The Best 1080p Resolution Home Theater Projectors of 2007
04/25/2007-Art Feierman

Overview
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons

1080p Home Theater Projectors - Summary and Comparisons:

Click on these links to read more in-depth comparisons.

Panasonic PT-AE1000U vs Epson Home Cinema 1080
Epson Home Cinema 1080 vs Mitsubishi HC5000
3LCD: PT-AE1000U vs Home Cinema 1080 vs Mitsubishi HC5000
BenQ W9000 vs Panasonic PT-AE1000U
Sony VW50 Pearl vs Mitsubishi HC5000
Optoma HD81 vs. Sony VW50 Pearl
Optoma HD81 vs BenQ W9000 and W10000
BenQ W10000 vs JVC RS1
JVC RS1 vs Sony VW50 Pearl
JVC RS1 vs Optoma HD81
JVC RS1 vs Panasonic PT-AE1000U
Summary - The Bottom Line

1080p Home Theater Projector Comparison Summary - The Bottom Line

In order to make choosing the best projector for you, here are a few simple steps that should simplify things - at least a little.

I would recommend you start by looking closely at your room. Make note of:

Room depth
How large a screen you can place (and what type - fixed wall, motorized or pull-down), and how large you would like?
How far back will you be sitting?
Room lighting - can you make the room fully dark or very close, or will you always have at least modest ambient light. If you plan to watch in the daytime, how dark can you make the room. (If you have windows - what kind of coverings do you have, or will you consider, and how much darker will that make it?)
How high is your ceiling?
Any ceiling obstructions that would create a problem blocking the image if you want to ceiling mount?
Are your walls, ceiling, and floor light or dark colored? (Dark walls, ceiling, etc., will make your projector seem a bit brighter, more dynamic, and let you have "blacker blacks" because of less light being reflected back from the screen to the room and back.)
Any issues relating to wiring - is it practical to ceiling mount, or perhaps I should say, which works better for you, ceiling mount, rear shelf, or table top?

That pretty much covers room issues. After you have figured most of that out, you should be able to eliminate some projectors, simply because they aren't practical for your room. That makes your decision a little easier, and you won't have to get all excited about a projector that just can't work in your room.

Budget is probably next. Yes, I realize some of you will find the extra dollars, if you think a particular projector will be best for you, but is slightly out of budget. Still, if your budget is $2500 - $3500, ignore the over $5000 projectors, rather than get all excited about one of them, only to finally realize you can't rationalize the cost.

Also consider the life of the projector, from your satisfaction standpoint. Will this be a "last" projector, one you plan to have for 5, 10, 15 years, or do you think you are "hooked" and, that no matter how happy you are with it, you just know you'll want something newer, shinier, and better in just a couple of years or so.

A few last points - prices will change, some more than others, which will affect your purchase decisions. New products, of course, will hit the market to compete with this group.

Personally, if you are ready to buy something, and there is a product that fits well, do it already! I am constantly receiving emails from people who must spend significant parts of their lives agonizing on the decision. As soon as a new possible contender is announced for 4 months down the road, they start all over again, waiting all over again. Progress won't stop, prices will continue to drop, but sooner or later, you've got to pull the trigger, and start enjoying.

Review continues below this advertisement.

The other moral message is (and forgive my arrogance), to paraphrase "It's the content, stupid". Sure, I know many of you are hobbyists, who love the equipment as much, or more than the movie, but, theoretically, it's about watching the movie (or other content). Let me put it this way. Let's say you are a sports fan, (college football, as I am). Let's say you are a Penn State fanatic (my team), and they are playing a big game - but it's not available on HDTV just regular low-def. Would you switch off your favorite team to watch a different football game with two teams you don't care about, just because it's in HDTV and your team won't look as good on the screen? I think not!

So, try to remember to enjoy the final product - the content. In my questionable youth I learned this. In my high end audio days, I learned there are "audiophiles" who love the music, and "stereophiles" who love the equipment. I recommend the equipment as the means to the end.

What I'm really trying to say, is once you have everything up and running, tune out the gear and immerse yourself in what you are watching. Afterall, you are a special breed, you, like me, love the "Really Big Screen" for its immersive, theater quality.

OK lecture over, hobbyist or not- enjoy. I hope I just made your challenge - choosing the right one for you, a little bit easier. Certainly I didn't make it simple, no "buy this, forget that". I've just given you some perspective and some advice as to how to make the final choice. Ultimately, though, after you weigh your options, the choice is yours.

At last, this comparison review is done... Now, if only they would release Lord of the Rings on Blu-Ray, already. I can't wait!

Click on these links to read more in-depth comparisons.

Overview
Image Quality
General Performance
Warranty
Summary, Pros, Cons

Projector Reviews

The Best 1080p Resolution Home Theater Projectors of 2007 04/25/2007-Art Feierman

1080p Home Theater Projectors - Summary and Comparisons:

1080p Home Theater Projector Comparison Summary - The Bottom Line

The Best 1080p Resolution Home Theater Projectors of 2007
04/25/2007-Art Feierman