Video Projectors: Evolving Towards High Definition

Conclusion

For once, the choice is simple, and depends on the depth of your pockets. If you're a potential video-projector buyer, there are basically two possibilities. Either you spend around $1,000, or you go for about double that figure.

In the first case, the BenQ PE 5120 is currently your best choice as far as products based on DLP technology go - we give it our Editor's Choice award. But be careful if your eyes are sensitive to the rainbow-effect phenomenon - if so, you should orient your choice towards an LCD model. This model is very good product for a first Home Theater setup, but won't really be able to display images beyond 6' (1.8 m) diagonal measurement correctly. Nor will it be ready for HD signals, once that video source is well established.

If you fall into the other category, don't hesitate to choose the Sanyo PLV-Z3 , which is not only ready for the future, it also has the best LCD image in its price category. This also gets our Editor's Choice award.

For DLP believers, there are also many models available, but none offer a 1280x720 chip. For that you'll need to shell out in the neighborhood of $4,000. That's why we've already begun another series of tests to complement this one - stay tuned and we'll soon have advice for those of you who can afford a model in that price range.