What are the best "value" 720p and 1080p Projectors?

I would look at the used or refurb market, $450 isn't enough other than maybe the Acer h5360 or Optoma gt750 on sale, but even then they usually are more expensive than that.

The Viewsonic Pro8200 on sale can get close to that price (within $200), and sometimes refurbs are that price, That would be the best cheap not used one, and it's 1080p. However, the Viewsonic generally costs $700 or so. The Benq w710st probably has the best image for under $600 for 720p.

I'd be wary about a used projector unless it was guaranteed to come with a brand new bulb. If you buy used and then need to buy a new bulb in a short time frame you really aren't saving any money since the bulb will run you somewhere in the 200-300 range.

Well it depends, picking a projector is a complex thing. First figure out which ones fit in your room. However, the best value per dollar is IMO the Viewsonic Pro8200 and for 3D Benq w1070. The Viewsonic has pretty good blacks for it's low price and it has low RBE. Considering the Viewsonic has such good color even before a calibration, I think for people that don't how to calibrate, it is the best sub-$1000 projector, then my next pick is the Mits hc4000 for 2D (a bit more expensive but darker blacks), or the Benq w1070 for 3D.

Getting people to rank it or vote doesn't mean much. The Benq w1070 is most likely the better projector over the VS (I own a Benq w7000 and a Viewsonic Pro8200, but not a 1070). Just for the fact that the Benq has 3D I would pay the extra for that fact alone. Besides that, the Benq will be sharper than the Viewsonic, there is a reason some projectors cost more. My guess is the Benq and Viewsonic black levels are about the same, despite some of the "suspect" on/off ratios that were posted on the Benq in the other thread.

Figure out which one fits best in your room, then figure out how much that extra $280 is worth to you, for me I'd get the more expensive projector with 3D, no doubt. However, for you that $280 may be more important at the moment than me.

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Edited by energizer30 - 1/7/13 at 10:35pm

It's for real~! I bought it before I heard about the W1070's release. It just came out a few weeks ago in the US and there's zero expert reviews on it yet. I think it's being overshadowed by the W1070 and the CES. Had it been released in summer, I'm sure it would of been the darling for Christmas.

It's very good for 720. It's got good blacks and I've noticed no RBE to date. Colors are good right out of the box but it's also got "3D color management". That doesn't have anything to do with 3D, just that you can adjust 6 different colors for Hue, Gain and Saturation. It also has 4 presets and 2 user modes that can all be adjusted and tweaked. It's very good for football games with the curtains open and even better at night.Only bad thing I've heard is the fan is kinda loud (32/30 dBA (Normal/Economic mode). Only time I really even notice it is at shutdown and I sit on the couch right below it. The projection offset is pretty good, so it mounts close to the ceiling and isn't very obtrusive with heat/noise or people passing in front of it. Of course with a bigger screen, the zoom, placement and room constraints, your experience may be somewhat different.

All in all, it's a steal. However, with all the hype about the W1070, I can't help but be curious...... However, at a price tag 40%+ more, it's hard to justify the upgrade. That said, I've never had a 1080P projector and not sure if I'd think it's 40% better...... I'm kinda doubting it after seeing how good this one is right out of the box.
Edited by energizer30 - 1/6/13 at 7:37pm

The BenQ W1070 just got it's first expert review in the US and it's killer~!! YIKES~!! Now the decision just got twice as hard as to returning the BenQ MW519 and picking up the W1070.

http://www.projectorreviews.com/benq/w1070/index.php

What about the BenQ EP5920?

Newegg had it for $630 shipped a few weeks ago. I expect to see it back there or lower before too long.

(I really wanted a W1070, but the throw is just way too short for my room.)

Good find~! Looks like the W710ST's long throws big brother..... though the contrast is about half at 4500:1 though.

The W1070 will still work for me cause I already got the screen mounted in front of my entertainment center at a throw between 10 and 12 feet still works for me.

You'll need like 14-16 feet with this little guy. Still not thrilled with the contrast though, but for the price is a worthy competitor.

Ya, it competes directly with the 8200 and the reviews are close. I'd have to go with the 8200 because of the projection range...... But realistically, neither would work great for my current situation. I believe the new BenQ W1070 and MW519 are in the sweet-spot for price, features and throw range and should be on anyone's short list. The competition right now, is just 20 to 40% more costly for the same performance.

The W710ST is "3D Ready" and needs a PC, video-card, software and other hardware to project 3D so unless you have it all already, you'd be better off going for a new model with Full 3D.

Projector Central has reviews of both. The BenQ got a "Highly Rated" designation.

Also, just so you know, if people are looking for a short throw, the BenQ W1080ST is the short throw sister to the W1070 and has the same exact specifications. It's do out in a couple of weeks in the U.S. for around the same price.

Alot of people got limited space and a short throw 1080P at a reasonable price would be MUCH loved for them! I'd separate the category for short throws as well..... to keep this thread ALIVE~!!!

http://www.benq.com/product/projector/w1080st
Edited by energizer30 - 1/7/13 at 9:19pm

The W1070 can be had for $979 right now. Most other budget 1080P's have a contrast under 5000 and go for between $650 and $800. How is that 50-75% more? Moreover, the blacks and shadow detail are in another league.... You're almost getting the 3D for nothing if the blacks and contrast mean a lot to ya.

Also, keep in mind, the W1070 is also brighter then most 1080P's, so if you plan on using it with the lights on, it's a major selling point.
Edited by energizer30 - 1/7/13 at 8:15pm

$979 with free shipping. A bunch of people bought it from here on the W1070 thread.

https://www.audiogeneral.com/

I want the W1070 soooo bad, but I still think the MW519 is the better deal...... and a darn good looking picture at that. Most of my content is 720P or 1080i so I really can't take full advantage of the W1070 anyways. I think I'm better off with the 2800 Lumens then the 1080P, especially at almost half the cost.
Edited by energizer30 - 1/8/13 at 10:12pm