Panasonic- AX 200 VS Mitsubishi 4900 ???

I'm looking to buy one of these 2 projectors in the next couple of weeks. After rebate its a difference of about $200 (more the the 4900). Seems the main difference is 1000 more lumens for the AX200 and 1080P for the Mitsubishi.

Any comments on these 2 units? Owners how do you like them? Why did you choose one over the other?

* This will be my FIRST projector
* Coming from a 58" Panny Plasma (700U)
* First row 11-12' from screen
* Room is DARK
* 25' x 18'
* 140"- 2.35:1 Constant Height Setup

Thanks for any feedback in advance.

Do you own or plan on owning any 1080p sources (Blu-Ray/HD DVD)? With a screen that big, I suspect you would notice a difference between a 720p/1080p projector. Resolution is not everything, but I knew that I would be getting a 1080p projector so I would not have upgradeitis too soon (I watch a lot of Blu-Ray and HD DVD content).

Yes.

I own HD DVD and BLU RAY players.

WS

No question get the HC4900 :)

Yes.

I own HD DVD and BLU RAY players.

WS

Then I think the Mitsubishi is the way to go. Mine is on the way as I write this. The biggest negative I have read about the HC4900 is that the black levels are not as strong as many of the other 1080p projectors (of course they cost much more). The Panny may have that advantage, but the Mitsu will definitely have other advantages. From what I have seen and read, Blu-Ray and HD DVD look stunning when paired with the 4900. Especially on a 140"+ screen!

I've got an HC4900, I was that or the Panny 2000. Mitsu won because of the price, cant beat that nice factory rebate, and it's my first projector so I dont have anything to compare it too. Right out of the box it's impressive. I just feed it 720p content from my computer (computer cant play 1080p without getting choppy). I havent really played around with settings to get it quite right, hopefully today.

So all of you have no disapointments with the Mitsu?

So all of you have no disapointments with the Mitsu?

I read through the 70+ pages of the Mitsu 4900 owners thread and the majority of people there love it. A few people (videophiles) complained about black levels. Is it perfect? No. But no projector is. But for all the features, the ease of use and setup, 1080p, the great color accuracy and saturation, you cannot beat it for $1399. I was originally budgeting $3K for a 1080p projector.

Hey, I could use your help on the " Own DLP, should I consider LCD" thread! ... :-)


I read through the 70+ pages of the Mitsu 4900 owners thread and the majority of people there love it. A few people (videophiles) complained about black levels. Is it perfect? No. But no projector is. But for all the features, the ease of use and setup, 1080p, the great color accuracy and saturation, you cannot beat it for $1399. I was originally budgeting $3K for a 1080p projector.

So all of you have no disapointments with the Mitsu?

I read through the 70+ pages of the Mitsu 4900 owners thread and the majority of people there love it. A few people (videophiles) complained about black levels. Is it perfect? No. But no projector is. But for all the features, the ease of use and setup, 1080p, the great color accuracy and saturation, you cannot beat it for $1399. I was originally budgeting $3K for a 1080p projector.

No disappointments whatsoever. It's true there are some regretful and critical remarks in the HC4900 thread, but most of those complaints were repeated over and over by the same five or ten people. It was in some sense like a personal blog of the anguish of those who wanted it, then didn't want it, then wanted it, then didn't want... :confused:

So for a 92'' screen from 11 or 12' back the 4900 will be bright enough to use for sports and gaming without all of the lights out? I am also trying to decide between these two and have been for the past month or two.
Thanks

So for a 92'' screen from 11 or 12' back the 4900 will be bright enough to use for sports and gaming without all of the lights out? I am also trying to decide between these two and have been for the past month or two.
Thanks

From the professional reviews and other reviews I have read, it would seem that the 4900 would be fine for everything you mentioned at that distance with some ambient lighting (not sure how much you are talking about though). The majority of reviews and threads I have seen on this projector have people using it in low lamp mode (rated at 5K hours per bulb) vs high brightness mode. With more ambient light coming in, you may want to not run the projector in low lamp mode, but that seems like a very fair compromise. What type of screen are you planning on using? The screen may also help with the ambient light and brightness. You definitely have some options.

Thanks for the info. This will be in the basement, where we have two small windows, but plan on getting blackout curtains for them. My issue is more for when the guys are over watching sports. I don't really want to have the lights out for those situations. I was thinking about a DIY screen. I plan on painting the wall and eggshell black.