I think that projectors are really coming into their own. I visited a local 6th Avenue Electronics store and was surprised to find projectors so prominently displayed. I don't attend trade shows and have never had the opportunity to see this many projectors in one place at the same time. I think that projectors much be going mainstream for this must retail space to be given to projectors.

This store had demos of four projectors running. The Sharp 20k (in its own room), the HC5000, Sharp z2000, and the Mitsu 3000 (together in another room).

The room for the 20K can be made to be completely dark and is a pretty good room. The room for the other three is pretty hopeless. The lighting is dim and the colors are muted but the doors are glass and let in a lot of light. Plus, there are three projectors running simultaneously (each on a different wall).

I was most curious about the Sharp because I wanted to see how much of an improvement it was over the 12k, which I own. They were running a HD-DVD of the Bourne Identity. I have to say that the biggest difference in my eyes with the 20k over the 12k is the pixel structure. You have to be very close to the screen to see any pixel structure on the 20k (perhaps 3 feet). On the 12k, you can see pixels up to about double that. Still, a non-event for me because my seating is 12 feet back. I was disappointed that the blacks were not better. I suspect that the projector was run in high-brightness and high lamp mode. My 12k looked better than this even though this room is probably better than mine. They could not find the remote in order to change the Iris or bulb settings. Still, I came away feeling that there was no need to upgrade my 12k and that it is comparable with the 12k, other than with respect to resolution.

As I mentioned earlier, the room for the other three projectors does not give these projectors a fair shot. Each projector was displaying HD cable. HD-DVD or Bluray was not available. I tried to find something to test the contrast of these projectors. Each appeared a little flat when compared to the 20k but colors looked pretty good on each. As a former LCD projector owner, I think that the HC5000 beat the Sharp Z2000 and the Mitsu 3000 (it should based on price). One thing that is clear is that screen door effect is no longer a problem for LCDs. I did not see any of LCDs other traditional shortcomings. I wished the room could be better so that I could really judge them, but unfortunately, each looked pretty similar in terms of contrast.

All in all, a positive experience.

By the way, although they have no RS1s in stock, they claim that they are are on the way and will be displayed shortly. I could have ordered one if I was so inclined .

Prices are obviously not competitive with someplace like AVS.

They are definitely becoming more common. The only problem is that so many of these places don't train their people properly, so they have these poorly setup, the sales associates have little knowledge, etc... Good that 6th Ave had it more properly done because in my opinion you will never sell something unless it is properly setup.

I think that projectors are really coming into their own. I visited a local 6th Avenue Electronics store and was surprised to find projectors so prominently displayed. I don't attend trade shows and have never had the opportunity to see this many projectors in one place at the same time. I think that projectors much be going mainstream for this must retail space to be given to projectors.

This store had demos of four projectors running. The Sharp 20k (in its own room), the HC5000, Sharp z2000, and the Mitsu 3000 (together in another room).

The room for the 20K can be made to be completely dark and is a pretty good room. The room for the other three is pretty hopeless. The lighting is dim and the colors are muted but the doors are glass and let in a lot of light. Plus, there are three projectors running simultaneously (each on a different wall).

I was most curious about the Sharp because I wanted to see how much of an improvement it was over the 12k, which I own. They were running a HD-DVD of the Bourne Identity. I have to say that the biggest difference in my eyes with the 20k over the 12k is the pixel structure. You have to be very close to the screen to see any pixel structure on the 20k (perhaps 3 feet). On the 12k, you can see pixels up to about double that. Still, a non-event for me because my seating is 12 feet back. I was disappointed that the blacks were not better. I suspect that the projector was run in high-brightness and high lamp mode. My 12k looked better than this even though this room is probably better than mine. They could not find the remote in order to change the Iris or bulb settings. Still, I came away feeling that there was no need to upgrade my 12k and that it is comparable with the 12k, other than with respect to resolution.

As I mentioned earlier, the room for the other three projectors does not give these projectors a fair shot. Each projector was displaying HD cable. HD-DVD or Bluray was not available. I tried to find something to test the contrast of these projectors. Each appeared a little flat when compared to the 20k but colors looked pretty good on each. As a former LCD projector owner, I think that the HC5000 beat the Sharp Z2000 and the Mitsu 3000 (it should based on price). One thing that is clear is that screen door effect is no longer a problem for LCDs. I did not see any of LCDs other traditional shortcomings. I wished the room could be better so that I could really judge them, but unfortunately, each looked pretty similar in terms of contrast.

All in all, a positive experience.

By the way, although they have no RS1s in stock, they claim that they are are on the way and will be displayed shortly. I could have ordered one if I was so inclined .

Prices are obviously not competitive with someplace like AVS.


Front projector systems are knowledge and labor intensive installations. Most people would rather buy a box and connect three cables and enjoy the picture. I really doubt projectors will go mainstream in the near future.

I really doubt projectors will go mainstream in the near future.

Totally agree. Retailers look at square footage to sales and projectors do not work with this formula.

I really doubt projectors will go mainstream in the near future.

Or ever for that matter.

It's nice to see an effort but we are a niche fraternity, forever and ever. We'll convert a few along the way, however.

Mainstream? Maybe not. But they certainly are getting more and more popular.

I see a few small PJs at mass retailers from time to time. Most of the employees can barely turn on a plasma TV much less figure out a PJ. Even many of the so-called "home theater" stores are clueless.

This stuff is better left to the pros--like Jason.