one of Sony's projectors came out on top ... Actually, Sony won every category except DLP, oddly enough, where Samsung and Panasonic topped that list ...
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Interesting. Im surprized Sony won the overall test. How about the awesome Barco Cinemax?

Do you have a link to this survey?
 
efi-street
Yes, those are from when it was being built. We've been in here for a year and a half now. The theater was one of the priorities when finishing the basement since I'm a movie and videogame nut.
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Im a total nut like yourself but I havent got the cash for that type of sound system yet. By the way what sound system is that and what projector do you use? I've got a logitech z-640 THX certified (yeah right...) 5.1 system and the fantastic NEC HT1100 pj (it realy is a gem).
 
mariniam
Im a total nut like yourself but I havent got the cash for that type of sound system yet. By the way what sound system is that and what projector do you use? I've got a logitech z-640 THX certified (yeah right...) 5.1 system and the fantastic NEC HT1100 pj (it realy is a gem).
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Nothing special about my equipment. Sanyo Z1 (Boxlight 1HD) pj. It's only 1/4HD and it's LCD, but I haven't had any complaints yet. DVD's and games look great, but I haven't upgraded the satellite to HD, so the network stuff is grainy at times. I'll be upgrading to HD by football season.
Head unit is a THX cert Denon. All speakers are Onyx Rocket Audio. They fill the 20x13 room just right...I love them, but the sub will bottom out below 15Hz on the rare occasion that I movie has tones that low (the spaceships on star wars E2 come to mind).

Anyway, back to topic...a plasma will no doubt give you a better quality picture on average and you're not limited to a dark room, but if you have a good place in your house that you can have total light control, the PJ is the way to go due to the way that you become immersed in the game/movie like no other format.
 
This is the a question I've been asking myself recently, although I'm deciding between either an LCD TV or projector. I think for now I'll be getting the projector since LCD TV's are too expensive at the moment for a nice BIG one (my girl asks for one of thoes all the time ;)).
 
definatly get a lcd cuase it has just as good picture and lasts alot longer, the plasma tv is gonna break after a few years and you throw it out i got a 50 inch lcd sony and its awesome and you dont have to put the light down in the house its fine. go with lcd
 
But at the mo an LCD in the price range I'd be willing to spend is ony so big, the projerctor screen is SOOOOOO BIG. The lights not a problem in my TV room, it's at the back of the house where the sun don't shine. Then when LCD's come down in price a bit I can get one of them too, but theres no point upgrading my current TV unless I get a really big one.
 
The picture from LCDs is definitely super sharp but realy its too much for me. Movies look too perfect and frankly not real at all.

I think the projector gives you a much more cinematic analog view wich to my opinion is more realistic. Similar to how vynil sounds compared to cd's.

Ofcourse it all depends on what you do the most. If you watch movies all the time id say projector all the way, if you play games much more then certainly the LCD.
 
Hey Guys, I went to a traing forum for SONY TV's last fall with my Dad (he owns a hardware/electronics store). The Sony guy stressed to NEVER use a video game system on a Plasma, he said it was possible for the to burn out after 45 min., so even if you left a DVD on at its main menu screen that could burn it out as well. He said to go with the LCD for video gaming. They're expensive, the bulbs last about 4 years, and then you just have to replace the bulb on it when it goes.....and its basically brand new again. A Plasma is expected to last about 7 years, then there isn't anything you can do to refresh them.

I don't believe Sony produces a DLP model, so they couldn't have won the category in that comparison. They use LCD Grand Wega. I hope this answered some questions, if anybody has anything else, I think I still have to book they gave us tooling around somewhere, so lemme know.
 

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