[QuoVadis27]

Hey all,


I'm new around here, and just getting myself familiarized.


Wondering if there's any consensus here on the best digital projectors for the home if you're on a budget. (Say, $1500 or less).


I don't mind buying used or refurbished. Any advice you might haveor links to previous threads that have already covered this subjectwould be appreciated.

 

[ack_bk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by QuoVadis27 /forum/post/0


Hey all,


I'm new around here, and just getting myself familiarized.


Wondering if there's any consensus here on the best digital projectors for the home if you're on a budget. (Say, $1500 or less).


I don't mind buying used or refurbished. Any advice you might haveor links to previous threads that have already covered this subjectwould be appreciated.

What is the size of the screen? What are the dimensions of the room, and where will you be sitting? What will this setup be used mainly for, cinema or TV? Do you watch lots of sports?

 

[mgkdragn]

 http://www.projectorreviews.com/

 

[QuoVadis27]

Room size is roughly 20x15 feet. Average living room. I'll be sitting toward the back. Haven't decided on screen dimensions yet. I do watch lots of sports and would like to use this for both TV and Cinema, but sparingly so I don't burn out the bulb too fast.

 

[coderguy]

Cedia is less than 30 days away, I would wait until after CEDIA until the new models come out.


Mits hc4000 is my sub-$1500 recommendation, unless you prefer darker blacks and want lens shift.


The only sub-$1500 projectors I know of with lens shift are the Epson 8350 or the Sanyo z4000 (from only 1-2 vendors). The Sanyo and Mits are the better image over the Epson 8350, but the Sanyo is "NOT BRIGHT" and requires a smaller high-gain screen.


Given that reason, this usually leaves the Epson 8350 vs. the Mits hc4000. Between those two, the Mits is better if judging purely by image quality. Other than that, there are some used options, but I am fairly sure at this price range the Mits hc4000 and Sanyo z4000 produce the best image (I have seen them all), with the Epson 8350 being the next best thing. You can see the link in my signature for more info of what my own findings were.


I would save my money and buy an Epson 8700ub before an 8350, and the Mits hc4000 before an 8350, and even a Sanyo z4000 before the 8350 if you can use a small high-gain screen, but that's just me. The Sanyo is under-rated for its price point, but some of the better deals on the PJ are gone now, so it's harder to get one under $1500 ATM.

 

[zoey67]



Quote:
Originally Posted by coderguy /forum/post/20835450


The Sanyo is under-rated for its price point, but some of the better deals on the PJ are gone now, so it's harder to get one under $1500 ATM.

I would never buy a PJ from a mfg that specializes in rice cookers.

 

[eyeage30]

You may want to give Benito from AVS (the people who sponser this forum) a call and see what he recommends. I bought the projector he recommended to me and I couldn't be happier with the quality:cost ratio.

 

[donaldk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zoey67 /forum/post/20836166


I would never buy a PJ from a mfg that specializes in rice cookers.

Sanyo was bought by Panasonic for its solarpanel expertise, well the LCD technology as applied to PV. Sanyo has a very long track record in LCD projectors, actually they are the go to folks when it comes to powerful LCD projectors, therefor those are also sold under the Christie and Eiki brands.


First anouncements are starting to come in with IFA only two weeks away.


Optoma is launching the $1500 MSRP HD33 1080P 3D DLP.

 

[coderguy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by donaldk /forum/post/20838311


Optoma is launching the $1500 MSRP HD33 1080P 3D DLP.

That's good news, a sub $1500 3d 1080p DLP projector is finally coming.


Personally I am waiting to see what the Mits hc7800 will be like, hopefully it will come out under $3k and I might get it if it has a 5x or 6x color wheel and a DI, but we shall see.