Let me first start by saying that yes, I have used searched this site and have used the extensive knowledge of it to get me to this point. I have been a lurker here for a couple of years and it was with your help that I chose my current pj, a 4805. I bought that pj without posting just by reading the forums. This time I want to make a more specific choice. Thank you in advance.

As I mentioned previously I currently have a sp4805, with a 106" white Elite pull down screen. This was my first pj and I love it very much. My only real complaint is on sharpness.

I do not suffer from rbe so that is not a concern in my decision. My room is 12.5' wide by 17.5' deep and it has a 10' ceiling. I will be ceiling mounting the projector and I desire between a 106"-110" size screen. I will sit about 13' from the screen although this is flexible. The room is completely light controlled. I plan on doing a diy screen with the Wilsonart DW material as discussed in length here in the forums.

I would like the budget to be $800-$1500. I am completely open to Ebay, openbox, or refurbished. I know this is on the lower price levels but today is a great time to be in this range. It seems that there is a very good choice of quality pj's in this area now.

I would like a 720p pj. The ones of interest currently are HD70, HD72, HD73, HD1000U, HC3000, and the PLV-Z5. I know the retail price on a couple of these is outside the budget but through Ebay they can still be had under it. Please do not suggest anything that cannot be bought for under $1500. I am sure that one of these pj's will make me very happy so I do not see the need to spend more.

I know that 'irrelevancy' is just around the corner for 720P, please spare the resale posts. I am just looking to get the best value I can for a pj that I will use for the next couple of years. In this price range who cares what it's worth at the end if it gives me a few years of enjoyment. I also know that the models are of different levels. In this case I would like feedback justifying the step up from one to the other.

I know that there are owners of all of these pj's here. I also know that most of you have seen possibly comparisons of most of them. I have been searching and Googling for awhile now and the wisdom on this forum is my last step. Thank you again for anyone that chooses to weigh in.

Depending on your preferences, consider one of these and get yourself a great dvd player, maybe even with a blue laser ;)

Hitachi PJTX100
Optoma HD70
Mitsubishi HD1000

All three seem to get the job done. I have the HD70 and love it.

720p obsolescence? Not anytime soon!

Reconlabtech,

Thank you for your feedback. I am using an Oppo 971 now and without upgrading to an HD player find that it may be hard to improve on. Having said that I do not have unlimited funds which of course is the reason for the budget.

I am leaning towards the HD1000U right now but am very interested in the HD70 as well. I have seen the HC3000 on display with a LOT of ambient light and it looked pretty good sharpness wise but obviously washed out. My main concern is that if I can step up a level to an HD72 or HC3000 is it worth the difference in price? I have seen both go for around $1300. I even watched a brand new HD73 go for $810 and an HC3000 go for $1049 but missed the end of auction on both.

I think the lower level models will make me very happy but is there a noticable difference in the higher levels for $300-$400? Any of the ones I'm interested in are a large step up from my 4805 so I can't really go wrong. I just want the most pj for my money.

How did you decide on the HD70? Have you seen the HD1000U to compare it to? Thank you again for your feedback.

I really don't get a feeling from the forum that the extra $300 to $400 is worth it. Sounds like you are set on the dvd player, I have the Bravo D1 myself.

I really like the reports that the Mits is so good with color out of the box but I needed a PJ that was much smaller and white to fit in my situation. A large black box hanging from the ceiling was not going to go over really well with the bride. I spent a little bit of time tweaking the settings on my HD70 and I think it is just as good as I would have gotten from the Mits.

The Mits has a little more lumens but I got a great deal on a Dalite screen with a screen material they call Wide Power with a 2.2 gain and a 45 degree viewing cone so some ambient light doesn't bother me.

Here are some photos I have taken of my HD70 in action - let me know if you can't get to the photos, I shared this folder out but you never know!

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/johnsbin/HD70/

The screen shots look great. I especially like the HD Discovery shot on the oil rig. I get the same feeling on the price differences. I just kind of needed to have someone else say it.

As far as the looks, I think the black box actually works out better for my setup. I have a dedicated theater room that the previous owner had painted entirely in a dark chocalate brown. I would have the exact opposite problem you had. As far as the wife, she never goes in there so I could get away with anything.

I kind of like this, normally I am trying to upsell myself. This time I really get the feeling that The sub $1000 pj is the way to go. Thanks again.

You are welcome!

From what I understand after reading about the Mits, your results will look even better! ;) ;)

Take a close look at the Hitachi PJXT100
THE BEST deal out there. Read the Reviews
You can get a new one from a Dealer for way under $1000.00
Here's my list
I had a 4805 ................................$999.00 a few years ago
Then a Sharp DT 500..................$1499.00 in Dec 2006
Then a Panasoinc AX100u.............$1999.00 in Feb 2007
Then a Hitachi PJTX 100................ $689.00 in Mar 2007
I kept the Hitachi.
The Sharp and Hitachi are my favorite for picture quality.
The Panasoinc was great, but not $1400.00 more(with tax) great.
The step up from the 4805 was dramatic on all of these. When you start using your 971 upping to 720p on a new projector, don't plan on leaving the house for a while.
You should say WOW!, a lot of WOW!

good luck

Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't considered the Hitachi. I'll do some background into it. I definately would prefer to buy from a dealer so that is a nice perk as well.

I love this stuff. No matter how much research you do to narrow down the perfect piece of equipment here comes something new/better. I just saw another link about Sony releasing a couple of new pj's in this price range in June as well. I have never liked the Sony pj picture for some reason but just more info to clog the brain.