I posted on here earlier about the ax200. Here is my projection space (at the present time) 12'2" by 10'2" with standard 8ft ceilings. I'd like to get about a 100-inch screen. Viewing distance can be the entire length of the room. There are two windows presently. I am going to cover over one of them with the screen and the other one, I plan on getting really THICK curtains to get rid of ambient light.

I'd like a good projector for less than $2000. I'd like for it to be flexible as I am moving within the next year to another house where the viewing conditions may be dramatically different. If there is a killer sale on Black Friday or something, I may go for something comparable to the ae2000u. What do you guys think?

The AX200 is probably the most versatile projector, and has gotten great reviews.

The AX200 is probably the most versatile projector, and has gotten great reviews.

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah I was really considering the AX200, but then I saw that the contrast ratio was fairly low (6000:1). I've looked over the forums and couldn't find many/any complaints. But do you know how the AX200 looks, particularly in regard to the blacks, shadows, etc.?

Also, if I run into the money, should I consider the AE2000 over the AX200?

Again, thanks. Sorry for all the questions; this is my first PJ.

I've never seen the AX200. I'm just going by the reviews I've read. I think the 1080p projectors are still too expensive. But everyone has their own budget.

Get the Sharp DT-500. Hands down. It's cheaper and better.

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah I was really considering the AX200, but then I saw that the contrast ratio was fairly low (6000:1). I've looked over the forums and couldn't find many/any complaints. But do you know how the AX200 looks, particularly in regard to the blacks, shadows, etc.?

Also, if I run into the money, should I consider the AE2000 over the AX200?

Again, thanks. Sorry for all the questions; this is my first PJ.

Don't pay any attention to the contrast ratio. 6000:1 was considered jaw dropping when LCD started releasing these specs, yet in the real world DLPs with 2,000-4,000:1 ratings show higher contrast images in real world conditions, because LCDs use iris tricks, whereas DLPs have high native contrast ratios in comparison and higher ANSI contrast too. This is why DLPS look more 3D like.

The DT-500 is rated at about 4000:1 with the iris on, but apparently calibrates to about 2,700:1. You will get better dark detail with it than the Panny and better blacks probably 99% of the time.

Thanks a lot! That gives me another avenue to consider!

Any other suggestions for other projectors that would fit my room? And/or any other comments on the AX200 or DT-500 from anyone?

1080p = Overpriced. Those are currently for people with money to burn. They are not worth the price hike for the amount of improvement you get.

Thanks a lot! That gives me another avenue to consider!

Any other suggestions for other projectors that would fit my room? And/or any other comments on the AX200 or DT-500 from anyone?

The DT is one heck of a PJ if you can still find them. When MTyson and I got ours they were under a grand. The Sharp z3000 and 12000 Mk2 (if you can use long throw) should be on your short list also.

So is the general consensus that the 1080p PJs are not worth the money? Is the difference between the 720s and the 1080s comparable to plasma/lcd/dlp monitors?

I also should mention that this will be used solely for sd-dvd, hd-dvd, and blurays, not hdtv or gaming. What about the Sanyo PLV-Z5?

Any other comments or suggestions for PJs to consider?

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Well, it really depends on your viewing preference. Some people don't see a huge bump when going to 1080p and others do. You really need to see both and decide. 1080p is certainly a decent size premium, but with the z2000 selling for $2200, it's not as great a premium as it used to be.

I went to several A/V stores around here... most carried the Sonys, Yamaha, and Domino. I could not see any Panasonics since they didn't have any in-stock and/or set up. The picture on the Sony VW60 was absolutely gorgeous. The other Sonys, the 720p's, had some significant SDE which was distracting. There was a decent difference, I saw, between the 720p and the 1080p, but that could have been source, as I think the 1080p was showing a bluray and the 720p looked like an SD-DVD.

I want to thank you all for your suggestions and comments. And also encourage more to come.

12'2" for 100" screen is just out of the Infocus 7210 range. If you are thinking of going a bit smaller it should be on your list.

Here is a site which links some of the reviews available. You can find others by googling.
http://alatest.com/InFocus_ScreenPlay_7210/Projectors/expert_reviews/101451,27/

I went to several A/V stores around here... most carried the Sonys, Yamaha, and Domino. I could not see any Panasonics since they didn't have any in-stock and/or set up. The picture on the Sony VW60 was absolutely gorgeous. The other Sonys, the 720p's, had some significant SDE which was distracting. There was a decent difference, I saw, between the 720p and the 1080p, but that could have been source, as I think the 1080p was showing a bluray and the 720p looked like an SD-DVD.

I want to thank you all for your suggestions and comments. And also encourage more to come.

That explains alot. Sony's high end employs LCOS technology, their budget models employ LCD. The former is almost invisible (SDE) even at close viewing distances. You did notice the difference in price, right?

There was a significant difference in price. 4999-5999 for the upper end, 1499 for the lower end. But I was kind of looking at the AE2000 which is around 2699. I was hoping to see one of those in action. But none are near here.

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