Ok, I need some help guys. I currently have a Sony 400q, I bought it new some time ago and I think I am ready for an upgrade. My theater is 20' long and the projector is ceiling mounted in the next room behind, right behind the wall. I want to keep the projector there as it is behind the last row of seats and being in the other room is a cleaner look and it's quieter too.

I have decided I want to make a 2.35:1 system and I am looking for the best bang for my buck. I am also looking for as bright a picture as possible, but that of course is in comparison to my current projector.... which I think is at like 400 lumens or something like that. I am going to get a new screen as well and am looking at a screen height of 48" or 49", and have been considering 2.35:1 screens that are aprox. 130" or so.

I am open to any and all suggestions, but the ones I have been looking at so far are:
Panasonic PT-AE2000U
BenQ W5000
Sony VPL-VW60 and Sony VPL-VW60

Any and all help would be appreciated!!

a 49" 2.35:1 would be ~126" diagonal if i remember correctly..so 130" would be taller.
your choices look good but I would add the epson 1080ub and the one i have - mitsubishi hc6000

Still working on finding the screen I want, but I was working off the numbers provided on here: http://www.htdepot.com/Focupix_UltraWidescreen_Frame_Screen_130_p/ff235mw-125.htm

I am trying to find a screen without the black border since my whole wall is black fabric, so that I can take entire viewable area to ceiling....

I will take a look at the other two projectors. I have been looking at the ratings at projectorcentral.com anyone have an opinion on their ratings? Acurate?

Love to hear some more pluses and minuses or the projectors I am looking at. Any of them not going to be able to do the throw I need? What about the brightness of these different projectors at that distance?

THANKS!!

Jvc Rs1

Jvc Rs1

+1

I have been looking around a little, is the JVC DLA-HD1 really the same thing as the RS1?

Thanks!

Yes it is.

I'd recommend the VW60 over the RS1, especially if you are considering an anamorphic 2.35 system.

I like Sony, the only problem is my throw distance is 20ft and I am worried about brightness... I have been looking over the reviews at projectorcentral and projectorreviews and they seem to say the Sony would have a problem with this distance and with the brightness.... I was leaning towards the Sony at the beginning since I have owned a SOny.... but now I am leaning towards the RS1 after reading reviews etc... and for my set-up. I realize I will have to get a scaler, but I can pick up a decent used one for not that much....

If you have info that would disagree with this, please tell me, I am open to everything right now.

THANKS!!

I run my VW60 at 17 feet for a 120x51 scope image. On the reviews brightness issue - you will find conflicting info in different reviews, it is difficult to get a straight answer on what the real brightness is. Compounding this issue is that often the reviews fail to state what mode the PJ was in, what calibration was done (if any) and what the contrast (white level) was set to on the PJ, and how many hours were on the bulb. The white level setting is kinda tricky on the VW60 - you can set it at the default - 80 - and call that calibrated - you can also set it to 95 (much brighter) and I call this setting calibrated (peak white somewhat clipped). This is not a problem for just the VW60, but really for all PJ reviews. Throw in per PJ and per bulb variances and it turns into a real mess. Frankly I don't put any stock in what projectorcentral has to say - I have measured and seen very different things on my equipment vs what they have to say in many cases.

Here are some measurements with the CA813 on my VW60 - 17 foot throw - 51" high 16x9 image - bulb has 237 hours on it.

Cinema - low color temp - white level = 80
Low lamp: 263 lumens / high lamp: 413 lumens

Cinema - low color temp - white level = 95
Low lamp: 346 lumens / high lamp: 533 lumens

I like Sony, the only problem is my throw distance is 20ft and I am worried about brightness...
I had the same issues confronting me when I was trying to decide between the RS1 and the Sony. The longer throw of the RS1 allowed me to sit it in a cabinet at the rear of my room (the Sony could not sit back that far), and it's really convenient and aesthetically pleasing. And I didn't want to risk losing a little brightness with the Sony, especially as lamps lose brightness over time. I'm really pleased with the RS1, although I'm sure the Sony is great also.