Hi all,

I've been reading several reviews on the following projectors:

Mitsubishi HC1500
Optoma HD70

I must confess that a lot of the discussion here goes over my head. Suffice to say that I'm just looking for a real nice projector in the $500.00 - $800.00 range, and these two "seem" to be among the best out there. I think that I'm edging toward the Mitsubishi.

The main con regarding the Mitsubishi seems to be the placement limitation; this holds true for the Optoma, although the Optoma may have a couple of more issues. I plan on using a low table for viewing; it won't be mounted.

Unless there's another projector in that price range (preferably between $500.00 - $800.00) of which I'm not aware that's simply great, I probably should stick with one of these two. But I'm open to suggestions! The Panasonic that seems to be the most comparable to these two, the AX-100U, is a few hundred bucks more. Again, there might be something out now in my price range of which I'm not aware.

Anyway, thanks for your patience in dealing with a newbie.

I'm in about the same situation, only I'm trying to pick between the HC1500 and the Optoma HD65. The HD70 is about $100 cheaper, but from reading around, it seems the HD65 is worth the extra.

I'm in about the same situation, only I'm trying to pick between the HC1500 and the Optoma HD65. The HD70 is about $100 cheaper, but from reading around, it seems the HD65 is worth the extra.

Maybe this will help you make your decision. The HC1500 was discontinued and is being marked down heavily. I saw one Sunday July 27th, in person no less, at Best Buy for $600. I almost got a second projector.

The clearance price on the HC1500 right now makes it a no brainer. Go get one!

I'm in about the same situation, only I'm trying to pick between the HC1500 and the Optoma HD65. The HD70 is about $100 cheaper, but from reading around, it seems the HD65 is worth the extra.

I own both the HD65 and the HC1500. IMHO, the HD65 is the better projector but only by a narrow margin. If you are able to get the 1500 at one of the clearance prices I would go for it you will be more than happy.

Probably the deepest blacks are produced by the Sharp DT-510 which you can get on amazon.com. The HC1500 is clearly the brighter though, check your local best buy or see here (http://thetechhunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/prey-captured-projectors.html).

Thanks for the replies gang!

By the way, if I can't find a Mitsubishi HC1500 (I fear that I won't get lucky at Best Buy), what do you think is another "best all around" projector for $800.00 or less? One of the Optomas? How about the Mitsubishi HC1600? Something else?

Thanks again, it's appreciated!

Denied on all fronts. Knavery abounds. Between the phone calls, false leads online, and visits to the two Best Buys in my vicinity, I came up empty handed.

So, do I pay $800.00 for a Mitsubishi HC1500 from a reputable online dealer, or do I go for one of these cheaper PJs that the Best Buy Brigade tried to sell me?

Optoma SVGA DLP for $649.95
Epson Powerlite SVGA S5 for $600.00
InFocus IN24+ for $605.00

One of those should have EP721 tagged onto the name, I think, but I can't read my scrawling.

The most painful part was when the rep at the 2nd Best Buy told me that another Best Buy shows having 2 in stock, but when he called they said they couldn't locate them. He was on hold with 'em for almost 10 minutes, so I think (hope) that they really checked. It's about a 90 minute drive away, so I won't be going down to check to see if they overlooked them.

Alas, for these mad quests...

If you can't force them to dig up the HC1500's they are hiding in the back, go have a look at the Sharp DT510 over on Amazon.

I'm out of the country until next week, so I believe my chances of snagging an HC1500 are slim. I didn't realize the DT-510 was going for the same prices; I guess I have to add that to the list. It looks like the DT-510 is going for around $800 on a certain auction site with a certain massive cashback deal going on, so that could be worthwhile.

The BenQ W500 and Optoma HD72 are also in this approximate price range. The more I look, the harder this gets.

Maybe this will help you make your decision. The HC1500 was discontinued and is being marked down heavily. I saw one Sunday July 27th, in person no less, at Best Buy for $600. I almost got a second projector.

Seriously can you buy that for me and send it to me? i'll pay you back for the projector and the shipping cost..

Yeah, I'm looking for an entry level hd projector (to get my feet wet for when I'm able to afford the optoma 1080 UB), to get used to the technology. Thanks for putting up this thread, because I was going to do so in a couple of weeks, lol.

Hell, I may just buy one of these as soon as I move to my new apartment on August 15th.

I might jump to the Optoma HD65, considering it isn't that much more.

Sigh, if only there was a $1500 or less 1080p projector.

Maybe in a couple of months, the 1080p Mitsu HC5000 will get to that price.

Looks like I'm thwarted in getting a Mitsubishi HC-1500 at $800.00, let alone $600.00 at Best Buy.

Blast it. That's the one that seemed best to me in the under $999.99 price range, even after comparing it to the Sharp DT-510.

Now I'm wondering if I should wait until November or so before buying a projector. That's when the viewing room will be ready. Perhaps by then something even better may have gotten reduced in price.

Thoughts?

you could check the classifieds here at avs. I saw one there you might be interested in.

edit just to add that I have no attachment to any of the sellers on the classifieds. I don't know any of them nor have I ever bought anything there. I do look around in there though and was just posting on what I saw.

you could check the classifieds here at avs. I saw one there you might be interested in.

edit just to add that I have no attachment to any of the sellers on the classifieds. I don't know any of them nor have I ever bought anything there. I do look around in there though and was just posting on what I saw.

Sheesh. Goes to show what I know. I didn't know about the classified section. Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.

Still in stock at Amazon and @ $800.

Still in stock at Amazon and @ $800.

Thanks for the info!

But guess what? I did a bit more intensive sleuthing and found one at the Best Buy in Kingston (Plymouth) MA for $635.00. I tried it out, and it's absolutely beautiful. I hitched it up to my Bose radio and the sound is great.

For anyone still looking, there's still one left at the Best Buy in Kingston, MA. And there's a display model available at the Watertown MA Best Buy.

Let the fun begin!

Thanks for the info!

But guess what? I did a bit more intensive sleuthing and found one at the Best Buy in Kingston (Plymouth) MA for $635.00. I tried it out, and it's absolutely beautiful. I hitched it up to my Bose radio and the sound is great.

For anyone still looking, there's still one left at the Best Buy in Kingston, MA. And there's a display model available at the Watertown MA Best Buy.

Let the fun begin!
Awesome! Good work! Now for the fun!

Sigh, if only there was a $1500 or less 1080p projector.


Sanyo PLV-Z2000 from B&H after rebates gets close: $1550

Awesome! Good work! Now for the fun!

Thanks, and you said it! I threw on Spidey 3 (yeah, I know, not everyone's cup of tea as far as the Spidey films go, but the kids out voted me!) for its inaugural showing, and it was simply incredible.

Thanks again for all of the tips everyone.