HD70(HD32)
HD1000u
AX100
PLV Z5
Hitachi PJTX100

I've searched for a poll like this where all 4 are discussed in one thread but couldn't find one so I'm making my own.

I am a projector noob and in a 1/2 hour found that these 4 are the most popular.

What is the best projector out of these 4?

I'm partial to the HD1000U because of the 1500 lumens and I have a lot of ambient sunlight and its 50% cheaper than the AX100. I heard you can even get the HD1000U FOR 800. I don't know if that's true.


My budget is around 1000.
I'm getting a 720p(will not go lower or higher)
More concerned with brightness than sharpness.
Reliability is an Issue(I need this to hold up 2-3 years)

Not a videophile by any means

Rate them 1-10

Brightness
Sharpness
Blackness

So which do you prefer and why!

I voted fro the Z5 as the best bang for the buck.

However, if you need the brightness (like you described) then my choice would be the Epson Cinema 400 (it has a mode that is actually brighter than the AX100). See Art's reviews on www.projectorreviews.com. For about the price of the AX100 you could get the Epson Cinema Pro 810 (better lens & black case).

The problem with the 2 DLPs, that you listed, is their severe negative offset which limits the mounting options (and won't work in my LR/HT because of that).

You should add the Hitachi PJTX100 to your list.

I have a HD70 that is my primary TV in the living room. 80" diagonal 16:9. It is on a lot...and I mean A LOT!!! Since my wife works at home and I have a very little one running around. We leave the TV on most of the time. A typical week is on at 7 am and off around 10:30 when I go to bed. I have had it for now 5 months with no problems at all. I have about 2100 hours with my current factory bulb.

Ambient light is only an issue in the winter for about 1 hour a day when the sun is coming directly in the windows. I just use sheers (because I do like the sun) and set the HD70 to BRIGHT mode and everything is fine. And it makes for AWESOME movie projector at night and it is even great for football during the day.

But for overall brightness I would have to agree with CT_Wiebe above with his vote for the Epson Cinema 400 when it comes to brightness as most important. But I think anyone of the above will suit you.

FYI...its NOT just the projector's brightness...it IS the screen you project on. I started with a blank piece of drywall and I thought I made the biggest mistake of my life putting a projector in the living room. But now I am using a homemade screen that I painted with RS-Maxxmudd as found in this forum. I used a mixture that will give off good pictures with ambient light present, mostly white with a lot pearl for extra brightness.

I say HD1000 if you can live with the offset and don't require lens shift. For the price it's a great machine and I don't think you'll get twice the performace out of AX100 or Z5 for twice the price of the HD1000. Also the HD1000 will have better blacks than the LCD projectors too if that matter to you. I'd say HD70, but the 28dB fan compared to the 25dB of the HD1000 would bother me.

You should add the Hitachi PJTX100 to your list.

I will second the Hitachi. For the money it cannot be beaten

I've got the HD1000, I first was pretty sure of getting the PT-AX100, but as you can see on other threads here they started to break down rather fast! It seems the electronics inside don't support the heat of the lamp. The HD1000 is much more reliable. I had the same problem as you brightness was the most important thing. So the HD70 or the Z5 won't be enough for you.

I say HD1000 if you can live with the offset and don't require lens shift. For the price it's a great machine and I don't think you'll get twice the performace out of AX100 or Z5 for twice the price of the HD1000. Also the HD1000 will have better blacks than the LCD projectors too if that matter to you. I'd say HD70, but the 28dB fan compared to the 25dB of the HD1000 would bother me.

How bad is the offset? I've seen some pictures. I think it is when the three colors or what not do not line up so they will have tiny shadows to the side it is misaligned to

The offset is where the image is cast in relationship to the projector, the mitsubishi has a high offset, so mounted from the ceiling, it casts its image down a long ways, so far down, that the bottom can get too close to the floor. If you were to mount the projector near the floor, the offset would cast the image up, maybe even onto the ceiling a little.

I would look into the new Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projector_news032607.htm

Thread moved.

moderator please close.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=826756

I voted for the AX100. I love the picture from DLPs (and actually own the Movietime all-in-one), but the installation flexibility of the LCDs just can't be beat. The added brightness of the Panny over the Sharp got my vote.

jim

I voted for the AX100. I love the picture from DLPs (and actually own the Movietime all-in-one), but the installation flexibility of the LCDs just can't be beat. The added brightness of the Panny over the Sharp got my vote.

jim
finally someone else from buffalo :)....sorry back on topic the lens shift on the lcd's is nice but in all but basement setups or less perminent setups the higher offset dlp's like the hd1000u or hd70 are nice...I like the higher offset..gets the projector up out of the way and also allows seating much closer to the screen if needed it even makes standing up a lot easier since your not distracting the movie for others. and playing games like dance dance revolution were you stand in front of the screen would no be possible without the higher offset. lens shift is nice but thats a one time setup feature...superior picture quality is somthing that pays for itself over and over again.(I'm not saying the new lcd's are bad or anything)

I just Ordered my Z5

Ive owned a Z1 for three years. Was pretty impressed by that The Picture Quaility On a sheet outdoor 180" For Sabres Games during Last years Playoffs (across from a street lamp too) was pretty Good on the HD channels even MSG looked alright for SD . Could be brighter but i was able to keep a single bulb desk lamp on in my theater room if need be(96" screen), with. mininimal Degredation of Quailty. but I had to reply just cause of where your from i will.Post an inital impression on monday when i get done playing. I cant wait to see the difference. Im sticking in sanyos camp for now

Lets Go Buffalo