Sony VPL 4000Q: Film Like Classic or Dusty Dinosaur?

[Beaumont]

Hello Everyone

It has been a while since I have logged on but I am thinking about upgrading my trusty old Sony projector and would greatly appreciate an update and some advice.

When I bought this machine 2-3 years ago, it still had a bit of a cult following. Although I find it a bit noisy, I am generally happy with it and enjoy using it to watch movies and play X-Box games at night in my darkened bedroom.

I have also used it with some success with HD material, taken directly from a Time Warner HD cable box, using the HD component inputs.

I am nonetheless wondering how much better newer projectors would perform, particulalry as I have watched values on this old Sony machine plummet to only a few hundred bucks.

Could anyone please explain the progress which has been made and also suggest some projectors that would offer bargain prices on the used market? As I watch mostly at night, I am not so concerned about brightness, but quieter would be nice and I will otherwise take all the performance I can get.

Thank you very much and best wishes.

[kazkioken]

As a fellow 400Q owner (I even had one of the first whisperflow boxes) I can very much understand what you are asking and where you are coming from. I moved from a W400Q to a 10HT, then to my current Seleco HT200, and soon am moving to an HD2+ unit.

As per your request for "progress" I would say much progress has been made...so much so that it's kind of staggering for those who have not seen the latest in digital projectors. Within the LCD, DLP, and LCOS technologies resolution has reached a full 1920 x 1080 pixels (on certain units), there are 3 chip projectors, and there are extremely bright and high contrast units available. On the ultra high end you have things that cost tens of thousands and can compete and better most any presentation you will see at a commercial theater. For most though, the technology has gotten to the point where people can afford a 720P (1280 x 720) DLP projector...in either the older HD2 or newer HD2+ chip variations. You also have a few projectors with less resolution but incredible pictures nonetheless.

For pure value, you will have to take a look at an InFocus X2 if you can arrange an audition somehow. In terms of its perfomance to the W400Q there really is no comparison. You will not only get more brightness, but you will get much less screendoor, better colors, and overall a much punchier more live image. I simply still love my old old DLP unit from Seleco...but I have also seen many HD2+ units and they are simply beautiful and in relative terms are a definite bargain compared to what large behemoths the old analog tube units were like.

Definately look into any of the older XGA DLP units...there were many that were favorites around here and I bet you could pick one up used very cheaply. That being said...look for an NEC HT1000, or a new InFocus X2. I would definately stay in the DLP camp, though there are some LCD units that warrant a look, I just prefer the image from a DLP unit as they inevitably have higher contrast and better black levels in this price range. And don't forget there is a used market on this very website!

[Georgeb]

I'm also a VPL 400 owner. It is now the second projector in my HT setup. The main projector being the NEC HT1000. Believe me, there is no comparison between the two. Projectors have come a long way since 1996/97, especially DLP. Now having said that, there is a lot of hype over the new Epson 500 lcd projector with claims that its contrast is similar to dlp HD2 PJs.

[JonMarsh]

Hello, my name is Jon and I am a former VPL-W400Q owner. Heck, I even figured out how to build an HTPC that would work with it 5 years ago, on the HD inputs.

These days, I've done a bit of the old back to the past, and have an NEC 9PG+ CRT projector with low hours- set me back a lot less than the 400Q did. And looks better than the newer digitals I checked out.

BUT, CRT setup isn't for everyone or every situation- this is my 3rd CRT, and I'm already shopping for a 4th, and will convert this one to a backup unit for bedroom/family room. Not the height of practicality (though the PG's are relatively small as CRT projectors go), but a great picture.

~Jon

[Tryg]

excellent stories! keep em coming!

[Beaumont]

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year

Well I guess I have been thinking about upgrading this projector since August of last year, but there have been two new developments with it:

1) Just when I thought I might get by with it for another year or so, the bulb has blown. A call to Sony revealed that the replacement is $390.00?!?! which is about the value of this projector on ebay.

2) A call to Sony also revealed that a lot of the newer models do not have a 16:9 chip like my old machine. Is this a big benefit?


I understand the new projectors are much brighter and quieter which would be great, but my main concern is 16:9, HD, and picture quality in a darkened room.


Any suggestions regarding repairing vs replacing or anything else greatly appreciated.

[mrbadog]

Originally posted by JonMarsh
I am a former VPL-W400Q owner. Heck, I even figured out how to build an HTPC that would work with it 5 years ago, on the HD inputs

~Jon [/B]

And do you remember how exciting that was? Down in my basement in storage is the old 400Q and the extron converter to create the right sync (was it sync on green?) to cobble in HTPC and HD from the DTC100. Is that converter good for anything else? Got a good deal if anyone is interested.

To answer the original question, upgrading is definitely worthwhile. I moved to a JVC G15 3 or 4 years ago, and I am now waiting for reasonably priced 1080P stuff to show up.

The quality available at the lower pricepoints has greatly improved. Check out the <$3500 forum. There's plenty of 16:9 proj with 720P resolution and much friendlier handling of inputs.

[Paul Hayward]

Hi Beaumont,

I had a Sony W400 for a few years and used it with a Draper 2500, 92" wide high gain screen. I was thrilled with the PQ at the time but could not resist trying all the service menu tweeks to maximise the colour and contrast. I also used to take the lid and metal protection plate off, loosen the hex screws securing the poariser plates and prod them around fractionally in oder to improve the black. It felt dangerous, perilous from the dust point of view but great fun nonetheless. I found that adjusting for a black with a slight red push gave me best results overall. A very slight green push came a good second. However, I think it 'cooled' the colours somewhat. Also, I remember that Alan Gouger did a shootout with the W400 and a 7"CRT using HD. Whilst acknowledging the greatly superior blacks on the CRT, he seemed almost shocked at how good the trusty old W400 looked in comparison on bright material.

Having said all this, it is quite true that current image quality far surpasses the performance of the W400. In its day this device was designed originally as a data projector. However, the W400 turned into something of a groundbreaking projector for Home Theater that even managed to surprise Sony.

Regards,

Paul H

[RTFM]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul Hayward


I had a Sony W400 for a few years and used it with a Draper 2500, 92" wide high gain screen.

In its day this device was designed originally as a data projector.


Paul, the data equivalent of the 400 was the VPL 500. It was 800x600 with regular pixels, not staggered like bricks in a wall like the 400.

Jeff

[Beaumont]

Great to hear your stories about the good old days of tweaking the 400.

Do I take it, however, that no one is suggesting I spend $400 for a new bulb? Can I sell it with a burned out bulb for more than about 5 bucks?


Re newer, 16:9 LCD projectors, could anyone please suggest the least expensive models (used on ebay?) that would "blow away" my old 400?


Oh -- almost forgot -- the screen is at the foot of my bed, so I use this only at night while falling asleep, a bit of HDTV from the cable box, a DVD once in a while and "Burnout" and "Grand Theft Auto" for X-Box! So brightness is less of an issue, but quieter would be great.

(My wife finds the whole concept ridiculous.)

Thank you.

[johnathan]

My name is John and I too owned the VPL-400Q . I got almost 4 years of mileage out of it. And 21 months ago I sold it . I bought the VPL-HS10 haven't looked back. Brighter , Higher resolution , quieter, many more options for connections. Did I say a much better picture IMHO !

Don't get me wrong for it's day the 400Q was quite the unit. Even Allen here owned one for a time !

JonMarsh
I would like to thank you for all of the time you spent with HTPC and the 400Q ! I followed every one of your post in those day's and used them. At that time it was the only game in town for progressive scan on the 400Q . What a difference and a great leap in quality for the 400Q's picture !

Beumount
To answer your question I wouln't buy a new bulb . With the HS-51 out I would find a good used HS-10 or HS-20 for a great low price ! From a forum member on the upgrade path ! Good luck Johnathan

[COLOR=red]Sorry if this is in the wrong forum but felt inclined to anwser. Now back back down to the lower depths of the projector getto I go ![/COLOR]