Hi all - I'm getting close to FINALLY :confused: buying a projector for my newly modeled home theater and need some advice deciding form the following models:

1) Panasonic PT-AX100U Projector - LCD Projector 720p: $1299.99
2) Mitsubish HC1500 Projector - DLP 720p: $939.99
3) Epson PowerLite Cinema 400 - DLP 720p: $895.99
4) Sanyo PLV-Z5 - LCD 720p: $1199.99

My budget is under $1500k and the dimension of the room are 19'x15', with the screen most likely being 106". The projector will be ceiling mounted, so for now the distance and angling is not an issue.

Any thoughts ?!?! :confused:

PS: I'm leaning towards the PT-AX100U

The Epson 400 is an LCD not DLP!
I vote for the Epson 400 out of these projectors!

The HC400 if you want the convenience of lens shift, no potential RBE, and a brght, easy to adjust image. The Mitsu if you prefer the DLP look, and can deal with the placement issues inherent to budget DLP projectors.

i think you should drop the panny from the list and replace it with the benq w500. the epson 400 and benq w500 are the real sweetspot in budget LCD pj's with the Z5 being the upgrade if you have proper conditions to get the most out of it.

i think mitsu makes the best budget DLP projector hands down with the HC1500 but if you can get your hands on one the sharp dt-500 has better colors and better blacks but is more noisy. the samsung 710ae has brilliant shadow detail but it's blacks could be darker and it has a failure history.

if you're going to step up to the Z5 price then you really need to be looking at better DLP projectors. the marantz vp4001, sharp xv-z3000, mitsu hc3000 and optoma hd6800 are all close in price.

Thanks for the input guys ... I just found a Mitsubishi HD1000U on TD for $999.99 and it comes with a mount, a Mustang 106" Fixed Frame Screen (SC-F106W16:9), a 30ft HDMI, and a 25ft component cable ... SWEET DEAL!!!!