hey im in the market again for a projector. my budget is around $1500 for one. i previously owned a panny ae700u and now am upgrading. anyways ive been looking around and i was wondering if the ax100u is a pretty decent upgrade to the ae700u for the price range i mentioned. i really like the ae1000u but its a bit too pricey for me. any help would be appreciated. thanks.

I really mean no offense by this, but asking a question like that is like someone asking you which car under $35,000 is best. You need to decide some things first, like, do you need lens shift (the h1000u doesn't have it)? Do you see rainbows with DLP? How many digital inputs do you need? Is it going to be in a bright room or a light-controlled room? And many others.

I would recommend calling projectorpeople.com or another AVS sponsor and asking them your questions. Even though they're in the market to sell, in my experience they still want to sell whatever will work best for you, and have a lot of different models to offer. Asking your questions here will just bring out the "I have an xyz projector and it is the best" followed by "I had the same xyz projector and it sucks", which obviously will be of no help to you.

hey im in the market again for a projector. my budget is around $1500 for one. i previously owned a panny ae700u and now am upgrading. anyways ive been looking around and i was wondering if the ax100u is a pretty decent upgrade to the ae700u for the price range i mentioned. i really like the ae1000u but its a bit too pricey for me. any help would be appreciated. thanks.

There is an extensive thread on the AX100u - have a read through that and then if you think that you like what you see, there are several companies linked above in the page header that will get you well under your max budget for that projector.

the 100 is nowhere near the best due to it's various problems and ever shrinking warranty.

I think the best picture consensus is the DLP Mitsubishi HC3000, but it doesn't have lens shift like LCD projectors do . Of the LCD projectors, I would look at the new Benq W500. It has a very high end internal scaler/deinterlacer and is only $1000.

Sharp DT-500 or Mitsubishi HC3000U. I like the DT-500 especially for its short throw.

I think he should buy the Mitsubishi HC3100 - ~$1500 shipped from price japan. Light years ahead of anything at this price range, or lower. In order to surpass it, he'll need to spend at least $3000 USD... (the $2000 USD Sharp MKII is not an option, due to intolerable noise from the fan).

I would vote for one of the Mitsus haveing seem them, the Panny 100 and a number of others. If you can stomach it, you can get a vry good CRT PJ for that price also.

the 100 is nowhere near the best due to it's various problems and ever shrinking warranty.

Informative post :rolleyes:

What if you have no problems and are enjoying the phenomenal picture quality and brightness??? :confused: Many owners of this projector, including myself, are quite happy. I would buy the same axact thing if given another chance.

This question is really a no win situation. I recommend doing your research, read reviews, etc.

Pat

What if you have no problems and are enjoying the phenomenal picture quality and brightness??? Many owners of this projector, including myself, are quite happy. I would buy the same axact thing if given another chance.

Maybe you should start to drive in red light too. You will get faster to your destination. Many truck drivers, including someone I know, are quite happy.

Informative post :rolleyes:


This question is really a no win situation. I recommend doing your research, read reviews, etc.

PatI was only stating what is constantly brought up here and elsewhere. Sure there are plenty of happy owners...few projectors have their warranties reduced due to widespread problems(I assume?)...maybe in the past it would be a different story. All I did was state a fact based on research.

If this was a more expensive product ,such as a car/truck ,and the manufacturer reduced the warranty (and reduced the daily allowed hours/miles of usage) I'd be sure that someone interested in the item was aware of it. I've kept out of the `official' discussion since it's a touchy subject but it's fair game when it's an open projector discussion. :D

Maybe you should start to drive in red light too. You will get faster to your destination. Many truck drivers, including someone I know, are quite happy.

What the heck are you talking about??????

What the heck are you talking about??????

According to past experience of numerous owners, I allowed myself to make an analogy in which buying an AX100 = passing at red light. Yes there is a reward at first, and yes you might not get hurt immediately, but it will get you eventually, like it got so many before you.

I was only stating what is constantly brought up here and elsewhere. Sure there are plenty of happy owners...few projectors have their warranties reduced due to widespread problems(I assume?)...maybe in the past it would be a different story. All I did was state a fact based on research.

If this was a more expensive product ,such as a car/truck ,and the manufacturer reduced the warranty (and reduced the daily allowed hours/miles of usage) I'd be sure that someone interested in the item was aware of it. I've kept out of the `official' discussion since it's a touchy subject but it's fair game when it's an open projector discussion. :D

I bought the projector with the stated 1 yr. warranty. I think that's what it's always been. If you are discussing the 2000 hr part that was added in, I think that's to protect themselves from people who use their projectors excessively, like in a business. I personally will find it hard to use my projector 2000 hours in a year. That's like 5 hours a day, seven days a week!

So I guess I should clarify that if you plan to watch your projector continuously, or more than five hours a day everyday, you should consider a different projector.

For what it's worth, the problems that some folks are having have seemed to occur far earlier than 2000 hours. They seem t be being addressed under warranty.

I am not trying to be difficult, but just want people to consider the features they need and what these projectors offer when making their decision. I agree that the problems some people are having are disconcerting, but I took my chances given the image quality, brightness, and the features that meet my needs. Mounting possibilities of these LCD projectors is also something to consider versus the DLP's.

I receive no incentives for suggesting people take a look at the Panasonic. I just like mine and think some other folks may as well if they give it a try.

Thanks,

Pat

According to past experience of numerous owners, I allowed myself to make an analogy in which buying an AX100 = passing at red light. Yes there is a reward at first, and yes you might not get hurt immediately, but it will get you eventually, like it got so many before you.

I get your point but very bad analogy. It's laden with an assumption that the projector will fail. Oh yeah, and A projector will almost never get you killed.

Pat

I bought the projector with the stated 1 yr. warranty. I think that's what it's always been. If you are discussing the 2000 hr part that was added in, I think that's to protect themselves from people who use their projectors excessively, like in a business. I personally will find it hard to use my projector 2000 hours in a year. That's like 5 hours a day, seven days a week!

So I guess I should clarify that if you plan to watch your projector continuously, or more than five hours a day everyday, you should consider a different projector.

For what it's worth, the problems that some folks are having have seemed to occur far earlier than 2000 hours. They seem t be being addressed under warranty.

I am not trying to be difficult, but just want people to consider the features they need and what these projectors offer when making their decision. I agree that the problems some people are having are disconcerting, but I took my chances given the image quality, brightness, and the features that meet my needs. Mounting possibilities of these LCD projectors is also something to consider versus the DLP's.

I receive no incentives for suggesting people take a look at the Panasonic. I just like mine and think some other folks may as well if they give it a try.

Thanks,

Pat

For a $1,500 budget, the Mits 3100 is a good option if you can handle the Japanes warranty issues and the potential for dust blobs (as a current LCD projector owner it will be much less of an issue than you are used to).

If you can squeeze out $500 more, the Sharp XV z-12000 will probably throw on of the best 720p images that you can buy. It too has drawbacks.

Pick your poison.

I bought the projector with the stated 1 yr. warranty. I think that's what it's always been. If you are discussing the 2000 hr part that was added in, I think that's to protect themselves from people who use their projectors excessively, like in a business. I personally will find it hard to use my projector 2000 hours in a year. That's like 5 hours a day, seven days a week!

So I guess I should clarify that if you plan to watch your projector continuously, or more than five hours a day everyday, you should consider a different projector.

For what it's worth, the problems that some folks are having have seemed to occur far earlier than 2000 hours. They seem t be being addressed under warranty.

I am not trying to be difficult, but just want people to consider the features they need and what these projectors offer when making their decision. I agree that the problems some people are having are disconcerting, but I took my chances given the image quality, brightness, and the features that meet my needs. Mounting possibilities of these LCD projectors is also something to consider versus the DLP's.

I receive no incentives for suggesting people take a look at the Panasonic. I just like mine and think some other folks may as well if they give it a try.

Thanks,

Pat

No problem dude :cool: ..This was actually the first time I've stated the problems with the 100 in about 6 months or so...others have some issues in the price range. I don't know of any as bad (although Sanyo's warranty comes pretty close at least in the discussions here) :o

I get your point but very bad analogy. It's laden with an assumption that the projector will fail.

While I think the chances are high that it will fail, still, the analogy does not explicitly disallowed a possibility in which you'll sell your projector before its premature death: some people might be very lucky, and die a natural death at old age before having the chance to die in a car accident while traveling at red light. Moreover, some people who travel at red light, might get alive from the eventual accident, but lose their lisence for good (hence not able to die anymore from driving at red light).

Oh yeah, and A projector will almost never get you killed.
I see you're not married yet.

I see you're not married yet.

I am and she loves it. She also loves the "wanna be water heater" known as an SVS 25-31 plus behind the sectional. I have a great wife:D

Pat

my wife WILL as well..

.she finally gave up the idea tha I would settle for a 37"< LCD or plasma now that HD projectors are coming way down .

Main selling point was a 128+" screen in our LR.

She just had her quickest ever home sale today so now's the tough part of convincing her to use a chunk of it on a projector/receiver..luckily we have a fancy entertainment `hutch' to sell to get part of it back! :D :D :D

Hopefully I can say it finally happened for me (HTwise) by CFB season and one year and 3 month's of being a dork (say amen!)on this forum while only owning a cheap receiver,two JVC towers and a 27" tube tv! :o :D :D

I think he should buy the Mitsubishi HC3100 - ~$1500 shipped from price japan. Light years ahead of anything at this price range, or lower. In order to surpass it, he'll need to spend at least $3000 USD... (the $2000 USD Sharp MKII is not an option, due to intolerable noise from the fan).

Anyone have suggestions for Japanese sources for HC3100? I wished that it would finally get released stateside! Has anyone here had first hand experience buying directly from Japan on this unit?

does the 3100 have the typical 1 year PJ warranty? I couldn't find diddley on the 3100. How is it `that' good(besides the 3chip)??

Anyone have suggestions for Japanese sources for HC3100? I wished that it would finally get released stateside! Has anyone here had first hand experience buying directly from Japan on this unit?

www. p r i c e j a p a n.com

removed the spaces

the potential for dust blobs

spreading FUD again are we? No proof or cases of this on the entire internet except from one person who likes to rub his lens with solvents. Why do you continue spreading this nonsense?

The HC3100 seems to be the best DC3 deal at the moment with the only negative of having to order from overseas. Read some of the comparison of the HC3100 and PE8720 in Europe and Asia-Pacific sites and most prefer the PQ of the HC3100.

Are there any DLP's with lens shift available in this price range? I would like to purchase a DLP but want to ceiling mount in basement and need the flexibility lens-shift offers...I refuse to keystone.