Black Levels
Despite the substantial increase in the contrast spec to 10:000:1, I don't see the Epson Home Cinema 720 as being exceptional on black levels. They are probably best described as typical of the LCDs and still not quite up to the DLPs in the price range. Blacks just aren't that "jet black" one would really like, but you won't find dramatically better in this price range. I can say that top of the line performance DLPs like BenQ's far more expensive
PE8720, definitely do a significantly better job, and most likely that's true of the
Optoma HD73, as well, which is more in line price-wise. Overall, it's about the same as the
PT-AX200U, but the advantage goes to the Panasonic, and it comes close to projectors like the Mitsubishi
HC1500 on very dark scenes, but not on those with some bright areas. That's due to the Epson, like all of the LCD projectors, relying on a dynamic iris to help out, and they are ineffective on a frame with really bright areas.