For the life of me I can't find any retailers in New York's Hudson Valley who stock the Mitsubishi HD1000u. Has anyone seen one of these in a store anywhere north of NYC or in northern NJ? I was really hoping to get a look at one of these before I buy.

Thanks.

I lived in Albany for a number of years & I'd be very surprised if you found any place that would have it. That's not a slam on the upstate region -- there's nowhere here around Denver that has it either, as far as I'm aware. It's just the current state of how PJs are (not) embraced by retailers. Maybe one of the stores will have a 720p setup, but I wouldn't expect it to be the model you're looking for.

Are you thinking that you need to "see it to believe it" for the picture quality, etc., or is there something in particular that you're looking to find out? I'm sure the many owners here can help you out with questions.

I've owned my HD1000U for a few weeks now & it simply blows me away every time I watch anything that was recorded in reasonable quality.

In the 720p sub-$1000 price range, there's only the HD 70 and the Mits HD 1000. I've looked at both and they are both great value. I have the 70 and love it, but now that the Mits is available for $890 at some outlets (over $100 less than the Optoma), I'd go with that unit. I think you'd enjoy either of these projectors, but the price on the Mits is remarkable!

I'm trying to get a better handle on what I am getting before I spend the money. I don't really have experience with projectors other than what I have been reading on the forums. I am finding it frustrating that there is no way to check them out for myself.

I am convinced that a projector is the way to go, but whatever I buy has to keep me happy for at least a couple of years. I'm not a video expert by any means, but I have spent the past dozen years working with people who are. Those savvy engineering and product folks love to point out video flaws and now I can't help but see image problems (as well as hiccups from graphics, server, editing, compression and other delivery/production systems). For that reason, I'm hesitant to buy sight unseen. I can be happy with less than perfection, I just want to see for myself what the compromises are when you go with a budget solution.


At the end of the day, I expect that buying a projector is no different than buying any other piece of display gear; you can read all the reviews and specs that you like, but your own eyes will ultimately make the best decision for you.

I would buy from an online retailer that has a no stocking free return policy. If you are not satisfied with the picture you can return it. I think www.projectorpeople.com does not charge if there is less than 4 hours on the bulb and return is within 7 days by 2day shipping. Call them for best pricing and mention you are from avs forum

http://www.projectorpeople.com/customer-service/purchase.asp

Don't forget to match it with a good upscaling dvd player like the Oppo 971 or you may be seeing flaws in the DVD player and not the projector.

Also make sure to read about a projector's quirks. For example, the Mits has it's overscan setting set to 97% which can make the image soft. You need to go into 60:9 mode and turn it to 100%. Otherwise the image will look soft. If I didn't just tell you this, you would have thought the Mits was not nearly as sharp as it actually is. So...make sure to read the threads on whatever projector you buy.

You can also buy from Costco (Optoma H70 sold there is almost as good as the Mits) which has an unlimited return policy (for now).

I live 45 minutes north of Philly.... but as of right now our apartment is not the "idea" setup for the HD1000U as I am projecting it from a desk onto a doorway.... After we move in to our house I would then consider showing people! But right now, I just don't think the current setup does the PJ it's true justice... although it's still awesome!

For the life of me I can't find any retailers in New York's Hudson Valley who stock the Mitsubishi HD1000u. Has anyone seen one of these in a store anywhere north of NYC or in northern NJ? I was really hoping to get a look at one of these before I buy.

Thanks.

And even if you did find one it would be a general electronics store and they would butcher the setup guaranteed. IMO the only things you need to know (I know I'm saying a lot here):

1. Does a projector really work in my environment. Meaning I'm I trying to force a projector in a small sunroom. That isn't a working environment to me. I have two families that want projectors, I have talked them out of it because they would be trying to put it in an area that isn't going to ultimately work for them.

2. Looking at the projectors mounting specs, does this work in my room for what I want? If yes continue, if no better luck next house.

3. Does RBE affect me to a major extent? Now here find a high-end electronics store with any DLP projector setup nicely, use that as your judge.

If you can handle all the above imo you will be stoked with the quality of the picture, price not even factored in.

I second the motion!

You can see the Optoma HD70 at the Middletown Best Buy in Orange County, NY. They have a brand new viewing room for projectors and the HD70 is up and running in there. There is also a Mits on display to view but I think its the 3000.