I know everyone hates these threads but I am in a desperate situation.

My uncle is here from india and told me yesterday that he wants to buy a nice HD projector.

problem is that he leaves on Saturday So I have to order today to get it by this friday. Think online would be cheaper than store but open to both options.

Two Budgets are available

Either $800 to $1200

Or if its really good
$1200 to $2000

Hopefully from Sony or other reputable Brand.

Reliable with decent specs and easily available bulbs, mounts etc.

Would greatly appreciate if someone can provide em with a couple of choices and websites which will have instant shipping.

Again sorry for the last minute histrionics and I do appreciate everyones help.:)

You'll have to give us some info on his setup before you'll be able to get solid recommendations. If he needs flexible mounting, go with an LCD. Otherwise there are several DLP's that will work as well.

Good points made in previous post.

Here's a decent starting point for a quick overview of many of the most popular projectors today: http://thetechhunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/prey-captured-projectors.html

I am assuming that it will be setup in a movie room on the ceiling and wont be moved around much. If thats what you meant by flexible mounting.

Am going to look up the other link in the meanwhile.

Need to know throw distance (screen to lens measured horizontal).
Does he see rainbows?
Light controlled room?
How good is he with electronics? Can he set up a projector with keystone?
An LCD is easy to set up.
What size image does he want?
What seating distance?

If you do not know many of these answers then I would suggest getting an LCD projector since it is pretty easy to set up and has a lot of flexibility, some thing like the Epson 720. Right now there is a $100 rebate and free extra bulb offer and I think one of the sponsors of this site has an additional $50 off.

Need to know throw distance (screen to lens measured horizontal).
Does he see rainbows?
Light controlled room?
How good is he with electronics? Can he set up a projector with keystone?
An LCD is easy to set up.
What size image does he want?
What seating distance?

If you do not know many of these answers then I would suggest getting an LCD projector since it is pretty easy to set up and has a lot of flexibility, some thing like the Epson 720. Right now there is a $100 rebate and free extra bulb offer and I think one of the sponsors of this site has an additional $50 off.

Thank you. I was itching to reply but didn't want to be an *ss.

Thank you. I was itching to reply but didn't want to be an *ss.

I have been one before and I am sure that I will be one again sometime. He said he was in a hurry so I thought that I would put all of the questions out there. I still think if this is a first projector and he is a noob to electronics then the Epson 720 is the projector for him. It has a huge amount of lens shift making it so easy my 8 year old could set it up.

Since he mentioned Sony I'd recommend an VPL-AW15 and be done with it - just a quick answer to a desperate guy.

"Does he see rainbows?" - I doubt his uncle knows what (our type of) rainbows are.

Since he mentioned Sony I'd recommend an VPL-AW15 and be done with it - just a quick answer to a desperate guy.

"Does he see rainbows?" - I doubt his uncle knows what (our type of) rainbows are.

Maybe not, but the OP has been here since 2006 so I would think he knows what I am talking about when I say rainbows. It is a simple matter of asking his uncle if he has any problems viewing DLP TV's.

You really can't rush this stuff brother... you just can't... especially with your time frame... you can't...

Your in a bad spot... one small mistake and he's not gonna be real happy with you...

(I agree with the others)
Get the most decent inexpensive idiot proof (good luck) one that is the most versital...

Don't tell him that (till much later)... but expain to him that your time frame sucked and you can't rush this stuff... he proably won't know the difference, until much later (if that)... and later he'll know that you can't rush this stuff...

Keep yourself out of this potientally bad situation...

Oh did I mention you really can't rush this stuff...

Panasonic AX200u

Sanyo Z2000 or a Mitsubishi HC4900

http://www.projectorcentral.com/home-theater-projectors.htm

You really can't rush this stuff brother... you just can't... especially with your time frame... you can't...

Your in a bad spot... one small mistake and he's not gonna be real happy with you...

(I agree with the others)
Get the most decent inexpensive idiot proof (good luck) one that is the most versital...

Don't tell him that (till much later)... but expain to him that your time frame sucked and you can't rush this stuff... he proably won't know the difference, until much later (if that)... and later he'll know that you can't rush this stuff...

Keep yourself out of this potientally bad situation...

Oh did I mention you really can't rush this stuff...

I hear you man. i wouldnt ever get one myself on such short notice. i guess I will just settle for one of em LCD's mentioned here

Panasonic AX200u

The AX200 is a great machine, but not the most reliable IMHO, and it only has a 1 year warranty. If this is his first PJ I'd go with a Sanyo given the 3 year warranty. He'll just have to use a US address for service.

I would lean towards the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720. The strengths of this projector are hard to beat. Great picture, plenty bright, can put it just about anywhere, and two year warranty. Throw in the $100 and free lamp as rebates and it is really hard to beat, especially if there are a lot of variables in the set up. Check it out here,http://www.projectorcentral.com/epson_cinema_720_home_theater_projector_review.htm

bguzman

The AX200 is a great machine, but not the most reliable IMHO, and it only has a 1 year warranty. If this is his first PJ I'd go with a Sanyo given the 3 year warranty. He'll just have to use a US address for service.

Did you see how I got the ball rolling though? Nobody was responding until I put up a specific model. :D

I would lean towards the Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720. The strengths of this projector are hard to beat. Great picture, plenty bright, can put it just about anywhere, and two year warranty. Throw in the $100 and free lamp as rebates and it is really hard to beat, especially if there are a lot of variables in the set up. Check it out here,http://www.projectorcentral.com/epson_cinema_720_home_theater_projector_review.htm

bguzman

This is the one I suggested above. He can't go wrong with this projector. Reliable, good performer, versatile and currently there is a good deal with the rebate and extra bulb offer. This is one of the few projectors that I would offer up as a suggestion with so little known information. This projector will work well for him no matter what his room configuration is. Of course he can't use a HT projector in a fully lit room, but that applies to all HT projectors.

Did you see how I got the ball rolling though? Nobody was responding until I put up a specific model. :D

Learning quickly I am. Sneaky recon is.

(how come there isn't a Yoda smiley?)

(how come there isn't a Yoda smiley?)

It is... just that Yoda's is smiling so big, his ears are pointing straight back... he is...;)


Good Job Recon!!!!

Ani... you may want to consider a extended warrenty (if available or maybe ck square trade) or something... for a lil CYA... last thing you want is to upset family because "you" xyz and abc... you know how it goes... just food for thought...

It is... just that Yoda's is smiling so big, his ears are pointing straight back... he is...;)


Good Job Recon!!!!

Ani... you may want to consider a extended warrenty (if available or maybe ck square trade) or something... for a lil CYA... last thing you want is to upset family because "you" xyz and abc... you know how it goes... just food for thought...

^^I second that. I would get him a lamp warranty and an extended projector warranty.

Almost finalized the Sony but another option asked.

If the budget is extended to $2000 is there a better sony model you can recommend?

Preferable one with more lumens?

Any good 3 chip projectors in this range?

Almost finalized the Sony but another option asked.

If the budget is extended to $2000 is there a better sony model you can recommend?

Preferable one with more lumens?

Any good 3 chip projectors in this range?

I would pick several projectors over the Sony. If moving up to $2,000 or less then I would look at the Sanyo PLV-Z2000. The Sanyo has a three year warranty. The Epson has a two year warranty. The Sony has a one year warranty. www.projectorcentral.com/sanyo_z2000_home_theater_projector.htm
No you can't touch a 3 chip for $2,000. I would still recommend the Epson HC720. I had the Epson HC400 and it was a nice projector. The HC720 has better contrast and a little more lumens. With the free extra bulb it is one of the best deals out there especially for a first projector. My eight year old could set it up.

I must agree again. With all of the unknowns the Epson is the way to go. Save the other grand and buy some audio.

bguzman

Almost finalized the Sony but another option asked.

If the budget is extended to $2000 is there a better sony model you can recommend?

Preferable one with more lumens?

Any good 3 chip projectors in this range?

Ani!!!!!!!!
Go simple... go simple... go simple... he proably not gonna know the difference about all the details we do anyway!!!! He just wants to have a HT... no knowlege of anything or workings... Plus the last thing you want to do is blow extra $$$ and you screw up because of some unknown factor...
Go simple... go simple... did I mention to go simple!!!!!!!!!!:cool:

All right people. Thanks for all the advice.

We ended up going to JR and picked up the PT-AE2000.

Ran some initial tests and the picture quality was nothing short of phenomenal.

Thanks again everyone for all the info.