Any opinions on which is better? I am building a home theatre currently and have been doing some homework. Anyone have anything good or bad about either projector?

Even though we could use more info I'll chime in.

Panasonic AE900.

Pro's - very inexpensive now a days, smooth screen allows you to sit much closer to the screen without seeing SDE, great color saturation, flexible mounting due to great lens shift feature

Con's - soft picture due to smooth screen, somewhat suspicious quality control, needs calibration to look it's best

In anyones opinion then what is the best projector under $3000 USD?? I really want 1080p, and also want the flexibilty to hook up everything from my PS2, PC, DVD, HDDVD, HDTV Cable box.

I would even spend a little more for a 2 piece setup.

In anyones opinion then what is the best projector under $3000 USD?? I really want 1080p, and also want the flexibilty to hook up everything from my PS2, PC, DVD, HDDVD, HDTV Cable box.

I would even spend a little more for a 2 piece setup.

There is no such animal as a 1080p projector under $3000. Closest is a Panasonic AE1000, but still over $3K even after rebate.

I really want 1080p, and also want the flexibilty to hook up everything from my PS2, PC, DVD, HDDVD, HDTV Cable box.


Then why are you looking at 720p projectors? My recommendation for a great 1080p pj around 3k would either be a used Pearl/PE8720 (one is currently for sale in the fs forum at a great deal), or an imported AE1000 or TW1000.

I"d get a Mitsubishi HD1000U over the HD72. Only $899 from Projector People.

In anyones opinion then what is the best projector under $3000 USD?? I really want 1080p, and also want the flexibilty to hook up everything from my PS2, PC, DVD, HDDVD, HDTV Cable box.

I would even spend a little more for a 2 piece setup.

The only place I've seen a 1080p digital for less than $3,000 is from an auction site. The only other way is to get a CRT projector, which can be had for quite a bit less than $3,000 sometimes.

Sorry, I was under the understanding that the HD72 could receive a 1080p signal and display it. I am somewhat green to the projector thing.

Is it worth the extra money to get into a projector that can display 1080p? or is 720p/1080i good enough?

Is it worth the extra money to get into a projector that can display 1080p? or is 720p/1080i good enough?

Only you can make that decision. The only problem with the current crop of 1080p machines is they are lacking in lumens. So if you are in a white room or one with a lot of ambient light they are going to fall a little short. It also depends on your source material and how many screen widths away you plan on sitting. There are a couple screen shots of a TW700 and a 1000. If not for the lack of SDE on the 1000 and a hair bit better black levels it would be tough to tell them apart. If you sit 2x sw away I doubt you will gain anything by going to a 1080p pj. I just sold an AE900 and was going to go with the TW1000 but for 1200 bucks less I got the TW700. While I have no doubt the 1000 would have thrown a better picture, I doubt it is a 1200 dollar better picture. Now a Tosh XA2 paired with a JVC RS1, that might be a different story. :D

It's all about diminishing return on investments in this hobby. :cool:

It's all about diminishing return on investments in this hobby. :cool:

Bingo. That's why I chose a 900U for now until the 1080p units start putting out some lumens and come down a bit in price.

So I should save a couple bucks and not look for a 1080p unit? I will be 2.3x the S.W. away. So if I can't make out much difference there is no use in investing that kind of money.

I will be lucky in my room design. It will be dark walled, and no ambient light.

So then to reiterate, the best projector for under $3000 is???

So then to reiterate, the best projector for under $3000 is???


A CRT projector. :D In this forum it's tought to say. Probably an Optoma HD7100 or the new darkchip 3 Mits.

gk you are all over the place. The two you started with are SIGNIFICANTLY less than $3000 (Panny should be readily available for ~1k). Give us more of an idea what you are looking for and a better recommendation can be made. To yell at people for not giving you an answer when you haven't given us ANY information is crazy. Do you prefer DLP, LCD or CRT? Do you require any lens shift? Do you prefer a brighter picture or better blacks?Having a dark room with light control makes the higher lumen PJs less important. How big is your screen going to be? So many factors to consider and we don't have any info. Each PJ offers different bells and whistles. Which ones you require will change the recommendation.

My apologies. I am learning as I go. I don't have a lot of experience in the projector realm, and have had to learn quite a bit lately.

I will try to fill you all in on exactly what I think I am looking for:

- 1080i, Or 1080p if the price is right.
- A retail price of $3500 USD or less.
- I have a completely dark room, with full light control.
- 106" diagonal screen
- projector will be approx. 12'6" from the screen ( this can be moved to accomodate not using a zoom lens)
- Preferably DLP

I think this should be more info for a reasonable idea.

Thanks and sorry for being ignorant to the whole projector thing.

Based on this my recommendation would be a Benq PE8720. Great pj especially for what you can find them for now a days. It sounds like you have a little flexibility in mounting, which require more thought than LCD's. At over 2 sw away I really don't see you gaining much advantage with a 1080p pj, especially if your main viewing media isn't hi def material. JMO

No would you recommend a 1080p pj if I am mostly going to have HD broadcast in the room? I already have a 42" plasma in our bonus room that we watch day to day tv on. This room would be a movie/sports room, and would have a HD cable box, and HD upcomverting DVD player.

No would you recommend a 1080p pj if I am mostly going to have HD broadcast in the room? I already have a 42" plasma in our bonus room that we watch day to day tv on. This room would be a movie/sports room, and would have a HD cable box, and HD upcomverting DVD player.


For all your required component connections I would look into a AVR that gave you the flexibility of hooking multiple components and running one or two cables to the PJ. I have a Yamaha HTR5990 (Older model) that I have two HDMI inputs (Comcast 3412 HD DVR and a Bravo D1 DVI-d to HDMI) with one HDMI output (hdmi to DV-/M1 to an IF sp4805). I than have an Xbox (Xbmc) media center connected component, another upconverting DVD connected component, Laser Disk (Svideo) and a VCR svideo all connected and controlled with one remote. I can switch inputs on the fly and it works great. Plus no HT room is complete without a good sound system to back it up.

As far as PJ I would select one that gives you the best blacks levels and Cr, in your light controlled HT room, for the money until 1080p PJ's come down in price (JVC DLA-RS1 comes to mind) and up in features. It is your call, but for 720p maybe a Sharpvision or XV-Z3000 or DT-500 , Mits HC-3000U or HD1000U(the DT-500 and HD-1000U are less $$$ and won't have the deeper blacks or CR of the other ones listed but will through a great image). All newer PJ's take 1080i and scale it down to the PJ's capability and some (check PJ's specs. like my 480P IF sp4805 ) will take a 1080p signal and convert it. Good hunting.

I would go with the PT-AE900U You can snag one for around 1,000.00 bucks. At this time, (IMHO) it is simply the best bang for the bucks.

Last summer, I was in a simliar dilemna and had a hard time choosing what projector to get. I was trying to upgrade from a 480p DLP unit and wanted something to compliment my HD-DVD player. I ended up going with the Panasonic AE900 for two reasons.

1. The flexibility of installing this unit. I was really restricted on my throw height and distance.

2. The complete lack of SDE. I was amazed on how much closer I was able to sit with this unit, which has really helped the surround sound stage.

The black levels are very good for a LCD unit. I am hoping the next unit I get will be a 1080P DLP unit...

But for now...we are very happy with our Panasonic!

Can anyone tell me where the PT-AE900U is currently in stock? I checked all the usual sites (Projector People, visual Apex, etc) and did a google search and can't find one.

Thanks