I've spent much of the morning going back and reading threads on both (even some comparisons, though it's been a while since there was one) as I'm considering jumping up to one of these two from my HD1000U. I'm just not getting the contrast ratio/blacks I want with the HD1000 and I'm waiting for more affordable/quality 1080p DLP's to come down the line.

Has anyone here actually done a side by side comparison or have seen either of these projectors apart from each other?

They can both be had for the same price right now.

I'm leaning towards the HC3000 as I can basically simply switch it out with my HD1000 without having to change my setup/mount. I think I'd have to move the mount forward a bit if I went with the DT500.

OTOH, I'm shooting a 115" image and the extra 200 lumens for the DT500 might help. I also some of the threads from months ago where some folks felt the DT500 had the better image.

My room is light controlled with dark blue walls. Projecting onto a DW laminate screen.

Any opinions?

The DT500 appears better out of the box and it is slightly brighter however there is a longtime misconception that the HC3000 is dim , I can assure you that it is not dim at all ( certainly no light cannon either ) . They are both excellent units and even though I have not seen them side by side I have seen them both in person and can honestly say that I would be happy with either unit (I currently own the HC3000) . From my personal viewing I would have to say that the HC3000 has slightly better blacks when using the mechanical Iris (over the DT500) but as we know many people strive for brightness and usually people will say the brighter image looks better (assuming most other characteristics are pretty even) . It is a tough choice as I think you have picked two units that are very comparable , one thing is for certain though ... they are both better than the HD1000 ;) .

Best of Luck ,
-- Jason

that's why I was kinda struggling with it. I've thought about moving up to the 3000 for a while and when I saw this price I decided I could do it for basically the cost of a new bulb after selling the HD1000. It was a no brainer for me at this point given my dissatisfaction with the 1000's blacks but overall enjoyment of its picture. Going from Mits to Mits would be easy.

Then I read a bit about the DT-500 and noticed that they were both similarly excellent 720 DLP's out there right now, looked up the price and lo and behold I can get it for the same. Couldn't leave well enough alone and now I've got a decision to make.

Of course, I may have to pay a bit more for another mount if the one I have doesn't fit the Sharp or doesn't work in my set-up. Then I have to pay the non-monetary payment of potential frustration in fitting the Sharp into my setup that's tailor made at this point for the Mits offset.

I'm just wondering if the Sharp is worth the trouble above over just buying the 3000 and swapping it painlessly out with the 1000.

I can't comment on the Mits, but after having the DT-500 for few weeks on a DW 108" screen, I'm very impressed. Blacks aren't inky lke my old CRT, but shadow detail is better, picture has more punch, and it's just more enjoyable and immersive. Calibration was really close out of the box. I fin myself still tinkering between picture modes (must be due to always teaking the conv. on my CRT!), but basically I run Movie 2 for night viewing and Natural mode for daytime viewing. Can;t imagine that there's a better bank for the buck PJ than the DT-500 out there.

The DT500 appears better out of the box and it is slightly brighter however there is a longtime misconception that the HC3000 is dim , I can assure you that it is not dim at all ( certainly no light cannon either ) . They are both excellent units and even though I have not seen them side by side I have seen them both in person and can honestly say that I would be happy with either unit (I currently own the HC3000) . From my personal viewing I would have to say that the HC3000 has slightly better blacks when using the mechanical Iris (over the DT500) but as we know many people strive for brightness and usually people will say the brighter image looks better (assuming most other characteristics are pretty even) . It is a tough choice as I think you have picked two units that are very comparable , one thing is for certain though ... they are both better than the HD1000 ;) .

Best of Luck ,
-- Jason

Yep. Flip a coin. Either should make for a happy camper. Price, availability, and warranty should factor more.

The AVS member I bought my HD1000 from upgraded to the sharp dt-500 and is very happy. I recall him saying it was just a tad bit better than the hd1000. On the other hand I did see the HC3000 at a local BB during the summer. It was setup with a gray stewart screen, exact model I'm not sure and the picture was muddy as hell. However on a HC gray sample I got from carada, my hd1000 looked muddy too. Personally if you wanted better contrast I would go with the HC3000. It's one of it's better features and saves you some work too. It would probably look great on your DW screen.