[ Scene from a projector movie night on the water in Richardson, TX ]

There’s a traditional home theater – the kind that looks like a ‘real’ Cineplex down to the popcorn maker. And then there’s progressive home theater. These are the theaters that have been created in random spaces by creative video enthusiasts who take their projector with them everywhere – like a Hollywood starlet carries her Chihuahua – to the backyard, in the middle of the living room, in the basement next to the pool table, and we recently learned — even on the water.

Progressive projector enthusiast, Mike Wilkinson, has taken his business projector into the family, and onto the boat with him. He and some friends watch horror movies, sailing themed movies, and whatever else strikes their fancy – out on the water.

We have pictures to share, and we did a short email interview with Mike to share his unique use of projection. Interview and pictures below :

What part of the country do you hail from?

Richardson, Texas (Dallas suburb)

How did you come up with the idea to project on a sail?

One of our fellow sailors in our yacht club (Lavon Yacht Club) is our Cruising Commodore. He came up with the idea of “Movie Night Raft Up”

What body of water do you project on?

Lake Lavon (Northwest Dallas near Plano)

How long is the sail watching season in Richardson, TX?

We can sail almost year around. As far as rafting up, we usually do that between April and November.

What kind of ship are you sailing? How large is your screen/sail?

I have a Hunter 36 (36 foot Sloop). The name is “Hiding Out” We use my boat as the projector and seating since I have a diesel generator to power the projector, microwave, etc. We have been using another boat (Catalina 30) for the projection screen. His main sail is new and crisp like a projector screen. Everyone else ties their boats up to one side or the other of us.

How does the picture look, and what do you use for sound on the water?

The picture looks good. The screen moves a little with the wind so the picture gets distorted a little bit if it is windy. We are going to try a bigger boom box in the future. This has been the weak point thus far.

What are your favorite films to show?

The club favorites are Wind and Captain Ron! But, any sailing, water, or water horror picture is great!

Have you ever become sea sick from watching a movie on the water?

We do this activity in a cove so the boats don’t rock too much. ” Actually, I have never been seasick. I have raced in Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf. I am lucky that my body actually gets tired and wants to go to sleep when I am in a car, plane, or boat.

What do you do with your projector the rest of the year?

The projector is actually property of my company “Paragon Innovations, Inc.” It is our portable projector to take with us on sales calls, etc.

What… is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Well it depends if it is an African or European swallow

Any other tips you’d like to share with a would-be movie projecting sailor?

You can use a small portable generator (like the Honda EU2000) for power if the boat doesn’t have AC power. Make sure the sound can be louder than you think. In the open, sound doesn’t get to bounce off of the living room walls. Also, movies tend to have lower audio levels than music CDs, etc. The lighter the wind, the better in terms of swaying. The bigger the more stable the boats the better.

Have any photos from the boat?

Sure!

Photos of Projector Movie Night

[ Sail. Check. Screen. Already checked. Projector. Check. Comfy seating. Check. ]

[ A scary movie on the water. ]

[ Overboard viewed on the sail if a boat in Richardson, TX. "Catarina! Aurturo!"]

For much of the country, it’s a bit too late in the year to start projecting out on the water. But those of us in the south, it’s still in season. Either way, we can all agree that this is an idea whose time has come.

[ Find your own projector for business and/or pleasure ]

Quick Video Log

So What’s the Word?

• Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB ($2599 after current $400 rebate with free lamp)
• Panasonic PT-AE3000U ($2599 plus free 2-year warranty rebate)
• Sanyo PLV-Z3000($2395 after $200 rebate)

• Vivitek H1080FD ($999)
• BenQ W1000 ($999)
• Optoma HD20 ($999)

If you have more questions about the differences between these products, pricing questions, or any other projector related needs, leave a comment, send an email to webmaster(at)projectorpeople.com, or gives us a call at 1-888-248-0675. Thanks for reading!

Newly announced $999 True HD 1080p projectors are the latest buzz in the projection world. These cheaper entry level 1080p projectors are stirring up questions. Most commonly, questions about their level of performance versus the current best selling 1080p projectors. We will do a more thorough investigation later, once we have all three models in stock to compare. We should have inventory on $999 models from BenQ, Optoma, and Vivitek in stock and ready to ship by the end of September. But here is a quick look at the new products to help answer a few questions we’ve heard floating about.

[ Photo : Image from the Optoma HD20 in action. More photos here. ]

Head to Head : Entry Level 1080p versus High End 1080p

Our current best sellers – the Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB, Panasonic PT-AE3000U, and the Sanyo PLV-Z3000 – all come with advanced features the new $999 projectors don’t have (lens shift and zoom lensing to name two). There are also some serious spec advantages like significantly higher contrast ratio and 120hz frame rates in particular. So, here is a quick look at what we currently have to go on for our head-to-head comparison based on the published manufacturer specifications. To make things easier, let’s use the (first to ship) Optoma HD20 and the Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB. You can compare more specs and up to three projectors using our projector comparison tool.

So, while there are distinct advantages to the higher end home cinema projectors, the new $999 units are a new breed of 1080p product that opens up true HD to a new level of affordability. All you need to do is determine which product fits your budget and will give you all you want for your investment.

Expected Ship Dates for New $999 Projectors

The dates may change, but here’s a the latest on when we expect to receive our first/next shipment* of three new sub-$1000 1080ps.

• Vivitek H1080FD – Early September, 2009
• BenQ W1000 – Mid-Late September, 2009
• Optoma HD20 – Late September, 2009 (sold through first shipment)

The Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB, Panasonic PT-AE3000U, and Sanyo PLV-Z3000 are all currently in stock and ready to ship. Click to see all our HDTV 1080p projectors. Call for details!

We’ve been getting lots of questions about when the new $999 projectors will be in stock here at ProjectorPeople.com. Here’s a very quick review of when we expect to receive our first/next shipment* of three new sub-$1000 1080ps from BenQ, Optoma, and Vivitek. (Updated October 5th, 2009)

• BenQ W10000 – Late October, 2009
• Optoma HD20 – Now in stock! (click to check inventory)
• Vivitek H1080FD – October 15th, 2009

You can check out our complete selection of 1080p Projectors here.

Hey sports fans! Have you ever dreamed of projecting outdoors in broad daylight? Have you fantasized of watching your Sunday afternoon football outside while you BBQ, watching your favorite team on the giant screen? If you are anything like the vast majority of our home theater customers, you have. And now, because of the Black Diamond screen material from SI Screens, you are closer to your dream than ever before. Read on for photos and video, and more.

Dress Your Home Theater in Black

More than just improving your image in daylight, new Black Diamond II screens also improve black levels in any home theater with ambient light. In fact, SI Screens reports improvements in contrast ratios of 300% or more, and there is photographic evidence to prove it. I know, I know, you have seen these images before. But, this image reflects the quality we saw in person. Check out our training video below if you don’t believe it.

Essentially, the Black Diamond screen filters reflected light from the screen, bouncing back only the light coming from the projector and not the ambient light from other angles. White screens were designed to help improve the brightness of a projector by sending as much light as possible back to the viewer. But, now that projectors can pump out more lumens, the white screens can actually reflect too much light, scattering it around the space. As a result, there can be distracting reflections in your room. That extra ambient light can also reduce the contrast of your image. In a :30 second video here you can clearly see how the light on the ceiling disappears as the Black Diamond screen is lowered over the white screen.

Black Diamond Screens Versus Plasma and LCD TVs

Is an image on a Black Diamond II screen comparable to the image on a plasma or LCD TV? There has been no independent research done on this yet, but what we saw in our demonstration this week (see video below) was very impressive. At the very least, Black Diamond screens have helped to level the playing field in big screen technology. And if you compare the cost of a projector and Black Diamond II fixed frame screen to that of a 80, 92, 100, or up to 113-inch plasma or LCD TV, you are looking at thousands of dollars in savings.

Big Screen Prices Compared

• Plasma : 82-inch $29,999*
• LCD TV : 82-inch $49,999*
• LED TV : 46-inch $3,199**
• Black Diamond Screen and $2500 1080p Projector : 80-inch screen $4699 (available now!)

* Not readily available over 65-inches in the consumer market. Estimates for LCD and plasma based on professional product prices.
** Limited availability. Not readily available in sizes larger than 46-inches.

As the word gets out about the image quality from the Black Diamond screens, it’s reasonable to expect that a review site like Projector Central or Projector Reviews will put them to the test against a flat screen TV, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Brighter Images In Ambient Light

The Black Diamond is not only a great new technology for home theater, but it can also be just what the doctor ordered in bright office spaces, church sanctuaries, and lights on classrooms. Currently there are no motorized Black Diamond screens available, but SI Screens has them in development and hopes to have the right solution soon. But in rooms where a fixed screen will do the trick, a Black Diamond screen allows for lights on presenting in nearly any setting.

Quick Tip : If there is a window directly behind your projector it will impact the image you see because the screen will pick up the ambient light as well. In just about any other orientation, it will work its magic.

Exclusive Online Dealer for SI Screens

Projector People is the exclusive online dealer for SI Screens including Black Diamond Reference screens, and the full line of motorized and fixed frame screens. We offer full support of the products before and after the sale. Read more about our full line of SI Screens

Read more about Black Diamond II screens on our blog post from last week.

As always, if you have any questions about projectors, screens, and accessories. Call a Projector Expert today! 1-888-248-0675.

Since naturally potential buyers will want to compare all three projectors, we are putting together this quick chart for you. We have yet to see them all in action, but we can compare the specs published by the three manufacturers. Since these seem to be very similarly designed projectors, the actual performance differences will probably be minimal – but we look forward to putting them through the paces here at Projector People.

Three New $999 1080p Home Theater Projectors

BenQ W1000 Projector ($999)

• Resolution: HD (1920 x 1080)
• Display Type: DLP Single Chip
• Brightness: 1800 lumens
• Contrast: 2700:1
• Weight: 7.5 lbs.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Lamp Life: 3000 hours
• Also has 2 HDMI (1.3) connections, keystone correction, 3D color management
• View complete BenQ W1000 specs here »

Optoma HD20 Projector ($999)

• Resolution: HD (1920 x 1080)
• Display Type: DLP Single Chip
• Brightness: 1700 lumens
• Contrast: 4000:1
• Weight: 6.4 lbs.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Lamp Life: 3000 hours
• Also has 2 HDMI connections, S-video, and 12v screen trigger
• View complete Optoma HD20 specs here »

Vivitek H1080FD Projector ($999)

• Resolution: HD (1920 x 1080)
• Display Type: DLP Single Chip
• Brightness: 1800 lumens
• Contrast: 5000:1
• Weight: 5.7 lbs.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Lamp Life: not published
• Also has 2 HDMI connections, S-video, and 12v screen trigger
• View complete Vivitek H1080FD specs here »

Quick Tip : Use our Projector Comparison tool to compare these new projectors head to head, or to match them up against current best selling home theater projectors.

What are these new low-priced 1080p projectors missing? For starters, the new projectors don’t specify the 120hz frame rate that really set the Sanyo PLV3000, Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB and Panasonic PT-AE3000U apart from the entry level home theater projectors. There is also no lens shift or power zoom, which could arguably be considered a necessary feature for the DIY projector installer. But for $999, you might be willing to get creative in the way you mount your projector. We will be doing more comparison as the new units roll in. Stay tuned!

Projector Central got a hold of an Epson Ensemble HD 6100 package and has just published their review. We wanted to make you aware of it and throw in one or two thoughts which you can take or leave. Below are some quotes pulled from the review. You can also just read the full review on Projector Central.

Projector Central says :

“The Ensemble is designed not to be the ultimate in home theater, but to be an all in one, easy to install solution that eliminates the mystery of assembling all of the components on your own. It is meant for the person who likes the idea of big home theater with a front projector and big, bold surround sound, but isn’t quite sure where to start, but doesn’t want to spend a lot of time in research and product selection. It is meant for the typical consumer who wants home theater but doesn’t want to turn it into a full time job or hobby.”

Exactly sir! The real reason this product should be a big seller is in the details. Our customer service team installed the entire system in one of our conference rooms and they were able to complete the task in a work day.

Projector Central says :

“But the real “Wow” factor of the Ensemble isn’t found in the spec sheets. It’s actually very simple: if someone told you five years ago that you could have a complete home theater, with 5.1 surround and a high-definition front projector, for less than $7,500, you would have laughed. Today, it is available at over 200 dealers around the country, as well as two authorized online resellers for the do-it-yourself crowd. If you are looking for a great big screen solution with the full surround sound experience, and want it installed in short order with no muss or fuss, the Epson Ensemble may be just the solution.”

We second (or third that if you read the Projector Reviews overview) that emotion. And not only have they made the price reasonable (not cheap, but very reasonable), they have removed a great cost to the customer in hassle. So the customer who is willing to pay a little more (and not much more) to spare the cost of hassle, should recognize that an Epson Ensemble system is a serious bargain.

Anyway, enough of our overview. Slide on over to Projector Central and read the complete Epson Ensemble HD system review here.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/epson_ensemble_hd_review.htm

[ Photos from the "Band of Brothers" HBO Series now on Blu-Ray. ]

Rich says : “I would say at the new price point the Epson Home Cinema 6100 is in a class by itself. Better than the ‘budget units’ and close to the better ones.”

[ Photos from the "Band of Brothers" HBO Series now on Blu-Ray. ]

[ Photos from the "Band of Brothers" HBO Series now on Blu-Ray. ]

Rich says : “My biggest surprise is having a bright image at the same time as deep black levels. This is a great choice for outdoor movies… actually I used it outside for some of the FSU bowl game. Didn’t take any pictures… couldn’t hold my camera AND a (beverage).”

Ups

• Sharp, bright picture (1800 lumens / 18000:1 contrast)
• Price point very competitive
• Accurate color with good flesh tones (even muted tones as in “Band of Brothers”)
• 2-year warranty

Downs

• Some visible video noise (not 120 hz)

Conclusions

For around $1,700 (after $200 rebates) the Epson Home Cinema 6100 outperforms cheaper projectors in the category. It falls between high performance and entry level pieces and is a good mid-range option for buyers who want a bright, new 1080p projector with good contrast at a lower price.

The Star of Show : Mitsubishi HC1500

We worked with Mitsubishi to provide the folks at DIY a very popular (at the time) Mitsubishi HC1500 native 720p projector. If you’re in the market for a low-priced HD projector for a room like this one (or any home theater) the newer Mitsubishi HC1600 is a wildly fantastic deal at $749 after $100 rebate from Mitsubishi.

More Mitsubishi HT Projectors

• Mitsubishi HC5500 -1080p – $1695 after $500 rebate
• Mitsubishi HC1600 -720p – $749 after $100 rebate

Upcoming Broadcasts:

• Friday, November 14th, 2008 : 12:00 PM EST
• Monday, December 01, 2008 : 8:30 AM EST

Watch it on the DIY Network.

Nobody Puts Baby in a Box!

One small issue with the show might be the covered projector mount. Provided the projector is not covered during operation, this is a perfectly cool and protective feature. Just in case other folks may want to DIY a projector mount, we thought it might be a good idea to clear up any misconceptions about putting your projector in a box. Let’s refer to the HC1500 user manual for guidance.

This is in all CAPS so it must be important :

“DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE LENS WHEN THE PROJECTOR IS IN THE POWER ON MODE.”

Sounds like good advice.

Also good advice worthy the CAPS :

“TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.”

More good advice that many people don’t follow.

“Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a fi re or electric shock.”

As if this can be predicted or prevented. But good advice. :

“Never spill liquid of any kind on the projector.”

Do NOT use your projector as a coffee warmer or coaster.

Aha! Here is the relevant bit :

“Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation, ensuring reliable operation of the projector and to protect it from overheating. Do not block these openings or allow them to be blocked by placing the projector on a bed, sofa, rug, or bookcase. Ensure that there is adequate ventilation and that the manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to.”

So, the show looks pretty cool. There’s even a Murphy bed in the room. You know, the kind of bed that folds back up into the wall. If you’ve got time or a Tivo, check it out.

Watch it on the DIY Network :

WASTED SPACES
Game Space Galore – Episode DWSP-304

The Cost of Doing Movies

So let’s do a little math. If you were to take your (2) kids (or a date) to see all the big movies coming out this summer; how much would it cost you? Here’s a list of just a few of the 2008 Summer Movie releases and their tentative release dates (source):

• “Iron Man”    (May 2nd)
• “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”    (May 16th)
• “Indiana Jones 4″    (May 22nd)
• “Kung Fu Panda”    (June 6th)
• “The Incredible Hulk”    (June 13th)
• “Get Smart”     (June 20th)
• “Wall E”    (June 27th)
• “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D”    (July 11th)
• “The Dark Knight”    (July 18th)
• “Star Wars : The Clone Wars”    (August 15th)

[ photo: Iron Man is scheduled for release May 2nd, 2008 ]

Now you might not see all of these movies in theaters this summer. In fact, the average family goes to see just about eight movies a year in movie theaters ( source Nielsen). But since you are reading our story, it’s likely that you like movies more than the average American. So, let’s pretend you actually do want to see all ten of the movies listed above. Below is an approximation at what you would spend:

Estimated Cost for Seeing Ten Summer Movies

• Adult tickets: 2 @ $9 = $18
• Kids tickets: 2 @ $7 = $14
• Refreshments aprox = $20

—————————–

• Total per movie = $52


• $52 per movie x 10 movies = $520
• ( Resale / Investment value = $0 )

(If you don’t have kids, then you can factor in the cost of the kids and refreshments as about what you’d pay for dinner and a movie if you were generous enough to pay for ten with a date or friend.)

Now you’ve spent $520 on movies, and what do you have to show for it? You’ll have the experience, which was hopefully positive, and if the movie was good enough, you’ll want to pick up the DVD when it comes out. Other than that, you’re pretty much out the $520 bucks. Now if you love movies, it’s probably worth it for the big screen experience, the quality time with family, and the movie popcorn.

But what if there was a way to watch movies on the big screen, experience quality time with the family, eat healthier popcorn, and enjoy the great outdoors all summer long with one simple investment?

Low Cost, Better Investment Big Screen Entertainment

A Backyard Theater does not require additional space inside the house, but rather takes advantage of space you have outdoors. Some use their garage door as a screen and set up their temporary outdoor theaters in the driveway. Other folks will take the time to rig up a semi-permanent backyard theater, complete with a projection screen and an outdoor sound system.

Cost of Budget Backyard Theater Component:

• Low cost projector = $449 and up (example NEC NP100 is coming soon!)
• Twin size bedsheet or tarp = $10
• Portable speakers (computer or regular AV)= $35 – $60
• DVD player = probably already own
• Component video or HDMI cable (depending on source) = $35 – $99
• Bug spray = $5 – $10

—————————–

• Total = $534 – $628
• Resale / Investment value = better than $0

[NEC's new low-priced NP100 is coming soon and just might do the trick. It's $499 with a $50 rebate for a limited time.]

But wait, there’s more!

So, while the cost of the projector will vary, you can find yourself in for as little as $550 or so. That’s just a few dollars more than your ten movie summer. Plus, once the summer is over, you can think about where to set up your projector indoors for the upcoming NFL football season, the holidays, and beyond. Our own anecdotal evidence shows that houses with home theaters will sell better in a tough economy than houses without a home theater.

How to Choose a Projector?

There are a number of important considerations for buying a projector. We have updated our Backyard Theater Buyers Guide from last year for your reference. We made this guide because considerations for backyard use only, might be different from the projector you might choose for a permanent installation in a dedicated home theater like these [ see photos of our customer's dedicated home theaters. ].

Survey Says

A number of American’s (about 20%) report that they would prefer to watch movies at home (source). After you get your home theater, you might just be one of them!

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