[charlieboy]

I'd like some opinions on the best bang projector for around 1,000-1,500 bucks. I have DTV HD for High Def singnals and tons of regular dvd's. My room is 22x20. I understand most of the talk about HD and scaling and that most stuff is not going to be "true" HD especially in this price range.

Thank you.

Charlie

[hometheaterdoc]

easy... panasonic AE900.... it's LCD, but has a dynamic iris to help compensate for the low contrast... blacks aren't spectacular compared to a DLP, but it's a true 720P and can be purchased in your range brand new with warranty after rebates.

Pros:  LCD so no rainbow concerns, Micro lens array so there is virtually no pixelation unless you are really close up.  It also has a lens shift type system so installation is a breeze.  It also has a very wide range zoom lens and can be a pretty long throw.  So you can likely set it on a shelf in the back of your room and still keep a reasonably small screen size.

Cons:  typical LCD "issues" apply (organic panel so color uniformity is not perfect and will degrade over time, suffers from vertical banding but some units are better than others and the panny does allow you to kind of tune it out). The micro lens array basically blurs the edges of the pixels together so you don't see the "screendoor" effect, but the result is that the picture focus is a bit softer than competing models (some people prefer this as it looks more "filmlike" or "CRT like" to them... they're just used to seeing things out of focus hehehe).  It's not the brightest thing out there (~400 lumens with a new bulb when calibrated to D6500, less than that as soon as you put some time on the bulb).  So you want to keep the screen size down unless you like a washed out picture   It also doesn't really do black exceptionally well (at least compared to a good DLP).  But, if you haven't seen other models to compare, this unit is going to look absolutely fantastic.... 

The competing DLP models that have 720P resolution are going to run you >$2K.  The DLP models in your price range are going to be 480P and 576P (although as more 1080P stuff is hitting the market, it is going to drive the 720P prices down further.. but if you are looking to buy today, this is the state of the market).  This Panny allows you to sit closer to the screen than the DLPs in this price range because it has greater resolution and blurs the pixel structure.

hope that helps...

[ted_b]

No brainer!!   The Panasonic AE900 is a GREAT PJ, and Panasonic has a $400 cash rebate (plus 40 Blockbuster rentals).  A coupl places online (like B&H) have them $1500 net.  As I said...a no brainer if there ever was one.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=PAPTAE900U&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=403037

I see HomeTheaterDoc beat me to it as I was typing....anyway, enjoy.

[zybar]

Make it three for three on the Panny.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11110043&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

George

[David Ellis]

I own an Optoma H31, and am VERY pleased.  However, the source is only DVD movies.  I don't watch much/any normal TV, so my need & desire for HD is very minimal.  Given this, I decided that a 480p DLP projector would be the best decision.  I have seen the sony HD LCD Projector (with HD source material) for $3k retail, and I would MUCH rather watch my 480p Optoma H31.

The gent above convey's the Panasonic 700 as a "no brainer" decision.  This projector was the other unit on my short list.  Indeed it has a very good reputation, and might be smarter if the propensity of your viewing is 720p.  However the quality of a scaled 480p dvd on this projector AND the LCD disadvantages make the decision a toss-up IMO.

Oh, LCD projectors are stereotypically brighter, but the better picture goes to the DLP.

I enjoy my Optoma H31 too much, and extremely happy I made the decision not to purchase the Panasonic 700. 

Oh, you should read about all of this stuff at www.projectorcentral.com

Dave

[ted_b]

David,
No offense but my no-brainer recommendation was for the Panny 900, not the older 700 as you stated..  As was George's and HT Doc's.  The 900 was significantly improved over the 700.

[Rob Babcock]

I actually just got my Optoma H31 installed last night, and so far I love it.  My reasoning mirrors Dave Ellis'- not much HD right now and mostly DVDs.  Mine was purchased used from Videogon at a pretty good price.  I will probably buy the Panny down the road, truth be told, but for now the Optoma is a screaming bargin @ about $800 new.

[Rob Babcock]

NOTE:  Right now the H31 is selling for $699 with a $100 rebate from Optoma, good til the end of August.  That makes the H31 a flat out stupid bargain!  On the subject of rebates, Panasonic is offering a $400 cash rebate on the PT-AE900U.  If you buy from VisualApex, you'll pay $1749 then get the $400 rebate for a final price of just under $1350!   A great deal on a wonderful PJ.