Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steel_Wind" data-source="post: 2233194" data-attributes="member: 20741">Re: NEC VT 470Blakey,If you were getting this unit used, I might be inclined to see the wisdom of the purchase; however, I cannot in all conscience confirm this would be a wise purchase as a new projector at this stage.The problem is that you would be investing money for a new projector – and rather serious coin at that – which has not one outdated technology present in the unit – but two:1. LCD The NEC VT 470 is an LCD projector.  The market has gone to DLP because of that technology’s smaller size, reduced price and much better contrast.  DLP picture quality is simply better than an LCD’s.  There it is.  That does not mean that LCD sucks – but it does mean that all things being equal, you’ll be better off with a DLP.  It’s not a huge issue. (I have both an LCD and a DLP and each has different strengths.)But I don’t have an 800x600 LCD, and I wouldn’t be buying a new one with those specs at any price for more than 900 USD or so.2. SVGA: Above all, you are paying money for a new projector which has a resolution of only 800x600.  Unless you are buying a used projector, or a brand new projector at the very low end of the cost scale (less than 900 USD), I don’t recommend buying a model which only has SVGA resolution. That’s true even if it is a DLP.  If it’s a LCD – all the more reason not to buy this unit. Given the unit you propose to purchase and its cost, I think it’s a waste of your group’s money, to be honest.There is an alternative product put out by NEC, the NEC VT 670 which is identical in all respects except it has XGA resolution, not SVGA. The optical and brightness qualities are otherwise identical. It offers all the features of the 470, including a decent size image at 4’ throw and it’s bright, reasonably ok in contrast – but above all – it’s XGA resolution in size at 1024x768.VT 470 @ 4’ throw: 816 pixels per sq. inch at 34” diagonal; 564 pixels per sq. inch at 42” diagonalVT 670 @ 4’ throw:1316 pixels per sq. inch at 34” diagonal;  924.6 pixels per sq. inch at 42” diagonalThe image on the VT 670 is therefore far clearer and more detailed at max zoom (it’s very worst focus at 4’ ) on a 42” map than the 470 is at its very best focus 34" map created at 4’ throw.  That’s the math.If you are going to drop money for a brand new projector in the $1500-1700 USD range, you should not, IMO, be dropping it on 2 outdated technologies at the same time. I’d go a touch higher to get the VT 670 and get the additional resolution.  The payoff in picture quality and  pixel density will translate to far improved graphics on the tabletop and will not be out of date should you wish to sell it or use it for Home Theatre.  If you go 800x600 at the price you are quoting, it is my view that you will be sorry that you did.Now – if you can find the 470 used for 700 USD or less, I’m changing my opinion and I’m all for it.  But not if it’s new – it’s not worth the money.  Note: with a brand new bulb, the refurb 470 below for $790 would be worth it, IMO.</blockquote>

Verification