HD Projectors
The HD projectors category includes most home theater projectors. It includes both those sporting Full HD which is 1080p resolution, and 720p projectors, which, technically are just HD. The same is true for LCDTVs and Plasmas when talking HD and Full HD. HD is, of course, an acronym for High Definition.
In the projector world, primarily HD is a phrase associated with home theater projectors, rather than other types, but recently, the HD definition is showing up on business, education and other commercial projectors with 2K resolution. (2048x1024, or similar).
For our purposes HD Projectors will be defined for home theater projectors only. See below for a list of HD projector reviews and information pages.
For home theater systems, virtually all projectors are either HD or Full HD these days.
You can still find a few all-in-one projectors that are lower resolution, but everything else, or at least everything we're aware of, over $600 should be HD, and there really is only some DIY stuff, and maybe some old closeouts for less.
Most 720p HD projectors are under $1000, but there are some huge exceptions, including 3 chip DLP's such as the Runco LS-7, 
a rather superb, $15,000 extremely bright home theater projector. In fact 720p 3 chip DLP projectors can cost several times even that amount.
That's fine, some real high performance projectors, but keep in mind there are also a number of under $10K 720p single chip DLP projectors from "high end brands" as well.
Popular HD projector brands: Sony, Panasonic, Optoma, Epson, Mitsubishi, and InFocus.
1080p Report: 1080p Home Theater Projector Comparison Report.
HD Projector Reviews
-
Epson Pro Cinema 6010: For many, it offers every bit as much value as the Home Cinema 5010. With that in mind, a Hot Product Award for the Epson Pro Cinema 6010 projector certainly seemed warranted, and, therefore, granted! -
Mitsubishi HC7800D: I think of the HC7800D as a fine, small home theater projector that is best in a home theater-like environment, on a "smaller" sized screen. It earns a "Special Interest Award" because brightness will be an issue in some room setups. -
JVC DLA-RS45: A stunning projector for viewing movies in particular. Very bright "best" mode allows for movie folks to select especially large screens (even over 130" diagonal). Average brightness for sports and HDTV. 3D capable, but far better at 2D. -
BenQ W7000: We have been working with an engineering sample - still a few rough edges, but this is an exceptionally bright projector with rich colors, and a good feature set. A "provisional" Hot Product award, pending seeing the final firmware! -
Sim2 Nero 3D-2: A premium single chip DLP projector from high end manufacturer SIM2. Not for the feint of heart or wallet (over $20K!) 3D capable. Beautiful picture. Sold through high end installing dealers. -
Sony VPL-VW95ES: This is one fine under $10,000 home theater projector. Not for the feint of heart or wallet, it's a significant improvement over last year's Sony, with a lot more brightness, better 3D... A top performer, it gets our Hot Product Award. -
Epson HC5010: An easy Hot Product award, for the 3D capable successor to the 8700UB. Brightest 3D so far, (finally, bright enough). Great blacks, split screen, lots to like, and little downside. Oh yeah! -
Acer H9500BD: This Acer's got real trade offs. It starts with very impressive blacks for a 3D capable projecctor under $2000. Too rough around the edges for a Hot Product award, but impressed enough to earn a special interest. -
Panasonic PT-AE7000: The new flagship Projector from Panasonic, is feature laden, is brighter than most, with the lumens to do 3D nicely. Loaded with features, including Lens Memory. A Hot Product Award for this $3495 MSRP projector. - Epson Home Cinema 3010: A Hot Product Award to the best low cost 2D and 3D projector we've seen to date. Under $1600 gets you a projector with the brightness for family and bonus rooms with ambient light. It's a light canon, even fairly bright doing 3D!
-
Sony VPL-HW30ES: This under $4,000 Sony home theater projector is another of those that offers very good, well balanced performance, and is also a bit forgiving. 3D capable too, with more brightness than most others we've reviewed. Hot Product Award! -
Optoma HD8300: This is Optoma's flagship 2D home projector with 3D capabilities. Very good color, solid performance, and a rough edge or two. 1080p resolution single chip DLP with good placement flexibility. -
Mitsubishi HC9000D: Here's another first class home theater projector that can do 2D and 3D. An extremely impressive, over $5000 projector, with great picture, and an excellent CFI for smooth motion. -
BenQ W1200: Under $1500 buys you a really sharp single chip DLP home entertainment projector with much better than average brightness, and good color. Built-in speakers allow for its use as a presentation/business projector (crossover) too. - Sony VPL-VW90ES: Sony's new flagship projector offers 3D as well as 2D, (and even a 2D content to 3D conversion). The VW90ES is still best at 2D, excellent color, very good blacks. Best 3D we've seen so far, too. Hot Product Award!
-
MovieMate 85HD: The latest top of the line all-in-one combo projectors, from Epson: 720p resolution, good sound (output for subwoofer), nice and bright. Best one available (by default), Perfect for the family, indoors or out. Business use too!
About HD Projectors
The bottom line on today's High Definition - HD Projectors is that they provide a level of quality, that less than a decade ago, was unobtainable for less than $20,000. Yet, today's HD projectors start well under $1000, even for Full HD. The overall picture quality varies by price, brand and other issues, but even the very least of the HD home theater projectors is almost certain to dazzle just about everyone but hard core enthusiasts, when properly set up.
For those with older projectors, or looking for their first, an HD projector should truly impress, but content is king. If you watch standard TV and standard DVDs, you will not be able to get the fullest performance, and viewing pleasure that would come with HDTV, and Blu-ray discs.
Popular HD Projector Reviews
BenQ W1000 Projector
The W1000 is exceptionally bright and is perhaps the most impressive overall 1080p projector out there under $1,000.
JVC DLA-RS25 Projector
The RS25 is a worthy successor for last year's Best In Class (under $10,000) 1080p projector winner, the RS20. The premium priced RS25 offers premium performance with improved color management, plus CFI.
LG CF181D Projector
At $2499, the LG CF181D LCoS 1080p projector is extremely impressive. It's one of the very brightest projectors under $10,000 and one of the best under $3,000, has really good color, and decent black level performance.
Epson Home Cinema 8500UB
The 8500UB replaces last year’s Best In Class winners, also Epson 1080p projectors, boasting a sharper image, great blacks, a great warranty, improved CFI, and better color. What’s not to like?
Mitsubishi HC4000
The Mitsubishi HC4000 may be the entry-level (under $1,500) 1080p projector to beat. It offers rich, great looking color, decent blacks, a sharp image, and is really bright in Best Mode.