Unfortunately this is another "help me make decision" thread. But I really appreciate the advise and counsel of others on this forum. So here goes.

My HT is 16' wide by 24' long. It's completely light controlled. I'll be using a 120" WilsonArt Designer White laminate for my screen with the projector mounted at 16' from the screen. My ceiling is black and my walls are red and black fabric.

I've narrowed my choices for the projector down to either a Mitsubishi HC4900 or a Panasonic PT-AX200. I know I'm comparing 1080p to 720p, but I'd appreciate other's opinions regarding brightness, contrast, or any other considerations that should sway me to one projector or the other.

Thanks very much.

Steve

I am in the same boat.

For the money I think it might be worth it to step up to 1080p...

After the rebate it is really only $100 more.


But I'm curious too....EVEN though the panny is only 720p....is it a BETTER projector? Better Blacks, Picture, Color, Sharpness...

If the Mitsubishi is about the same as the Epson HC1080 in black level
and picture quality I would get the Panasonic. I sell the UB1080 and I
would sell my Panny for that projector:) I use 11ft screen and the Panny has the horspower.

Hope this helps

Panasonic has much higher native contrast (1200:1 versus 720:1 for the Mits) which means it likely has better blacks (although it's so bright you may need an ND filter to get them). 4900 is much sharper and has better color.

120" screen in light-controlled room means either will be plenty bright enough. Again, you might want an ND filter for the Panasonic in that situation.

Mits is quieter and has better bulb life. Panasonic seems to have lots of reliability problems from what I've read here.

I am in the same boat.

For the money I think it might be worth it to step up to 1080p...

After the rebate it is really only $100 more.


I keep seeing people say the HC4900 is only $100 more, it's not it's $1200 more, then you get $500 rebate making it still $700 more! Where are you seeing this projector being sold new for $1999?

I keep seeing people say the HC4900 is only $100 more, it's not it's $1200 more, then you get $500 rebate making it still $700 more! Where are you seeing this projector being sold new for $1999?

Orange sponsor at the top of these pages. Got mine for even less than that from them. I'm very satisfied with their service and support.

I keep seeing people say the HC4900 is only $100 more, it's not it's $1200 more, then you get $500 rebate making it still $700 more! Where are you seeing this projector being sold new for $1999?

projectorpeople/projectorusa and under $1900.:cool:

Exactly...

Panny is $1299

Mitsubishi is $1399 after rebate

is the fact that its 1080P THAT much better?

I'm looking at the same projectors (and maybe the epson720) Everybody keeps saying its only $100 dollars more and thats great. I just want the projector with the overall better picture and not just the better resolution. I'm not saying that the 4900 is inferior but the 'real world' measurments keep stating that the ax200 has the better contrast.

I'm going to make myself go nuts on how many times I've gone back and forth between these projectors.

I am right here with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Resolution means NOTHING to me without a drop dead quality picture.

I'll take a great 720p over an average 1080p any day...especially considering BluRay and HDDVD is at least a year off from my theater!

I just need help!

I had been making the same decision. Here's my thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=958943&highlight=smeglor

I went with the 4900. The final straw in making the decision was my wife reminding me that she's barely allowing me to make this purchase now and I should not expect to be allowed to do it again later (in a couple years) to upgrade to 1080p, so I'd better get that now.

I'm very satisfied. I imagine the AX200 would have better contrast/black level, but the very high resolution and brilliant color are beautiful, especially for my PC games (Oblivion at 1920x1080 is gorgeous, for example).

We should not forget about the blockbuster card for the panny :D In the end it is what your happy with. The Panny comes close to a 1080ub and does some things better. Enough said.

Good Luck