I am still trying to decide on my first projector. I have 8'6" ceiling and will be projecting from 13 to 17 feet depending on where I decide to ceiling mount. I am on a budget, and I like the idea of the Mits for less then 900, but I am just wondering if there are any opinions out there on which one of these two projectors is better. I have two windows with blinds, so I think light control is pretty good. I know the DT-500 only has 1200 lumens and the mits has 1500. Is that going to be a factor if light control is less then I think?? Any help would be great. Thanks

Unfortunately, specification output and actual output are not the same, and I don't mean to confuse you more while comparing these two projectors.

According to Projector Central, the Sharp DT-500 (the review is of the sister projector Z3000) actual lumen output is a bit brighter than the HD1000u.

Sharp Z3000 (http://www.projectorcentral.com/sharp_z3000.htm): 1146 bright mode and 924 in low mode.
Mits HD1000u (http://www.projectorcentral.com/mitsubishi_hd1000u.htm): 802 bright mode and 620 low mode.

:D

He said "Shart"

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/universal_pictures/along_came_polly/philip_seymour_hoffman/polly2.jpg

:D

He said "Shart"

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/universal_pictures/along_came_polly/philip_seymour_hoffman/polly2.jpg


I love it, my bad. I am a dork. Great pic though, just watched that movie the other day.

From http://www.projectorreviews.com/Sharp/XV-Z3000/proscons.asp

XV-Z3000 vs. Optoma HD72, HD70, Mitsubishi HC3000 and Mitsubishi HD1000U

These four projectors are similar, with only the Mitsubishi HC3000 using an iris, and not having a clear filter on its color wheel. All four have virtually identical lens offset, that require them to be positioned high above the top of the screen (ceiling mounted) or well below the bottom. The XV-Z3000 by comparsion, has less than half the offset, which is a plus for all but those ceiling mounting with high ceilings. Of the four, only the Mitsubishi HC3000 comes anywhere close to the XV-Z3000 in black levels. the Mitsubishi is very good, but the Sharp is just plain better! The other three are all bright, close or as bright as the Sharp, so they rival it when you need lumens, but can't match the Sharp in the lower brightness modes, when looking for the richest saturated colors, shadow detail and black levels.

Oh...DT-500 is same as Z3000 in middle iris mode (or whatever it is called).

If we can get past the "shart" in the title :), I'd like to see some more comparisons from people who've actually viewed both these projectors.

A few of the obvious differences (and important to me, anyways) are:

Throw distance: DT-500 is short throw where the HD1000 is long.
Contrast ratio: DT-500 has a better contrast, but how are the shadow details comparing both?
Fan noise: both have around 30db in regular mode, but the HD1000 is 26db in low. Considering where each projector would be mounted, DT-500 above seating area, HD1000 behind the seating area. Is 30db annoying?

From http://www.projectorreviews.com/Sharp/XV-Z3000/proscons.asp

XV-Z3000 vs. Optoma HD72, HD70, Mitsubishi HC3000 and Mitsubishi HD1000U

These four projectors are similar, with only the Mitsubishi HC3000 using an iris, and not having a clear filter on its color wheel. All four have virtually identical lens offset, that require them to be positioned high above the top of the screen (ceiling mounted) or well below the bottom. The XV-Z3000 by comparsion, has less than half the offset, which is a plus for all but those ceiling mounting with high ceilings. Of the four, only the Mitsubishi HC3000 comes anywhere close to the XV-Z3000 in black levels. the Mitsubishi is very good, but the Sharp is just plain better! The other three are all bright, close or as bright as the Sharp, so they rival it when you need lumens, but can't match the Sharp in the lower brightness modes, when looking for the richest saturated colors, shadow detail and black levels.

The kicker here is the offset. The Sharp's minimal offset, combined with your high ceiling make it a more difficult install. You'll either have to hang the PJ down from the ceiling or use signficant amount of keystone (a bad idea). The Mits, with 32 degree offset will lower the image and give you a more realistic screen height when mounted close to the ceiling.

Of course, the Sharp is the better PJ and will give you a better image in the long run. If you can get over the idea of dropping the ceiling mount, I'd go with the Sharp.