The Hottest Home Theater Projectors: Our Top Picks for 2007
Under $1000 Home Theater Projectors
Introduction
All-in-one home projectors
Lowest cost home theater projectors
Under $1000 home theater projectors
$1000 - $1500 home theater projectors
$1500 - $2000 home theater projectors
$2000+ 720p home theater projectors
Under $5000 1080p projectors
Over $5000 1080p home theater projectors
Best of Class: Mitsubishi HD1000U
Runner-up: Optoma HD70
Special interest: Sanyo PLV-Z4
Mitsubishi HD1000U 720p DLP home theater projector: 
Considering the sub-$1000 price, 720p resolution, and overall impressive image quality, it's really hard not to like the HD1000U. This Darkchip 2DLP projector with Brilliant Color, just does a slightly better job in overall image quality than the very similar Optoma HD70 which received Runner-up. The HD1000U is a compact and pretty lightweight hometheater projector, and as typical of under $2000 DLP projectors, it has a limited range zoom, and no lens shift, so placement flexibility is somewhat limited. The HD1000U also has a lot of lens offset, requiring it to mount well above the top of the screen surface, or sit on a table well below the bottom of the screen.
The image below from the Mitsubishi HD1000U, HDTV
The Mitsubishi HD1000U's picture quality is dynamic, and the projector itself is one of the brightest out there in the under $2000 range. Black levels are good, and overall, it is enjoyable to watch. As an added bonus, there are no filters to clean.
Optoma HD70 720p DLP home theater projector: 
The HD70 was the first 720p projector to launch below $1000 ($999 of course). It only took weeks, though, for Mitsubishi to drop the price of their HD1000U to $995 to do battle. It's hard to believe how similar these two projectors are. First of all, in terms of placement they are virtually identical, so if one works for you, the other, most likely will too.
The image above, using the HD70, is from the movie "Serenity" (HD-DVD).
While the Mitsubishi has slight edge in overall image quality, Optoma counters with a longer warranty - 2 years instead of one. For those feeling more comfortable with having that second year, they are giving up very little if they choose the HD70 over the Mitsubishi HD1000U
Review continues below this advertisement.
Sanyo PLV-Z4 LCD home theater projector: 
Sanyo it seems, just hates to discontinue product - at least not until every last one is gone. This has been their way for years and years. When Sanyo started shipping the PLV-Z5 - the Z4's replacement, they just kept the PLV-Z4 in the lineup - at a lower price. They did the same to the Z3 when they rolled out the Z4. What you have here, in the form of the PLV-Z4, is probably the least expensive LCD projector with 720p native resolution.
This makes it a logical alternative to the two DLP projectors above 
for those sensitive to the rainbow effect, but will also appeal to two other groups. First, the PLV-Z4 offers exceptional placement flexibility with its 2:1 zoom and full vertical and horizontal lens shift, so it can be shelf mounted in almost any room as well as ceiling or table top.
The image on the right - from "Star Wars II", standard DVD.
In addition, Sanyo's projectors have a reputation for superb sharpness, and on that score it is sharper than the HD70 or HD1000U home theater projectors The Sanyo also comes with the longest warranty of the group - 3 years parts and labor.
Review continues below this advertisement.
Out of the box color needs a bit more adjusting than most projectors, and also, on the downside, the Sanyo PLV-Z4 is not very bright (like the Z3 and Z5), and of course, being an LCD projector, pixels are more visible, however sitting 1.5x or more from the screen should make most people happy. The PLV-Z4 has always enjoyed robust sales, and when it was new was thought to be the second most popular home theater projector behind the Panasonic PT-AE900U, in the US. At a drastically reduced price (it started selling for about $2100) half of what it was when it came out 15 months ago, it is a worthy competitor.
Think you might find a few more bucks to spend? Check out the $1500 - $2000 home theater projector category.
Introduction
All-in-one home projectors
Lowest cost home theater projectors
Under $1000 home theater projectors
$1000 - $1500 home theater projectors
$1500 - $2000 home theater projectors
$2000+ 720p home theater projectors
Under $5000 1080p projectors
Over $5000 1080p home theater projectors
