But surely the AU$25,000-plus asking price on the brand’s new HT3000E must stretch the ‘reassuringly expensive’ concept too far?

Our love affair with the HT3000E begins as soon as we clock its truly gorgeous design — a vision of high-concept curves and high-gloss finish that would look just perfect in some plush playboy pad. Essentially, it’s the projection world’s equivalent of a Ferrari.

The instant attraction to the HT3000E merely grows with a glance at its key specifications. It’s a DLP model with 1,920×1,080-pixel lines of resolution for a start, achieved using a new Texas Instruments chipset that’s only 24mm across and so keeps all the pixels exceptionally close together for a totally smooth, rather than ‘dotty’ image.

Even more striking is a huge claimed contrast ratio of 6,500:1 — a 60 per cent rise over the previous version of this projector. Especially as this contrast can apparently be achieved without reducing the extremely bright output of a 200W lamp.

And there’s more. For the HT3000E employs the full hardware and software implementation of Texas Instruments’ BrilliantColor system, designed to improve color saturations, brightness and tonal accuracy.

There are two different versions with different lenses available for the HT3000E — the short throw option is available for AU$24999 while the long throw lens package is AU$27999.

In action, the HT3000E provides a breathtaking demonstration of how money really can buy you happiness.

What makes its pictures particularly special is the extreme contrast they contain. Never before have we seen such pure, bright whites sitting side by side with such deep, pitch blacks. It’s in this sheer punchiness that the main key to the HT3000E’s cost lies.

But that’s certainly not the end of its powers, for the dramatic contrast also helps the projector produce class-leadingly rich, vibrant colors with universally natural tones.

There’s also no trace of the dotting noise over horizontal motion that plagues lesser DLP models, DLP’s rainbow effect is remarkably well-suppressed given how bright images get, motion looks crisp and sharp and perhaps best of all, the projector’s ‘Full HD’ 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution helps it deliver more sharpness and clarity with HD sources than we’ve ever seen on a DLP projector before. Honestly, it’s that good.

Our only gripe with the HT3000E on an operational level concerns the onscreen menu system, which is ugly and obscure. Just as well, then, that you’ll probably be having the projector installed for you and so won’t need to mess about with it yourself.

Obviously, though, the most serious sticking point about the HT3000E for most people will simply be that wince-inducing price.

In the HT3000E costing $25,000, Sim2 has presented us with the best single-chip DLP projector to date and an irrepressible example of just how good things can be in the rarified world of the AV ‘high end’. So if you’ll excuse us, we’re off down the newsagents to buy a couple of hundred Tattslotto tickets.

Customers can use the MP771 on white or nonwhite walls, thanks to the projector’s built-in Wall Color Correction technology. The MP771 short-throw projector also features BrilliantColor technology and can project a 74-inch image from a 1-meter distance. The projector has a detachable keypad, an Off-And-Go feature, a presentation timer, and Power On/Off ringtones. BenQ plans to make the MP771 available next month.

Epson has spent too long designing printers, because that’s exactly what the TWD10 looks like. Still inside that angular livery beats the heart of an HD Ready home entertainment centre that comes complete with an 80in roll-up screen.

It promises easy installation simply plug in, load DVD and press play. You can match it to your computer, console, digicam or USB stick and it features five different colour modes for different room settings. A short throw lens projects a 60 in image from up to 1.5m away, and Epson has also thrown in four stereo speakers.

This projector is easy to set up, with a rotating base and horizontal/vertical lens shift to give you a perfect picture even when positioned at an angle. It is so adaptable you can position it anywhere.The 80-inch diagonal screen offers you a widescreen impact just about anywhere, instantly.The market price is  £850.

The high contrast ratio of 10,000:1 is the result of Epson’s Dynamic Iris technology, which controls the intensity of light from the lamp and produces deeper blacks with improved grey scaling in dark scenes and enhanced crispness and clarity in bright scenes. With a 1.5 optical zoom and a horizontal and vertical lens shift – the EMP-TW680 offers the most flexible installation in the 720p projector market. A large room is not necessary for big screen viewing as the EMP-TW680 will project a 60″ screen size from just 1.8m away. The projector can also be positioned off-center or on the ceiling and still achieve a perfectly aligned image using Epson’s horizontal and vertical lens shift technology. The lens can be shifted 96% up and down, as well as 47% left and right. The Auto aspect ratio feature ensures that whatever the source, the best size and proportion screen will be automatically chosen for you.

The innovative Epson Cinema Filter provides different viewing options according to the ambiance of the room. It will project a bright image in a lighter room and optimum contrast in a dark room. The EMP-TW680 also offers a choice of seven color modes such as Dynamic mode for light rooms or Theater Black for a darker environment.

The Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080 UB will become available in Dec. 2007, including a spare lamp and ceiling mount along with a three-year limited warranty. Epson has not released pricing information, except to say that the product will cost less than $5,000.

• DLP Display Technology

• 1000 ANSI Lumens

• 1280 x 720 Native Resolution

• 16:9 Native Aspect Ratio 3000:1 Contrast Ratio

• 6.3 lbs

• HDTV Ready

The point is, that besides the cost itself, it takes a lot of tender loving care to be able to effectively handle a projector at home.
That’s why these babies are usually found only in your local pubs and boardrooms, where people are not so uptight about the kind of quality in terms of contrast ratio, black levels, clarity etc. just as long as everyone in the room can make out what’s going on.

The BenQ MP611c DLP projector may be available at a budget price of Rs. 53,000, but it definitely doesn’t look like one. It’s 10.9×3.7×8.7 inch size makes it considerably small in size and the 2.68kg weight is not too heavy to carry either. It’s top portion has the shiny plastic finish like the PS3 and just about every consumer electronic these days.

The top section also has all the controls like power, directional buttons, menu, source etc. along with three light indicators for Power, Temperature and Lamp.

The MP611c supports a native resolution of 800×600 (SVGA) and a maximum resolution of 1280×1024 (SXGA), which means that it’s best for standard definition resolution when it comes to video formats. It has composite and s-video inputs, so you can directly plug-in your DVD player or your digital cable TV connection.

To attain a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1, the projectors employ original and proprietary JVC technology in the 0.7-inch full HD D-ILA devices & optical engine used in both models. 3 D-ILA devices are used, 1 each for red, green & blue.
The projectors also offer HDMI 1.3, improved color rendition by broadening the color space, a motorized Fujinon 2x zoom lens & customized on-screen gamma control.

The DLA-RS2 debuts at the CEDIA expo & will be available through JVC Professional Products Company in November for less than $8,000 (no mentioning of other regions yet).
The DLA-HD100 will be available through JVC Company of America in November for less than $8,000 (again no other regions are mentioned yet).

JVC has expanded its 1080p home theater projector line with the introduction of two new high definition projectors that achieve a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1.

By avoiding artificial means of inflating contrast specifications, such as a dynamic iris, the D-ILA projectors simultaneously deliver true blacks and sparkling luminance detail, providing a notably enriched cinematic experience. The new projectors are the DLA-HD100, to be marketed by JVC’s consumer group, JVC Company of America, and the DLA-RS2, from JVC’s professional group, JVC Professional Products Company.
To attain a native contrast ratio of 30,000:1, the projectors employ original and proprietary JVC technology in the 0.7-inch full HD D-ILA devices and optical engine used in both models. Three D-ILA devices are used, one each for red, green and blue. The projectors also offer HDMI 1.3, improved color rendition by broadening the color space, a motorized Fujinon 2x zoom lens, and customized on-screen gamma control.

The DLA-HD100 and DLA-RS2’s high performance 2x zoom lens made by Fujinon Corporation features a large-diameter, all-glass lens assembly with 16 elements in 13 groups. This lens minimizes chromatic aberration and provides a high-resolution picture by ensuring that individual pixels remain perfectly focused on the screen. For placement flexibility, the projectors feature ±80 percent vertical and ±34 percent horizontal lens shift. The projectors can easily be ceiling-mounted or placed on a tabletop or shelf.

The DLA-RS2 debuts at CEDIA accompanied by an array of certified peripherals as part of JVC Professional Product Company’s Reference Series line. Among these peripherals are the RSVP1, an advanced hub permitting single cable connection to the projector of a variety of HD and SD input sources.

The RSVP1’s embedded signal processing circuitry accommodates custom settings programmed by the installer. The RSAL1 motorized anamorphic lens enables 2.35 aspect ratio projection using all 1920×1080 D-ILA pixels. Constant screen height is provided when displaying 16:9 images.

The first impression of the IN72, one can have is large and bulky. Then again which projector isn’t right? Although the overall design itself is really cool with black and gray colors. The glossy black surface makes it look really sophisticated and and the curves give it the sleek appearance. What makes it more appealing is the fact that it’s light for its size, weighing in at 4.2 kgs.

Like the IN76, the IN72 is also mounted on a ball socket mount. Its not the easiest thing to rotate or that it’s absolutely smooth, but then again if it were it’d simply keep flopping down a lot. To built to accentuate the PS3, they seem to go together like peas and carrots.

It also comes with a full function remote so you don’t have to be physically near the projector to adjust any of the settings. Setting this baby up is a cinch. At the rear you’ll find all the connectivity sockets. Firstly the power socket and underneath you’ll find the DC, 3.5mm 12 volt screen trigger. To the right there’s the HDMI input followed by DVI. Further right are the composite / component (RCA) inputs and lastly beside that is the S-Video in. All the labels are clearly marked for simplicity so no worries while setting up.

The problem with setting up the projector was that we didn’t receive any cables with the test product. It came with just the power and a video cable. Its a hope that this is not the case when you go out and buy one off the shelf.

Detailed,Sharp,Accurate. All of the resolution in the world won’t do any good if the video processing isn’t up to the task. As a matter of fact, super high resolution can hurt the image if the processor isn’t great. With that in mind, we are using the latest processing algorithms from Gennum in their latest release, the GF9351. This is a completely programmable video processor that can do calculations on the order of 500 million floating point operations per second! This processor will take any input and deinterlace it if necessary and scale the output to match the exact characteristics of the panel. This processor if sold by itself would have been well above $30k just a few short years ago.

Simple,Flexible,Reliable.We haven’t forgotten that this projector has to be able to work in many different setups. There are two lens options, four optional anamorphic solutions for 2.35:1 viewing, a mechanical lens shift that allows mounting above the screen, full RS232 control and more. And with a 3 year warranty you can be assured that it’s still a Marantz.

A few minutes watching the picture from the VP-15S1 and you will forget that you are watching a Home Theater Digital Projector.

Fall in love with the movies all over again. The VP-15S1 from Marantz. On display at your local authorized retailer.