I am new to projectors, and am looking at getting an entry level model to try them out. I would like to keep the budget for the projector itself to around $1300 or less. I have a small room that is 15ftx15ft and will be dedicated with minimal to no outside light.

I was looking at the Optoma HD65, but I live more than 4500ft above sea level and apparently they get pretty loud. I also have to take into account that there will be times when this is used for anywhere from 10-14hrs at a time on weekends. (We get snowed in quite a bit) so I need a projector that can handle long viewing sessions.

The projector itself will sit on a stand about 12ft from the wall the screen will be on, and will be fed exclusively by my HTPC through HDMI. I would like to have an image that is 80-100" diagonal if possible.

The short list I began with was:

Optoma HD65
Optoma HD70
Mitsubishi HC1600


Any suggestions would be a huge help. Any additions to my list I should be looking at would be good too. I prefer something that can be calibrated, professionaly if needed, to 65K. I don't care about colors that "pop" or are "vibrant" if it is not accurate. I realize that may be a tall order at this price range, but you're more than welcome to discuss it with lady of the house if you can convince her to spend more.

sharp dt-510 seems to be right up your alley as well. quiet, good picture, and DLP (i dont think an LCD would work for your intended usage).

The high altitude part would seem to be the more important consideration (vs. the colour) as you'll want the projector to work!

In regards to the HD65 - from projectorreviews:

"High altitude - kicks up fan speed if you are living at a ski resort, Denver, etc. Optoma, however does not say how far above sea level to use it. Most projectors specify between 4500 and 6500 feet. In high altitude mode, the HD65 starts sounding more like a vaccuum cleaner, and I'd guess it would probably measure around 40 db - very noisy!"

That said, the review also mentions that the HD65's colours were good "out of the box" so while you mention that you don't mind hiring someone to do the work for you it is one less thing.

All said, if the noise isn't an issue, it looks like it is a good choice for you!

http://www.projectorreviews.com/optoma/hd65/index.php

The high altitude part would seem to be the more important consideration (vs. the colour) as you'll want the projector to work!

In regards to the HD65 - from projectorreviews:

"High altitude - kicks up fan speed if you are living at a ski resort, Denver, etc. Optoma, however does not say how far above sea level to use it. Most projectors specify between 4500 and 6500 feet. In high altitude mode, the HD65 starts sounding more like a vaccuum cleaner, and I'd guess it would probably measure around 40 db - very noisy!"

That said, the review also mentions that the HD65's colours were good "out of the box" so while you mention that you don't mind hiring someone to do the work for you it is one less thing.

All said, if the noise isn't an issue, it looks like it is a good choice for you!

http://www.projectorreviews.com/optoma/hd65/index.php

No way. Do you watch movies with your vacuum cleaner running right beside you? 40db would make for a horrible viewing experience. I would suggest the Marantz VP8600. Built like a tank and very quiet. Also throws a better image than the HD65 or Sharp DT-510. This is a high end DLP with lens shift and great shadow detail. With 12' of throw you could get a 92" image. Also you can find this projector for less than $800.

i have a 1U server in my living room....you stop noticing it after a while :)

Since I will be sitting within about 1ft of the projector, noise is very much a concern. However, the average temperature in my house is around 65F year round so I don't know if that will help offset the need for the higher fan settings. Will this affect anything, or is it simply a matter of how much air is being blown through and not the temp of that air?

The sharp and marantz look interesting, but I'm having trouble finding any kind of reviews or information that isn't simply copy and pasted from the manufacturer's website.

the marantz is old....and definitely a better projector than the sharp...even with its age.

Since I will be sitting within about 1ft of the projector, noise is very much a concern. However, the average temperature in my house is around 65F year round so I don't know if that will help offset the need for the higher fan settings. Will this affect anything, or is it simply a matter of how much air is being blown through and not the temp of that air?

The sharp and marantz look interesting, but I'm having trouble finding any kind of reviews or information that isn't simply copy and pasted from the manufacturer's website.

You will not find a lot about either of these two projectors, particularly the Marantz. Both of these flew under the radar. The DT-510 is a good projector, but not in the same class as the Marantz VP8600. The 8600 also has lens shift and you will need lens shift if you are going to mount on a shelf or table behind your seating area. The lens in the Marantz is a good lens. Better than anything in the Under $5,000 MSRP range. The Marantz is big and heavy, but that does not matter for shelf mounting. It is not built all out of plastic like all of the current 720p or entry level 1080p projectors. Also take note of the hour rating (4,000 hrs. in economy) for the Marantz lamp.

I think I'm going to end up going with the Mitsubishi HC1600 with a high-contrast gray screen. That should compensate for the lower black levels (correct me if I'm wrong on that), and I'll still have the Mitsubishi's greater shadow detail.

I can get it brand new for less than the others, plus a $100 rebate and free replacement lamp which is worth a couple of hundred dollars. All of that, plus a full warranty just seems the better deal to me than the other options. I like the Marantz, but I'm not wild about the fact I'd have to buy it refurbished to get it in my price range plus the shorter warranty, and the much higher bulb replacement cost.

I think I'm going to end up going with the Mitsubishi HC1600 with a high-contrast gray screen. That should compensate for the lower black levels (correct me if I'm wrong on that), and I'll still have the Mitsubishi's greater shadow detail.

I can get it brand new for less than the others, plus a $100 rebate and free replacement lamp which is worth a couple of hundred dollars. All of that, plus a full warranty just seems the better deal to me than the other options. I like the Marantz, but I'm not wild about the fact I'd have to buy it refurbished to get it in my price range plus the shorter warranty, and the much higher bulb replacement cost.

Here is what many people have done regarding refurbished projectors. Buy a combined projector and lamp warranty from Mack. You then have three years on the lamp and a total of four years on the projector. That gives you a much longer warranty than a new one. Also Marantz is pretty good about going through their refurbs making sure that they meet factory specifications.

What about sanyo z5 as found here http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=Sanyo+Z5&cid=4269021777900843537&scoring=p#ps-sellers
Is that a good projector for the money?

What about sanyo z5 as found here http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=Sanyo+Z5&cid=4269021777900843537&scoring=p#ps-sellers
Is that a good projector for the money?

Get the Z6. Very quiet even in high altitude mode.

I'm looking at 6500ub or w20000 for myself. I was just bringing up z5 as another alternative for the OP (is it good for the money?), and it looks like z6 is not out yet.

What about sanyo z5 as found here http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=Sanyo+Z5&cid=4269021777900843537&scoring=p#ps-sellers
Is that a good projector for the money?

I had looked into that one, but LCD projectors don't seem to hold up well with prolonged viewing sessions. Since I'm in no way affected by RBE or other DLP drawbacks, or anyone I know, it seemed the better route.

No way. Do you watch movies with your vacuum cleaner running right beside you? 40db would make for a horrible viewing experience. I would suggest the Marantz VP8600. Built like a tank and very quiet. Also throws a better image than the HD65 or Sharp DT-510. This is a high end DLP with lens shift and great shadow detail. With 12' of throw you could get a 92" image. Also you can find this projector for less than $800.

Yes, the Marantz is quite a machine AND 40db is loud BUT at least it won't break!

While there are other, and better, PJs out there care must be taken as it MUST be able to work at high altitude.

Now, if 4500ft doesn't constitute high altitude, then we have a different conversation going on.

If it were me, I'd take to the time to contact the manufacturer to ask if their product is suitable for your situation before buying. Optoma took the time to put a high altitude setting on the HD65, and it costs in extra noise.

Then again, shouldn't EVERY PJ be operating at full fan at high altitude?

It doesn't matter if it is a PJ that could make an image so beautiful it would make your eyes bleed - if it won't work at that altitude it might as well be a paper weight!

I should have been more precise when I said we were above 4500ft. Our house is in Lake Tahoe. The valley floor, which is even to the bottom of the lake is about 4500ft. The surface of the lake is at 6225ft above sea level, and we are just slightly above lake level on the North Shore. For reference, Denver is 5280ft above sea level. We are definitely at high altitude by pretty much anyone's definition.

That's why I'm pretty confident that the HD65 would have to run in high fan mode whenever it is in use unless the fact that it rarely gets above 75F around here makes a difference. If that will help keep the projector cooled simply because of the lower ambient temperature that would be a plus, but I don't know if that's the case.