I've had a BenQ 7800 for almost four years. I'd like to go with a new HD system and keep it under $5k or even $3k if possible. I'm not a videophile and and won't obsess over every little detail of calibration. I'm probably going to stay with DLP also. What's out there that out of the box can be easily calibrated for a dedicated room that is totally dark?

Benq W5000 -- available for less than 1/2 the list but we don't discuss prices here. There is almost nothing else that meets your requirements but Optoma and Infocus are also worth a look. Check out the Benq W5000 thread here:


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=957897

I would agree if you want to be under $3k and stick with DLP, the W5000 is one of the better options (if not the).

And I forgot to add that once you buy the W5000, don't read this forum anymore or it will start looking worse and worse.

And I forgot to add that once you buy the W5000, don't read this forum anymore or it will start looking worse and worse.

Best advise I've ever read on this forum.

Now that's funny. I agree...one should only read a thread on a specific projector the first month it is out...then don't ever look again.

Thanks guys. I'll check out a W5000. When we built the new house and dedicated HT in 2004, I was obsessed with this stuff but I'm easily bored and move on to other temporary obsessions. The <$3k range would be the ideal if it is a lot better than my old 7800 which cost me more than that...damned technology! I am willing to spend more but have kinda shifted interests/obsessions to boats now (I'm easily swayed like that):o.

I think the W5000 for the money and performance it gives is one hell of a projector.

Well, I just checked out the specs and it's definitely better than my old 7800 in that regard. It looks just like the 7800 also and it's less expensive. I believe I could make that last me another 5yrs until I buy another near obsolete pj ready to be discontinued for 1/2 price;)

Yes though the PE7800 was great for its day...technology has made leaps and bounds and really the W5000 is a huge improvement.

As a previous owner but of an 8700, the w5000 should provide a huge difference!

I just replaced my splitter and now it passes blacker then black, and I recalibrated and am even more impressed.

This projector is so versatile when it comes to options, you have a dynamic iris, a manual iris, brilliant color with 4 optional settings for increased lumens, 5 different gamma level settings, color correction, you can even go into the service menu if you know what your doing and dial it in even more there are a list of features in there for tweaking some of which I dont even know what they do.