The projector must cost less than $1500...Thats my budget.

I will be ceiling mounting the projector and the screen will be somewhere between 11-13 feet away from the projector. This will be a dedicated HT viewing room in my basement.

The room will be very dark with little outside light pollution to worry about.

I plan on running my HD Cable Box through the projector along with my upscaling DVD player. Eventually I do hope to get either BluRay or HDDVD.

I think a 1080P projector is way overkill with the current technology and I think a 720P model will look great with HDTV and upscaled DVDs and even BluRay/HDDVD when I make the move.

I think thats it...but if you need more information to give me the BEST Projector for the $$$$$ then please ask :)

My vote is the Sanyo Z5 - easy set-up, very quiet and super sharp.

Take your pick , I have the Acer and I am very happy with it.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/BenQ-W500.htm

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Acer-PH530.htm

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Panasonic_Home-PT-AX200U.htm

hey entry level go for a 480p 720p in72 is a good entry level hd70 is also a good deal

The hd70 can be had for $800 and the hd72 for $1200.

Both have great reviews and the price is great!

Would these be my front runners? What is the major advantages of the 72 over the 70 to justify the extra $400??

Wow that Panny and the Sanyo are also really good.

I like that the Panny has ZERO visable pixels...thats a huge plus when it comes to picture quality!

with that kind of budget I would buy an Optoma HD7100 without thinking about it twice, which you can find for around $1000, its a DarkChip3 DLP with very high quality optics and amazing PQ.

if you want to spend less consider the Samsung H710AE which is one of the best pj's when it comes to picture quality among DarkChip2 DLP's, very good optics, a refurb can be had for +- $820.

Acer PH530 (I own one) is very nice, $200 replacement bulbs are a big advantage.. also the cheapest 720p pj.

all 3 pj's above have reviews on projectorreviews.com

don't even think about 480p.

The projector must cost less than $1500...Thats my budget.

I will be ceiling mounting the projector and the screen will be somewhere between 11-13 feet away from the projector. This will be a dedicated HT viewing room in my basement.

The room will be very dark with little outside light pollution to worry about.

I plan on running my HD Cable Box through the projector along with my upscaling DVD player. Eventually I do hope to get either BluRay or HDDVD.

I think a 1080P projector is way overkill with the current technology and I think a 720P model will look great with HDTV and upscaled DVDs and even BluRay/HDDVD when I make the move.

I think thats it...but if you need more information to give me the BEST Projector for the $$$$$ then please ask :)

Have you looked at the difference between LCD and DLP? If you can fit a DLP in your room (check offset etc) then I would recommend the Mits HC1500. It's very much in your ballpark and throws and awesome image once calibrated. I've seen two set-ups with this PJ and both look fantastic.

Infocus 7210. Probably the best out-of-the-box 720P DLP.

The hd70 can be had for $800 and the hd72 for $1200.

Both have great reviews and the price is great!

Would these be my front runners? What is the major advantages of the 72 over the 70 to justify the extra $400??

I've got the HD72 but I'd stick with the HD70 for $400 less. There's some technical things (8bit color processor or something) and mine has built-in Faroudja (works great with 480i-over-HDMI for tricky material). The HD70 came out later - thus it tends to be a bit better bang/buck. I'd get yourself an HD-XA2 and an HD70 over the HD72.

There are so many....and everyone seems to be saying something different.

The HD70 for $799 seems to be an amazing value considering 1080P projectors are on the rise in popularity and falling in price. I would like something to "hold me over" until the 1080p projectors fall to sub $1500 prices...

Like I said the projector I want needs to show some sweet HDTV Sporting events along with my 720p upscaled DVDs.

So now....what 92inch screen?

The room will be virtually PITCH BLACK.

Projector ceiling mounted (7ft ceiling) about 12 feet from the wall where the screen will be....

everyone seems to be saying something different.


The fact is, picture quality is subjective and varies from person to person. There is no single right answers. Everyone is suggesting options, but you ultimately need to narrow it down based on your own criteria and then actually SEE them in decent environment.

Good luck!

Sharp 12k MkII ( if you can find one this is probably the best image available from a single chip 720p DLP , it is a bit loud also , oh and it's freakn HUGE ;) )
InFocus 7210 ( a bit loud but throws an excellent image and it's really bright even with proper D65 calibration )
Mitsubishi HC3000 ( or HC3100 if you can find it in the states )
Samsung 710 ( can be risky but if you get a good one it will throw an excellent image )
Optoma 7100 ( another risky PJ but again throws an excellent image )
InFocus IN76 ( if you can find one at that price )
Marantz 4001 ( almost forgot about this one since they are rather difficult to get now , much like the Sharp 12k )

Avoid the Optoma HD70 , Panasonic AE900 and Sanyo Z5 because you can do better at your price point . I mean no offense to those that own those models but they do not compare to the models I listed above ;) .

--- Jason

Sharp 12k MKII
Sharp z-3000
Infocus IN76
Sony AW15
Optoma 7100/7300

These are the best of bests in built quality, overall PQ and excellent black level.
Optoma 7100/7300 is awesome and fwtw it could be the best in terms a brightness, blacklevel, color and quality lens. Only a few have sync issues with very very long cable.

I would suggest the benq w500.

It is has a quality upscalar for your standard def DVD's and may well serve the best overall until you do go 1080p.

It is less than 1K which frees up cash for other areas that you would not have to replace in short order....

The DLP's are very nice but offer somewhat limited placement.
With the Benq at 13 feet you can get to a 100" screen easily.

Art's review called it a very good overall performer at the price point.
It also has quite affordable bulbs.

Being 2 blocks away from TI as I type this I'd love to go DLP but would worry about placement issues and one of us(4 member family) being susceptible to rainbows(Most are not but a few are and my eyes are kinda crazy after all these years staring at a pc screen:).

I just made my first projector purchase Saturday night.

I have a similar situation as you:
18' room, 8' ceiling, DirecTV (not HD), upconverting DVD player

I also purchased a new receiver that will upconvert all signals to HDMI and
plan to run a single HDMI cable to the projector.

I bought the Panasonic AX-200U solely based on the reviews and talk on
these forums.

I have a light-controlled room and am mounting an Elite 120" screen with 1.1 gain.

All this should be delivered by this weekend so that will be the weekend project.

The Mits HC4900 1080p LCD is currently under $1500 after a rather large $500 factory rebate. May not have the blackest blacks but, very sharp with excellent placement flexibility.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=955323

if you want to spend less consider the Samsung H710AE which is one of the best pj's when it comes to picture quality among DarkChip2 DLP's, very good optics, a refurb can be had for +- $820.


any info on this?

I can't find one anywhere near that price point.

That would be quite a good deal imo.

The Mits HC4900 1080p LCD is currently under $1500 after a rather large $500 factory rebate. May not have the blackest blacks but, very sharp with excellent placement flexibility.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=955323

I think you mean $1999 after rebate..

Absolutely not! HC4900 for $1995 - $500 rebate + $25 shipping = $1520 Shipped. If you have a FATWALLET and SEARCH a little bit!! You too can find a PLACE for this deal for the PROJECTOR.

Even if you could search the CIRCUIT looking for a SLICKDEAL you could find the HC4900 for $1799.

If interested in an IN76 please check ,y advertisment in classifieds and make an offer.

I don't care what anyone says for $1328 with rebate for the HC4900 is the steal of the decade! I love ultra sharp picture quality in 1080p and this is what I have been waiting for. Just bought at Projector USA....wooohooooo :D

I don't care what anyone says for under $1500 for the HC4900 is a steal of the decade! I love ultra sharp picture quality in 1080p and this is what I have been waiting for...
Exactly! And now it's $1328 after rebate from projectorusa.com...

Thanks for the hot tip I jumped all over it!

Absolutely not! HC4900 for $1995 - $500 rebate + $25 shipping = $1520 Shipped. If you have a FATWALLET and SEARCH a little bit!! You too can find a PLACE for this deal for the PROJECTOR.

Even if you could search the CIRCUIT looking for a SLICKDEAL you could find the HC4900 for $1799.

Unfortunately that AFTER rebate..

ProjectorUSA seems to be the way to go.. I've dealt with ProjectorPeople before.. I'll have to do some research on these guys..

Good evening folks, i am currently ready to throw my HD 7100 out the window , so I thought i would ask for some advice. My unit has approx. 40 hrs on and has just returned from the tech. because it would not produce a picture. Please excuse my ability to give details. When you turn the power on the blue indicator goes out and the projector sounds like it is firing up, although the fan speed sounds considerably slower than when it actually worked. This is the exact same issue I had with the unit two months ago. It WORKED FINE FOR ONE DAY!!! Am i missing something like a particular mode that would keep the unit from starting. I obviously cant get a picture so no menu is available. I unplugged it hoping that may help. I would really apprecaite any assistance, Thanks