Flat panel vs Projection TV vs Projector?

[ShadowFyre]

Greetings all,
I'm hoping to get some input from gamers who already have one of the previously mentioned displays. I currently have 2k to play with and I'm not sure whether I should go for a big screen TV or projector. Any advice/experience is appreciated.

ShadowFyre

 

[Techx]

I think it's relevant to ask what your intentions are for the display... pc or console

 

[ShadowFyre]

TV, console, and possibly PC.

ShadowFyre

 

[Tetrahedron]

i would say projector, but its probably cause im biased and own one.

for a mere 1725 dollars I have a 108" HDTV screen. I use it for movies, console and PC.

the projector i have is a Sanyo Z3 (much much much improved from the Z2)

it has an HDMI, VGA, 2 Component, S-Video, Composite.

currently I have my PC, Gamecube, Xbox and PS2 hooked up to it.

for more information on this projector along with reviews a good place go is

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sanyo-PLV-Z3.htm


and I wouldnt trade my Z3 for any other display, period.

 

[tranCendenZ]

In this case, it is easier to list the disadvantages of each set rather than the advantages, as all of the various technologies look good.

DISADVANTAGES

CRT
+++
*Can burn-in, especially on sides of picture where bars are
*Big/Heavy
*No 1080p support
*Grey bars needed to prevent burnin
*Requires convergence

DLP single chip
+++
*User can see annoying "rainbows" when white is on black or vice versa
*User can get headaches
*Picture is a bit fuzzy
*Black level not as good as CRT, better than LCD
*Not as bright as CRT or LCD
*Currently no true 1080p support (not even the "1080p" models coming out this winter)
*Need to replace $200 bulb every year

DLP three chip
+++
*Costs $50,000+
*Requires convergence
*Black level not as good as CRT, better than LCD
*Not as bright as CRT or LCD
*Need to replace $200 bulb every year

LCD
+++
*Dead pixels
*Motion blur/lag in games
*Black level even worse than DLP
*Burn in possible, but extremely rare
*Poor reliability over time

LCOS (D-ILA/SXRD)
+++
*Dead pixels
*Black level even worse than DLP
*Burn in possible, but extremely rare
*Poor reliability over time
*Requires convergence

PLASMA (bigscreen flat panel)
+++
*Can Burn-in
*Grey bars needed to prevent burnin
*Black level even worse than DLP
*Poor reliability over time
*Expensive

SED
+++
*Not out until 2006 earliest
*Can Burn-in
*Grey bars needed to prevent burnin
*Requires convergence
*At least $10,000+

****

For a combo gaming/tv/dvd set, I still say to stick with the tried and true CRT rear projection. As long as you don't abuse it and calibrate it properly (contrast at 30-40%) burn-in is not an issue, it still offers the best overall picture quality, and it doesn't have a lot of the annoying quirks of LCD.

The Sony KP-57WS520 is a particularly solid model and can be gotten for under $1600 now w/ haggling. Also make SURE whatever you buy has an HDMI input (this set does).
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony.../sem/rpsm/oid/98480/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Buy yourself a copy of AVIA or DVE with it and you can make it look better than 99% of the sets you see in the store:
http://entertainment.circuitcity.com/Movies/Movie.aspx?v_id=V+++179984&prodid=IMG5867DVD
http://entertainment.circuitcity.com/Movies/Movie.aspx?v_id=V+++251522&prodid=DIDD712DVD
(AVIA is easier to use, but DVE has better calibration material on the disc)