Hi,
My hometheater history is well documented on the forum. My only objective is the overall picture quality, not any spec. on paper.
For DVD viewing, give us a AE201 with smoothscreen (no screendoor), more contrast (both more brightness AND lower black level), remove the remaining 1% vertical banding and add a DVI-D for 1:1 mapping. That will be THE perfect projector for DVD viewing. The only artifact remain is "scanline effect in vertical motion" and I doubt anyone can do anything about it because it exists on ALL LCD projector I saw.
I never like the Sanyo color rendering, both Z1 and Z2. And you all know why I can't take others (Epson 100/500, Panny 500 - vertical banding, AE300 - no 1:1 mapping, Sony HS10/20 - long throw and only 56Hz at 1:1 mapping) etc.
I like the first Dila I saw, a JVC M15. The 1.5x short throw just fit my room. But it's big, hot and noisy. Besides it's no where to find.
Then I saw the current model SX21. It actually didn't look as good as the M15. Maybe due to the different bulb. And it shows TONS of MPEG2 block artifact in HDTV viewing. And the black level is a far cry even to my AE200. I know after proper cal. thing should look much better but I'm not taking the risk. Besides the long throw makes it out of the question in my room.
Just last week I saw a brand new G10. This time when displaying 1:1 mapping via HTPC, there were lots of "streaking" artifacts (both horizontal and vertical) when a bright object is on a dark background. It looked exactly like a poor CRT display (besides the "vertical" streaking!)! Those work with old CRT projector should know the effect.
DLP? 1-chip DLP is a excellent slide projector but don't work with motion video. If you can't see motion dithering, looks harder!
The good old CRT projector? I started from the good old Barco 701, then a Barco 808 Graphic, then a Sony G70, finally a brand new NEC XG85, but after 2000 hours it die on me. Yes they look wonderful but I'm not betting my luck again.
Now it's much better, every year we'll have a handful of new models to talk about! Enjoy!
regards,
Li On