Have your say & ask the experts

I am in the process of upgrading my kit, and would like your opinion a the Planar PD7060 £750, Panasonic PT-AX200E £750, and the Optoma HD65 £430. I also have a post it the Home cinema part of the forum called Help Arcam AVR280 please take a look at that as well thanks allGary

 

Just thought would bounce this back to the top as I am also looking for a reasonably cheap 720p projector for say £500 or £600 as well- although was also considering the Panasonic PT-AX200E - would be keen to hear if people think the Pan is worth the extra money compared to the Optoma HD65 - I’m not really bothered about the extra HDMI socket as will put it all through a switcher - most important thing to me is picture quality for movies and games.

We need Clare or Andy Kerr to comment really, they always seem to pick up the projector questions. I know Andy highly rates the Panny, but I don't think they've seen the Optoma...

Home Cinema Choice did a group test of projectors in the April issue though, the Panasonic PT-AX200E came first with 5 out of 5 and the Optoma HD65 came fourth with 4 out of 5 (it was obviously a tight test!). 2nd place was the SIM2 D10 and 3rd was the Epson EMP-TW680, which both also got 4 out of 5. Interestingly, the Optoma only got 3 out of 5 for its picture...

Hope this helps!

matengawhat look at my post in Home cinema » Help Arcam AVR280 , Andy Kerr writes about the Planar PD7060

"Blimey…that's a deal. It was £1750 not so long ago! That's a lot closer to call: the Planar's a fine projector, but as you obviously know, not necessarily the ideal coffee-table design. Still, with the fixed installation you're planning, that'd be less of an issue. Which would I buy? I think the Planar's black levels will be better, but the Panasonic's motion-handling will be smoother. I'd try to view the two against each other if at all possible, but if you can't, I'd guess the Planar might edge it. Just." 

Things are getting really tight at this end of the projector market, so i'd stress the importance of an audition - for example, although I think the Panasonic is awesome for the money, not everyone will prefer its LCD design over some rivals' DLP design - both have pros and cons (as Andy says above). 

Sorry that's not a black or white answer, but if you're living (like I do) with a huge picture everyday, any aspects that niggle you can drive you bonkers after a while!