Details of environment / use: Most used sitting posish will be 12-15 feet from screen
projector will be mounted on ceiling 12-15 feet from screen. I'm going for a screensize of around 100" 16:9. I never watch sports, I play video games and watch a lot of movies. It's not a dedicated theatre room however I have blinds/curtains and such.

The choice: High Quality 720p at a budget price - The Marantz models VP4001 and VP8600 I can get for under a grand refurbished. These seem to be the best deals I could find on quality 720P models. Planar PD7060, Infocus SP7210, and others are a few hundred more at least where I've looked.

OR

Killer deal on refurb 1080p BENQ W5000 for a few hundred more than the above.

If you have some 720p proj's that you would recommend that I look at let me know, I had decided to go 720p for around a grand until I found the BENQ product which complicated my decision.

Alternatively, I could go really cheap for now on a Mitsu HC1500 for around $500 and wait awhile to get something more high end, however the better nice 720p projectors seem to be drying up.

I think the W5000 is a no-brainer.

I have the Benq W5000 and while I have not seen a 720p, I can state that the Benq is spectacular. I have the 2.01 version so noise has not been an issue.

The blu ray movies have been great, but I have really been surprised by how good HD on dish is.

The only trouble I have is Brilliant Color on or off and it is a daily battle.

I don't think you can go wrong at these prices either.

The BenQ W5K from a HC1500 and even the higher-end IF7210 was still a huge upgrade to me.

Check the w5000 thread, there are some comparison shots although not with high end 720p, but there is an infocus and a few other 720p projectors, the results are staggering.

Some people dont notice a bump up in 1080p, but combined with 1080p and the benq sharpness, you can see way more details resolved on the benq. Its night and day for me and on some screenshots.

I remember when i first switched from the mitsubishi hc3000, to the w5000, the sharpness and detail is what really struck me. And to me thats what displays are about resolving detail, trying to make it look as if i was looking at it in person.

I just got a w5000 and it is my fourth 1080p projector..all LCD before this but I have also owned a lot of 720p DLP's prior to that.

All I can say is WOW...This projector is all about "POP" and "WOW" factor. Deep accurate colors and the picture is just substantial, very dynamic...thats another good word to describe it. I think getting the w5000 is an absolute no brainer...I just don't know what current projector in that price range could give it a run for it's money. Most people would prefer it over the 1080 UB..just my opinion. Only downside is it's pretty big and does not have the placement flexibility of most of the newer LCD's but if it fits your space go for it!