Samsung SPH710AE DLP FP from JKP - Videophile 720p Bargain

[HiDeffjeff]

Richard...I am familiar with the projector in question. I noticed there is not much discussion of it over at projector central...I think you would be amazed with the Panasonic PT-AE900U projector. I cannot believe you can buy a projector of this quality for a mere 1800.00 bucks. I have the 700U as well in my bedroom, and no problems with it after over a year...The 900U is basically the same projector as the 700U...They bumped up the contrast to 5500:1 (real world 3500)...and it is whisper quiet 23db It has a joy stick lense shift and 2.0 throw...(easy mount rear wall, ceiling)...It is rated #1 at Projector Central and if you buy it you'll see why...Just thought I'd make a suggestion...You will love it and for the price you would have an excellent projector to watch till true 1080P comes out...

[Richard]

My last post may have inferred my Samsung is not working but the projector is working, thank god!

I know you are a big fan of the Panasonic entry level products and for good reason. They are designed for the first time front projection do-it-yourself consumer and are very adaptable to many applications and do not require an accurate installation. While they will create images that will satisfy such consumers those images do not meet imaging science without turning off all the supposedly cool dynamic features like dynamic iris. While the response greatly improves you are left with other problems that cannot be overcome with the biggest one being poor dynamic range due to limitations in black level.

While I was impressed with the PTAE700U on the surface it was not working for me long term due to that. My eyes know better and it simply could not deliver and nor will the new 900 version.

I was considering buying an older DLP used until I saw this deal on the Samsung that I could not refuse. While there were some problems that Socal needs to address, at $1200 less I remain satisfied even if I would have had to wait weeks on the repair.

So far every thing I throw at it is a revelation in what I have been missing. Seems like every subtle nuance of imaging is provided from luminance to color that I simply have not seen with any other display I have worked with. Not only does it do black it does color free black creating subtle variations in that area I simply have not seen but knew was there and to think the black is going to get even blacker once I hit about 200 hours. Then there is the constant 3D look...

The perfect 1.78 to 2.35 zoom with the precision worm gear lens shift has been awesomely convenient with my constant height 2.35 screen. Set the focus and simply move the zoom from one end to the other, tweak lens shift.

At 3.5 screen heights it looks like a CRT!

The main reason you have not heard any buzz is the budget videophile version just started shipping but the buzz is developing over at AVS forum as I understand and it is developing within the ISF community as well. Bottom line, nearly everyone agrees this is the current videophile bargain of the decade if video standards are your passion regardless of the 720P limitation.

As a Projector Central fan bear in mind they are into sales, not imaging science. They will NOT provide a negative review of a product they intend to sell so any negative finding will be spun out to favor the price versus performance factor. With that in mind I think the performance nuances are self evident in their review of the Samsung and to their credit they do give a beginning and final conclusion that is a clear statement of performance. That said I do not necessarily agree with all of their comments and hopefully will have the time to provide a review of the PTAE700U and the SP-H710AE.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/samsung_sph710.htm

And all that said this projector may not be for you! To get peak performance will require accurate ceiling mount, the right screen and room with a proper viewing distance of 3 screen heights or greater; consultation with an ISF imaging professional would be of great benefit. Not everybody wants to do that, hence the fine do-it-yourself entry level products from Panasonic.

[HiDeffjeff]

Richard, check this out...Kind of funny he had a PTAE900U (like me)...But was impressed with the Samsung.

http://www.avscience.com/reviews/projec ... h710ae.htm

It "is" tempting, but I'm gonna hold off and spring for the Optoma HD81 coming this June...

http://www.audioholics.com/ces/CESdispl ... jector.php

[HiDeffjeff]

Here's another place to get the Samsung for CHEAP...

http://www.bestpricecameras.com/485738- ... 710AE.html

[canjack54]

Hi Richard,

A little more than a month has passed now since you received your unit ... how are you enjoying it and have you been pleased with your selection?

Looking forward to a brief review from an HDTV pro and admitted videophile.

[Richard]

Gosh, things have been crazy... This may end up as a review article for the site. Quick scoop:

What more could I want?

Color isolation in customer menu to check color decoder

Faster color wheel with more sections. Rainbow visibility is kinda open ended and would take awhile to put in perspective but more speed is better in this regard.

1080P



It is one of the few pieces that looked OK out of the box in my life. Beyond a basic calibration and level check I have not felt a need to whip out an analyzer. In fact it has been astounding and very revealing as is. Once I do finally make those checks I expect it to be very close if not right on.

At 3.5 screen heights or beyond this product definitely represents one of the great videophile 720P FP values I have been talking about for months now! There are and will be others as the market goes 1080P crazy.

I am also thrilled that I bought when I did because the $2800 price appears to have gone into yesteryear. Current pricing is typically $3500 now.

[Richard]

Current pricing is now at about $2200... Still an awesome projector provided you are not sitting too close!

[ScottR]

Appreciated this string as I am preparing to purchase my first front projector and the Samsung is at the top of my list. How would you compare it to the Sanyo PLV-z5? I will have a dedicated room and will use it 90% for movie (DVD) viewing. Is the Samsung worth the extra $ for the "Film-like" quality over the Sanyo? I intend on using the Carada Criterion Series screen with a Brilliant White finish, 90 - 100". Viewing distance approximately 11 feet from the screen. Finally, I do not see the projector listed for less that $2.9K. Appreciate your feedback. Thanks,

Scott Roney
Oceanside, CA

Denon AVR-3806 Receiver
Denon DVD-2930CI DVD player

[Richard]

and a newly designed LCD panel, achieving a contrast level as high as 10,000:1

Video lies and snake oil... it is transmissive LCD and that contrast ratio is a due to dynamic iris and gamma manipulation. You won't percieve that experience because it is an artificial made up spec; article coming out shortly... That does not make it a bad projector. The Samsung will out perform it though provided you're not DLP rainbow adverse.

Saw $2200 again just a day or two ago at ebay. BTW, new stock on this product is just about sold out leaving B-stock for a short term and then used only.

Have not heard a word about a new Samsung/JKP 1080P version...

[perfectinght]

The last 3 front projection theater projects I've designed and installed have included the 710 and two model 800 units. My customers are thrilled with the performance and image quality of these products. I didn't make as much money as I could, if I had specified other projectors, but that's never my top criterion. It's the performance of the final system that is most important to me.

I talked to Joe this week about progress on a 1080p version. He hopes to demo a prototype at the CeBIT show but it's up to Samsung's engineers. Samsung is very mindful of competition with Sony's 'Pearl' LCoS at $5k, and would like to match or beat Sony's price. However, Joe is confident his projector should outperform the $20k Marantz or the Sim2 DLPs. He also mentioned the optics will be superb. I told him I would be happy if it came in under $10k, considering its competition and its expected superior image fidelity.

Thus far, all the displays Joe has had a leading hand in designing have not been commercial successes. For some reason that eludes me, most folks don't regard image fidelity as their top priority when choosing a display. I can understand price obstacles. If you can't afford it, you won't buy it. Some other design obstacles may also be understandable. It's impossible to design a device that fulfills every possible requirement. Too many times I've seen people stare blankly into space when the topic of image fidelity is discussed. Most people seem to respond to "colors that really pop," rather than "original artist's intent."

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.
www.cinemaquestinc.com

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"