Will it be possible to get a decent 1080p 16:9 projector for $1500 in May? How are the prices on the units looking right now? What do you suggest based on what is available now?

My viewing distance is 13-15 feet. There is a medium ammount of light in the room during the day as it is a living room, but the majority of the usage will be at night and there will be no light. I own a PS3 and will be getting a 7.1 reciever soon as well. I will also be getting a 100" screen.

Will it be possible to get a decent 1080p 16:9 projector for $1500 in May? How are the prices on the units looking right now? What do you suggest based on what is available now?

My viewing distance is 13-15 feet. There is a medium ammount of light in the room during the day as it is a living room, but the majority of the usage will be at night and there will be no light. I own a PS3 and will be getting a 7.1 reciever soon as well. I will also be getting a 100" screen.

Currently, the only new projector that is priced close to that $1500 budget is the Sanyo PLV-Z2000. It is a little over $2K at some forum sponsers, but Sanyo is offering $600 in mail in rebates. You should be able to pick up this PJ for somewhere in the $1550-1600 range after rebates. The Sanyo rebate is good through the end of May :) It is a well reviewed projector (although there have been some customer service concerns noted on this forum).

Mitsubishi did have a sweet deal on their entry level 1080p PJ (HC4900). I was able to pick one up in February for $1399 (new) after $500 rebate. However, Mitsubishi did not renew the rebate, so the price is now $2K or so.

Yeah... I was going to get the Mits but the deal is over.

The Sanyo definatly looks good. Although everywhere I look, it is going for around $2400. $600 off would make it $1800 without tax. Unless I can find it for around $2000, then I'm not sure I will be able to get it.

To be honest, I meant it when I said I only have $1,500 to spend. I don't even have enough to get a $2000 projector with mail in rebates. But it is looking like if I want a decent 1080p 16:9 projector, that is what I am going to have to spend initialy before rebates. Looks like I need to figure out how to get some more money.

Yet I am thinking... that extra tax money is getting sent out in May. It would make sence to me if at the beggining of May or so, alot of great deals start popping up on a bunch of projectors because they know people are getting that extra money.

Check this out:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1013980

I'm not sure about that one. Is it 1080p native? It seems a little cheap compared to the ones I have been looking at so it has got to be lacking something.

Let's say a bunch of the projectors around the quality of the Sanyo mentioned in this thread were to drop in price in May because of the stimulus. Out of all the ones in that price range $2000-$2500... which one(s) are the best? Is the Mits better than the Sanyo?

Yeah... I was going to get the Mits but the deal is over.

The Sanyo definatly looks good. Although everywhere I look, it is going for around $2400. $600 off would make it $1800 without tax. Unless I can find it for around $2000, then I'm not sure I will be able to get it.

To be honest, I meant it when I said I only have $1,500 to spend. I don't even have enough to get a $2000 projector with mail in rebates. But it is looking like if I want a decent 1080p 16:9 projector, that is what I am going to have to spend initialy before rebates. Looks like I need to figure out how to get some more money.

Yet I am thinking... that extra tax money is getting sent out in May. It would make sence to me if at the beggining of May or so, alot of great deals start popping up on a bunch of projectors because they know people are getting that extra money.

Check out Visual Apex (forum sponser). It is $2189 when you add it to your cart (the Sanyo). That is before the $600 rebate..

Cool. I might be able to do that. I hope the deal stays through the end of May.

It's good through 5/31/2008, check their site (http://www.visualapex.com/Sanyo/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=PLV-Z2000).

Remember, any defects in the new Z2000 have to be handled directly by Sanyo, per their Authorized Dealer policy.

I assume that you have extra money in your budget for a screen. You can get excellent prices on screens through AVS Sales (for all AVS members). See http://www.avscience.com/contact.htm.

I also assume that you already have a good sound system (HT projectors do not include speakers or amps) - that's 50% of the HT experience.