I can buy a basically new Yamaha DPX-1300 very reasonably, in fact really reasonably. The expense isn't a stretch for my wallet either but I do earn it so I tend not to like it wasted. I've watch the DPX-1300 at length and from what I've seen, it is one terrific picture. It looks really good and I don't think I could go 'wrong' with it. However, not having much experience with PJ's (this would be #1 for me) I wonder how much drop off in picture and performance there would be with a Sanyo Z5 or the Panasonic AX100. As good of a deal the Yammie is, it still is much more then either of those. I know there are features not built into those two units the Yammie has (power zoom, power focus, the scaler engine etc.) but your not paying for them either. I know those two are LCD's, the DPX-1300 is DLP. Rainbows are a non-issue for me, room lighting isn't either. From what I've know, all three would be fine with the lighting in my room.

So the question is, do you all think I'll 'see' the difference and will that difference be worth three times the cost? I am repeating this post in the 'under $3000 too.

Thanks all!

This isn't even a close call. The DPX-1300 is Yamaha's premium top of the line DLP that originally sold for $12,000. It will offer a substantially better performance than the AX100 or Z5. With those as my choices, I wouldn't even hesitate.

If you are looking to pay less look at Sharp 12K MK2 for the price of the LCD's. It will provide level of performance comparable to Yamaha and for a "silly" price. The lcd's you mentioned are no go for me.

I agree with Tom...you are talking about a 2 year old Ferrari vs. a 2008 Honda... (nothing wrong with a Honda, but it isn't a Ferrari. :) ).

i'm getting the picture (opps that was bad!!!) guys, thanks! Being so new to PJ's its hard to know where the dollars go in the premium units, and, which ones truely are premium units.

The Yamaha 1300 along with the Sharp 12K II and Marantz S4 were considered amongst the finest PQ on the planet in the summer of '05. They all sold for > $12K.

The Sharp 12KII is currently available brand new closeout from many large . com resellers for < $2K.

There are several 1080P pjs in the $4K and above range which IMO will have a better overall PQ than the Yamaha 1300, including the Sony VW50/60, JVC RS1, BenQ W1000, Sharp 20K, ...

Call Jason above to get the current scoop...

I think it all depends on the price he is getting the Yamaha for...$2000ish...great price...$5000ish...not so good compared to what is out now. But I surmised from the fact he was compariing it to the Z5 and AX100 that it was sub $2k.

Based on your suggestions I picked up the Sharp 12000 mkII from an authorized reseller brand new for a song, 1.6k. I know I could have bought it for a little less but authorized with decent return policy was worth a few bucks more.

I plan to check it out and compare it to my buddies DPX-1300 for PQ. I'll table mount the Sharp right under his DPX. I could get that model and still can if I don't like the Sharp. But for 1/2 the cost, I want to see it. If what I read here is so, its probably a steal. One thing the DPX has over it is so much flexibility being able to keep 6 different set-ups in Memory per input. That is handy for different viewing times in my room throughout the day and then night. There is also a ton of automation - zoom, focus, image shift the Sharp doesn't have - it is manual. But I think once you set it up, you'd hardly ever use those features anyway. The memory setting would be nice though.

Anyway, if the Sharp is a keeper, I can take that savings and get a much better screen with the savings. That seems to make good sense to me. Buy one of 2006's best projectors and with the savings get an even better screen then I normally could afford.

The comparision won't happen till after the 1st when my buddy gets back and the unit is in. I'll post again then here and let u all know what I thought, for what its worth.

Yamaha DLP lamps last 3 to 6 months. So if that's not a problem for you, you should enjoy this projector.

Yamaha DLP lamps last 3 to 6 months. So if that's not a problem for you, you should enjoy this projector.

Nah, that just isn't so. What do you base that on?

I concur. If it was A. Defective or B. one used it about 11-22 hours per day 7 days a week, I'd buy that. But as a general rule that is not true.

It's a shame when things like that get posted. They rate them for 2,000 hours like everyone else. Everyone needs to keep in mind we (posters) are probably a very small minute number compared to the vast numbers who buy products, enjoy them but have many other things to do besides the forums. Jason, you really stay on top of these posts!

Hello lennyd or Jason Turk,i'm also interested in the DPX 1300,any chance I could get a short email as to where it's been offered at such a big discount? Thanks! dkyliuk@accesscomm.ca

With only 800 ANSI brightness on the DPX 1300, has this ever been a problem for owners of this PJ? It would seem it would only be suitable for movies in a light controlled room.

from what I've seen and know, it is best with decently controlled room light. There are better choices if you can't do that.

Is there any news of Yamaha's first foray into 1080p DLP?

Is there any news of Yamaha's first foray into 1080p DLP?
Is there one yet?