In reviewing what I wrote way back when, here are my best conclusions:
Brightness in best mode: Tie (note we explained way back that reviews starting earlier this year, have been with new equipment. Previously, we knew our gear was overly optimistic, but since “apples to apples” was not a problem. To compare review lumen counts for reviews before 12/26/08, multiply those by .72. ie. a projector in 2007, measured as 450 lumens is really 450x.72=324 lumens when comparing to the newer reviews. Thus the viewsonic is mid 400′s as is the Epson. The Epson will be brighter in brightest mode.

Based on my comparison of black levels to the old Sanyo Z2000 which was comparable. It had very good black levels prior to the newer generation “ultra-high” contrast projectors. So, the Viewsonic was very good. The Epson 8100 however should at least beat the Z2000 though maybe not by much, and same compared to the Viewsonic.

And so on. Quite honestly, I’d say the Epson is the better overall projector, but they should be close, but for $300 less the Viewsonic would be hard to pass on. Keep one thing in mind – if overall budget is really tight, it’s pay now, or pay later, with this pair. I speak of the much longer life of the Epson lamp (and lower cost). If you are keeping the projector for a few years and use it regularly, the Epson will end up costing less.

I don’t know to much about projectors and home theaters so I’ve been trying to do some researching. I must say that I’ve read a number of you reviews, but yours are the most comprehensive I’ve found.

Since I’m new to the whole projector thing, I was planning on starting out modestly. I am currently looking at the Viewsonic Pro8100 which I can purchase for about $1,300 Canadian. Since you have reviewed both the Pro8100 and the Epson 8100, I was wondering if you could briefly tell me how they compare? Do you think I better off waiting for the Epson? Thanks.

You likely will first notice that the Sharp, literally won’t have quite as Sharp an image as the Marantz. With iris off, it’s likely that the two projectors are probably similar in black levels. I like the Sharp, but, all considered, I’d say the BenQ W6000 is more what you are looking for – a bit more performance, overall, enough to convince you that you really are upgrading more than just resolution. All dynanmic irises are visible in operation. Most of us, simply tune out, and don’t notice when watching a good movie. Some, however are more noticeable – on certain things -than others. I think I’m starting to over-obsess about dynamic iris action. Even projectors where I am critical of the iris action (including the W6000 on certain scenes), the iris action is rarely noticeable if you are “into” the movie. Tough for me to assess how you will take to dynamic irises. Over $2000, it’s now hard to even find a HT projector without one, (except the JVCs of course).

This is YOUR blog and I don’t want to impose, but I would like to let Brian G. know that that the default “zero” sharpness on the Panasonics is less sharp than the defaults on other projectors. Try increasing the sharpness via the sharpness control and you should be able to dial it up a little with no unwanted effects.

Looks like you had better add the new Panasonic PT-AE4000 to the competitors list for the 8100 review. From the looks of things, the new Panny is just as bright as the 8100 in everything except Dynamic mode–and it’s only $1999.