New projector help Please

[Gary233932]

I am in the process of upgrading my kit, and would like your opinion a the Planar PD7060 £750, Panasonic PT-AX200E £750, and the Optoma HD65 £430. I also have a post it the Home cinema part of the forum called Help Arcam AVR280 please take a look at that as well thanks allGary

 

[matengawhat]

Just thought would bounce this back to the top as I am also looking for a reasonably cheap 720p projector for say £500 or £600 as well- although was also considering the Panasonic PT-AX200E - would be keen to hear if people think the Pan is worth the extra money compared to the Optoma HD65 - I'm not really bothered about the extra HDMI socket as will put it all through a switcher - most important thing to me is picture quality for movies and games.

 

[professorhat]

We need Clare or Andy Kerr to comment really, they always seem to pick up the projector questions. I know Andy highly rates the Panny, but I don't think they've seen the Optoma...

Home Cinema Choice did a group test of projectors in the April issue though, the Panasonic PT-AX200E came first with 5 out of 5 and the Optoma HD65 came fourth with 4 out of 5 (it was obviously a tight test!). 2nd place was the SIM2 D10 and 3rd was the Epson EMP-TW680, which both also got 4 out of 5. Interestingly, the Optoma only got 3 out of 5 for its picture...

Hope this helps!

 

[Gary233932]

matengawhat look at my post in Home cinema ¯ Help Arcam AVR280 , Andy Kerr writes about the Planar PD7060

"Blimey.that's a deal. It was £1750 not so long ago! That's a lot closer to call: the Planar's a fine projector, but as you obviously know, not necessarily the ideal coffee-table design. Still, with the fixed installation you're planning, that'd be less of an issue. Which would I buy? I think the Planar's black levels will be better, but the Panasonic's motion-handling will be smoother. I'd try to view the two against each other if at all possible, but if you can't, I'd guess the Planar might edge it. Just."

 

[Clare Newsome]

Things are getting really tight at this end of the projector market, so i'd stress the importance of an audition - for example, although I think the Panasonic is awesome for the money, not everyone will prefer its LCD design over some rivals' DLP design - both have pros and cons (as Andy says above).

Sorry that's not a black or white answer, but if you're living (like I do) with a huge picture everyday, any aspects that niggle you can drive you bonkers after a while!