I have an optima hd70 at home
83" screen for night viewing only
dvd thru hdmi upscaled to the hd70s native 720p
over the air hdtv thru component

how much better are the over 3,000 projectors

is the improvement jaw dropping?

there will be pretty decent improvement but no it wont be jaw dropping. About the only thing that would drop my jaw at this point would be the Sim2 3 chip 1080p projector

daniel, I take it that the RS1 would not drop your jaw?!

The HD70 dollar for dollar is one of the best values out there right now.

I have owned projectors worth 10 times the price of the HD70 and would not say that they are even 5 to 10 percent better in overall viewing quality.

I had an HD70, it's a great projector for the price. Now if Optoma would just make a 1080p version it would sell like hotcakes. I know I would buy one.

I had an HD70, it's a great projector for the price. Now if Optoma would just make a 1080p version it would sell like hotcakes. I know I would buy one.

Even with Optoma that will take...at least a week.

Joking aside, 1080p is just too new and the 'milking' cycle will need to run its course first. Look towards the later half of 2008. Optoma will likely be leading the charge.

I use to be a <$3000 'snob' and think PJs under this price just weren't worth looking at, and IMO, they weren't... That's all changed within the last year or two. There have been so many advancements, along with price drops, during this time that there are now many PJs <$3000 that are very impressive. IMO, most (other than very picky videophiles) would be more than satisfied with what a sub $1000 PJ can do these days. Today a $900 PJ can display pictures that would have cost thousands more only two years ago. Another thing worth mentioning is the 720p vs 1080p PJs which have kind of separated these price points. We are still paying a premium for the newer 1080p, but the added expense is hard to justify for the average Joe as the difference can be very difficult (if not impossible for some) to see at normal seating distances. For this reason, 720p PJs @ <$1000 are w/o a doubt the best value in FP PJs.

I'd also like to suggest you look at the Mits HD1000U if you are considering the HD70. The HD1000U is arguably a better PJ in just about every way and it can be bought for <$900. The only downfall is the fixed lens shift, if you can get this PJ to work for you, it can't be beat for the money. Here's a review worth reading on this PJ:
http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manufacturers/mitsubishi/HD1000U/index.asp

Don't be fooled by the price... the HD1000U is a very impressive PJ!

I have an optima hd70 at home
83" screen for night viewing only
dvd thru hdmi upscaled to the hd70s native 720p
over the air hdtv thru component

how much better are the over 3,000 projectors

is the improvement jaw dropping?

Can you say 'deminishing returns'?

That sums it up. Yes they are better. More refined for lack of a better term.
Jaw dropping? Never.
Then again, there is the soon to be released JVC RS-1 on the Horizon. But at $6K is it 6 times better? Remember deminishing returns.

Actually I think the sweet spot of the market is right around $4000.
You get all the bells and whistles plus leading edge chipsets/panels including 1080p.
You also get bragging right that is not included in lower class PJ. :)
Or you move to higher models such Sims and Maranthz for considerably more money with even better refinements but probably less return/dollar. Those who get them feel the premium is well justified to their eyes. To some the difference is enough to make a watching a bore or joy.

Some differences are valued more by some it is really a matter of what you value in performance, quality and features.

Actually I think the sweet spot of the market is right around $4000.
You get all the bells and whistles plus leading edge chipsets/panels including 1080p.
You also get bragging right that is not included in lower class PJ. :)
Or you move to higher models such Sims and Maranthz for considerably more money with even better refinements but probably less return/dollar. Those who get them feel the premium is well justified to their eyes. To some the difference is enough to make a watching a bore or joy.

Some differences are valued more by some it is really a matter of what you value in performance, quality and features.


how in the world can the sweet spot be at $4000 if you can get a hd70
for $900?

I saw a high end Runco this week that did not look THAT much better with dvd,
with HD it was a toss up- maybe 5% better )