Hello Everyone. I have read all 52 pages on the Epson HC 720 thread. I currently have a 65" Mitsubishi DLP rear projection. I am thinking about selling it and going with a 47" or 55" lcd mounted above my fireplace and putting a drop down screen in front of it and mounting a projector for movies and Xbox 360 (HDMI) gaming. I have the 360, HD cable box and ps3 (blue ray only) running through an Onkyo 705. My living room is about 12' by 22' with 9' ceilings. I have it set up lengthwise. So the screen would be on the 12' wall. I sit about 12' back from that and I have a dining area set up behind the couch. I get a good amount of ambient light during the day. I can control it somewhat and could always put up blackout drapes. I rent so permanent installation is not an option but I am good at patching holes and painting when I leave so I will do stuff like wall and ceiling mounts. Just can't run wires through walls.
So my question is. Will I be happy with the projector only shooting 720p? Or should I just bite the bullet and by a 1080p one? I see the viewsonic Pro8100 going for about the same price right now. Of course it doesn't have the free lamp or Epson customer service to go with it. I just want to be able to set my system up and use it. I do not want to have to keep changing from 1080 to 720 signals. Will the projector play nice or should I just return the 720 when it arrives from amazon and get a 1080p projector. I really want the lens shift and great zoom features. However after all the reading I have done my brain is swimming and I am thinking I may have jumped the gun ordering the 720. Thanks in advance for your help. I really don't want to spend more than 1500 on the projector because I still have to get a screen and that is a whole other topic.

Darth Octane -- I almost missed the comment that you added in your "edit statement" (it would have been better if you had put it in the body of your post, at the end) -- RE: 106", 16:9 screen.

BTW, the Elite screens (http://www.elitescreens.com/) are very economically priced and are good quality screens. A DIY screen would be cheaper, if you are looking at fixed screens.

With that sized screen, you will definitely notice a big difference between a 720p and a 1080p projector (PJ). I went from a 720p to a 1080p PJ last fall. There was a large improvement on my 106" screen, and we sit at 11.5' from it. The biggest difference is the size of the pixels. With a 720p PJ you will be able to see them (it's called SDE = screen door effect). With a 1080p PJ the picture will look perfectly smooth (unless you have super acuity eyes). However, a 720p PJ will still give you a very nice picture.

BTW, there are a number of good 1080p PJs coming out that will fit your price range, so that option is still open. However, you should contact Amazon and see what your options are, in terms of returning the 720p PJ (there may be restrictions on how you handle the return/exchange).

I would strongly recommend that you read up on the new 1080p units at www.projectorreviews.com. In addition to the Viewsonic Pro8100, there are the, last years, Epson 6100 and 6500UB models, the new Epson 8100, the (DLP) Mitsubishi HC3800 , and the (DLP) Optoma HD20 (at the bottom of the scale - both price and picture quality). The Epson 8100 looks like it might be a good choice for you (based on your description of use).

Good luck on your decision, whatever it is. Also, once you make your final choice, don't look back (or the "what-ifs" will get you).

I would definitely want to throw in the BenQ W1000 and BenQ W6000 for your consideration. The BenQ W1000 would be on the lower end, to match the Optoma HD20 and the W6000 would be compared with the Epson 8100.


Optoma HD20 ($1,000)
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-HD20.htm

BenQ W1000 ($1,300)
http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-W1000.htm

BenQ W6000 ($2,800)
http://www.projectorreviews.com/benq/w6000/index.php#specifications

Epson 8100 ($1,600)
http://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_Home_Cinema_8100.htm

I would like to thank both of you for your input. The more I have read and thought about it. I think I will go with the Epson 8100 when it releases. No worries about returning the 720 to Amazon. That is why I bought it there. They are great with returns. I just think with switching between tv and projector a 1080p would be the better choice. Also I am planning on adding a home theater pc in time once the new cable card tuners release so maximum resolution would be prefered. (never know when a little world of warcraft or Lord of the rings online would be cool on a 106" screen). Thanks to both of you who replied.

That's awesome! I'm glad that you ended up getting something you like. I hope you enjoy your new toy ; )