Best Projector within budget????

[Calgary28]

Just wondering if anyone had some input on what the best 16:9 Home Theatre projector options are with a budget of $2500 USD. The projector will be used mainly for DVD, PS2, HDTV. Any input would be great. Thanks.

 

[Calgary28]

May be able to get the projector at cost so probably around $3000 - $3500 USD. Thanks again.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would take a look at www.projectorcentral.com

It looks like the Panasonic AE-700 and the Sanyo Z3 are leading the way with a few of the cheaper 1280x720 DLP projectors coming in closely behind them (at a higher price point). Cheaper DLPs definitely seem to attract the rainbow effect from the color wheel, but this may not be something you have issues with. Some do, many don't. The price on the other hand, is likely above your price point.

I think if I were to buy, right now, I would get the AE-700 if all I had was about $2K to spend.

If I didn't care about lens shift, I would be taking a long hard look at the new Sharp Z2000.

Not a specific answer for you, but like A/V receivers, there is no 'clear' winner in any price category. There are a lot of good products out there though and your choices are hardly limited, especially at that price.

 

[asethi]

I own a Pannasonic AE-700U . got it around xmas time. Its at around 2200USD. very good. in some dark movies u will notice black blur instead of detail but i didnt mind it. If you wanted to spend a little more theres better stuff out there but i was at a budget of 2000 and went over a little but I am very happy with it. I got it from projector people. They were great and tehy sold me the chief mount kid(specially designed for this projector). It works great. I really love my setup. I got all my specs and decided largely due to projectorcentral.com they are a good website to start out at.

 

[RLA]

Hi
New HD2+ DLP projectors are now shipping at $2500 street
many more will follow in the next few months Toshiba MT700 and BenQ 7700

 

[Reorx]

Personally, for under $2500, I'd get a NEC 1065.

I work at a Large University, and we are constantly evaluating video projectors for our classroom use. We just built 2 new buildings (60+ classrooms), and all the 100-150 seat new classrooms are using these projectors. The larger 200-400 seat rooms use $12000 Sanyo Projectors.
The other brands with numerous models we evaluated: Dell, Infocus, Epson, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, BenQ, Panasonic, and Philips (before they discontinued).

Our criteria was...+3000 lumuns; Connections; Compatibility: HDTV:
1080p, 1080i, 720p; Quality; lamp hours; and a few others that I can't remember. Quality was probably one of the key issues. Since these are ceiling mounted in classrooms we can't be taking them down once every 6 months to get serviced. Ask if you want additional room details...AMX, extron, etc.

I hope this helps.

Reorx

ps: I can't stand going into consumer electronics stores and seeing their projectors. ie: Fry's, BestBuy, Circuitcity, Costco. They always have some poorly rated sh!t projectors that they are selling for an arm and a leg. We have a 5lbs portable Philips that puts them all to shame in every aspect. It's laughable. /sigh Poor unknowledge average consumers.

 

[RLA]

Personally, for under $2500, I'd get a NEC 1065.

Hello
That is a business projector optimized for presentation and has a 4:3 aspect ratio 1024x768
I am not saying that it cant be good for video but Today there are many choices @$2500 that are specifically designed for Home Theater environments
Optics, Color Wheel speed (for DLP) native resolution 1280x720, scaling throw distance,conectivity and operating decible level are just a few things to consider for selecting a projector for Home Theater enviroments

 

[Reorx]

16:9 - missed that he wanted that.
I use a 1065 with a pc (media center), standalone dvd, and a cable hdtv box. Connected using DVI and component.

Optics, Color Wheel speed (for DLP) native resolution 1280x720, scaling throw distance,conectivity and operating decible level are just a few things to consider for selecting a projector for Home Theater enviroments

Is just as important for business as well.

I'm gonna have to make a trip to our local vender for projectors and do a side by side comparison of their best projectors...home and professional for $2500 n below.

Single chip DLP vs. LCD is always a fun discussion. But not for this thread.

Reorx

 

[jphillips]

I would go with the Infocus SP-5700 or a BenQ model.
I have seen both of them for $2,500.00 and less.
I will be happy to point you in the right direction if you would like.

 

[RLA]

Hello
The 5700 is a decent projector this time last year it was a showstopper
And I recommended it for our $12k system here at Audioholics.

However the 5700 has been out a long time and its performance is easily surpassed by the new 1280x720p HD2 DLP's that are selling for $2500 look at the Toshiba MT700 and the BenQ 7700 They are essentially the same projector but the Toshiba has Faroudja processing and the BenQ has Sense Eye
We will be updating the $12k system soon
Hope this helps
Ray

 

[jphillips]

The MAP price on the BenQ PE7700 is $3,000.00 so if you find one for under that then you can pretty much forget about the warranty.

 

[av-man]

Take a look at the Knoll HD225 it's a HD LCD at about 1100 lumens. I've sold 3 of these and for an LCD they are very impressive. If you are going to do the install yourself you should be able to find it in your price range. Another brand you could look at would be Optoma. They make a great machine for the money.

 

[Catdaddy]

I have a Sharp XV-Z12000 and I understand Sharp's newer, and not as dressed up, Sharp XV-Z2000 runs the same DLP chip and runs brighter, and substantially less $.

The XV-Z2000 runs around $3500 ish and looked damn good on a firehawk screen I was looking at at another dealer.

 

[REWJR]

Winner 2004 best LCD PJ

Hitachi TX-100 was voted best LCD 2004 by -

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_3/hitachi-pj-tx100-projector-8-2004-part-1.html

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Hitachi-PJTX100_UltraVision.htm

Presently displayed on Da-Lite 110" HCCV screen.

 

[nccontracting]

I notice your opinions throughout this sight. I used to have a Sony Projector I bought from Best Buy - it did great for one year. It had 4000 hours on the bulb when it got stolen. I bought it without any experience, It was OK but not great. I started reading and reading - I read the sight at projector central - etc. I made the Decision on a DLP - Mitsibishi XD 480 - 3000 Lumens - It seems good too. I have talked to many people reccomended these. I have never seen you reccomend. Is there a reason? How many projectors have you viewed? I am building a new house - altogether I will have 3 projectors. That means I will buy two more. I will never go back to TV or Widescreen TV - When I go camping I project - When there is a race I take it to my freinds and I project, When I go to the Beach and UNC is in the playoffs We project in our hotel. I Love Projectors, I will never go back. I never need to carry a heavy TV, I always have a large viewing area, My friends cant afford it but love mine. I can not list all the reasons I love my projector. MY question to you is ---- Which ones are the best? Why not Mitsibishi? PLease tell me your best reccomends on projectors - also your knowledge base of projection. Thank you for your help

 

[nccontracting]

Can I have an opinion?

I notice your opinions throughout this sight. I used to have a Sony Projector I bought from Best Buy - it did great for one year. It had 4000 hours on the bulb when the projector was stolenfrom my Suburban. I bought it without any experience, It was OK but not great. I started reading and reading - I read the sight at projector central - etc. I made the Decision on a DLP - Mitsibishi XD 480 - 3000 Lumens - It seems good too. I have talked to many people reccomended these. I have never seen you reccomend. Is there a reason? How many projectors have you viewed? I am building a new house - altogether I will have 3 projectors. That means I will buy two more. I will never go back to TV or Widescreen TV - When I go camping, I project - When there is a race I take it to my freinds and I project, When I go to the Beach and UNC is in the playoffs We project in our hotel. I Love Projectors, I will never go back. I never need to carry a heavy TV, I always have a large viewing area, My friends cant afford it, but love mine. I can not list all the reasons I love my projector. MY question to you is ---- Which ones are the best? Why not Mitsibishi? PLease tell me your best reccomends on projectors - also your knowledge base of projection. Thank you for your help

 

[XtremeAV]

nccontracting,

I am an authorized dealer of many projector brands and my two favorite brands are the Infocus screenplay series and Sim2.
Most of my projector customers in my area (Texas) buy one of the Infocus screenplay series and that is what I have in my home as well. Sim2 makes some really nice units however there price point is a little out of reach of my main stream customers.