Hey all you experts, need your advice for an upgrade.

I've had the HT1000 for about 4 years and have replaced the bulb twice. We watch a LOT of movies/HD tv on it, and I play the 360 on it also. It's worked great and honestly I'd probably using it if the main board wasn't going bad on it.

So, I'm looking to upgrade in the <$3000 range with plans to upgrade again to 1080p in a few years when they've come down in price (unless the Optoma HD80 is the pj of choice).

So far I've kind of looked at Optoma HD80 and the Sharp XVZ12000MII.

What would you all recommend in a 100% light-controlled room, that is at least 720p, and is just an all around good pj? The pj would be ceiling mounted 12 feet from the screen at a height of 8 feet.

Thanks!

I don't think the HD80 is worth the price increase. Not even close. Get the MKII, Sharp DT-500, Sharp Z3000 or Marantz 4001. Hope I got the model numbers right. The last 3 are mostly the same, except the last two have a second iris, which you may or may not want to use. Most most likely won't because it dims the image a bit too much. I got my DT-500 for $762 total and it is AWESOME. I paid less for it than for my Infcous X1. lol.

1080p is nice, but overpriced and overrated. Take a guess why there are no 720p RS1 or Pearls. I wouldn't pay more than $500 extra for 1080p unless there was a very clear improvement in contrast and black level over my DT-500.

I just upgraded my HT1000 to a Marantz VP4001 and the difference is stunning. Well worth the $1,100 I paid for it. The blacks are black, the colors just pop off the screen and the image is razor sharp. I can finally see what everyone is talking about when they say it looks "3D". I had to be physically dragged from my HT this weekend so I could eat and drink in order to sustain life.:)

I think at 12 feet the Marantz throws a 110" diagonal image.

That's two votes for the Marantz VP4001. It looks like a pretty nice pj. I'll have to start researching prices. For as much angst one goes through when buying a new pj, I do love it!

That's two votes for the Marantz VP4001. It looks like a pretty nice pj. I'll have to start researching prices. For as much angst one goes through when buying a new pj, I do love it!

The Marantz is a rebadged Sharp. So...if you come across a z3000 or DT500 you expand your options. You will not be disappointed with any of the five mentioned machines.

What's everybody think of the Sony VPL-AW15? It's so cheap I was thinking I could pick it up for a year or so until the 1080p pjs come down in price.

A bit too dim for my taste.

A bit too dim for my taste.

Even in a 100% light-controlled room?