Well guy I am wanting to get another projector. The last 2 projectors I had were a HD70 and an AE900U. The HD70 had better blacks and the AE900U had better zooming features and sharper image.

That was over a year ago and I had to sell them both. But now that I am back and I have no idea what to get. My budget is super tight. I would like to only spend a thousand for the projector due to the other items I will have to get also. But I am wiling to spend more if it "REALLY" makes a difference.

Right before I sold my AE900U I had it setup and it had the zoom out feature that was perfect for my space. It filled my 92 screen from 10 1/2 feet back perfectly. That is all the room I have to work with so whichever projector I get it needs to be able to do the same or better.

So, what projector do you all recommend that has the nice blacks, the nice sharp picture and the zoom features that I will need. I have a feeling it may cost a bit more that I want to spend but spill it on me. I would do more research myself but my wife and I just had a baby so I am on the go a lot. Plus you guys know your stuff better that anyone else.

Thanks!

Sharp DT-500, Sharp Z3000 or Marantz VP4001. I got my DT-500 for $762. You might get lucky. The DT-500 will make a difference. It's awesome. The other two can do an even darker black and with more contrast, but are bit more expensive.

So it has the zoom and the quality that out preforms the AE900U?

The HD70 will project a 92" screen from 10.5 feet - that's my setup. Plus they can be had for around $700.

How tight is your budget?

Sharp DT-500, Sharp Z3000 or Marantz VP4001. I got my DT-500 for $762. .

Gets my vote too. Amongst the best in class.

From my experience with the HD70 I had to place it like 13 feet back. I think? My budget, well 1,000-1,300 if possible. 1,300 is really pushing. I will be using it for HD Movies and 360 Gaming. Anyone else have any opinions on this?

Had both the HD 70 and the 72.

Right now I have the Mits HC1500, a grest machhine and super bright. They can be had for around $850.

If you can deal with the LCD picture (I don't like their look) the $1299 Panny Ax200 is full-featured and 2000 lumes bright! I thought the picture was a bit softer than the Mits, and I saw some feignt vertical banding on the Panny.

My vote is for the Mits HC1500 for price/performance

From my experience with the HD70 I had to place it like 13 feet back. I think? My budget, well 1,000-1,300 if possible. 1,300 is really pushing. I will be using it for HD Movies and 360 Gaming. Anyone else have any opinions on this?
So you did not use the zoom dial at all?

well I thought the HD70 picture was better than the AE900U but man, I can move the picture all around with that knob. I will be placing the Projector on a table in front of the couch so I will need to raise the picture high and the AE900U allowed me to do so.

Any DLPs that have that kind of freedom in moving the picture?

On an HD70 on a table with a 92" screen, the image bottom will start 15" above the height of the table.

There are some DLPs that can shift their lens but not many like the LCDs.

What about the DT-500, is it pretty flexible when it come to adjusting the screen? Can the lens shift up and down. I careless about moving it side to side. I can center it in front of the screen. I'm just a little worried about moving it up and down. I can to use books with the HD70 to lift the screen on up some.

Also look at Sanyo Z5 - great lens shirft - very quite and super sharp. Nice blacks too

Ok so I am going to go with a DLP, only because of the SDE of the LCD I had last time. So with that said which one truly has the best looking picture for the money. Remember 1,000-1,300 tops. But cheap is better of coarse.

Thanks guys! You have really helped me out. I'm almost there!

Ok so I am going to go with a DLP, only because of the SDE of the LCD I had last time.

If SDE is the *only* reason you chose to go with DLP, you might want to reconsider.

By far the best 720p projector in terms of (lack of) SDE, is the Panasonic AX200 (or the older AX100), which is an LCD projector.

But what about the blacks and the contast. Doesn't the DLP rule in that area too?

But what about the blacks and the contast. Doesn't the DLP rule in that area too?

Yes on general 720p DLP is better than 720p LCD in terms of contrast. but you specifically said:
Ok so I am going to go with a DLP, only because of the SDE of the LCD I had last time.

true because I thought back to when I had the AE900U and it was pretty bad. Thats all.

true because I thought back to when I had the AE900U and it was pretty bad. Thats all.

Is it possible you didn't have the Panasonic AE900 ?,

at the begining of the thread you described your AE900 as being sharper than your HD70, which seemed suspicious, because the AE900 is among the most blurred 720p projectors ever, if not the most. Now you seem to claim that the AE900 had severe screen door, which can't be true because it has smoothscreen that totally eliminates screen door (though made it very blurry). I'm simply forced to the conclusion you never had the AE900.

Sure I bought it...lol I paid 900.00 for it on e_ay. To me the AE900U had a sharper picture regardless of your eyes and others, no disrespect. The SDE was horrible. When I had the projector we sat 10 feet away from a 92'' screen and the project sat behind our heads at 13'' from the screen.
Please don't make me give you my item number on E_ay that shows that I sold it with a lot of movies. I will be glad too. And my screen name here is the same there. Enough of all of this. If you don't want to help them move on.
Remember I have my own set of eyes and although you and others might have seen it that way I am sure me and others didn't. I just wanted to get an idea of whats poppin now that I am looking for another one.
Thanks!

The SDE was horrible. When I had the projector we sat 10 feet away from a 92'' screen

Anyone who had the AE900 will tell you you either got a damgaed unit, or you don't know what SDE is.

Anyone who had the AE900 will tell you you either got a damaged unit, or you don't know what SDE is. He gave you your answer, he bought it on ebay. Most likely it was a defective PJ, hence the ebay sale.