Ok, I've read so many conflicting reports about how these two compare that I'm utterly confused. Some say that the Epson 6500UB has better blacks and other people in other places insist that the BenQ W5000 does. Does anyone with direct viewing experience among these two have a preference in overall image quality or any other considerations?

I had both at the same time. The Epson ceiling mounted and the Benq on the table. The Epson beats the Benq in EVERY regard accept for sharpness where they are about the same with a possible advantage to the Benq. It was really a no contest. The colours (especially mid tones) were better on the Epson. The blacks were much better on the Epson.

One advantage that the DLP had over LCD was ANSI, where bright scenes had more depth and pop then LCD. The Benq handily beat my Sony Pearl in terms of 3D depth in brighter scenes. However, the Epson and this years LCDs in general are reaching ANSI contrast that was only available on DLP previously, and the Epson also has that POP and 3D effect that I like. I would 100% go with the Epson. I had both hooked up at the same time, which I doubt many people were able to do, and the Epson should be your choice.

Hey conan48, Could you comment on any screen door affect or motion blur on the 6500 as compared to the W5000. I'm a DLP guy but am seriously considering the 6500 mainly because of reports like yours that say the 6500 rocks. I just hate screen door affect...Thanks!

There is no screen door effect with 1080p unless you sit very, very close the pixel structure will be invisible. I sometimes sit about 10 feet from a 110" and the pixel structure is not visible. LCOS has the highest fill rate and least visible pixel structure but it's a non issue anyway for the Epson or Benq.

I am very sensitive to motion blur, and I was really worried that the Epson would have some blur, because I game alot and blur is not acceptable to me. I can say that there is no problem with blurring at all with the Epson and the 120hz works great for games. I can easily see blur on flat panels even with 2ms and 120hz. LCD projection seems to be a different the flat panels when it comes to blur. I also checked a friends Sanyo and it also had no blur. The Benq doesn't have blur, but it has really weird color dithering on motion that is very annoying, but it's only apparent with gaming.

The Benq for the money is an excellent projector but the Epson is better. The ANSI and sharpness is what I liked about DLP, but the Epson has both and also ads much higher native contrast (6000:1 vs. 2000:1). The Benq I bought was 1500.00 cheaper then the Epson, but the Epson was worth the extra money.

There is no screen door effect with 1080p unless you sit very, very close the pixel structure will be invisible. I sometimes sit about 10 feet from a 110" and the pixel structure is not visible. LCOS has the highest fill rate and least visible pixel structure but it's a non issue anyway for the Epson or Benq.

I am very sensitive to motion blur, and I was really worried that the Epson would have some blur, because I game alot and blur is not acceptable to me. I can say that there is no problem with blurring at all with the Epson and the 120hz works great for games. I can easily see blur on flat panels even with 2ms and 120hz. LCD projection seems to be a different the flat panels when it comes to blur. I also checked a friends Sanyo and it also had no blur. The Benq doesn't have blur, but it has really weird color dithering on motion that is very annoying, but it's only apparent with gaming.

The Benq for the money is an excellent projector but the Epson is better. The ANSI and sharpness is what I liked about DLP, but the Epson has both and also ads much higher native contrast (6000:1 vs. 2000:1). The Benq I bought was 1500.00 cheaper then the Epson, but the Epson was worth the extra money.

Blacks I can see but no way can it have better colors, the benq has a full cms/cca for perfect colors. So I doubt the UB has better colors.

I had both at the same time. The Epson ceiling mounted and the Benq on the table. The Epson beats the Benq in EVERY regard accept for sharpness where they are about the same with a possible advantage to the Benq. It was really a no contest. The colours (especially mid tones) were better on the Epson. The blacks were much better on the Epson.

One advantage that the DLP had over LCD was ANSI, where bright scenes had more depth and pop then LCD. The Benq handily beat my Sony Pearl in terms of 3D depth in brighter scenes. However, the Epson and this years LCDs in general are reaching ANSI contrast that was only available on DLP previously, and the Epson also has that POP and 3D effect that I like. I would 100% go with the Epson. I had both hooked up at the same time, which I doubt many people were able to do, and the Epson should be your choice.

I agree fully. There is no chance the BenQ has the black levels of the Epson...no chance. The question really comes down to overall look. DLP's tend to have a very punchy "plasmalike" look, whereas LCD's tend to be a smoother more filmlike image. No right or wrong way to go there, just personal preference.

Thanks for your help everyone! Much appreciated!

I would also consider a used RS1...or a discounted new one. You get immediately visible and better native contrast and no DI to worry about. Personally, I would never turn on 120Hz FI even if I had that mode on the RS1.