ProjectorCentral - Projector Reviews

Review: Viewsonic Pro8100 1080p LCD Projector

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT

The Pro8100 is a solid projector and a good first effort from Viewsonic. High lumen output and solid color performance make it a competent performer for HDTV and video games, while quiet operation and good connectivity make it easier to use. Contrast can be a little shaky, and it struggles to compete against the slightly more expensive InFocus IN83, but overall it turns in a solid performance.

Home Theater Projection Screens Under $500

Fri, 02 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT

A lot of attention is given each year to new projectors, all of which promise to be the best, or the brightest, or the most fully-featured. Rarely if ever do we pay attention to projection screens. Screens are the other half of the projection experience. They take the image from your projector and give it a surface to reflect against. A screen can be as simple as a white wall, or as elaborate as a custom made Stewart Filmscreen costing several thousand dollars. However, if that is too rich for your blood, or you're not ready to take that plunge just yet, there are less costly alternatives that can be excellent in their own right.

Review: BenQ W20000 DLP 1080p Home Theater Projector

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Last month's review of the BenQ W5000 made it clear that BenQ was back in the home theater projector game in a big way. This month, we bring you the BenQ W20000, a DLP 1080p powerhouse with spectacular contrast and true to life color. The W20000 has a bright, vibrant picture coupled with razor sharp details and inky black levels. It is currently selling for $4,999.

Review: Optoma HD65 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Optoma has a history of making affordable home theater projectors that still pack a punch. In 2006, the Optoma HD70 made the dream of 720p home theater for $999 a reality. This year, the Optoma HD65 takes up the reins, and proves to be a powerful, worthwhile addition to Optoma's budget 720p line. This light, bright 720p projector is both portable and powerful, making it easy to use almost anywhere. The HD65 makes some improvements to the already solid performance of the HD70, and sells for $999.

Review: Sanyo PLC-XL50 Ultra-Short Throw Projector

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Imagine being able to get a bright, vibrant, 80" diagonal image from a projector placed only three inches from the screen. Imagine not having to place a projector on a conference table right in the middle of your audience, so they don't have that noise and heat in their faces. Imagine not having to worry about getting in the light path and casting shadows on your presentation, and never having to squint your eyes against the glare of the lamp. Well, this isn't just a dream. Sanyo has made it a reality, with the PLC-XL50.

Sony BRAVIA VPL-VW40 Home Theater Projector Review

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Sony's newest home theater projector, the BRAVIA VPL-VW40, has a lot going for it. This 1080p projector uses Sony's SXRD technology (a version of LCOS), which has proven itself as a solid performer over the years. More important, it marks the first time an LCOS projector has broken the $3,000 price barrier. With superb contrast and a razor-sharp image, the VW40 is a great choice for dark room home theater.

BenQ W5000 Review

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:00:00 PDT

The new BenQ W5000 home theater projector starts shipping this month. This 1080p resolution, single-chip DLP projector, delivers an extremely sharp, high contrast image. It is priced at $4,995, which is somewhat higher than a number of competitive 1080p projectors on the market at this time. However, it comes through with a dazzling picture that justifies the price.

Canon REALiS SX7 High-Resolution Data/Video Projector

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:00:00 PDT

The last Canon SXGA+ projector we had the pleasure of viewing in our lab was the REALiS SX60 in June of 2006. Now the REALiS SX7 extends Canon's product line in this unique resolution format, which is 1400x1050-or high resolution 4:3. The SX7 has the honor of being the only 4,000 lumen SXGA+ projector under $10,000, and in fact it sells for street prices close to half that much. With a razor-sharp picture, superb color accuracy, an exceptionally bright image, and surprisingly good contrast, the Canon SX7 is a fine choice for photographers, medical educators, engineers, graphic designers, or anyone who requires the display of very high resolution 4:3 images.

Review: InFocus IN10 Micro-portable XGA projector

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:00:00 PDT

In a market saturated with mobile presentation projectors, there are two ways to be noticed: get brighter, or get lighter. The InFocus IN10 is one of the lightest projectors on the market, weighing only 2.4 pounds. This compact light cannon is rated at 1800 ANSI lumens of brightness, and at the same time is one of the few projectors that truly deserves the title of micro-portable. In addition to its high lumen output, it features a long lamp life, and comparatively quiet operation. Thus the IN10 is an excellent choice for traveling presenters who want to carry a lot of power in the smallest and lightest package possible.

Epson Cinema 1080 UB Review

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Epson home theater projectors have traditionally been good and dependable, but never quite leading edge in terms of price/performance. I've always had the feeling that they were holding back a bit in the design and marketing of their own home theater projectors, perhaps so as not to undermine the wider distribution of LCD panels to their corporate clientele. If that was indeed Epson's thinking, that strategy appears to have changed with the recent release of the Pro Cinema 1080 UB, the Home Cinema 1080 UB, and the entry level Cinema 720. These three units are without question the most formidable competitors ever released by Epson in the home theater projector market, and they are right there on the leading edge of price/performance.

Review: Epson Home Cinema 720 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:00:00 PDT

For many years, Epson has been a manufacturer of solid, dependable home theater projectors that were good, but never quite on the cutting edge of price/performance. However, with the release of the new PowerLite Home Cinema 720, this tradition changes. The Cinema 720 is without a doubt their strongest 720p offering to-date. With a blazing 1600 ANSI lumens and 10,000:1 contrast, the Cinema 720 is a highly competitive projector in the 720p category, and an excellent value at only $1299.

Mitsubishi HC4900

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:00:00 PDT

One year ago, in October, 2006, Mitsubishi released the HC5000, which brought full 1080p resolution performance to market at a rock bottom price tag of just $4,495. It seems hard to believe looking back just a year later, but at the time it was the lowest priced 1080p projector on the market. Everything else was $4995 and higher. The HC5000 was not only low priced but it was a fully-loaded, high performance 1080p projector that, at the time, set a new price/performance benchmark in the industry. Last week Mitsubishi decided to continue the lead in price/performance by dropping the price of the HC4900 to just $1995 after a $500 rebate. Thus, Mitsubishi is officially the first vendor to break the $2,000 barrier with 1080p resolution projectors. The HC4900 is a slightly downscaled HC5000, but it retains almost all of the performance advantages of the HC5000. And at a mere $1995, it is one of the best values in the home theater projector market at this time.

JVC DLA-RS2 Review -- Outstanding achievement in home theater projectors

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Last March JVC started shipping the DLA-RS1, a 1080p projector featuring D-ILA technology (JVC's proprietary version of LCOS) with a high native contrast ratio of 15,000:1. This month, an updated edition of the DLA-RS1 comes to market, which is the DLA-RS2. JVC will continue to market both models at two different price points. The differences between the RS1 and RS2 can be summarized as follows:

BenQ W500 Review --entry level 720p home theater projector

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The W500 is the first BenQ home theater projector to use 3LCD technology; the company has traditionally produced single-chip DLP projectors for home theater. While there are some quirks - as expected with a first-generation product - the W500 is a good value at street prices around $1,000.

InFocus Play Big IN82 -- Review of InFocus' first 1080p home theater projector

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:00:00 PDT

InFocus caught the attention of many at this year's CEDIA convention when they unveiled their first 1080p projector, the IN82. The Infocus Play Big IN82 is currently the brightest 1080p projector available under $10,000, which makes it a great option for very large screens (120" diagonal and above) or ambient light use. It is sold through the CEDIA installer network, so it is not available on the Internet - but can be had from your local CEDIA installation specialist for a cool $5500.

Panasonic AE2000 vs. Mitsubishi HC6000 -- Comparative Notes

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Two impressive 1080p projectors released this fall are the Mitsubishi HC6000 and the Panasonic PT-AE2000U. Initially, the HC6000 was released with a contrast specification of 13,000:1. It was subsequently revised to 15,000:1. We wanted to see the final production unit side by side against the Panasonic AE2000, which has been edging several competing units in the 1080p field in terms of contrast. The following notes are the results of the test.

Shootout: Panasonic PT-AX200U Versus Sanyo PLV-Z5

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Since we posted the review of the Panasonic PT-AX200, many have been asking how it stacks up against the formidable Sanyo PLV-Z5. Both of these models are 720p resolution LCD projectors and they are selling for similar prices, so putting them side by side for a test makes perfect sense.

Panasonic PT-AE2000 == Review of Panasonic's New 1080p Home Theater Projector

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Panasonic's second generation 1080p projector, the PT-AE2000U, is a significant step beyond last year's impressive AE1000. Topping its long list of great attributes is its outstanding contrast and black level performance. On these measurements it outperforms every other 1080p projector we have put it up against that is anywhere near its price range. And along with its high contrast comes excellent color saturation. Selling at an official street price of just $2,699, it is one of the most formidable and competitive of the new 1080p projectors released this fall.

Review: Panasonic PT-FW100NTU Fixed Installation Business/Multimedia Projector

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Sanyo PLV-Z2000 Review -- Sanyo's New 1080p Home Theater Projector

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Sanyo's first 1080p resolution home theater projector, the PLV-Z2000, is a gauntlet thrown down in the projector industry. It appears that the folks at Sanyo sat down and said, "Let's build a projector that gives home theater enthusiasts everything they could possibly want-1080p resolution, great contrast, a smooth filmlike picture, virtually silent fan noise, and no pixelation or screendoor effects. Let's include a long 2.0x zoom lens and 3 full picture heights of lens shift so they can install it wherever they want. Let's put it in a white case so it will blend in with a white ceiling, and let's not make it too deep, so they can put it on a rear shelf. After we've done all that, let's price it lower than any other 1080p projector on the market, and include a three year warranty. And for extra measure, let's offer them an additional $300 rebate right on initial release (rebate scheduled to terminate January 31, 2008).

Review: Sony VPL-VW60

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Sony made a huge splash at this year's CEDIA trade show with the release of the VPL-VW60, a new 1080p resolution home theater projector with a sensational contrast rating of 35,000:1. The buzz on this projector has been intense, to say the least. Reader curiosity has driven the VW60 to the #1 position (as of this writing) in our Top Ten Most Popular Projectors in the 1080p resolution class.

Review: Epson PowerLite 77c Multimedia Projector

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The Epson PowerLite 77c is not quite a jack of all trades, but it comes close. A Kensington Lock and monitor passthrough are must-haves for the education market. The top-removable lamp and dust filter make it a good choice for fixed installation in a large conference room. Great color makes photography presentation a joy, and it shines as a gaming projector. While it has some flaws, like a too-small remote and limited connectivity, it represents an exceptional value at current street prices of only $749.

Review: Panasonic PT-AX200U Home Theater Projector

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Last fall, with the release of the PT-AX100U, Panasonic introduced a new concept as far as home theater projectors are concerned-they boosted potential light output to 2000 ANSI lumens and incorporated a sensor to measure ambient light. With this information, the projector's "Light Harmonizer" would increase or decrease lumen output based on ambient light, thus making it more versatile for a variety of home entertainment applications. Now comes the second generation of this design, the PT-AX200U.

Review: Mitsubishi HC6000 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Last year Mitsubishi made strong competitive moves into the home theater market with the release of two new home theater projectors, the HC5000 1080p projector at $4,495, and the aggressively low priced HD1000 720p projector. Both of these models brought exceptional video quality to new low price levels, and substantially improved the strength of the Mitsubishi brand in the world of home theater projectors. This year the company has been making incremental refinements on those exceptional products, accompanied by further price reductions. The HC6000 is basically an improved HC5000.

Preview: Panasonic's New PT-AX200 Home Entertainment Projector

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Review: InFocus Work Big IN36 Multimedia Portable Projector

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:00:00 PDT

InFocus is one of the US's largest projector manufacturers, with a long record of building great front projectors for work and home. Their new Work Big IN36 continues this line of quality products. Weighing only 5.2 pounds, the IN36 boasts 3000 ANSI lumens in a slick portable package ideal for mobile presentation, fixed use in a conference room, or installation in a medium/large classroom. With an MSRP of only $1399 and features to spare, it is an excellent value.

Review: Toshiba TLP-XD2000U Multimedia Projector

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The Toshiba TLP-XD2000U earns high marks for its superb ease of use and great picture quality. It loses points for limited connectivity and awkward lensing, causing setup to be difficult in some situations. Overall, the XD2000U offers a fantastic option for mobile presentation or fixed conference room use. With a street price of only $699, it is also a fantastic value.

Review: Hitachi CP-X400 Multimedia Projector

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The Hitachi CP-X400 is a powerhouse of a projector, outputting nearly 3000 ANSI lumens from a 7.7lb package that sells for roughly $1500. In terms of bang for the buck, it's hard to match. While it has somewhat restrictive lensing and can be hard to mount in some situations, it is an impressive little machine, suitable for use in conference- and class-rooms large and small.

Review: Planar PR5020 XGA Multimedia Projector

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Planar is a relatively new projector manufacturer, but their products show that they have what it takes to be competitive. The PR5020 is a 3000 lumen, 7 pound light cannon that sells for the attractive price of only $1299. With many features normally reserved for more expensive models, the PR5020 is a versatile and capable performer.

Review: Optoma HD80 Home Theater Projector

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The biggest story of the past two years in the projector industry has been the rapid collapse of 1080p pricing. Three years ago you had to ante up $30,000 for 1080p resolution; today you can get 1080p projectors for as little as $3,000. As expected, the price collapse has been led by manufacturers using LCD technology. But with the release of the Optoma HD80, DLP suddenly takes the price lead, and it does so in dramatic fashion. At an official street price of just $2,699, the HD80 sets a new price/performance standard in the world of 1080p projection.

Review: Sony VPL-AW15 Home Theater Projector

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Sony has just begun to ship their newest entry level home theater projector, the BRAVIA VPL-AW15. The AW15 is a native 16:9, 720p resolution LCD projector that retails for the low price of $1,299. As such it is the least expensive home theater projector yet released by Sony. Advantages include excellent contrast in Cinema mode, and a long 1.6x zoom range and generous lens shift capability which means it can be easily installed in a variety of locations.

Felston DD740 Audio Delay Review

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The solution to A/V lipsync is to introduce an audio delay into the system. You might already have an audio delay feature on your AV receiver or external video processor. This can address the problem to some degree, but often not with the precision you really need. A more comprehensive solution is available with the use of the Felston DD740 Audio Delay. It is a little component selling (at the moment) for an introductory price of just $199, and it's a great way to get lip synch problems eliminated from your home theater.

Mitsubishi HC1500 Home Theater Projector Review

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Last fall Mitsubishi released a remarkable low end 720p resolution home theater projector--the HD1000U. It delivered a sharp, beautiful, high contrast image for under $1000, and we gave it our Editor's Choice Award as a truly outstanding achievement. Now comes an update to that model, the HC1500, which has just begun to ship in the last couple of weeks. There isn't much difference between the new HC1500 and the HD1000. But then, at street prices below $1,000, there wasn't much room for improvement. Both models are exceptional performers for the money.

Comparison: HD DVD and Blu-Ray Players - Four Models

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 03:00:00 PDT

HD DVD and Blu-Ray players have been available to the consumer for a little less than a year. And while the first-generation players worked, they were plagued with quirks and bugs that made the viewing experience less than ideal. Now, under a year later, the second-generation equipment is hitting store shelves, and the improvements are myriad.

EPSON PowerLite Home Cinema 400 Video Projector Review

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 400's primary attributes are high lumen output, excellent color performance, versatile lensing, and 1280x720 resolution at low street prices. Installation is more flexible than other projectors in this price bracket, making the Cinema 400 a unique value. While image sharpness was a weak point, the simple fact remains that the Cinema 400 is a strong performer that's easy to install, and won't break the budget at only $1100 after rebate.

InFocus Work Big IN24 Video Projector Review

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 03:00:00 PDT

There's no reason why educators and presenters on a tight budget cannot have a quality presentation projector. The InFocus Work Big IN24 is a seven-pound SVGA projector that cranks out 1700 ANSI lumens and costs less than $600 at current street prices. With a solid feature set and great performance, it's a lot of projector for the price.

Boxlight TraveLight2 Video Projector Review

Thu, 24 May 2007 03:00:00 PDT

For those who travel light, choosing a projector is an act of compromise. Trading lumen output for light weight and low fan noise while maintaining a reasonable price is a balancing act, and finding a projector to fit all your needs is not always simple. With the release of the appropriately named TraveLight2 by Boxlight, things just got a little easier. This little XGA projector packs 2100 ANSI lumens into a 2.5 pound package that is surprisingly quiet. What's more, this portable powerhouse can be yours for current street prices of around $1500.

DVDO iScan VP50 Video Processor Review

Wed, 16 May 2007 03:00:00 PDT

So, you are seriously into high performance home theater. You already have a 1080p projector and a great surround-sound system and your home theater is functioning well. What's the next step? A video processor like the DVDO iScan VP50 from Anchor Bay Technologies can take your system to the next level of performance. It is the flagship in their family of video processors which will convert all of your video sources to the native resolution of your projector, correct for A/V lipsync, improve connectivity, enable the use of an anamorphic lens, and help you properly calibrate your display. The price is $2,999.

Dell 1800MP Budget Portable Video Projector Review

Wed, 09 May 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Last August we reviewed the Dell 2400MP, a 3000 lumen, 5.5 pound XGA projector that set a dramatic new price/performance benchmark at $1100. That was an aggressive competitive move. Well, Dell has done it again, this time with the 1800MP. With 2100 ANSI lumens in a tiny 4.6 pound package, the 1800MP is a flexible projector suited to portable and education use. At $799, it is the least expensive XGA projector we've yet seen, and it sets another new price/performance standard for portable XGA projectors.

Optoma EP770 Portable DLP Video Projector Review

Thu, 03 May 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The Optoma EP770 manages to combine the light weight of a good portable projector with the high lumen output of a larger fixed-installation machine. Its excellent connectivity make it a sure bet for educators, while its ability to project on large screens make it ideal for both photographers and travelling presenters. If you want a portable projector with many of the bells and whistles of a larger business machine, the EP770 will serve you well.

OPPO DV-981HD DVD Player Review

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 03:00:00 PDT

As the current king of OPPO's well respected line of upconverting DVD players, the DV-981HD honors the crown with superb video and audio processing. The DV-981HD can expand a standard definition DVD to HD 1080p resolution, but it cannot playback high definition DVDs. For those of you who still own a lot of SD DVDs or are not ready to make the commitment to either the Blu-ray or HD-DVD formats, the DV-981HD is a great option.

Epson PowerLite 1715c Portable Video Projector Review

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 03:00:00 PDT

As the Rolling Stones once put it, "You can't always get what you want." However, if you want a tiny portable XGA projector that'll put out over 2000 lumens AND have more features than you can shake a stick at, you can get the Epson PowerLite 1715c, and get everything you need without compromising. And at $2000, you don't need Mick Jagger's money to do it, either.

Overview of 1080p Projector Reviews

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The following is a summary of the reviews we have conducted since last fall on 1080p projectors under $7,000, including several updates. Each summary includes the highlights and limitations of each model, and relevant comparative notes.

NEC NP60 Portable DLP Video Projector Review

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The NEC NP60, at 3000 lumens and only 3.5 lbs, is currently one of the brightest sub-4 lb projectors on the market. And with street prices around $1299, it's easy to see why many people think the NEC NP60's unique combination of lumen output, portability, and low price is a value proposition for the mobile presenter that is tough to beat.

Epson 1080 Review: Pro & Home Cinema 1080 Projector Reviews

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 03:00:00 PDT

It seems like the new 1080p resolution format is giving projector manufacturers a chance to shine in the home theater market like never before. It is certainly true of Epson. For with the release this week of the PowerLite Home Cinema 1080 at just $2,999, Epson takes the lead in price performance by being the first to bring 1080p resolution to market for under $3,000. And they didn't do it on the cheap either-this is a fully loaded 1080p projector with all the features you'd hope to have. This is the most dramatic home theater product release we've seen from Epson since we opened ProjectorCentral in 1999.

Optoma HD73 Home Theater Video Projector Review

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The HD73 isn't an upgrade or replacement for the HD72, per se, but a similar projector made for different needs and environments. The HD73 is a wonderful home theater projector for classic dark room viewing. As long as you keep its mounting limitations in mind and properly plan your installation, the HD73 is an impressive projector that can serve well as a cost-effective solution for great video and data display in your home theater.

JVC DLA-RS1 1080p Home Theater Projector Review

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 03:00:00 PDT

JVC designers and engineers have done an outstanding job with the DLA-RS1. Not only is it the finest consumer projector ever made by JVC, it is uniquely outstanding in the new group of aggressively priced 1080p projectors. At $6,295, it is the most expensive in the group. However, when loaded down with features like two HDMI ports, 2:1 zoom, and lens shift, it becomes a much more attractive proposition. This one is not to be missed.

Nexy BSB Projector Screen Review - Solution for Ambient Light

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The Nexy BSB is an ambient light rejection screen that is made to hold high contrast images in brightly lit spaces. It is designed for use in high ambient light conditions, such as retail outlets, training rooms, conferences, classrooms, and so on. However, it also has application in consumer home theater if you want to watch movies with the lights on.

Schneider Optics Cine-Digitar 1.33X Anamorphic Lens Review

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Last week we lit up a projector with the Schneider Optics Cine-Digitar 1.33X anamorphic lens, and the truth changed. Simply put, this is by far the best anamorphic lens we've yet seen and the first one we'd gladly install for use in our own home theater. There is no hint of vignette effects, and geometric distortion is for all practical purposes non-existent. But most importantly, this lens is optically perfect. There is not the slightest trace of oily effects. The image on screen is as natural, clear and precise as you'd ever want. The Cine-Digitar 1.33X enhances the performance of the projector without doing anything to get in its way.

Epson Duet Portable Projector Screen Review

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 03:00:00 PDT

For less than $250, the Epson Duet gives you a highly portable screen that's ideal for either 4:3 or 16:9 projection, at the office or at home. It is easily stowed when not in use, and paired with a portable projector it can be part of a formidable portable theater. While color balance is not perfect, it is far superior to projection on a white wall, and it is a fantastic value.

Planar Xscreen Review - Home Theater with the lights on

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The classic home theater is dark, just like a commercial movie theater. But there are many folks who either don't have the ability to create a dark viewing room, or simply don't want to. Many would prefer to watch movies with the lights on so they can interact with family or friends at the same time. The ideal solution could be a large plasma TV, but plasmas at 70" diagonal or larger are way too expensive for most people. So, if you want some ambient light in the room, what can you do? A front projector combined with Planar's newly introduced Xscreen may be just the solution.

BenQ W10000 1080p DLP Home Theater Projector Review

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:00:00 PDT

BenQ has recently come to market with the W10000, a native 1080p darkchip3 DLP projector that delivers a beautiful, bright, high-contrast image. It has a moderate-throw 1.15:1 lens with generous lens shift. However, as of this writing, it requires some fine-tuning that only an ISF-certified calibrator can perform to reach its best possible performance.

EPSON Pro Cinema 810 Home Theater Projector review

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The Epson Powerlite Pro Cinema 810 is a capable projector, perfect for dark room home theater with the occasional football game thrown in. It offers excellent zoom and lens shift, while it lacks in image sharpness in high definition. The price is a bit steep for a 720p LCD, but if it offers what you need, don't hesitate to check it out.

Casio XJ-S35 Ultra-Portable Multimedia Projector Review

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 03:00:00 PDT

CASIO is a new player on the projection market, but has a long-established history with consumer electronics. In August they began shipping their XJ-S35 XGA projector, which offers 2000 lumens in a slim package designed to fit inside your existing laptop case. For those of you who demand the ultimate in portability, the XJ-S35 is worth a look.

Updated: Panasonic PT-AE1000U 1080p Home Theater Projector Review

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 03:00:00 PDT

This fully loaded projector has a wide assortment of preprogrammed operating modes, long zoom lens range and extensive lens shift to make it as easy as it gets to install and operate. With the last minute improvements to the final production models, Panasonic has delivered a phenomenal projector that stands out as a truly remarkable achievement, especially in light of its aggressive price point of $3,999.

Optoma HD81 1080p Home Theater Projector Review

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Optoma is known for making quality home theater projectors, from the budget kings H31 and HD70 up through the powerhouse HD7100. Now comes their first 1080p addition to the family, known as the Optoma HD81. At 1400 ANSI lumens and 10,000:1 contrast as well as a selling price under $7,000, it looks like the HD81 has the potential to be another home theater favorite from Optoma.

Sony VPL-VW50 Home Theater Projector Review

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Sony made a big splash at the CEDIA trade show in September with the announcement of the Sony VPL-VW50. This is Sony's newest 1080p resolution projector featuring their proprietary SXRD technology. The biggest draw was the price tag--a mere $4,999, which makes it one of the two 1080p projectors to come to market this fall below the $5,000 price point. Reactions to the CEDIA demonstrations were mixed, and we were anxious to get our hands on it to see what it was really capable of. To sum it up in one sentence: the VW50 has outstanding black levels, color saturation and contrast, but the image is softer than we'd like to see from a 1080p resolution projector. Whether this projector is right for you will depend on your willingness to give up some image sharpness for increased black level and contrast. For us, 1080p resolution is all about maximum sharpness and detail, so this is not a trade-off we'd want to settle for. But if deep blacks and maximum color saturation are performance factors you value most, then the VW50 is a projector you will not want to miss.

Mitsubishi HC5000 Home Theater Projector Review

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The Mitsubishi HC5000 is one of the first aggressively priced 1080p home theater projectors to hit the market. It features outstanding color fidelity, pristine deinterlacing and scaling, and a powered 1.6x zoom/focus with extensive vertical lens shift capability. Fan noise is extremely low. The versatility of the lensing will allow this unit to be installed in a wide variety of home theater settings. This is the best projector Mitsubishi has built to date.

Boxlight Broadview Portable WXGA Multimedia Projector Review

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The Boxlight Broadview is a very bright, 4.4 lb. WXGA projector that is ideally suited to the mobile presenter. At this writing the Broadview is the only WXGA projector under 5 pounds on the market, so it is in a class by itself.

Sanyo PLV-Z5 Home Theater Video Projector Review

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 03:00:00 PDT

A small step beyond the PLV-Z4 earned this model our second full 5-star rating ever. With significant performance improvements over the Z4 in lumen output, contrast, and color performance, the Z5 retains all of the Z4's most attractive features and adds a second HDMI port. With retail prices starting at $1695 at launch, the Z5 is a killer value.

Shoot-out: Panasonic PT-AX100U vs. Sanyo PLV-Z5

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 03:00:00 PDT

It's October again. And regular as clockwork, the Harvest moon rises, the fall colors turn, the Yankees lose in the playoffs, and the home theater industry sees an all-new clash of the LCD titans, Panasonic and Sanyo.

Mitsubishi HD1000U Home Theater Video Projector Review

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Mitsubishi's low-cost offering for 720p projection features an impressive 1500 ANSI lumens and great out of the box color performance, tracking very close to 6500K. Available for $1495 or less, the HD1000U is a stellar value, but may only be ceiling mounted in most rooms.

Review: Panasonic PT-AX100U

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Panasonic's update to the venerable AE700 and AE900, the AX100U features zero visible pixelation, great color, and contrast to die for. Coupled with the standard 2.0:1 zoom range and vertical/horizontal lens shift, the AX100U is an incredibly versatile projector that maintains a stellar image.

Review: Optoma HD70 Home Theater Projector

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The next-generation replacement of the H79, still featuring the DarkChip3, but with improved optical performance in the lens. May represent a challenge for some installations due to short throw distance, short zoom range, and limited lens shift range. But if it fits your room, it is an outstanding projector.

Review: Optoma EP7150 Ultraportable Data Projector

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 03:00:00 PDT

If you frequently travel with a projector making presentations on the road, here is some good news: For the first time in the industry's history, 2000 ANSI lumens of light output has been packed into a projector that weighs less than three pounds. This month, Optoma will begin to ship the EP7150, which delivers 2000 lumens of XGA resolution in a 2.8 pound package. Not only is this a new achievement in lumens per pound, but it is easy on the budget as well. With a price tag of just $1300, it represents great value in price/performance.

Review: Sharp XV-Z3000 Home Theater Projector

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 03:00:00 PDT

While 1280x768 projectors are becoming more common, those designed for home theater are still rather hard to come by. Native 1280x768 projectors are useful due to their ability to display several different resolutions in native format including HD 720p, as well as computer resolutions XGA (1024x768), and WXGA (1280x768). This makes them particularly versatile as they can be used for widescreen home theater video as well as high quality data presentation in either 4:3 or 15:9. The new Sharp XV-Z3000 is one of these versatile projectors. It is a 1200 ANSI lumen projector sporting a 6500:1 contrast ratio and a myriad of adjustments that make it easy to fine-tune your picture to your individual preferences. At street prices under $3000, it is also designed to bring high definition home theater to your living room while leaving your wallet intact.

Review: Optoma EP1690 Widescreen Multimedia Projector

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 03:00:00 PDT

It is becoming increasingly common to see computers that output widescreen signals, whether they be laptops or desktops. As such, a new class of projectors is required which can natively display 16:9 and 15:9 signals while maintaining appropriate brightness and contrast levels for dynamic data projection. In this vein is the Optoma EP1690, a 1280x768 projector rated at 2500 ANSI lumens and 2500:1 contrast. It is light enough to serve as a portable projector, and is an ideal unit to couple with a widescreen laptop. It is bright enough for use in small to medium sized conference rooms and classrooms. It has good color and contrast, which makes it a good choice for video game enthusiasts, and it can be ceiling or coffee table mounted for convenience. While it can serve a secondary role as a video projector, the EP1690 really shines with high-contrast data material. This versatile package is available for under $1700, which is an excellent bargain.

Review: Dell 2400MP Portable Presentation Projector

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Every once in a while, a projector comes along that sets a dramatic new price/performance benchmark. The Dell 2400MP is just such a projector. It is a 5.5lb XGA projector that puts out 3000 ANSI lumens, which in itself is rare. But in addition, it has an MSRP of $1099 (editor's note: Dell has informed us that $999 was a promotional price, and that the standard MSRP is $1099), which makes the Dell 2400MP an as-yet-unmatched value in terms of lumens per dollar in portable projectors. If you are on the road and giving Powerpoint presentations on the go, this projector offers good features at a great price, and it may be ideal for you. It will also be particularly attractive as a cost-effective solution for classroom presentation.

Review: Mitsubishi WD2000U Widescreen Data Projector

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 03:00:00 PDT

With increasing frequency, commercial data projectors are following the video trend toward widescreen formats. Ever since the early days of VGA resolution, computer monitors and projectors have largely conformed to the standard 4:3 aspect ratio. But within the last year at least 15 models have come to market with the native 15:9 aspect ratio WXGA format, which is 1280x768. Among them is the newly released Mitsubishi WD2000U. This is a bright, widescreen data/video projector for use in conference rooms and small auditoriums as well as college classrooms and lecture halls. It is a highly versatile presentation projector currently selling at street prices around $4000.

Review: Sanyo PLV-75 Widescreen Video Projector

Wed, 05 Jul 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Review: InFocus Play Big IN72 Home Theater Projector

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 03:00:00 PDT

InFocus Corporation is one of the largest projector manufacturers in the business, with 13 commercial models and 8 video/home theater models currently in production. The company has been marketing the highly successful Screenplay 4805 as their entry level home theater offering for about two years, and it remains a popular product due to its excellent performance and low price. However, InFocus's newest 480p entry, the Play Big IN72, improves upon the SP-4805 by providing increased lumen output, decreased fan noise, better overall image quality, and attractive casework, all at a retail price of $999 after a temporary rebate that has just gone into effect. (Note: as of this writing, the rebate is scheduled to expire on 7/31/06).

OPPO Digital DV-970HD DVD Player Review

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 03:00:00 PDT

After the critical success of OPPO's previous offering, the OPDV971H 1080i upconverting DVD player, one would think that this forward-thinking and innovative company would be content to rest on their considerable laurels for a bit. But no, today, we received from OPPO Digital, a new player dubbed the DV-970HD. This player differs from OPPO's earlier offering in a number of ways, not the least of which is price. The earlier unit (OPDV971H) remains in OPPO's catalogue and is still priced at $199, while the new player, the DV-970HD is $50 cheaper at $149.

Review: Canon SX60

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Review: Optoma HD7100

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Review: projectiondesign evo2sx+

Fri, 19 May 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Review: Optoma EP910

Mon, 15 May 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Updated Review: Dell 5100MP Data & Presentation Projector

Fri, 12 May 2006 03:00:00 PDT

While SXGA+ projectors have existed for some time, they have rarely been small or affordable. With Dell's 5100MP SXGA+ projector, you now have a solution for very high resolution projection in either portable or fixed-installation applications. Features include 1400x1050 native resolution, high lumen output, and good contrast and color performance. All of these features are packed into a small 8.2 lb projector and offered at street prices of less than $3000. Dell leads the way in bringing bright SXGA+ projection below the $3000 mark, a feat that has not previously been accomplished.

Review: Viewsonic Cine1000 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The Cine1000 is an interesting projector. While there are some small holdovers from business-class machines, the projector as a complete package is an excellent choice as a first projector, a portable home theater machine for sports, or as a gaming projector for the kids (or for yourself). Good lumen output and great color, combined with quality onboard scaling and deinterlacing, make the Cine1000 a great budget solution for those seeking the big-screen experience at home.

Review: InFocus Play Big IN76

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The InFocus Play Big IN76 is an impressive new competitive entry in the 720p class of home theater projectors. It produces a big, bright, engaging image, it has two digital inputs instead of one like many of its competition, and its casework styling has much more consumer appeal than previous generations of InFocus products. To top it off, it takes 1080p/24 as well as 1080p50/60, which makes it a viable choice for post production houses as well as consumer use. We expect the IN76 to be among InFocus' many successful product introductions.

Viewsonic PJ458D Mobile Presentation Projector

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The PJ458D was clearly designed as a mobile projector. That said, if you need a projector that's capable of serving double duty as both a presentation tool and a home entertainment machine, the PJ458D's video performance is nothing to scoff at. At street prices under $1000, the PJ458D is a versatile projector that can be an asset to both business and home entertainment.

Review: Mitsubishi HD4000U

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Review: NEC LT380 Multipurpose Projector

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The new NEC LT380 is first and foremost a business projector. Many of its features are geared towards conference room presentations and similar environments. However, its performance with video is a cut above most business projectors, and as such it is a viable option for those seeking 4:3 home entertainment.

Review: Sanyo PLV-80

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Sanyo does something that few projector makers do-in addition to producing models like the PLV-Z4 that are made for conventional home theater, they build 16:9 widescreen projectors that pump out a LOT more light than the typical home theater projector. This tradition began in earnest with the PLV-70, rated at 2200 ANSI lumens. That was followed by the industrial strength PLV-WF10 which throws a very real, no-nonsense 4000 ANSI lumens. The latest Sanyo model to follow in this tradition of big, bright widescreens is the PLV-80. This unique 3000-lumen projector is not right for everyone. But for those who need its particular set of features and performance, nothing else will do.

Review: Samsung SP-H710AE Home Theater Projector

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 03:00:00 PDT

The highest praise we can give a digital home theater projector is that it appears "film-like." While this property is highly sought after, it is hard to quantify. It describes a projector that, quite simply, reminds its viewers of watching actual film rather than digital video sources. A film-like projector makes it all too easy to suspend disbelief and become completely absorbed in the movie on the screen. Samsung's new projector, the SP-H710AE, creates a beautifully smooth picture that is not only three-dimensional, but definitely film-like. And at an MSRP of $4,000, this projector presents an attractive option for viewing rooms with moderately large screens and good control of ambient light.

Optoma HD72

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 03:00:00 PDT

When the new crop of high contrast LCD 720p projectors appeared last fall we knew it would not take long for makers of DLP products to show an aggressive response. Out on the leading edge of this movement is the Optoma HD72, a newly released 1280x768 resolution DLP home theater projector that is rated at up to 5000:1 contrast and sells for low street prices near the magic $2,000 mark. Optoma has been building a brand in home theater that connotes high quality at consumer friendly prices. With the H31 at the low end, and the newly announced HD81 1080p at the high end, the HD72 fits into the middle range of a family of aggressively priced models that deliver a lot of home theater for the money.

Review: Sharp DT-100 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Although home theater as a whole is moving towards high definition content, there is a big market for low-cost projectors better suited to enjoying DVD movies in the comfort of your living room. For this purpose, the Sharp DT-100 offers a very nice package, with some unique features not found in other projectors at this price point. And all this comes in at street prices well below the $1,299 MSRP.

Sharp XR-20X Projector

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 03:00:00 PDT

If you're shopping for a classroom or conference room projector that can handle a room up to 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 m) deep, we may have a candidate for you. A room this size needs a screen with a 10 to 12 foot diagonal (2.7 to 3 m) for data or presentation applications. You also need a projector in the range of 2000 to 2500 ANSI lumens.

Review: Optoma EP719 Multimedia/Business Projector

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 03:00:00 PDT

A few weeks ago, we reviewed the excellent Optoma EP716 in the SVGA shootout. Now, following closely on its heels comes the Optoma EP719, an XGA business projector that retains the EP716's small form factor and low weight. At street prices around $1000, the EP719 offers a lot more resolution for a small price increase, and is an attractive option for both education settings and portable presentation use.

Review: Mitsubishi XD460U

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 03:00:00 PDT

Review: BenQ PE8720 Home Theater Projector

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 03:00:00 PDT

BenQ's latest projector has been in the works for some time. Announced at CES 2005 back in January, the PE8720 has finally arrived. With a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and a super-high quality lens, the BenQ PE8720 can bring a dazzling picture into your home.

Neodigit HDV2085 DVD Player

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 03:00:00 PDT

NeoDigits is a relatively new company on the home video scene, having been founded in 2003 to fill a market niche for feature-rich, higher definition DVD players under the trade name NeuNeo. The HVD2085 DVD player is the latest model in NeoDigit's line and offers some high value features such as upscaling standard DVDs (720x480) from 480p to as high as 1080p in both analog and digital. This allows the HVD2085 to support all the HDTVs in the market from older analog HDTVs with component video (PbPrY) to the new 1920x1080 digital HDTVs with HDMI or DVI-D.

Shootout: Six Hot $700 SVGA Projectors

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 03:00:00 PDT

There have been major advancements in the realm of home theater projectors in the past six months, and in projection technology in general. And while home theater projectors receive praise often, the advancements in low-cost business projection go relatively unnoticed. The price-performance ratio of business projectors, specifically in sub-$700 SVGA projectors, continues to improve.

Review: Hitachi Ultravision HDPJ52 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Review: EPSON Cinema 550 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Review: Mitsubishi HC3000

Fri, 11 Nov 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Shootout: Sanyo PLV-Z4 vs. Optoma H79

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 03:00:00 PDT

The Optoma H79 has been widely recognized as being an outstanding value for the money. At this writing it has an MSRP of $10,000, and a street price of about $6,000. It features the latest 1280x720 resolution DarkChip3. In our view it was and still is a beautiful projector. By comparison, the LCD-based 1280x720 resolution Sanyo PLV-Z4 has a retail price of just $2,995, and a street price of about $2,200. So they are in two completely different price classes. The question is, ignoring the prices and the specs, how do they look side by side?

Review: Panasonic AE900U vs. BenQ PE7700 Shootout

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 03:00:00 PDT

When we reviewed the BenQ PE7700 six months ago, we liked it a great deal, and gave it a very high rating. However, things have changed greatly in the past six months, and LCD has made leaps and bounds ahead of its former performance. As it stands today, LCD is not just a solution for people who need 1280x720 performance on a budget. It is also more than a match for many DLP home theater projectors, which will make things very interesting in the coming months.

Panasonic AE900 vs. Sanyo PLV-Z4

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 03:00:00 PDT

The single most influential competitive duel in the home theater projector market is the annual face-off between Panasonic and Sanyo in their respective offerings of LCD-based 16:9 widescreen projectors aimed at the mass consumer market. In the last few years Panasonic as debuted (in chronological order) the PT-AE300, the PT-AE500, the PT-AE700, and now the PT-AE900, while Sanyo has responded in kind with the PLV-Z1, the PLV-Z2, the PLV-Z3, and their latest offering, the PLV-Z4. Each year they get better and better, but this year the leap forward in price/performance is likely to rock the industry in a way we have not yet seen.

Review: Panasonic PT-AE900U

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Panasonic has been rolling out highly competitive widescreen home theater projectors using LCD technology since early 2002. The first models, the PT-AE100, the PT-AE200, and the PT-AE300 were lower resolution products. However, with the introduction of the PT-AE500 in late 2003, resolution was boosted to native 1280x720, and since that time the product line has enjoyed ever increasing market acceptance. Last year's edition, the PT-AE700 hit the ball out of the park with an increase in contrast rating to 2000:1, and the addition of a very long 2.0x zoom lens that made the product usable in a wide variety of room environments.

Review: Sanyo PLV-Z4

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 03:00:00 PDT

The fall release of the hottest new home theater projectors is coming to be an annual event, stimulated in part by the fall holiday buying season, and in part by the CEDIA trade show that takes place in early September. Sanyo's release of the PLV-Z4 constitutes this company's strongest product yet in the consumer home theater market, and we've had a great time getting to know it in the past couple of weeks. We would have liked to continue our exploration of its potential for another month, but it is time to stop and report what we know thus far. This is one of the most versatile products we've ever seen, in that it can be calibrated to accommodate a wide range of room and viewing environments.

A Second Look: The Optoma H27 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 07 Oct 2005 03:00:00 PDT

HP Portable Contender

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Weighing in at 2.4 pounds, the XGA HP mp2210 is the least expensive ($1,499 MSRP) projector in the market today that is at least 1500 ANSI lumens and under 3 pounds in weight. It performs well in data and video and is one of the quietest in its class. Its small form factor, light weight, and excellent light output make it highly suitable for mobile presenters. The mp2210 delivers excellent contrast and above average video quality for a 4-segment color wheel that is common among the highly mobile DLP projectors. Video settings tend to be highly personal, and HP provides the ability to adjust color temperature, gamma, and white intensity for any of three setups.

Review: Common Home Calibration Discs

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Every home theater owner should have some form of calibration disc on hand, to help them keep their system looking and sounding its best for life. If you don't already own at least one of these discs, think about picking one up. If you've never calibrated your home theater, you will see a difference immediately.

Review: Optoma MovieTime DV10 Portable Home Entertainment System

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Optoma has released some impressive products this year, including the low-end H31 480p projector and the high-end DarkChip3 H79 720p projector. However, at CES in January, they announced their intention to bring something a little less conventional to market: a quality projector with a DVD player built-in. It's called the MovieTime DV10, and it eliminates the hassle of component set-up and cable runs, making the big-screen experience obtainable in minutes. The DV10 brings together a video source, a display device, and an audio system in one box.

Review: InFocus X3 Multipurpose/Presentation Projector

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 03:00:00 PDT

The InFocus X3 is the fourth edition in a series, following the X1, X1A, and X2. Like its predecessors, it is geared towards data presentation, but could double as a part time home theater projector in a pinch. Unlike its predecessors, its native resolution has been stepped up from SVGA to XGA. With high lumen output, long lamp life, and a low street price, the X3 is a solid, no frills projector that is intended to deliver cost-effective presentation performance in the conference room and classroom.

NEC HT1100 reduced to $1,995

Wed, 13 Jul 2005 03:00:00 PDT

NEC has just dropped the retail price of the HT1100 home theater projector to a very low $1,995 from its original release price of $4,795 just fifteen months ago. It was a great value then at that price. However, with this momentous price reduction effective July 1, it is one of the truly extraordinary home theater values on the market as of this writing.

A Winning Digital DVD Player

Thu, 07 Jul 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Every once in awhile a new company arrives on the scene with an exceptional product. Such is the case with Oppo Digital and the introduction of its OPDV971H DVD player.

576 Shootout: Mitsubishi HC900u vs. Studio Experience Premier 30HD

Wed, 29 Jun 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Two outstanding projectors featuring TI's 1024x576 Matterhorn DLP chip are the Mitsubishi HC900U and the Studio Experience Premier 30HD. They are both fully-featured, widescreen home theater projectors with native resolutions designed for optimum display of the PAL and SECAM 576-line video formats, and they handle all video formats in the NTSC and HDTV worlds as well. However, resolution is about where the similarities end. Each has unique advantages over the other, as this side by side comparative review will illustrate.

Battle of the Budget Projectors

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 03:00:00 PDT

In terms of unit volume, the hottest home theater projectors in the market these days are the inexpensive DLP projectors built around Texas Instruments' 854x480 resolution chip. With some of them selling at or below $1,000, these units deliver the best video quality for the money we've ever seen. They truly shine with NTSC DVD, since they display this high quality 480-line video source line-for-line with no vertical scaling. Furthermore, they generate amazingly good HDTV quality despite their lower resolution format.

Review: InFocus ScreenPlay 7210 Home Theater Projector

Mon, 06 Jun 2005 03:00:00 PDT

During the past few years, 1280x720 DLP projectors have delivered ever-increasing performance at lower and lower prices. Now, with the latest projectors featuring Texas Instruments' DarkChip3 DLP chip, the process continues - and the InFocus Screenplay 7210 is in the starting line-up

Review: Optoma H79 DLP Home Theater Projector

Thu, 26 May 2005 03:00:00 PDT

One of the hot entry-level DLP projectors these days is the Optoma H31. Now at the opposite end of the performance spectrum comes the Optoma H79, featuring TI's DarkChip3, 1280x720 resolution, and an 8-segment, 5x speed color wheel. The H79 is a thoroughly impressive projector that delivers just about everything we could ask for.

Review: Toshiba TDP-MT200 Home Theater Projector

Thu, 12 May 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Review: BenQ PE7700 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 03:00:00 PDT

An excellent price-performer among the high-end home theater projectors using the HD2+ DLP chip, available at exceptionally low street prices. The native 1280x720 resolution and DVI input make the DVDO iScan HD+ video processor a good companion piece for optimum performance.

Review: Mitsubishi HC100u Home Theater Projector

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 03:00:00 PDT

The only model in this group with a sealed light engine and no air filter to worry about. A beautiful image in both standard and high definition. The HC100 has a 2x rotation speed color wheel. We did not see rainbow artifacts nearly to the degree that we've seen them on other DLP projectors with the same wheel speed. Audition it first and see for yourself.

Review: Canon Realis SX50

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Review: Optoma EZPro 739 Multipurpose/Home Theater Projector

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 03:00:00 PDT

Review: NEC HT410 Home Theater Projector

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 03:00:00 PDT

The NEC HT410 is exceptionally easy to set up and use for the first time projector owner. The physical lens shift feature is rare in this class of product, and it makes it easy to put the projected image right where you want it. Image quality is competitive in the resolution class; contrast is good but does not quite match the performance of other units in this category. The 2x speed color wheel will cause rainbow artifacts for some viewers, so you must audition it before buying to ensure that you and other viewers in your home will not be adversely affected by them.

Review: SharpVision XV-Z2000 Home Theater Projector

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 03:00:00 PDT

The Z2000 is an HD2+ DLP projector with superb color balance and saturation, and is one of the brighter projectors in this category. It also offers power zoom and focus. At its low price the Z2000 delivers more home theater value than any Sharp product yet. Internal image processing is good; however, this projector benefits from the use of an external video processor like the DVDO iScan HD.

Review: EPSON PowerLite 745c Mobile Presentation Projector

Wed, 09 Mar 2005 03:00:00 PDT