Projector Recommendations

My budget for a home theater projector is 3 grand. I've been looking at the Panasonic PT-AE7000U. It fits the bill nicely, seems to be getting A LOT of great reviews, but I'd like to hear what you guys think about it or if there is something better for the price.

Secondly, what screen do you guys recommend? I want the screen around 130 inches or so and it will be used in a dedicated theater room with complete control over the amount of light in the room. It will either be a permanently installed screen, or a motorized scroll down screen depending on how the room comes out in my basement when I get it finished. About how much would it cost for a good screen for a room like this? Does the "gain" of the screen make much of a noticeable difference? Also, what screen orientation do you guys recommend I go with? I noticed they have the typical 16:9 ratio and cinemascope which I think is 2:35:1 I believe. Both will fit in the room nicely, it's just a matter of what you guys think is better coupled with this projector and movie viewing. Do typical blu-ray disks come in cinemascope?

I've also been toying with the idea of painting the wall whatever color or with whatever paint is meant for front projection? Is this a bad alternative? Can you get as good a picture by doing this as you can with a screen? I'm guessing you can't, but then again I am new to projectors. The sound is more of my forte, but it's definitely time I get an appropriate size screen to go with the sound

Thanks for the reply. The specs on the panasonic site said up to 300 inches. The projector will probably be 13-14 feet from the screen, in a dark, dedicated home theater room. Would getting a screen with a higher gain rating help with this? It won't be used on a consistent basis, so 1200 hours could last a while.

The information you stated about the black and whites and screen uniformity, is that with the brand itself, or specific to the model projector? The review's I've been reading are stating that it's a true "video file" projector (although I'm sure there are far, FAR better out there).

My second question is about the screen. What screen ratio do you recommend that would work with multiple formats/screen ratios? Cinemascope, 16:9 etc? I'll probably be installing a permanent/fixed screen.

Is it recommended or not recommended to use a special paint on the wall for the screen? I could also do that if there's a benefit. Really, I can do whatever works best with the screen

The Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 6010 also looks like a worthy contender, and comes with a ceiling mount, a spare bulb, 2 sets of 3D glasses, and is THX certified. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place lol
Edited by Blackdevil77 - 2/8/12 at 3:16pm

So you'd recommend the PT-AR100U over the PT-AE7000U? While the PT-AR100U has a higher lumins rating, the PT-AE7000U has a much higher contrast ratio. I also like the 3D that comes with the PT-AE7000U and the 480Hz refresh. If this isn't bright enough, are their any other projectors with same/similar contrast ratio's, 3D and price, just with a higher lumens rating?

You greatly caught my attention lol. Why wouldn't it be recommended if it's the better projector? I'm very curious

oooh I see. I've been looking at the Epson 5010 you mentioned and I like it a lot. How do you think that would handle 3D at a screen size that big? What type of screen do you recommend? What gain rating? I was thinking 1.3-2.0 but I have no idea really lol

Yes I have and more. I've also read that the brightness is greatly reduced in 3D mode with the 3D glasses on which is why I'm asking about the screen gain. I'd say probably 12-15 feet from the screen. The room is 27 feet in length, but unfortunately has low 7.5 foot ceilings.

Why isn't the 5010 on Epson's website? They only have a 6010???

Nevermind, I found the 5010 on Epsons website. Which leads me to my next question. What the hell is the difference between the Pro Cinema 6010 and Home Cinema 5010? Specs are identical, except the 6010 comes with 3D glasses, ceiling mount, and is black.

Good info, thanks. The bulbs for the Epson are 100 bucks cheaper then the Panasonics as well. I'm definitely more into the Epson now thanks to Jim and what you just told me. You guys are a huge help, thanks a million.

Also with regards to my other question, what the difference between the 5010 and the Pro Cinema 6010? Just the stuff it comes with like the 3D glasses and Ceiling mounts? Is it the same projector?

I have looked for LED projectors and was wondering why I didn't see more LED projectors when I first starting looking. I do like them, but for the cost of them right now, I can't really swing it.

I've decided on the Epson Pro Cinema 6010. I saw it in action on a 103 inch screen in Eco mode and it looked great. Plus I like how it comes with the ceiling mount, 2 sets of 3D glasses and a spare lamp. That alone I think makes the extra cost worth it, but I'm told it has a slightly better picture then the 5010 as well.

I just did now. They just review this projector fairly recently. They're saying its very similar to the 5010, but comes with all those extra goodies I would of had to buy separately, and is THX certified, which I like. Projectorreviews.com said in THX mode, you'll get a better more accurate picture out of the box then you would of with the 5010 in it's "natural" setting out of the box.