Good small projector for $1500?

[RTTR]

I've not been in the projector loop for a while, does anyone know if anyone makes a good projector that will do a 80" screen for around $1500?

[dougdrake]

See if you can find a dealer still selling some Panasonic AE-700's. They were replaced by the AE-900 late last year, so the 700 may be able to be found cheap. When it was the current unit, you could pick one up for $1750 after rebate. I'll bet they're less now.

[SCOOTERDOG]

I would suggest the Infocus SP4805. I have one and love it! Native 16:9 TI DLP Dark Chip II and Faroudja dcdi processor. Right now they are 999.00 after rebate.

scooter

[leerocker]

I also would recommend the Infocus 4805. It is incredible. They can be

had refurbished on ebay for around 700, which is a steal. Make sure you

have a light controlled room though, they are definately not designed

for use in daylight.

[efzauner]

The Infocus 4805 is nice, but also consider the Toshiba TDP-MT200. I had both on demo and the Toshiba was my choice. It had much better resolution, finer pixels. Whatever it was, it looked better.

[vman71]

I would throw the Optoma H31 onto your short list, it can be found for $1100 and below. I have the Optoma H30 and love it. The H31 is even better with 16:9 native, 6 segment color wheel and DVI input. It's worth a look.

Mike

[Cal Blacksmith]

We have been VERY happy with our Hitachi PJ-TX 100, it is a lcd unit with a FANTASTIC picture. When it came out about a year and a half ago, it was rated a good to Very good buy at the msrp of $3000, now they can be had for about your price of $1500 and as Hitachi just upgraded it and released it as a new model, there should be some great buys on the "older" units. It is really worth taking a serious look at.

[formica]

See if you can find a dealer still selling some

Panasonic AE-700's. They were replaced by the AE-900 late last

year, so the 700 may be able to be found cheap. When it was the

current unit, you could pick one up for $1750 after rebate. I'll

bet they're less now.

I'm somewhat in a similar position and after some research at

projector central, reading AVS forum, and posting here, I'd agree that

the Panasonic AE-700 would be an excellent buy... and it does sell for

under 1500$ given the introduction of the AE-900.

I'm also considering the Sanyo Z3, which was a similar competing

unit that currently sells for a little less than the AE700 given it is

slightly less popular.

Both those units are 720p native and offer excellent placement flexibility with lens shift and longer zooms.

Until I began calculating my placement options, I hadn't realised how

important these two items are if you don't want to design your room

around your projector.

ROb

[efzauner]

you can get he AE-900 for unde 1500

see audioholics

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=143844#post143844

also on the main page

[pythagore]

The Sanyo PLV Z2 or the new Z3 are both excellent units.

IMO, Price/Performance the Sanyo PLV is unbeatable.

I currently own the Z2 and I'm very satisfied with it.

[formica]

you can get he AE-900 for unde 1500

That is a great deal... with the 400$ mail in rebate!

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/Drivers/PBTS/brochures/B_PT-AE900RebateClaimForm.pdf

To receive you $400 cash rebate and BLOCKBUSTER

rental card, purchase a new Panasonic PT-AE900U projector from a dealer

or reseller in the United States between January 27, 2006 and February 28, 2006.

To bad it doesn't apply to us (outside the US) as i would have probably bought it.

ROb

[Dirk Diggler]

Another vote for the Panny. I saw a sick deal on a 700 unit on Projector Central (one of their vendors). 1500 got you the 700U projector and a $350 replacement lamp.