If you’re in the market for a new projector then you are probably noticing the drop in prices from the various manufacturers; is it because the technology is getting cheaper? Well it’s hard to say, but what’s really important is that we take into consideration the performance of all the projectors due to the fact that most are becoming cheaper. To start, we should look to the Optoma HD80, which is a nice addition to DLP projector selection, with a price around $2,699, you can’t go wrong especially when it has two HDMI 1.3 ports, DVI, RS-232, 12-volt trigger, a contrast ratio of 1,691:1, and other features which allow optimized imaging. Images from this projector “looked soft” and the reviewer recommends that a good DVD player be used in conjunction with this projector.

For the Sanyo PLV-Z2000 LCD Projector, you’ll be spending around $2,995 for a business-style feel that can be used for both the office and the home theater. With both a “substantial vertical and horizontal lens-shift functions, as well as a high 2x manual zoom, made setting up the PLV-Z2000 a quick and painless process.” It includes a manual focus, adjustable feet, and various other features which allow customizability. In addition to this, the projector includes various ways to adjust the image to enhance the out-of-the-box performance, which is “least accurate.”

Just like the other projectors, The Mitsubishi HC6000 is on a side of quality, but you’ll pay a little more for this one; around $3,995. According to this review, the HC6000 has a “healthy complement of video adjustments, beginning with the two lamp modes (Standard and Low) and an auto iris that offers five levels of brightness.” With black levels that look great in a dark room, the output was also allowed in a room with ambient light. In addition, the gamma and white balance can be adjusted for performance. And while it includes many of the same features as the other projectors, it is $1,000 more, which shows that more analysis is needed to make a educated decision on the quality of this projector.

So in the long run, it’s important to consider various possibilities when purchasing a projector such as the ones that were reviewed because while they are cost-efficient some may have a longer lamp life or utilize color balance in a totally different manner. Not only this, but you may buy a projector that doesn’t use black levels in the way you need for your home theater. In this way, it helps to do the research before you make a purchase.

[via Home Theater Magazine]

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