Long story short.

We are getting a nice plasma for the living room, probably something like a Pioneer 5080HD. It looks nice and keeps the wife happy.

However, I like to play video games (Xbox 360, Wii) and watch sports on big screens (HD please). So I want the best inexpensive projector for my "man room" in the basement.

Can you please recommend a projector that is $1500 MAX. If something can be had for $1000 even better.

Cheers,

Detox.

HC1500 can be had for $800 and it is great I run 140" screen!

I agree with the HC1500.

HC4900 with rebate is is under $1500 now. 1080p...

My vote for the HD70...mostly because I have one and it is AWESOME!

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/5181/miibowl800mb2.jpg

This image has been reduced to 800x600.

DLPs:
Acer PH530
Optoma HD70
Optoma HD65
Mitsubishi HD1000
Mitsubishi HC1500

LCDs:
BenQ W500
Sony AW15
Epson HC400
Epson HC720
Panasonic AX200
Sanyo Z5

SuperModels: (Look great but may be unstable or touchy)
Sharp XV-Z12000MKII
Marantz VP4001
Samsung SP-H710AE

There are more, just search on and read one of the dozens of threads titled "Recommend PJ under $1500"

BenQ W500, New motorized screen and Onkyo HT in a box with DVD player $1400 total.

http://wilson27.com/ht/DSCN0779.JPG

Get an HC1500 for $800 and use some of the extra money on audio.

DLPs:
Acer PH530
Optoma HD70
Optoma HD65
Mitsubishi HD1000
Mitsubishi HC1500

LCDs:
BenQ W500
Sony AW15
Epson HC400
Epson HC720
Panasonic AX200
Sanyo Z5

SuperModels: (Look great but may be unstable or touchy)
Sharp XV-Z12000MKII
Marantz VP4001
Samsung SP-H710AE

There are more, just search on and read one of the dozens of threads titled "Recommend PJ under $1500"


what's wrong with a 720p dark chip3 pj SP-7210 with a two year factory warranty for $999.



probable the best performing BANG FOR BUCK:D pj in the $999 price range.

if your interested just Google " sp-7210 special "

good luck on your search.
cheers

Murphy:)

what's wrong with a 720p dark chip3 pj SP-7210 with a two year factory warranty for $999.



probable the best performing BANG FOR BUCK:D pj in the $999 price range.

if your interested just Google " sp-7210 special "

good luck on your search.
cheers

Murphy:)

That's why I said there are more....

Put it in the supermodel category.

optima hd7100 can be had for around 850 refurb, its a short throw with vertical and horizontal lens shift. Darkchip3 got great reviews.

also supermodel.

I love those Wii pics, one of the reasons I want the projector is to hook up my Wii to it (in my man room of course)

I second the 7210.

Best pj for $1000 by far, IMO.

Also great for a "man's" room, because it is bright so can leave some lights on for gatherings.

Whats the offset for the 7210?

Or better yet, for a 106" screen how far the top of the screen will the projector need to be?

Whats the offset for the 7210?


The SP7210 has a 116% offset.

So for a 106" screen it would need to be 17" above or below the screen.

This was my second choice behind the Sharp 12KM2 but my low ceilings killed the deal.

Here is a link to specs
http://www.infocus.com/Products/Projectors/SP7210.aspx

Here is the link for the offset explanation.

http://www.infocus.com/upload/library/how_to_guide/installation/infocus_image-offset_howto-guide_installation_en.pdf

The Wii looks surprisingly excellent on the HC1500, even w/ just the default composite hookup. If you own a PS2 however, well... let's just say you will want a PS3.

Looks like the Mitsubishi HC4900, 1080p LCD, can be had for @ $1400 after rebate. I am studying it now. Art at Projector Reviews thinks for the price it is a good PJ.

Thanks again for the input. After some reading, a couple of quick questions.

1) My throw distance maybe limited, I figure probably about 10'-12' from projector to the wall

2) Ceiling height is about 7' (unfortunately it's in the basement

3) Screen size will be as big as I can make it (guessing in the 90" range)

Do all of the projectors recommended still apply or does this narrow the list considerably?

Also, I've heard mention of the Mit 4900 rebate putting the projector at around $1500, does include Canada?

Cheers,

Detox

**bump**

DLPs:


SuperModels: (Look great but may be unstable or touchy)
Sharp XV-Z12000MKII
Marantz VP4001
Samsung SP-H710AE




I agree.

Thanks again for the input. After some reading, a couple of quick questions.

1) My throw distance maybe limited, I figure probably about 10'-12' from projector to the wall

2) Ceiling height is about 7' (unfortunately it's in the basement

3) Screen size will be as big as I can make it (guessing in the 90" range)

Do all of the projectors recommended still apply or does this narrow the list considerably?

Also, I've heard mention of the Mit 4900 rebate putting the projector at around $1500, does include Canada?

Cheers,

Detox

I'm in exactly same boat, 10-12 foot between screen and projector, and I have 7' ceilings, there is about a 8" drop between ceiling and top of screen.

Is the HC1500 good for this configuration?

optima hd7100 can be had for around 850 refurb, its a short throw with vertical and horizontal lens shift. Darkchip3 got great reviews.

also supermodel.

That sounds like a great deal but the only places I found were the "...camera" or "...photo" online dealers and, based on posts here, it seems that it's better to stay away from them.

If I could get a refurbished 7100 for about that price-- and feel comfortable about the store-- I'd grab one in a minute.

Thanks again for the input. After some reading, a couple of quick questions.

1) My throw distance maybe limited, I figure probably about 10'-12' from projector to the wall

2) Ceiling height is about 7' (unfortunately it's in the basement

3) Screen size will be as big as I can make it (guessing in the 90" range)

Do all of the projectors recommended still apply or does this narrow the list considerably?

Also, I've heard mention of the Mit 4900 rebate putting the projector at around $1500, does include Canada?

Cheers,

Detox


Looks like the rebate is only offered in US I have not seen any mention of rebate anywhere in Canada. Rumour has it that Mits will be release HC6050 the other 1080p projector may also be reduced in price soon.

I'm in exactly same boat, 10-12 foot between screen and projector, and I have 7' ceilings, there is about a 8" drop between ceiling and top of screen.

Is the HC1500 good for this configuration?If you put it on a table about 18 inches from the floor. The HC1500 has an image offset and if you already have your screen mounted 8 inches from the ceiling and you ceiling mount the HC1500, you will need to tilt the PJ and use keystone correction to square it up again.

im also in the same boat. 9'8" to the lens to the wall, and viewing distance is about the same. im looking at the panasonic ax200 package,92 inch screen, dvd player, cables. it looks like that or the hd7100. do dlps last longer than 3lcds?