Best projector for around $1000

[dolphinc]

I am in need of some advice. I have a about $1000 to spend on a projector. What I am looking for is a 720p with at least 1 HDMI port.

Below is how it will be setup.

1) Projector will be about 14 1/2 or less feet from screen
2) Screen will be a 106" Fixed (grey or white)
3) Room is 20x15 with no windows (lucky me)

White or gray screen?

I am looking for a really good picture with acurate colors and the best black I can get. I know $1000 isn't that much but I have seen a couple that might foot the bill on Amazon for less than that. Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

[CasualKiller]

I set out looking for almost the same thing last week, this is what I ended up with:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._LCD_Home.html

Will be ordering mine in July.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

I set out looking for almost the same thing last week, this is what I ended up with:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._LCD_Home.html

Will be ordering mine in July.

Looks like a good unit. I will check into it. Thanks for the info.

[jpacente]

Take a look at the Dell 4210DLP. Dell has it listed for $1,099.00, but you can find it for $999.00. Just have to look around for a deal or wait for Dell to have a sale. This is the projector that replaced my Dell 2400MP which I am very happy with.

A room with no windows is great. I used paint from goo for my screen. Projecting on the wall works great. Goo will also match the gray tone with your projector.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=224-5630

[CasualKiller]

Not to rip on you man but I wouldn't spend over 1k for a non HD projector

Native XGA resolution 1024 x 768

[jpacente]

Yes, but the Dell is using DLP (Digtal Light Processing). We're talking projectors now, and one of the most important factors is the Lumens. With the Epson putting out only 1600 Lumens you will not be able to have any light in the room. At 3500 Lumens the image will be much more bold and the colors will be brighter.

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

He does have a point...

[jpacente]

This may help with your screen questions.
http://www.theaterthings.com/

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by jpacente

Yes, but the Dell is using DLP (Digtal Light Processing). We're talking projectors now, and one of the most important factors is the Lumens. With the Epson putting out only 1600 Lumens you will not be able to have any light in the room. At 3500 Lumens the image will be much more bold and the colors will be brighter.

I appreciate the advice but this room has no windows and 1600 Lumens should be more that enough and all the reviews I have read online rate the Epson tops in it's price range. I am leaning that way. Thanks

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by jpacente

Take a look at the Dell 4210DLP.

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Not to rip on you man but I wouldn't spend over 1k for a non HD projector

That Dell is just slightly short of 720p resolution. You SERIOUSLY don't want that when you're aiming for 720p because the PJ will downconvert. Depending on the downconversion chip it can give you a decent picture or not. So no-go on the Dell.

Try the Panasonic AX200. Smooth non-digital (no screen door effect) picture.


fuad

[guitarist155]

check out projector people they have a lot of good info. here is some on lumens. http://www.projectorpeople.com/resou...umen-guide.asp keep in mind that you can get too bright. if your projector is too bright it will cause major eye strain and give you a head ache every time you try and watch a movie. optimum for that size screen and limited light would be a 1000 lumens to a bit over.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by guitarist155

check out projector people they have a lot of good info. here is some on lumens. http://www.projectorpeople.com/resou...umen-guide.asp keep in mind that you can get too bright. if your projector is too bright it will cause major eye strain and give you a head ache every time you try and watch a movie. optimum for that size screen and limited light would be a 1000 lumens to a bit over.

Thanks, I saw some of their reviews and decided to go with the Epson 720. It seemed to get great reviews from serveral sites and countless users and Amazon had it for $991 with free shipping. Now I need to find the right screen.

[Trogdor2010]

This projector does cost a little more, but is an excellent performer for the price, the Infocus X10 1080p projector for $1300 at amazon.com, it has very accurate colors, and is very bright for large screens. It does use Dark chip 1 for it's black (Contrast is native 2500:1), but you can use the iris on the projector to deepen the blacks (7500:1 claim), I heard it compares to the Dark chip 3 models with the iris. Here is the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/X10-DLP-Projec...933045&sr=8-11

Hope this works.

[Beta Man]

I have a Mitsubishi HC-1500 and I know the HC-1600 continuously shows up on Amazon for $650 or so.... and often in my gold-box deals for $580 or so

If light isn't an issue etc.... it's a great deal...... I would go this route (although I'm sure you can find a better 720p unit with a $1000 budget) because in my experience it's a great unit, and I think you'd get marginal improvement for your extra $300-$400 because if you want a substantial increase in resolution, you should save the $1,500 or so that it would take to get an entry level 1080p unit.


For $700 or less, the Mitsubishi is an impressive projector Especially if you're fine with the DLP models.... you certainly have plenty of throw distance for 106" screen too.

[Suntory_Times]

If you want accurate colour, do not get a grey screen, it'll push the colour spectrum towards the blu spectrum (and even with calibration will never have as accurate colour reproduction as a white screen). Personally i'd try and get a buget 1080p machine over a 720p model (which cost a few hundred less). However both can be very pleasing, though 1080p really shows its true colours on a projector when compared to a plasma/lcd etc purely because of the size.

[kris26]

to the Op

for $1000.00 you can get 1080p projector in a month
isaw 720p projector in sam's club and costco for 800.00 for almost an year back

If i were you i would've do the research
sometimes if u scratch here and there on the wallet u might get 1080p as u mention u don't need more than 1600 lumens

[PurpleJesus74]

Hey guys,i'm a total projector noob,and i didnt want to start a whole new thread.I was looking at projectors on ebay,would something like this be any good,or should i stick with a known brand?I wasnt sure,it seemed to have HDMI,and 1080p,thanks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-HD-LCD-Proje...lenotsupported

[Trogdor2010]

Originally Posted by PurpleJesus74

Hey guys,i'm a total projector noob,and i didnt want to start a whole new thread.I was looking at projectors on ebay,would something like this be any good,or should i stick with a known brand?I wasnt sure,it seemed to have HDMI,and 1080p,thanks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-HD-LCD-Proje...lenotsupported

Avoid this model, the real resolution of this projector is 800*600, far from 1080p (1920*1080) and even 720p (1280*720), and from what I can tell, those projectors are not very good performers. Look for the NATIVE resolution of the projector. There are some good projectors for budget prices, the Infocus X10 (I mentioned) is a native 1080p projector that cost $1300.00 at www.tigerdirect.com. And it outperforms most budget models (except in blacks since it uses dark chip 1, but using the iris can improve black levels to more of the Dark chip 3 models), and works well with large screens. You will need about 15 feet of room to fill a 100 inch screen (projector is about 14.4 inches from the lens to the end so technically 13 feet and 6 inches) but for most family living rooms that's enough room, but some of the LCDs that cost a little more (Sanyo PLV-Z700) can fill a 100 inch screen from as close as 9.8 feet away to as far as 20 feet away. The Sanyo is more user friendly, but I would pick the Infocus for it's better performance and brighter for larger screens.

[PurpleJesus74]

Originally Posted by Trogdor2010

Avoid this model, the real resolution of this projector is 800*600, far from 1080p (1920*1080) and even 720p (1280*720), and from what I can tell, those projectors are not very good performers. Look for the NATIVE resolution of the projector. There are some good projectors for budget prices, the Infocus X10 (I mentioned) is a native 1080p projector that cost $1300.00 at www.tigerdirect.com. And it outperforms most budget models (except in blacks since it uses dark chip 1, but using the iris can improve black levels to more of the Dark chip 3 models), and works well with large screens. You will need about 15 feet of room to fill a 100 inch screen (projector is about 14.4 inches from the lens to the end so technically 13 feet and 6 inches) but for most family living rooms that's enough room, but some of the LCDs that cost a little more (Sanyo PLV-Z700) can fill a 100 inch screen from as close as 9.8 feet away to as far as 20 feet away. The Sanyo is more user friendly, but I would pick the Infocus for it's better performance and brighter for larger screens.

Ok thanks,i knew there had to be a catch to it.

[CasualKiller]

I'm reading some of the comments to the OP above since I am purchasing that same projector in 3 weeks and I say I'd rather have a great 720p projector over an entry level 1080, my. 2 c