[Rob Babcock]

I posted this at AVS, but decided to query the AC crowd as well:

Okay, I've read a mountain of reviews on both of these machines and both seem excellent. But even after all the reviews and all the discussion threads here and elsewhere, I'm still having trouble deciding between these two PJs.

Right now I have an Optoma H31. I'm very happy with it, and after ISF calibration I can't really find any significant faults with the picture (all I use if for is standard DVD movie playback and a little gaming). But with 2 HDTV disc formats out there and 2 HD gaming consoles, and PJ pricing being so attractive, the time has come to step up to 720P.

The pros in favor of the Optoma HD70: I love the remote which is a ringer for my H31 remote. Plus, I won't need to buy a new mount, which will save me $100 or so. Also, my ceiling is only about 7.5' so the offset will work a bit better.

The Cons: 8 bit video- probably not a huge deal but the reviews mention a bit of color flatness vs better DLP PJs. Lower lumen output than the Mits, although that's no a deal breaker as I use an 84" screen in a light controlled room. Perhaps a tiny bit louder than the Mits, too.

The pros in favor of the Mitsubishi HD1000U: Deeper blacks and better contrast, according to the reviews. Perhaps a bit better color accuracy than the HD70. Perhaps a bit better picture, certainly a lot brighter. While that doesn't matter much right now, it would give me more flexibility when I move to a larger house. About $100 cheaper than the Optoma, but I'd also need a new mount, so that's about a wash. Sealed light engine= no filter to clean/change.

The Cons: greater offset might require a tad of keystoning. My experience has shown me that's not the end of the world, and my next house almost undoubtedly will have higher ceilings. Will require a new mount, but as I said the price diff will cancel that out.

The intangibles: I've never owned a Mitsubishi, but I love my Optoma. So there's some brand loyalty. Both have similar warranties unless I'm remembering wrong. Bulb cost/life is similar, with the Mits maybe having a bit longer life in Eco- I'm not too sure about that, though.

One site bundles a slick upconverting DVD player with the Optoma, which bumps the value quotient a bit, but I'm pretty happy with my Denon DVD-2200, and I'll probably stick with it until I find the right HD machine (I'm hoping Denon will market a true universal that plays HD-DVD, BluRay, DVD-A & SACD! ).

Any advice or input would be appreciated. I plan to pull the trigger within a few weeks. I'm not sure there's a "wrong" choice between these two, but I'm still undecided.

[slugworth]

 I checked the specs at projectorcentral. It does look like a toss up, with maybe a slight edge on paper to the Mits. I've had an Optoma H77 for 2 1/2 years with no issues so far. I got it from Projector People and they seemed pretty straight-up about what they thought of various projectors. I'd give them a call. You might want to hold out for a 1080p, projector prices usually fall even faster than computer prices.

[Rob Babcock]

Well, I don't really wanna hold out for a 1080P, and here's why:  my sister has an old Plus Piano PJ, 1st gen DLP.  Right now her bulb is at the end of it's useful life, and instead of paying $300 for a new bulb for a very old PJ, she has offered to buy my current PJ, an Optoma H31 with 375 hrs on the bulb.  There's no doubt that my ISF-calibrated H31 smokes her ancient Plus, and if she buys it $450 or so she's got a big upgrade and money better spent.  And that would be half of the cash I'd need to buy a new 720P model.  Yeah, I will inevitably get a 1080P unit eventually, but 720P is the 'sweet spot' for price/performance.  In a year or two when prices are lower and there are more 1080 models to choose from I'll buy one.  But this is a limited time deal- she's gonna have to get a bulb or new PJ pretty shortly, and it's a win/win deal for us both.

I actually have 2 mounts for the Optoma; I'd give my sister whichever one worked best in her install (probably the one I spent $150 for ).  I could keep the other one for the HD70.  But since the HD1000U is $100 cheaper I could also just buy a new mount.

I suspect that in terms of absolute performance the Mits probably has the edge.  But either would probably serve me very well.

Thanks for the input!

[nicksgem10s]

Hi Rob,

I moved from an Optopa H76 DLP projector in November to a Mitsubishi HC3000U which is similar to the HD1000U from what I understand.  I haven't seen the Optoma HD70 but have read pretty positive comments.  I doubt you could go wrong with either projector.  I have to tell you that I was absolutely blown away with the picture quality of the HC3000U after a few simple adjustments out of the box.  Knowing that the HD1000U is a close relative I would say go for the Mits as long as the offset isn't an issue in the room.  I am going to be helping my mother in law with a home theater for the condo she is building and I am getting her the HD1000U and expect it to be really great.  I can't get over how great the pricing is on these projectors both being under $1000.  The bang for the buck is certainly higher in projectors than in 2 channel audio.

My HC3000U is much brighter than I expected and the HD1000U is supposed to be even brighter.  You will definitely be able to watch with some other lighting.  With my previous Optoma the picture got washed out with just a little light.  Hope this helps some.  Good luck.

[Rob Babcock]

Yeah, the 1000 is a real light cannon, one of the brightest available.  I'm leaning towards the Mits but I think either would rock.

[jaywills]

I have a HD70, with which I'm very satisfied.  You can review actual owners' experiences with both projectors at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Good luck.  Cordially,

[LadyDog]

Rob,
Been rolling around the same question myself.  Also have an Optoma and have been very content with it.

Myself, actually leaning toward the Mits.  Can't go wrong with either, but believe the extra lumens of the Mits will help sway the decision.  While I may not use the "blast" mode much, it would definately come in handy watching the Super Bowl this weekend.  Or other situations where I don't have to worry about light control.

Regards,
Jeff

 

[Rob Babcock]

I have a HD70, with which I'm very satisfied.  You can review actual owners' experiences with both projectors at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Good luck.  Cordially,

Yeah, I've been a member of AVS since 2004 or so, and have spent hundreds of hours researching the posts there.   It's the best web forum for video bar none.

[Rob Babcock]

Okay, a little update:  I got a check from my sister for my Optoma and recieved my bonus from work.   So I'm nearly ready to make my purchase.  One notable developement is the substantial price drop for the Mit's HC3000U- it's now only $400 more than the HD1000U.  Since it has a 2 year warranty vs the 1 year warranty of the cheaper model, I can subtract $100 for an extended warranty.  It's looking like perhaps the 3000 might be the way to go.