[ctviggen]

After many years, I finally got my family room reconstruction done (will post pictures one day).  The Samsung 710 projector I purchased over three years ago (which sat in the box until about a month ago) doesn't work, even with a new bulb. It randomly turns off.  After spending this long and so much money, I have to be able to watch a projector! 

What are some recommended projectors under $2,000?  I'm thinking of the Panasonic PT-AE4000U.  This was selected as best in this price range here:

http://www.projectorreviews.com/1080p-projector/1080p_projector_award_winners.php

However, this review is about a year and a half old.  Are there any other projectors I should consider?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[GHM]

The 8500 Epson is another option. These go for $1900... originally $2500.
SANYO PLV-Z4000 can be had for $1700 to $1900. Art at projectorreviews actually prefers it to the Panasonic. However its only good for screens 110 inches or below.

If you're a big sports fan and like it sharp and bright with the option to go with a very large screen. The Benq W6000 can be had for $2014 originally $2500.

You also have the Samsung SP-A800B DLP Projector. I've located it for $1900 refurbished. Considered one of the best projectors in the world for accurate color and sharpness. Originally retailed for $10,000 two years ago.

[zybar]

The newest Epson seems to be getting killer reviews:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/projectors/epson-8700ub-lcd

If it is an improvement over the 8500 that I own, it will be an excellent pj.

I have owned Panasonic pj's previously and I really like the Epson and I am very happy with my choice.

George

[bunnyma357]

I bought a Mitsubishi HC4900 when they were the 1080p price leader at $1400 and have been very happy with it.  After living with a projector for a while and figuring out the type of screen configuration I prefer, the one feature I didn't realize I needed, and now don't have is a memory setting to store multiple lens zoom settings and screen positions.

I have a 2.35 constant image height screen and mask the sides of the screen with black curtains to change from 2.35:1 to 16:9 which works great, but having to adjust the zoom and image position manually becomes pretty tedious. With Blu-Rays mostly being 2.35, and TV and sports being mostly 16:9, I actually end up having to change set-ups very often.

I believe the Panasonic PT-AE4000U has a lens memory, so that is the model I'd currently look at. But the market seems to change pretty rapidly, and I haven't kept up, so there might be other options to look at.

Jim C

[GaryArthur]

Check out the Optoma TX1080:

http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-TX1080-1080p-Theater-Projector/dp/B001L7YI7C/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1290397312&sr=8-14

The Panasonic was on my short list but I ultimately chose the Optoma because it has 3600 Lumens. Since I have a 123 inch Stewart screen the extra brightness was a deciding factor. If you have a large screen or a less than optimal dark theater I would give strong consideration to the Optoma.

Gary

[GHM]

The Epson 8500 and 8700 are essentially the same projector with the added anamorphic option. Other than that no real difference between the two. If you can find a 8500 UB at a deep discount it will be hard to beat in this price range.

[ctviggen]

Thank you for all the replies.  I have some research to do. 

I'm using a ceiling mount, and a 92 inch High Power Da-Lite screen (geometry of the room wouldn't let me go bigger).  This isn't a great picture, but here's a view.  The screen will have a wood valence around it, stained to match the other wood, one day.




The white piece above/behind the projector is to be used to mount the valence.  That's a sliding glass door, covered by blackout vertical cellular shades.  The "wainscoting" is actually wood flooring, hand scraped.  That's a tambourine on the center channel.  The room still isn't totally finished; aside from the projector, I have three other components that aren't configured because I have no projector/screen.  The two VMPS largers need the bottoms on them and hooked up to amps and to the receiver.   

[ctviggen]

You also have the Samsung SP-A800B DLP Projector. I've located it for $1900 refurbished. Considered one of the best projectors in the world for accurate color and sharpness. Originally retailed for $10,000 two years ago.

I'm not sure I could buy another Samsung.  I bought this one because it had outstanding reviews, but was problematic.  However, the problems were supposedly related to bulbs.  That's not true on mine, as I purchased a new bulb.  I should've tried the projector three years ago, but I had no idea it'd take me so long to finish my room.

[GHM]

Here's your chance at a killer deal! I dont see how anyone would choose the Panny over the 8700UB at this price http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=Home-Cinema-8700-UB&SE=AVS&KW=8700UB_120

[BobC]

I bought the LG 181 recently and love it.  Think it was $2300 from projectorpeople.

[zybar]

Here's your chance at a killer deal! I dont see how anyone would choose the Panny over the 8700UB at this price http://www.visualapex.com/Epson/Projector-Specifications.asp?For-The=Home-Cinema-8700-UB&SE=AVS&KW=8700UB_120

WOW!!

Anybody want to buy a lightly used 8500UB? 

Only 115 hours on the bulb...

George

[James Romeyn]

I'd buy my Mitsubishi HC6500 again (or it's replacement) in a heartbeat.  As advertised and per reviews, dead silent in operation directly above my head, I'm 6-3 and ceiling is only about 7'-7".  Very easy setup.