CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 3:34 am Post subject: Best digital for $2Kish?

Bought a nice 8500 Ultra from a customer in Portland, Or yesterday. He's replacing it with a digital in the $2Kish price range.

I didn't see his theatre, I just met up with his wife, and we discussed pros and cons. They just bought the house, the 8500 with a DVI card was installed by the previous owner. I'm linking him to this post, so he can choose to join the forum and ask questions, or just read what you people have seen, since I personally don't follow digitals.

Thanks for your input!

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

Go to my post in the snarky stewart thread about JVC on ebay. Grab the RS45 for $1900 and don't look back.

ecrabb · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 4:38 am Post subject:

HogPilot · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 10:59 am Post subject:

Agreed. I think the 2nd best deal (although out of their price range) would be the RS55 here:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574906687&toolid=10001&campid=5336656890&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FJVC-DLA-X70-4K-3D-DLA-X70R-THX-PROJECTOR-DLA-RS55-DLA-RS55E-DLA-RS55RBE-%2F360661754582%3Fpt%3DLH_DefaultDomain_0%26hash%3Ditem53f91da2d6

It would add a CMS, 4K e-shift, and higher on/off CR. $3200 is outstanding for an RS55, but whether or not they'd be willing to spend that much is another story.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

While I agree with your thinking Hog, I would guess that they aren't into HT and just want a decent pj.The fact that they just purchased the house and they immediately dumped the CRT makes me guess that they don't know much about HT in general.

ecrabb · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 4:01 pm Post subject:

While the 55 is truly an excellent machine, and eShift, CMS and higher on/off are all very worthwhile features for an enthusiast, the delta between the refurb 45 and 55 is still about 50% more, or more to the point $1400 more. To a lot of people, that's a nice vacation. Hell, I'm an enthusiast, and while I'd love to have eShift, there are too many other things (both HT- and non-HT-related) I need/want to spend money on. Honestly, I think the problem is that the RS45 is so damn good at $1800.

That said, if the budget is there, it's very worthwhile. I'd love to have eShift. Want.

SC

HogPilot · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 4:23 pm Post subject:

Toally agree with both of you guys on all points, which is why I offered it as a "runner-up" choice. For the performance per dollar spent, that refurb RS45 is incredibly hard to beat. If $2K isn't a hard budget and they're willing to spend more, the RS55 has some noteworthy upgrades that will have a notable impact on PQ as you guys pointed out. But as I always say, the value proposition is different for everyone - it depends on their disposable income (and their willingness to spend it on the item in question), what kind of theater space they have, their sensitivity to various PQ metrics, etc. It certainly never hurts to have more than one option presented to you Smile

mc86 · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 5:59 pm Post subject:

Should this homeowner worry about lenses? That is, do these JVCs (or digitals in general) come with different lenses depending on screen width and throw length?

For example, I have a friend looking for a digital to replace an ancient EIKI he got from a university. Hard to describe his setup as his house is weird, but it is a ~22ft throw and he wants only a ~96" wide screen (16:9). He thinks most standard lenses would make an image way too wide at that length. Anyway, he might go as high as $2k...

Matt

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12026 Location: Fort Collins, CO

According to http://www.projectorcentral.com/JVC-DLA-RS45E-projection-calculator-pro.htm, 96" wide at 22' is at the narrow end of the RS-45's range, but it will just barely work.

HogPilot · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 8:29 pm Post subject:

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2645 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

you can just barely get a Sony qualia 004 which does different lenses. But I think the projector is so old now I don't know why anyone would pay $2000 for it. Maybe $800 at best.