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Help with our reviews on choosing a projector |More reviews|

Click here to see our full projector range Info with price link on page..

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  Projector and Home Cinema help choosing the right model

Projector FAQ see this link

What you should know..

  • One of the first things to consider when buying a projector is do you need native wide screen
    (16:9 aspect ratio) or 4:3 aspect ratio?

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The latest Movies and HD-TV are 16:9

Aspect Ratio Is the ratio between the width and the height of the picture,
so a 16:9 is 16 units of width and 9 of height.

There is no right or wrong!
It's a matter of taste and what you think you'll be watching the most.

Digital TV is all 16:9 most new DVDs are 16:9

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1 Lux


The big screen kings!

Epson

9 EMP TW1000 for true HD TW700 for 720P in brighter applications.

Epson make the LCD chips most manufacturers now use..


Images that rock!

Best Home Cinema range

SANYO

Start your research here with SANYO they have the best warranties and it's hard to find a bad word about them.


How long should my projector's bulb last?

ELPLP25

No of movies per week  Lets say 1.5 HRS Each
Lamp Hours  Use "Normal" mode*
Cost of Lamp

 = $ Per Weeks usage

Approx YEARS!
 Depends on several factors*

(C) AIM 2008 - This calculator requires a JavaScript compatible web browser.
We don't guarantee how long any particular model/Lamp will last.

*Lamp Life

How long your lamp lasts depends on several factors including:-

  • Keeping the fan filter clean
  • Not moving the projector while it's turned on
  • The number of times you turn the projector on and off in a day
  • How much time it's used in "Low Lamp Mode" (more the better)
  • How long you normally use it for (over 4 hours the heat starts to build up)
  • Lamp output falls dramatically towards the end of its life. You may want to replace a lamp after 2,000 hours even though it may run for another 1,000 hours.
    You would do this if unhappy with the the lower brightness level and/or don't have a light controlled room
  • Remember most lamps are warranted for 3 months or 500 hours, some like Sanyo may go to 12 months and have pro-rata options.
  • If you buy a spare lamp, swap to it after your original has done 500HR or within the new lamps warranty period.
    I.E. if you put it in after 2 years and it fails after 1/2 hour it's already out of warranty because of the time that's passed.

    IMPORTANT NOTICE:

    8 A 300 volt power surge can kill your lamp, smaller surges will shorten the life

    Many homes have safety switches they protect against electrocution, not power surges

    7 For $69 you can get a projector surge protector with extended lamp warranty!
    AD05
    6
    Double your lamp warranty* with a AD05 projector surge protector!

    *Doubles lamp warranty months to 6 months or 500 hours (most are 3 months warranty) provided the AD05 is purchased at the same time as your lamp or projector. Warranty claims subject to lamp serial number verification and projector internal (maintenance) counter verification.

[See Lamp Page to order]

MAINS VOLTAGE
Percentage of Light Output
Approx. Hours
(2000HR Lamp)
235
85
3000
240 (Normal)
100
2000
245
115
1300
250
130
600
     

    This table is an approximate guide only.

    Table shows how power surges can effect lamp life, a 300V surge would most lightly kill your lamp..

 

1MORE FAQ's where we cover all the other questions!
0DLP or LCD is covered in the larger FAQ pages..

Projector FAQ click here


Scenario 1.

You just want to watch DVD's and occasional Widescreen sporting events on HD TV. You can't see this changing in the future, your not considering Foxtel or using X-Box or a PC.

  Our suggestions..

Choose a W-XGA 16:9 model. If the room is fairly dark the Sanyo range as the Z's are the sharpest LCD.

Now that 1080P High Definition is more affordable you may consider the new Sanyo PLV Z-700 or Sanyo PLV Z5 HD

LP-Z2000

If you run a LCD 24-7 you will prematurely age the internals. Running LCD nonstop is a sneaky trick the DLP manufacturers use to make LCD seem less reliable. How long would your toaster last if you left it on 24-7? You need to use equipment within it's design limitations, nor do DLP merchants mention the super fast spinning bearings that can fail.

The Epson TW1000/TW2000 and Sanyo PLV Z2000 use a new C2-Fine LCD engine..

Some manufactures that were known mostly for DLP models are now using the new EPSON chip in their 1080 models (True HD)..

If you'd like to keep the cost down

The new EPSON TW-700 is more of the same, a slight upgrade over the last model, they just have to change things, even when they don't need to! As with all new models you pay a premium, in many cases just not worth what you could save if you purchased the last model.

Unlike other multi-function remote controls the Longhorn 4000-PRO has a large LCD screen for each device so you're not trying to find and press microscopic buttons!

Longhorn 4000-PRO
Click image..


REALLY BIG JOB?

SANYOPLV-80

SANYO PLV-70

"As used in Federation Square, Melbourne"

Designed to run all day and just the ticket with a "Daylight Screen"

Special Projection Requirements?

Actual example with the downlights on full..

With a "Daylight Screen" it's like being there, without the parking (Actual Image)
The SANYO PLV-80 projector with a DNP SuperNova screen will give any
100 inch plasma screen a fright at 1/5 the price!

  • Call AIM if you need a projector for professional applications.
  • We've got solutions for pubs, clubs, board rooms, schools, public displays etc.
  • See the latest "Daylight projection Screens" at AIM by appointment. [Review at HCC]
  • Call for more information they are just the thing if you want a 100 inch plasma at 1/5 the cost!

Scenario 2. (more below..)

You would like to look at the largest possible image for standard TV, Austar, Foxtel or play X-Box / Playstation at full screen size, or connect a PC which will be the future of home entertainment  you do watch DVD's and may get a HD TV set top box.

  Our suggestions..

NEW 3LCD

For Foxtel, you don't need more than 1280 x720 or 720P unless you're watching HD 1080.

Many games are now wide screen 16:9 if you're only
playing them & watching HD TV then you may only want 16:9.

16:9 Game example on Panasonic AE700
Would you like a projector that can do this?

Plasma & LCD screens can't!

 

 

 

See our full range of Cinema projectors here


Projector FAQ's here


Scenario 3.

Your building a dedicated home theatre room which has controlled lighting and you only want to watch DVD's and HD TV.

  Our suggestions..

Get a 16:9 model with a contrast ratio of 1000:1 or better. If you're sitting close to the screen (under 4M) you don't need or want a 100 inch screen! Every Single Chip DLP has some rainbows, this one has a minimum. Be sure to check if your DLP sensitive first.

Now that 1080P High Definition is more affordable you may consider the new Sanyo or Sanyo PLV Z5 HD or PLV Z-700.

LP-Z2000

  • Note if you're DLP sensitive AIM offers a "Be Happy" warranty guarantee on some models.

NEW! 4Rainbow test

Rainbow test pattern
This test can be played on all DLP & LCD displays to check for rainbows.
Note for best results use the stand-alone .exe/zip download.

In our opinion if you're easily motion sick, have congenital nystagmus or you're very sensitive to flashing
lights you may like to do some research into projection/light engines used in digital projection systems.


Light output vs. Rich Blacks.

There is always a trade off, to get the most subtle picture with the best grey scale and most solid blacks you don't want to start with massive amounts of light.

You need a lot of light (more ANSI) for a bright room.

How loud is the fan? What was that? Speak up!

DVI on right, HDMI left.
DVI on right, HDMI left.

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What is HDMI?

HDMI is basically DVI with sound, for the purpose of projecting an image. Theatre projectors don't require sound signals so either will give high quality digital images.

[More] From our FAQ's pages

Low DPI!
MAN SIZED PIXELS!

How high does your definition really need to be?

Click to read our review

Scenario 4.

Your a business person who could be showing presentations in all sort of lighting conditions. You wouldn't mind a projector that you could take home to watch various programs.

  Our suggestions..

Note if you're reproducing a note books screen (1024 x 768) you get sharper results with an XGA model because the pixes match 1:1 and no interpolation is necessary.


Scenario 5.

Just for the kids or the Holiday House!

Check out our best value projector bundles
5

  Our suggestions..

Considerations:-

  • Price. The lower the better! Have a look at the Sanyo SU20
  • Sturdy. It must last even if mistreated by not turning off correctly.
  • Flexible. X-Box, PC, TV, DVD and anything else they can think of that uses S-Video.
  • Short Throw. You don't want a projector that needs to be mounted 6M back in a 4M bed room!
  • Life. Q. Lets say they have it on for the equivalent of 4 moves per day how long would the bulb last? A. 9 Years.

    (Not that anyone could guarantee however, most bulbs are warranted for 3-12 months or 500 hours regardless of the expected operating hours)

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Scenario 6.

SOUND and VISION

You've chosen a projector, now where do you start with sound and program material?

  Our suggestions..

First get the BIG picture on sound!
[Examples of suitable equipment in brackets]

Executive summary - Surround speaker review:

Some speaker systems come with inbuilt amplifiers for all channels so you can connect them direct direct to say a DVD player if it has matching audio outputs. To connect to several devices you may need a decoder/switchbox as most self powered surround systems only have one or two inputs.

See: How loud is the fan? [What was that? Speak up!]

5 or back to FAQ's

Home Cinema is now of higher quality than going to the "Real" Cinema and I'm talking about projection systems costing in total under $2000!

I've went to see Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) at the real Cinema and what a disappointment!! Not the movie, the quality of the screening, and this was in the newest high-tech cinema around!