1080p vs. 720p - Which is Better?

As of right now, 1080p is all the rage for any type of home theater entertainment system. Whether its a 1080p projector or a 1080p Plasma TV, they are selling like hotcakes due to their ability to provide the best video processing method on the market as well as some of the best pictures. Despite all the hype and enthusiasm surrounding the 1080p format, many users are finding that 720p is still the way to go.

Probably the biggest factor in deciding between 1080p or 720p is of course price. Quality 720p projectors have been falling in price and can now be found for under $1,500 and as low as $1,000. Standard 1080p projectors generally go for about $2,000 and prices can go as high as $4,000. In todays economy, many buyers are sensitive to price and some buyers don't see a $600-$800 difference between 1080p and 720p.

In addition, unless you have upgraded to Blu-ray you will not be seeing the full effects of a 1080p projector. If your viewing material is primarily DVDs with HD sports broadcasting, a 1080p projector will give almost no visual advantage in image quality and will be nearly identical to a 720p projector. The additional resolution won't add to the image quality of an HD sports braodcast since the actual resolution of the signals is limited to 720 lines per frame.

The story is a bit different when dealing with prime time television programming such as seen on NBC or CBS which primarily broadcast in 1080i. While a 1080p projector has the potential to create a sharper and clearer image when compared to a 720p projector, the difference won't be very big. The reality is that a 1080p projector will only give a slight advantage when viewing standard definition DVD's, TV, and HD broadcasting. For price conscious consumers not necessarily looking into Blu-ray, 720p is the way to go.

Panasonic PT AE3000 Reviewed

The Panasonic PT AE3000 is one of the best 1080P Projectors to date and it has a price tag to mach it. With the stunningly low cost of $3,499, Panasonic has set a whole new bar on pricing a top quality 1080P Projector. Where today’s market consists of $10,000 1080P projectors Panasonic is able to contend and if not beat them with a price tag of only $3500. So to start this review here is a quick list of the specs of the new Panasonic PT-AE3000:

Cost: $3499
Lumens Output: 1600 Lumens
Contrast Ratio: 60,000: 1
ANSI Contrast Ratio: 446: 1 (Sounds low, but is in fact the highest contrast ratio to date on a LCD Projector)
Video Compatibility: 1080P
Native Screen Ratio: 16:9
Connection Panel: Three HDMI 1.3 ports, one 15-pin VGA input, two sets of 3-RCA YPbPr component video, one composite video, one S-video, one 9-pin D-sub serial (RS-232c).

Well now that we know a little bit more about the specs on the projector lets talk a little about the numerous features that come with it. One new great feature is it comes with a new lens memory that can easily convert 16:9 widescreen format to the 2.35:1 format. It also comes with a new feature called side-by-side comparison. This feature is really amazing because it lets you tweak an image so that it looks better and when you are done you can compare it to the original image to see if you like the changes you have made. Also a feature that Panasonic is famous for is their smooth screen filter. Projectors are notorious for having pixilation problems, but smooth screen filter removes all signs of pixilation. These are just a few of the best features that come with the new Panasonic PT AE3000.

The Panasonic AE3000 is a must buy for anyone who wants the best projector. Everything is great on this new projector. I cannot find one true flaw about this projector. Everything is great about the AE3000 from the price, to the specs, to the features, and it even looks great. What more can you ask for in a home theater projector.

Mitsubishi announces FL6900U Projector

Mitsubishi Digital Electonics will release the high-brightness 1080p resolution FL6900U projector this month. It will be priced at $9,995, and is the ultimate in commercial projectors. Featuring a built-in anti-theft alarm, this projector is designed for public settings with high ambient lighting.

The FL6900U can project a 1080p high-definition picture up to 250-inches measured diagonally. It boasts a brightness of 4000 lumens, and is perfect for applications ranging from classrooms and conference rooms to restaurants and sports bars. The alarm is an excellent addition since projectors in many of these locations are prone to theft. It is quiet enough to run in a whisper-quiet library without disturbance, estimated at approximately 29 decibels. Installation is quick and easy, with automated focusing and correction. The projector comes with a three-year warranty on parts and labor. Mitsubishi guarantees the utmost in quality and versatility with its most recent introduction, the FL6900U.

LG Releases HS102 Projector that runs on Rechargeable Battery and comes with Divx Player

It is about time that we see a projector run on rechargeable batteries that are similar to that of a laptop’s battery! The LG HS102 comes with a two hour rechargeable battery. The only problem: it is only available in Korea right now. The projector comes with a Divx player built straight into the projector that plays files straight from a USB device. Some quick specs for the projector include a native resolution of 800 x 600, it supports both 4:3/19:9 screen ratios, contrast ratio of 2,000:1, and 150 lumen output. The specs are not too great, but the price is only $550. LG has not announced when the HS102 Projector will be coming over to the states yet.