[Ulala]

Okay, so some friends and I are getting a place next year and I'd like to invest in a projector for DVDs, TV, HDTV, X-Box360, Nintendo Rev., older consoles, my computer, etc. My budget is about $1500, and I've found 3 projectors that caught my eye around that price range, but there are subtle differences in features, some that worry me more than others. I'm hoping maybe someone here knows a thing or two about projectors and can help me decide? I'm just to unsure to make a $1500 decision at the moment, so here I am asking.

Something to keep in mind, I don't really plan on buying another projector after this one, nor do I want to have to deal with the hassle of returning one I didn't like (I plan to buy online). Anywho, the three I'm looking at can be found at these links:

Sanyo PLV-Z4 Widescreen (1280 x 720) LCD Home Theater Projector, 1000 ANSI Lumens, 11 lb
http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?pid=2179194662995312200&oid=17790143477288630004&btnG=Search+Froogle&q=Sanyo+PLV-Z4+Projector&lmode=online&scoring=p

Optoma Technology HD72 WXGA (1280 x 768) DLP Multimedia Projector 1300 ANSI Lumens 7 lb (3.2 kg)
http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?pid=4908917061211705605&oid=12910483061467000929&btnG=Search+Froogle&q=Optoma+HD72+Projector&lmode=online&scoring=p

Panasonic PT-AE900U Projector
http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?pid=4849131606064927037&oid=13033572537442629199&btnG=Search+Froogle&q=Panasonic+PT-AE900U+Projector&lmode=online&scoring=p

Also a comparison page on some site I found (minus the fourth projector seen on the page):
http://www.projectorcentral.com/parts_compare.cfm?pid_1=3017&pid_2=3025&pid_3=3167&pid_4=3157&x=32&y=14&exp=1

The Optoma originally grabbed my eye with DVI and 1600x1200 max resolution, but then I noticed it's throw distance/image size were substantially smaller than the others. Also, the Panasonic looks to have 1920x1080 max res.

Not sure which to choose. Help?! 

[Black Wolf]

I can't tell you much about projectors, but unless you're absolutely certain that you have a large expaqnse of pure white wall to project onto, make sure you factor in a pull down screen when you're budgetting. My uncles projector was 100% useless without one because of the way his walls are.

[kasperl]

Also, you'd need to do some tryouts, or get some experienced person to tell you how much light you need to produce to be able to use it with the curtains open. My school has a whole bunch of these things, and some you can't use at anything more then 6ft from the screen, with the sunblinds down, but the newer models can be used to project palm trees on a black background, stagewide (7m*3m) from about 15-20m distance, and you could still see outlines with the lights on. That thing burned through a CD-case someone put in front of the lens, though.

[Ulala]

Yeah, unfortunately I'm not sure of the lighting situation yet, so I'll probably just have to exercise restraint/patience.  After talking to a friend of mine about it, I'm now leaning towards the Panasonic. I found a 92" (diagonal) screen for only $150 too. Thanks for the input guys. 

[Sandwich]

Check out how much replacement bulbs cost. Go with the projector that has the cheapest bulbs and yet is still decent. Generally speaking I think they cost upwards of a hundred bucks a piece.

[Nuke]

yea those bulbs are expensive, and if you use it all the time youl probibly have to change them every 6 to 8 months.