I'm wanting to purchase a projector for the living room. This will be used mainly to watch tv. I'd get a tv but since I plan on taking this projector overseas a TV is simply too big to take on a flight. I can and probably will get blinds for the room but I doubt they'd be shut all the time since after all it is a living room and not a dedicated theater room.

It's been over a year since the last thread about best 720p projector for bright room was askes so I wanted to know if there were any new projectors people would recommend.

Also, since the cable company has a box that will output HDMI I'm not worried about pal/ntsc capabilities.

TIA

I'm wanting to purchase a projector for the living room. This will be used mainly to watch tv. I'd get a tv but since I plan on taking this projector overseas a TV is simply too big to take on a flight. I can and probably will get blinds for the room but I doubt they'd be shut all the time since after all it is a living room and not a dedicated theater room.

It's been over a year since the last thread about best 720p projector for bright room was askes so I wanted to know if there were any new projectors people would recommend.

Also, since the cable company has a box that will output HDMI I'm not worried about pal/ntsc capabilities.

TIA

Panasonic AX200.

Panasonic AX200.

Bingo. I'm sitting here watching an AX200U and my overhead cans are halfway on, a set of them direct light almost exactly on my screen, and the image is still very nice and has "pop". The AX200U is your answer - look no further.

PS - When the ambient light goes away you'll really, really like the image of this projector. The black levels aren't really deep but the punch of the image really makes up for it, IMO. It really looks like a huge plasma screen on the wall. Very nice for its price point.

I'd also throw the Optoma HD71 into the mix, 2400 lumens is nothing to sneeze at, 3000:1 contrast, 4000:1 with image AI on. Placement flexibility stinks compared to the panny though.

welcome to the forums, phatrabbitzz.

Thanks for starting this thread, especially since the prices and technology change so often in this market segment.

I've actually been looking for replies to your query in several threads, so it's good to see replies in one thread.

Curious how the AX200, HD65, Panny 720 HC, IF X9, and Mits HC1600 compare...

Anybody test all PJs in ambient lighting? Well, Art probably...I wonder what his advise would be if given the option ("Ginger or Mary Ann"?)...

Maybe throw price point into the mix (i.e., <$1K, >1K & <$2K, etc.)?

^ Correction: Epson HC720.

Good catch, thanks Ghost!

Sub $1,500 would work, but if I can keep it under $1000 that would be even better. How reliable is the AX200 compared to the other ones suggested (HD65, Epson HC720, IF X9, and Mits HC1600)? How long should I expect the bulbs to last, how much are replacements?

Where's the best place to purchase the Panasonic PT-AX200U?

Looks like the AX200U is the way to go after reading some reviews:
http://www.projectorreviews.com/panasonic/pt-ax200u/proscons.php

http://www.projectorreviews.com/infocus/X9/competitors.php

...i needed atleast 3 posts to put up a URL...

You won't be dissappointed.
Run it in normal lamp mode for 500 hours to break it in with the iris off.
I did that with mine and had zero problems. I upgraded to a AE3000 but couldn't give up my AX200. It's in my den and I still watch movies with it often.

In the same boat...HOWEVER.

I need the projector to be able to project a 225-250" diagonal image. The AX200 can only do up to 200"???

250" in a bright room? Haha. Get a TV.

Try it with a HP screen for better gain (what is it - 2 to 2.5 gain?).

The features that I am focusing on are:
DLP - less SDE, I have a 15 X 20 room with seating everywhere from 5-20 feet, 106" HCMW screen, also extended viewing time per session (especially on weekends, we can keep it going 4-8 hours sometimes);

High lumens (at least 1000+, preferrably 1,500+) for ambient lighting;

Long lamp life - the X9 has 3K/4K (regular/eco mode) with the best priced lamps; next longest is what, the Mits HC1600 @2K/3K?

Black levels vs. gray levels-from what I've read - and I probably misinterpreted the reviews so please correct me if I'm wrong - the pjs in this group either have better black levels or better gray levels. I figure that since I have a gray screen already, I can key in on those pjs which have better gray levels.

Can someone also chime in on the LCD pj autoiris feature, which boosts contrast levels? I'm not convinced about this feature on lcd pjs - I've seen some reviews point out that reaction time during transitions from dark to light scenes (or vice versa) is noticeable...

PJ placement flexibility isn't a major issue in my room, but it certainly could be a deal breaker for some of youse, which of course would narrow down your choices to LCD pjs.

Decisions, decisions...

The AX200 does sound a little better, now that it was mentioned that it handles some ambient light adequately. Does it have organic panels?