1080p projectors: From budget to billfold-busting

David Katzmaier David Katzmaier, Senior Editor April 6, 2009

We've spent a lot of time and energy trying to convince our readers that, for most HDTV screen sizes, 1080p native resolution simply doesn't matter. When you're watching a 32-inch LCD or even a 50-inch plasma, those extra pixels just aren't that important.

The story changes when the screen sizes get huge. Front projectors can easily create pictures that measure 100 diagonal inches or more, and true home theater buffs know that sitting close to a big image, especially an ultracrisp 1080p image from a Blu-ray player, makes for an experience in immersion that blows the exit signs off the local megaplex. At those sizes and seating distances, 1080p really starts to strut its stuff.

The latest crop of high-resolution projectors spans the gamut from somewhat inexpensive to downright wasteful. The models below represent that range nicely, and it's no coincidence that we reserve our highest praise for the more expensive models. Buffs on budgets certainly have a lot of choices themselves, however, and the proliferation of 1080p projectors at every price point means more big pictures for everybody.

More Resources
Editors' top home theater projectors,
Front projection TV explained,
All 1080p home theater projectors,
All home theater projectors

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Product name
Price $6,979.00 $6,299.00 to $6,499.99 $3,639.00 $4,999.00
As shown: $3,499.00
CNET editors' rating
Average user rating 0 stars 0 stars 0 stars 0 stars
Review date December 12, 2007 March 26, 2007 April 10, 2007 February 21, 2008 December 19, 2007
The Bottom Line Although it certainly costs more than most of the 1080p competition, the SXRD-based Sony VPL-VW200 delivers one of the best pictures of any projector we've tested. Sharp's XV-Z20000 is a top performer among 1080p projectors, and delivers a solid feature package and sleek design to boot. BenQ's W10000 delivers excellent performance for a 1080p 1-chip DLP projector, especially considering its relatively low price. While its color fidelity is not nearly as good as other late-model Sony SXRD products, the otherwise good-performing VPL-VW60 home theater projector remains a solid value. The Panasonic PT-AE2000U 1080p projector is a credible performer, especially when you consider its relatively low price.
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Features
Product DescriptionSony VPL VW200 - SXRD projector
SharpVision XV-Z20000 - DLP projector
BenQ W10000 - DLP projector
Sony VPL VW60 - SXRD projector
Panasonic PT AE2000U - LCD projector
Device TypeSXRD projector - High Definition 1080p
DLP projector - High Definition 1080p
DLP projector - High Definition 1080p
SXRD projector - High Definition 1080p
LCD projector - High Definition 1080p
Dimensions (WxDxH)19.5 in x 22.6 in x 6.9 in
18.7 in x 19.5 in x 7 in
19.4 in x 15.5 in x 7.7 in
18.5 in x 15.6 in x 6.9 in
18.1 in x 11.8 in x 5.1 in
Weight44.1 lbs
20.7 lbs
20.1 lbs
24.3 lbs
15.9 lbs
Image Brightness800 ANSI lumens
1000 ANSI lumens
1200 ANSI lumens
1000 ANSI lumens
1500 ANSI lumens
Image Contrast Ratio35000:1
12000:1
10000:1
35000:1
16000:1
Resolution1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Native Aspect RatioWidescreen
Widescreen
Widescreen
Widescreen
Widescreen
Lamp TypeXenon gas fluorescent lamp 400 Watt
SHP 220 Watt
250 Watt
UHP 200 Watt
UHM 165 Watt
Video InputRGB ( SECAM )
Composite video ( PAL )
S-Video ( PAL 60 )
Component video ( NTSC 4.43 )
( NTSC 3.58 )
( PAL-M )
( PAL-N )
RGB ( NTSC )
Composite video ( SECAM )
S-Video ( PAL-M )
Component video ( PAL-N )
( PAL 60 )
( NTSC 4.43 )
RGB ( NTSC )
Composite video ( SECAM )
S-Video ( PAL )
Component video
RGB ( SECAM )
Composite video ( PAL )
S-Video ( PAL 60 )
Component video ( NTSC 4.43 )
( NTSC 3.58 )
( PAL-M )
( PAL-N )
- HDTV
RGB ( NTSC )
Composite video ( SECAM )
S-Video ( PAL )
Component video ( PAL 60 )
( NTSC 4.43 )
( PAL-M )
( PAL-N )
Digital Video StandardHigh-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Info unavailableHigh-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Video Modes1080i
1080p
480p
720p
576p
576i
480i
1080i
1080p
480p
720p
576p
576i
1035i
540p
480i
1080i
1080p
480p
720p
576p
576i
480i
1080i
1080p
480p
720p
576p
576i
1080i
1080p
480p
720p
576p
576i
480i
Video Input DeviceNone
None
None
None
None
Audio InputNone
None
None
None
None
TypeNone
None
speaker(s) - Integrated
None
None
Input DeviceRemote control
Remote control
Remote control
Remote control
Remote control
Voltage RequiredAC 120 V ( 50/60 Hz )
AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Info unavailableAC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Power Consumption Operational650 Watt
310 Watt
320 Watt
300 Watt
240 Watt
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
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