Plasma "Shlasma" Get a projector instead!

Author's Rating:

Pros: ALL IN ONE, affordable & comes with a free 80 inch screen and subwoofer!

Cons: Bulky, no handle

The Bottom Line: 
An all in one being bundled with a FREE 80 inch PORTABLE screen, 40 watt subwoofer and purchased from Costco is a MUST HAVE!

Author's Review
After seeing the outrageous prices, as well as the images on the LCD and Plasma tvs in the stores - which leave MUCH to be desired btw (even when they're properly calibrated)I decided to go projector after reading about the 2 newest "all in one" deals on the market, and the price point, $800 - $1,000 to get images ranging from 80 inches to 120 (on a screen, even bigger on a wall!)

I decided to put my Costco Membership to good use and give one a try. I was waffling toward the Optoma Dv10 all in one DLP, but decided against it for a few reasons:

First, there is no lens shift, second, all the reviews basically say how LOW this needs to be, sometimes on the floor! Third, the built in speakers were only 5 watts each and finally, the most important: The free screen that comes with it was not PORTABLE like the unit itself! It is only WALL MOUNTABLE and at this time, I do not have the wall mounting space.

I am using my remodeled attic, but its not totally dormed out so I have those damned angles and narrowness to contend with, hence an all in one as opposed to separate units, speakers, etc was my solution.

Which lead me to the next choice and one I settled on: Epson Moviemate! Costco has this bundled with an PORTABLE 2 size screen that opens SIDEWAYS and comes with a tripod as well as mounting bracket - now THAT makes sense for a unit claiming to be fully PORTABLE! Also, like the Optoma, Epson offers a free powered subwoofer!

Out of the box, this was set up in a matter of minutes! However, due to my limited space, it did take me an hour to properly find the "sweet spot" and the right height to match the screen.

This puppy throws an image of 80 inches from only 6.6 feet away folks! The images are sharp and colors are vibrant! Blacks are good and the reds are awesome with ZERO bleed!

There is a "wide mode" which will stretch the image (ugly) but theres also a OPTICAL (as opposed to an image degrading DIGITAL) ZOOM! This will take 4:3 content and FILL the entire screen without loss of clarity! Now, to be sure, you lose some top and bottom picture but not much to notice.

NOTE: If you hate thick black bars, this unit is 16:9 and takes your thick black bars (2:35) normally seen on square tvs and makes them the thinner ones (1:85) and if your dvd is already 1:85, the thin black bars you noticed on you square tv are now GONE! (I simplified this so everyone can understand)

The other night I watched my Special Edition of Starship Troopers as well as Fifth Element and was BLOWN AWAY! The unit also handles the otherworldy greens from the Matrix movies VERY WELL! Ya know the scene in Matrix 2 where Neo fights all the Smiths and then goes sideways on that pole, kicking their butts? Well in the theater it blew me away - but on tv and I have a nice 32 inch, it just didnt thrill me...but boy! That thrill is back with my 80 inch screen folks! AWESOME!

The dvd player is by JVC and is a Progressive scan which for this size screen gives better more fluid images when they're in motion - but can also be changed to Interlaced if one desires - I briefly did this and the images were nice as well.

There are 2 speakers "JVC" and 10 Watts EACH and do the job VERY NICELY! However, plug in the 40 watt powered subwoofer and you wont even miss your 5.1 Surround! Okay, I do a little, but this is still SWEET and LOUD!(unless you're an audiophile ya wont mind the built in speakers)

NOTE: This unit does allow for external hookups such as Dvd players, surround sound systems, game devices, etc. The user manual is one of the EZ-est I have EVER read!

The image is 480p, the standard for dvds. Contrary to what people say about "screen door" effect if sitting too close, or blacks not black, on LCD projectors, etc, I am sitting about 9 feet away and I dont notice SD effects at all, and the blacks are nice! The unit is even bright enough to watch movies with shades drawn at about 4pm in the afternoon (winter months) If you are like me and dont care too much about HD DVD at the moment, are not impressed by the plasma and lcd tv images as well in the THOUSANDS of dollars for a mere 42 - 55 inches, then get yourself a Costco membership for $50, get this unit and begin experiencing the movie theater in you own home NOW for $799.99! The free screen itself is worth $230 alone!

80 inches at about 10 feet sitting distance replicates the big screen feeling without screaming babies brought in by ignorant parents, potential gang problems when ya want to go at night, people talking during a show, cell phones going off, etc!

This all in one delivers it ALL for a price point that shouldnt be ignored! Plus, if ya get it at Costco, they are reknown for taking stuff back as long as a receipt is handy! That means no worries about receipts or warranties being out of date - you can upgrade later if something better comes along! I do it ALL THE TIME! Currently, the Epson Moviemate is the cheapest at Costco over Sams Club, Circuit City, etc.



I will NEVER buy giant HD plasma or lcd tvs! They just cannot compete with projectors and the images they are giving in size, clarity and price point!

I will only upgrade to HD when it involves PROJECTORS and even bigger screens when I get the room! Dont deny yourself folks - if you are a movie nut like me...oh baby! Pop the popcorn kick back and ENJOY!

Note: I am NOT a video or audiophile and quite frankly these types scared me into not going projector thinking I needed at least $2 - 5 grand to get into something decent!These types are being WAYY too critical and looking for flaws and writing reviews on almost every projector under $1000 as if only "joblo or "jowalmart" could enjoy these type of units. Now, I aint them NOR am I your joblo, josixpack, jowalmart rube who doesnt know better, and is just therefore "settling" for inferior product just to get in on projectors - so DO NOT BE TURNED OFF by snobby projector reviews! If ya have any questions let me know I will be glad to help!