Highest quality short throw projector

[pwade3]

How do you hit wedge shots from that far back. I don't see anything protecting the ceiling. The picture does look real good.

[abirdie4me]

I've never come close to the ceiling from 10 feet, but from 12 feet it gets close. I try to hit lower penetrating shots so it's not an issue for me, but I'll have to put up ceiling protection in the next build phase to protect from my kids and others that may play on it. Now that the projector is settled, I'll start on the side walls and ceiling protection before moving on to the sub floor. It's going to be a long build process as I travel for work a lot and only have a few hours here and there to work on it.

[Mattrix09]

What kind of mount did you get for the 580? The mounts suggested by Panasonic are over $500...will universal mounts work for this?

[CBearsSB]

You do not need to buy the Panasonic mount. I have the Panasonic 570 (older version of yours) and use the Chief RPAU Universal Ceiling mount. I ordered through Projector People. At time was Item number CHIRPA278 for $159. At time also Purchased a 6 inch speed-connect ceiling plate (CHICMS115) for $41. You can go to Chief Manufacturing website but got better deal at Projector People. Depending on mounting height there are 3 and 6 inch extension columns.

[Snaphook]

I use some "no name" universal mount on mine. But make sure it's something sturdy.

[abirdie4me]

I reused the cheap mount from my benq 1085st.

[jdubaky]

PT-VZ580 seems to tick most boxes - throw a little on the longish side but should be workable. In built curve correction has me on the verge of doing a curved screen.

Main concern is how it looks for movies, being marketed as a business projector. Contrast ratio is good but hard to compare between manufacturers due to embellishment. I currently have the benq 2150st, similar 15000:1 contrast, but it won't be bright enough when I move it to a less light controlled room.

[Gonzales4]

I am using Hi-Tech for more than 1 years. It's working well so far. The problem is I need to change flash light few months ago. Now everything is okey.

[Snaphook]

PT-VZ580 seems to tick most boxes - throw a little on the longish side but should be workable. In built curve correction has me on the verge of doing a curved screen.

Main concern is how it looks for movies, being marketed as a business projector. Contrast ratio is good but hard to compare between manufacturers due to embellishment. I currently have the benq 2150st, similar 15000:1 contrast, but it won't be bright enough when I move it to a less light controlled room.

I can only speak for myself. But the picture blew me away. Was not expecting that good. I ended up getting a full home theater system to complement the picture :-)
YMMV depending on your current system. I upgraded from a 720p pj.

[jdubaky]

That's positive, thanks. I was going to order one of the mill screens after the reviews of great image quality, but then saw a comparison vs simple block out curtains which were noticeably sharper and more contrasty - so decided not to.

But I see you came from a Benq MW621 - which is brighter and a bit less contrasty than my Benq HT2150 if hopefully numbers within a brand can be respected. I think that's a good guide that I will find the 580 good. I did a big search of projectors and the 580 series was the only ones that seemed to fit, so glad to see a few happy people with them in action.

Thanks

[CBearsSB]

I have PT-VZ570 (model 2 years ago). I also am impressed with image quality for movies, TV, etc. A great projector for sim play.

[abirdie4me]

I have a Roku hooked up to my sim, and Netflix movies look really good on the VZ580...at least as good as you can get on an impact screen. The screen will always be your limiting factor for image quality, which is why I don't really see the point in using 4k for a golf simulator. The 580's overall image quality is at least as good as the BenQ 1085st that it replaced, and probably a little better. But it also has major advantages for sim play of much higher brightness and 16:10 aspect ratio. The only downside for me was the throw ratio, I had to mount it at around 16 feet to get roughly 15' x 9.5' image. That caused shadows, so I had to move my hitting mat back to around 12 feet. Not a big deal, but does bring ceiling / side walls more into play.

[jdubaky]

I have a Roku hooked up to my sim, and Netflix movies look really good on the VZ580...at least as good as you can get on an impact screen. The screen will always be your limiting factor for image quality, which is why I don't really see the point in using 4k for a golf simulator. The 580's overall image quality is at least as good as the BenQ 1085st that it replaced, and probably a little better. But it also has major advantages for sim play of much higher brightness and 16:10 aspect ratio. The only downside for me was the throw ratio, I had to mount it at around 16 feet to get roughly 15' x 9.5' image. That caused shadows, so I had to move my hitting mat back to around 12 feet. Not a big deal, but does bring ceiling / side walls more into play.

Yes - the throw ratio I don't think I can live with after doing some calcs, as I wish a 8' tall image which is mounting the projector at 14' at maximum zoom. Hitting at 10' would likely have a touch of shadowing - 11' would be better but there's too much loss of immersion that far back IMO, plus as you mentioned, hitting the ceiling.

Thousands of projectors on the market and not one ticks the few ticks boxes I have: > 4000 lumens for play with ambient light, > 15000:1 contrast for movies, < $2.5k, WUXGA, throw ratio 0.5 - 0.9 or thereabouts. I'd have to go twice the price of the VX580 to Panasonic's with the (interchangeable) short throw lens and that is simply overspending at a time when cheap lasers are around the corner.

The only feasible choice I've found left is the one mentioned - the EH460ST - 4200 lumens, 20000:1, Throw ratio 0.5, $1099, but 1920x1080 - so losing 120 pixels height and 360 in width for my 12' wide screen. Even that's not available in Australia so will have to import... Also I wonder if crowned drives might hit it - I'll have to measure where my current holes in the ceiling are. Arrghhhh...

[jdubaky]

@bionicboogerbody, How's the EH460ST going? In particular do you feel the brightness will be sufficient for room with medium levels of ambient light in - and how do movies seem?

[vrpunk]

Optoma WU515ST 1920x1200, 5000lumens, can be offset left or right by 10% (so away from hitting area) and 25% higher into the ceiling by lens shift (so no image degradation) short throw at 0.79. BUT expensive!
I have the Optoma1080darbee and running a 4m x 2.25m image, projector is 2m away from screen and about 2.5m above the hitting area. Its good for good golfers, but a few people have come close hitting the projector with a very steep swing plane.

Thats why i would like the WU515ST as I can offset it from the htting area 40cm right and 1m further back (no shadow cast) and higher towards ceiling, but in UK they want £2500.