16:9 True HD Projector around $1500? (1 Viewer)

[Stephen Hopkins]

Are there any true high-definition 16:9 native projectors on the market that can be had for around $1500 (online, refurbished, non-authorized, used)? I'm strongly considering front-projection and right now i'm leaning towards the Panasonic PL300U or the Sanyo Z1, but i'm not crazy about the idea of not supporting true HD resolution. The Sanyo Z2 looks promising but it's not available yet and is out of my price range. Any chance it'll be available around $1500 online once it's actually available? Or am I stuck w/ "HD Compatible" in this price range?

Thanks

 

[Chris PC]

At that price range I don't think there are HD projectors. The Panasonic AE500 is the only other option.

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

Cheapest I could find the AE500 for was $1925 and it's also an imported model. I wouldn't be against that if it were in my price range, but sadly it's not. It looked good spec-wise. Is there a US equivalent model?

 

[Neil Joseph]

When you speak of true HD projectors, I assume you are not looking for a projector that will display at 1920x1080 ($$$$$). I am assuming that you are looking for a projector that can accept 1080p and downconvert that to its native resolution.

The cheapest one I can think of is this one...

InFocus ScreenPlay 5700

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

1080x1920 would be 1080p... when I say true HD i mean 720x1280 (720p) and 1080i (and everything else) would be scaled to that.

 

[Rick Guynn]

Well, alot of people consider 'true' HD to be 1920x1080. Having said that, the only thing even close to your price with your qualification (1280x720) is the Sanyo Z2. It is shiping this week in the U.S., but it is still going for close to $2k.

The U.S. version of the AE500 (L500U) is not supposed to hit the shores until January, although maybe we'll get lucky and they will decide to try and take advantage of the holiday shopping season.

RG

 

[Michael Caicedo]

The Panasonic AE500 can be had from overseas at about $1700. That's about the best you're going to do at that pricepoint. Z2 is reportedly starting to ship in the US at about $1900. Next step up is the Sony HS20. That's it.

 

[Rick Guynn]

Keep in mind that the overseas version of the Panny 500 has a different voltage requirement and the menus are locked in Japanese. In the past, the overseas model (AE300) was autoswitching (anywhere between 100V to 220V) and the menu language could be changed.

So if you import one, be prepared for some slight inconveniences (not the least of which is if you ever have a warranty issue)

RG

 

[DavidLM]

np