720p Projectors:

Just a few short years ago 720p projectors were the standard projectors for those wanting a high definition home theater. 1080p projectors are getting most of the attention these days due to their ability to display full 1080p HD images found in Blu-ray. As the attention shifts to 1080p, the result is some great deals on 720p projectors.

Below is a list of 5 popular and very affordable 720p projectors. 3 of the models are LCD and 2 are DLPs. These should be able to found at around $1000 or less which a few years ago were unheard of prices. If you are on a limited budget, any of these 720p projectors will provide you a high value return for your dollar. 

BenQ W500

LCD, 1100 lumens, 5000:1 on/off contrast ratio 

The  BenQ W500 720p projector is a popular low cost 720p projector.  It provides superb image sharpness and is has one of the most affordable replacement lamps which costs less then most other replacement lamps in this class.

The W500 has a limited 1.2:1 zoom and lacks lens shift which means it is not as flexible in terms of placement compared to other 720p projectors.  Although it provides a sharp picture, it does also have a noticeable pixel structure when sitting closer then about 1.6 the screen width.  It is also a tad bit louder then its competition

Mitsubishi HC1600

DLP, 1700 lumens, 2500:1 on/off contrast ratio

The Mitsubishi HC1600 720p projector is a DLP projector and as is common with DLP projectors, it is capable of displaying a bright picture.  Another thing to keep in mind is that despite the lower then average 2500:1 on/off contrast ratio, it has a better then average ANSI contrast ratio which provides for a pleasing image contrast.

While DLP is known for bright images, one of the drawbacks to DLP is the introduction of rainbows.  The Mitsubishi HC1600 color wheel may be detrimental to those who are sensitive to rainbows.

Optoma HD65

DLP, 1600 lumens, 4000:1 on/off contrast ratio

The Optoma HD65 720p projector is a bright projector, which is a good choice for a living room projector.  It is a very portable and an excellent choice for video games and HDTV or for those looking for a projector to take over to a friends house.  It offers excellent color processing at a great price point. 

The HD65's short zoom and no lens shift limits placement flexibility.  With an average contrast ratio and a fan that is a bit louder then most the HD65 may not be your number one choice for a dedicated home theater room, however again it is an excellent portable projector.

Panasonic PT-AX200U

LCD, 2000 lumens, 6000:1 on/off contrast ratio

The Panasonic PT-AX200U 720p projector is an extremely popular 720p projector and with good reason.  This full featured projector provides an excellent, sharp, pixel free image, especially with Blu-ray.  It is also capable of producing a very bright image.  It also has a long zoom and lens shift which provides for excellent placement flexibility.  It also has a built in game mode that is able to adjust brightness to enhance details in video games.  The PT-AX200U is also capable of displaying 1080p/24 signal which is becoming more common with Blu-ray and eliminates the need for 2:3 conversion.  This enables a smooth image without the judder.

The cost of the PT-AX200U may be slightly higher then some of the lower priced competition in the 720p projectors, but its features and excellent picture quality more then make up for the few extra dollars that you may spend as it provides a tremendous value for the dollar.

Sony VPL-AW10

LCD, 1100 lumens, 6000:1 on/off contrast ratio

The Panasonic PT-AX200U 720p projector is a versatile projector capable of a good picture and although not as bright as some of the other projectors it can still produce bright scenes with the Advanced iris function.  The AW10 is a quiet projector that allows you to focus on the image on the screen instead of being distracted by the sound of the projector fans.

The AW10 is a large projector, larger then many of the competitors.  You also need to be aware of your seating location because as is the case with other projectors, if you sit too close to the screen with a large image you can see a noticeable pixel structure.

Conclusion

Each of these projectors provide a lot of bang for the buck.  If you are looking to enter the world of HD home theater projectors and are on a limited budget there are plenty of fine choices in the above 720p projectors.  Whether you are looking to just get started and upgrade to a higher end 1080p projector in a few years or whether you are looking for a home theater projector for years to come you will be thrilled with the jump from "regular" tv to larger then life home theater.

To take a look at some of the most popular 1080 projectors check out our 1080p projectors link.