No, not yet, but on Black Friday 2008, I think we'll see a 1080P projector for under a grand. So start getting some sleep in now so you can wait outside the local BB or CC all night to get yours.

I was actually somewhat disappointed in the projectors available for BF2007. 2006's Black Friday had a greater variety at better prices. In general, I think the super specials of years past are starting to die down. Stores and manufacturers will always want to milk you for the most money. Of course we'll still see deals like the 99 HD DVD players that were out for last year's holiday season.

Jim

Well, i think the Acer ph530 for $600 deal was pretty good for those on a budget.

Can a mod please start a new forum called "ALL WE CARE ABOUT IS CHEAP?"

Seriously, someone who only cares about the hype of having 1080 and is willing to sacrafice all picture quality just to have higher resolution should just throw $999 out the window.

The ironic thing is that a good, well made 720p would probably have a sharper picture than some bargain-basement 1080 unit.

But then you wouldn't sleep at night because you "only" had 720!!

And hey, speaking of cheap, cheap shot at the title of this thread - you know people are going to think it means you FOUND a 1080 projector for under $999, but you're just "speculating" about the day when it will come.

Very immature.

I'm going to start a thread called "1080/laser projector for $100" and discuss how it will never happen.

Ok I'm done ranting.

But seriously, to the OP, please change the title of this thread to "1080 for $999 - when will it happen?" What you've done it misleading and you know it.

Can a mod please start a new forum called "ALL WE CARE ABOUT IS CHEAP?"

Seriously, someone who only cares about the hype of having 1080 and is willing to sacrafice all picture quality just to have higher resolution should just throw $999 out the window.

The ironic thing is that a good, well made 720p would probably have a sharper picture than some bargain-basement 1080 unit.

But then you wouldn't sleep at night because you "only" had 720!!

And hey, speaking of cheap, cheap shot at the title of this thread - you know people are going to think it means you FOUND a 1080 projector for under $999, but you're just "speculating" about the day when it will come.

Very immature.

I'm going to start a thread called "1080/laser projector for $100" and discuss how it will never happen.

Ok I'm done ranting.

But seriously, to the OP, please change the title of this thread to "1080 for $999 - when will it happen?" What you've done it misleading and you know it.

So, you did not jump on this thread because of the price for 1080p but are policing the forum as a volunteer?

And, your commentary is not because you feel cheated for not finding a bargain basement 1080p link in this thread?

Just asking...

:)

Where is the link for the 1080P projector for $999?:confused:

And, your commentary is not because you feel cheated for not finding a bargain basement 1080p link in this thread?

Just asking...

:)

Actually, you are correct - I wanted to see why anyone would really think a 1080p for $999 is a good idea.

I wanted to voice the opinion (and while I call it opinion, it is more likely fact) that there are many reasonably priced 720 machines (new and used) that would blow away a bargain 1080.

Many people probably do not realize that there is far more to making a good picture than resolution, so who knows, maybe my rant would "show someone the light."

Thinking of the Mitsu HC4900 here.... The 720p list at $999 and under that would blow it away is amazingly short.


:)

I wanted to voice the opinion (and while I call it opinion, it is more likely fact) that there are many reasonably priced 720 machines (new and used) that would blow away a bargain 1080.


Name more than 5 new 720's that cost less than the Mits 4900 ($1399) that would "blow it away."

Name more than 5 new 720's that cost less than the Mits 4900 ($1399) that would "blow it away."

I can think of one...my Sharp XV-Z12000 Mark II. How's that for starters?

Name more than 5 new 720's that cost less than the Mits 4900 ($1399) that would "blow it away."


I'd like to know of any under $1399 720s "blow it away.":)

I'm glad to see this thread has struck more than a few nerves. Apparently some people take the small things in life far too seriously. If reading a thread title and then having problems with the body is causing you all kinds of problems, perhaps this forum is not for you.

The title is obviously in direct reference to the one titled "1080P for $1,399". My goal in starting this thread was to show just how far the prices of projectors has fallen in the last few years. A few years ago $2000 would have bought you a nice 480P projector and you would have been happy viewing it. Today that same amount buys a 1080P projector that would blow it away in picture quality. Soon, you'll undoubtedly be able to purchase one of these for under a grand.

In many ways, it's all about prices. We're in the "Under $3,000" forum because we do care about prices. Resolution isn't everything. Of course you can find a 720P projector that will be better than a 1080P one. My own 480P plasma has a far better picture (from a distance) than the 1080P LCD. But there's certainly nothing wrong with wanting the best projector at the best price. For many people, that budget is $1,000. If they hold out a little while, 1080P will fall nicely into that budget.

On the other hand, you should never hold out for the "next big thing" to come along. You'll be waiting forever. If you want a projector now, decide on a budget, and then go and get the best projector you can. Enjoy it, and don't worry that you may not have gotten the perfect projector for the least amount of money. You'll cause yourself too much stress and anxiety.

Sit back, take it easy and enjoy this forum and your projector.

Jim

I think the point some folks are trying to make is that PQ involves much more than just resolution. It's easy to get caught up in the hype of 1080p projector for $XXX; just to say you own a cheap 1080p projector doesn't necessarily translate to best bang for the buck.

I must say Im pretty happy with my HC1500!

Buffalo Jim,

Your intentions are good my friend, but the thread title is misleading.

How about adding a ? to the thread title?

Its been fun to watch the PJ prices drop year after year, so that more people can enjoy them.

As long as the quality is there, that is the key, as others have stated.

If reading a thread title and then having problems with the body is causing you all kinds of problems, perhaps this forum is not for you.

Like many people past, present and future, we use the SEARCH function to find information we're looking for. Generally, searching the thread titles is the best way to go, since searching everything gives far too many results.

When people post thread titles that just try to hook people into reading them with no obvious clue to what the subject really is, it makes thes search for info a lot more diluted and difficult.

When someone reads the title "1080p for $999" you know full well they expect to find info about an actual projector.

If you posted "When will we see 1080p for $999" THEN people know exactly what this thread is about. It helps everyone.

If it's so important to you that people read your thread that you have to resort to games and misinformation, then perhaps the forums are not for you.

Mojo still owns a TV and is just pi$$ed. (no HD of any kind)

He feels the need to police the forums as going from 480i to 720P seems easier for him.

I just had a look at the Forum Posting Guidelines and I did not see anything about how to title posts or the etiquette involved in crafting it such that the international audience is fully cognizant of its obvious AND subtle intents.

HOWEVER

I did see where there is a good section on BEFORE YOU POST "WHICH PROJECTOR SHOULD I BUY?"

:D

I can think of one...my Sharp XV-Z12000 Mark II. How's that for starters?

Nice try but the Sharp is no longer available for that price. Truth is the better 720p projectors are now increasingly harder to find.

Moe

What kind of fool would pay $600 for an Acer when the 4900 can be had for $1400? Seriously, even I'm tempted by that deal. The way technology keeps advancing only a fool would drop big bucks for an 'Uber" 1080 machine, just to see the price plummet next year. Reminds me of the Sharp Z12000MII thread I started. Here was this "quality" 720 machine that sold for $10K, and suddenly it's going for peanuts at a big box store. Many people thought that was the best deal ever, but I'm sure people who paid $10K were bummed! Save your money, get a high value machine, enjoy it, and laugh all the way to the bank. If your videophile buddy gives you grief while showing off his higher contrast turn on a light and show him your bank book. That will make his smug attitude AND his great contrast disappear!

What kind of fool would pay $600 for an Acer when the 4900 can be had for $1400?

The same fool that can't afford $1400.

LMAO @ this thread.

I nominate Mojo for forum moderator incognito....;)

Is that 1080UB too elusive?

Nah, I'm just waiting for the UB to fall below $999. I can use the money I save to paint the off-white wall I currently project on and then maybe invest in a two-speaker soundsystem.

Sit back, take it easy and enjoy this forum and your projector.

Jim


Yep. I've been enjoying my Panny AE900u (720P) for the past year and a half, and will keep on enjoying it.
Would 1080P be an improvement? Yeah, slightly.
Would I like to have better black levels? Yep.
But when it comes down to it, the improvements would be small, my wallet would be much thinner, and I'm really enjoying what I have. It still blows me away every time I turn it on.
I'll spend the money on a giant IB subwoofer and HD media. Those will give me more bang for the buck. :cool:

That will make his smug attitude AND his great contrast disappear!

Nice one!

...and then maybe invest in a two-speaker soundsystem.

When did they start making those? Can they be had under $999?

When did they start making those? Can they be had under $999?
I think BOSE invented them and they are just a little more than $999.


:D

People who spend $999 on a projector will get a so-so image and be eager to upgrade in less than a year.

People who spend $3,000 will get a great image and (according to the stats) will upgrade in three years.

You spend the same amount of money in the long run, but the person who thinks it's "pointless" to spend a lot on a projector NEVER goes home completely satisfied.

Read the threads, people who "save money" always upgrade sooner. ALWAYS.

If your going to upgrade to 1080 from 720 you should view it like getting a bigger television. More pixels means you can sit closer or project a larger image. Don't just look at it as slightly more contrast, etc. Anyone who upgrades from 720 to 1080 and doesn't increase the image size or sit closer is missing the point of front projection. There is value going to 1080.

People who spend $999 on a projector will get a so-so image and be eager to upgrade in less than a year.

That statement is absurd. There are thousands of people fully enjoying thousand dollar projectors. Many people, myself included, still own 480P projectors and they love them. The point is that $1000 buys far more projector than it did just a year or two ago. In another year, $1000 will buy an even better projector. Even if you spend $3000 on a projector this year, you can buy the same projector or an even better one in a year for $1500 or maybe even $1000. Projector technology is going up. Projector prices are coming down.

Pick a budget, and then buy a projector. You won't be disappointed.

I think the correct axiom to draw about projectors is this:

People who buy projectors and hang out on AVS daily will upgrade in one year or less.
People who buy projectors and go enjoy them and stay off the forum keep them 3 years or more.

How does that sound?

:D

I think the correct axiom to draw about projectors is this:

People who buy projectors and hang out on AVS daily will upgrade in one year or less.
People who buy projectors and go enjoy them and stay off the forum keep them 3 years or more.

How does that sound?

:D

As a general rule I'd have to disagree with that too. I've had my AE700 for just under 3 years now and I've been a regular visitor of the forums since then. While I know there are plenty of members who upgrade their projectors every year (some multiple times per year even) I can't see the average buyer upgrading that often. I've thought about pulling the trigger more and more each year...but at the end of the day most 3 year old HD projectors still throw a solid HD image, even if they aren't as bright or as black as their current counterparts. Maybe this fall I'll go through with it...especially if I can buy 1080p for under a grand!

I think the correct axiom to draw about projectors is this:

People who buy projectors and hang out on AVS daily will upgrade in one year or less.
People who buy projectors and go enjoy them and stay off the forum keep them 3 years or more.

How does that sound?

:D

I think it comes down to the individual more than anything. I know in the 5 years since I got into this hobby my upgrade path has gone from the X1>4805>AE700>AE900>AX100U>HC1500>DT-500>XV-Z12000 MARK II. Sometimes mutliple projectors in the same year. I love my 12000 but can't imagine keeping it more than a year or so until the upgrade bug bites again and I sell/upgrade to 1080p (would love to demo the epson 1080ub after reading Art's review). I've been fortunate to sell my projectors when they still had value to help finance my habit...:)

What kind of fool would pay $600 for an Acer when the 4900 can be had for $1400? Seriously, even I'm tempted by that deal. The way technology keeps advancing only a fool would drop big bucks for an 'Uber" 1080 machine, just to see the price plummet next year. Reminds me of the Sharp Z12000MII thread I started. Here was this "quality" 720 machine that sold for $10K, and suddenly it's going for peanuts at a big box store. Many people thought that was the best deal ever, but I'm sure people who paid $10K were bummed! Save your money, get a high value machine, enjoy it, and laugh all the way to the bank. If your videophile buddy gives you grief while showing off his higher contrast turn on a light and show him your bank book. That will make his smug attitude AND his great contrast disappear!

The same fool that can't afford $1400.

actually, the 4900 is at minimum, closer to $2k (be4 $500 rebate) which is a LOT more than $600! more than many can afford!

Yep. I've been enjoying my Panny AE900u (720P) for the past year and a half, and will keep on enjoying it.
Would 1080P be an improvement? Yeah, slightly.
Would I like to have better black levels? Yep.
But when it comes down to it, the improvements would be small, my wallet would be much thinner, and I'm really enjoying what I have. It still blows me away every time I turn it on.
I'll spend the money on a giant IB subwoofer and HD media. Those will give me more bang for the buck. :cool:

thats where im at w panny ptl500, so far. and loving it!
my friends and naybors all go 'ga-ga':D when they see what it does.

'Tis better to light a single candle than live in a glass houses." - William Shakespear.

4 years ago when I was ready to upgrade from my first projector, I had every intention of spending about $1500 for the usual reasons - projector tech changes and comes down in price so fast, what's the point?

Although it was out of my price range, I had seen the Infocus 5700 in action at a local shop and wow, was I impressed; the image popped off the screen, it had great black levels and the color was dazzling. But at 4 grand it was a pipe dream.

So I searched and searched and looked for something that might make me almost as happy as the 5700... I found a few candidates and my budget had creeped up to almost 2 grand... then one day I went back into that shop to take "one last look" at the projector I would never own, and saw the price had been dropped to 3 grand! I also had a 10% off coupon for another electronic store, so on a whim I asked the guys in THIS shop if they would take a competitor's coupon - they said yes.

That brought this once unatainable $4,000 projector down to $2700; a lot more than the $1500 I was originally going to spend, but it was EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED! And I figured what the hell, it's going on a credit card anyway...

So I got it. And I was happy. VERY happy. I didn't go home with a projector that always reminded me I wanted something else and I knew there was very little out there that could actually beat the 5700 (it had gotten stellar reviews).

The bottom line was I paid more, but I got the best and was 100% happy. It took a very long time before I started reading about new models in the same price range that were better.., and it took 4 years before I decided it was time to upgrade.

If you absolutely under no circumstances can afford to pay more, that's one thing... but if there is something out there that you know is what you really want (like the Epson 1080UB) and you're getting something lesser because you think it's "dumb" to spend a lot on a projector, think again.

I guarantee you that if you buy a projector that isn't really what you want, you WILL upgrade much, much sooner.

Besides, it's just NICE to sit back and watch and know you got what you wanted!

That's the same logic I tried to explain for getting the 4900 versus an Acer! By the way, the 4900 is available for around $1395 after rebate, NOT $2K!

One more thing, in the last 3 years I went from my Optoma H31 (great little PJ, excellent picture and contrast) to my present Epson (great color, 720 resolution, ultra flexible install), and have been extremely happy. And BOTH these PJs cost me around $1700 COMBINED, a cool grand less than your Matterhorn PJ. It really can pay to shop around and look for bargains!

$1379 delivered for the 4900...projectors that are in the same class with incremental improvement are 2x (or more) in cost.

I try to apply the 80/20 rule to things... 80% of the cost gets you 20% improvement. In the case of the 4900 is exceeds that formula and makes it a fantastic buy. Futile to dispute that.

For folks with a finite amount of money or who actually have other more important things to spend money on (We have a boat - talk about $$$$, but FAR more important to US than having an incremental PQ increase vs. a few more trips to Nantucket).

The results of this poll: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=977969 show that the majority of people think you should spend about 2 weeks salary on a projector. If that gets you something for $500 or $5000, 480i or 1080p, then it is what it is. Get whatever gets you the best bang for YOUR buck, not more bucks than you have.

Upgrading isn't a bad or a good thing on its own. Since we watch all our materials on a PJ, we'll easily blow through a bulb a year, so frequent upgrades work nicely for us. We've upgraded 4 times at a cost of exactly $0, since we sold our previous units at the cost of what we paid. Had we went big and bought one for >$3000 in the beginning, we'd have eaten quite a bit of cash on bulbs and depreciation over the years. Whatever stategy works for you, go with it. To each their own.

Lots of good points in this tread, sure if you are rich buy whotever you wont but if you have avarage salary value for money is most important imo.

...we'll easily blow through a bulb a year, so frequent upgrades work nicely for us. We've upgraded 4 times at a cost of exactly $0, since we sold our previous units at the cost of what we paid...

Wow, I have my projector on for most of every night and I've only had to replace the bulb once in 4 years.

And I think you're very lucky, most people would find it to be a miracle if we sold even ONE projector at the same price we paid. That's very rare indeed.

It does come down to personal style... I tend to buy exactly what I want and stick with it for a long, long time (projector, car, stereo, etc). I always wind up paying more to begin with, but it works out because I don't feel the need to upgrade for quite a while.

Some people prefer to have a revolving door on things and change them out all the time. To me, this means you're never satisfied and I prefer not to buy something knowing I really wanted something else.

The two weeks salary thing sounds about right, but again, if you're planning to keep the projector for 3 years, I think you can step up to THREE weeks salary!

Maybe that should be the rule... one week's salary for every year you think you'll keep it :-)

And I think you're very lucky, most people would find it to be a miracle if we sold even ONE projector at the same price we paid. That's very rare indeed.

Yeah Mojo, that's curious. I'd like to know how you pulled that stunt.

Spyder, please post the four previous projectors you've purchased, used and sold at no loss. What I'd like to know is:
1) model #'s
2) purchase date, place and location
3) sales date and price.

Otherwise, this info is too incredulous to believe, and amounts to another pile of fluff.

"We'll easily blow through a bulb a year.." ??? I can see thats' possible, but as most bulbs are rated at 3000 hours, (some now at 5000) that amounts to almost nine hours a day, every day of the year. That's a lot of movies (I recognize you stated that you "watch all our materials on a PJ"...I just inserted the quip because that is still a lot of on time...9 hours a day!!!) Thanks in advance, John

Can a mod please start a new forum called "ALL WE CARE ABOUT IS CHEAP?"

Seriously, someone who only cares about the hype of having 1080 and is willing to sacrafice all picture quality just to have higher resolution should just throw $999 out the window.

The ironic thing is that a good, well made 720p would probably have a sharper picture than some bargain-basement 1080 unit.

But then you wouldn't sleep at night because you "only" had 720!!

And hey, speaking of cheap, cheap shot at the title of this thread - you know people are going to think it means you FOUND a 1080 projector for under $999, but you're just "speculating" about the day when it will come.

Very immature.

I'm going to start a thread called "1080/laser projector for $100" and discuss how it will never happen.

Ok I'm done ranting.

But seriously, to the OP, please change the title of this thread to "1080 for $999 - when will it happen?" What you've done it misleading and you know it.

Well said :rolleyes:

Wow, I have my projector on for most of every night and I've only had to replace the bulb once in 4 years...

I should say that I've never been forced to replace a bulb. We typically upgrade as the bulb is approaching 3.000 hours. Sometimes that takes 9 months, sometimes closer to 12. I had a 4805 with 5,000+ hours on the bulb when it sold.

...Spyder, please post the four previous projectors you've purchased, used and sold at no loss. What I'd like to know is:
1) model #'s
2) purchase date, place and location
3) sales date and price.

Otherwise, this info is too incredulous to believe, and amounts to another pile of fluff.

"We'll easily blow through a bulb a year.." ??? I can see thats' possible, but as most bulbs are rated at 3000 hours, (some now at 5000) that amounts to almost nine hours a day, every day of the year. That's a lot of movies (I recognize you stated that you "watch all our materials on a PJ"...I just inserted the quip because that is still a lot of on time...9 hours a day!!!) Thanks in advance, John

1. First pj was an Epson S1+.
2. Purchased on April 13, 2003 at 349 So. State Street, SLC, UT at exactly 2:41 P.M.
3. Don't know how "sales date" and "purchase date" is any different. Price was $248.43.

(I realize that without the exact longitute and latitude of the point of sale along with all serial numbers, name of sales clerk, and what payment type I used being gleefully and dutifully provided that this makes me a complete liar and my post a cute and cuddly "fluffy" kitten.) :rolleyes:

Now, if you want the truth, I submit to the prosecution what I can recall; paying around $250 for an S1 that I sold for $350, $400 for a 4805 that I sold for $450, $325 for a second 4805 that I sold for $325, and $400 for an H77 that I sold for $850. I haven't sold my IN72 that we paid $450 for yet, but should net somewhere close to the original price.


As for the bulb hours, not everyone uses their PJ just for an occasional movie. The unit gets turned on around 4 P.M. and gets shut down around 1-2 A.M. That doesn't mean someone is constantly watching it. It's better to just leave your unit on, rather than shut it down and fire it back up every hour. That's been discussed at great length in numerous threads by myself and others. (I can't provide a link to every discussion, so I hope that doesn't make me a liar once again. :()

Would you believe my PS3 in box cost <$100? My two Xbox 360s came complete at $80 each? My Samsung 19" monitor was only $30? My Wii was a measly $200 with 5 full game discs (not 5 games on one disc) just 2 weeks before Christmas?

My point is that there are other ways to buy than running down to Best Buy on launch day and joyfully handing over your credit card without a second thought. The fact that some seek out such alternatives or have access to such methods hardly make them fluffy liars. :confused:

1. First pj was an Epson S1+.
2. Purchased on April 13, 2003 at 349 So. State Street, SLC, UT at exactly 2:41 P.M.
3. Don't know how "sales date" and "purchase date" is any different. Price was $248.43.

(I realize that without the exact longitute and latitude of the point of sale along with all serial numbers, name of sales clerk, and what payment type I used being gleefully and dutifully provided that this makes me a complete liar and my post a cute and cuddly "fluffy" kitten.) :rolleyes:

Now, if you want the truth, I submit to the prosecution what I can recall; paying around $250 for an S1 that I sold for $350, $400 for a 4805 that I sold for $450, $325 for a second 4805 that I sold for $325, and $400 for an H77 that I sold for $850. I haven't sold my IN72 that we paid $450 for yet, but should net somewhere close to the original price.


As for the bulb hours, not everyone uses their PJ just for an occasional movie. The unit gets turned on around 4 P.M. and gets shut down around 1-2 A.M. That doesn't mean someone is constantly watching it. It's better to just leave your unit on, rather than shut it down and fire it back up every hour. That's been discussed at great length in numerous threads by myself and others. (I can't provide a link to every discussion, so I hope that doesn't make me a liar once again. :()

Would you believe my PS3 in box cost <$100? My two Xbox 360s came complete at $80 each? My Samsung 19" monitor was only $30? My Wii was a measly $200 with 5 full game discs (not 5 games on one disc) just 2 weeks before Christmas?

My point is that there are other ways to buy than running down to Best Buy on launch day and joyfully handing over your credit card without a second thought. The fact that some seek out such alternatives or have access to such methods hardly make them fluffy liars. :confused:

Aloha,

I want to be your best friend!!! Can you PM me with how I can get prices like that? I bought my PS3 80GB off CL for $350 with four movies and I thought i did well!

I want your secrets!

bdbabaa