Hitachi PJTX300 or Panasonic PTAX100

[captaindobie]

[FONT=Times New Roman]Hi,

In the next couple of weeks i am looking to upgrade my projector.
I currently own an Epson TW10H which has served me well.
However, i am now starting to see it's limitations and want something with a little more WOW factor.
My budget is around the £800-£900 mark, and having deliberated for quite a few weeks now, i have decided to go for either the Hitachi PJTX300 or the Panasonic PTAX100.
Both these projectors seem to have received very favourable reviews.
The projector will be based in my living room, which i can darken quite easily. (although not blacker than black)
I am aware of the brightness capabilities of the Panasonic but i just can't get used to the design.
I think the Hitachi looks fantastic although i would not sacrifice picture quality just to have something look nice on my AV rack.
Which would you choose and why?
Or, have i missed another projector out there in the same price bracket that would knock spots off both of these models? (LCD or DLP)
Thanks for your input


[/FONT]

[phillfyspoon]

the ax100 is a great allrounder and has a couple of advantages over the hitachi such as zero screendoor,good out of the box colour and more brightness. The reviews have been not just good but raving.

[StreetDragster]

Originally Posted by phillfyspoon

the ax100 is a great allrounder and has a couple of advantages over the hitachi such as zero screendoor,good out of the box colour and more brightness. The reviews have been not just good but raving.

No noticable screen door effect on my Hitachi, seems to be the case with the other owners too (Check the PJTX300 Owners Thread)
I'd recommend it to others, although i have no expierance of it compared to the Panasonic

Thanks

Matt

EDIT- Sorry not the owners club thread, this thread- Small room worries

[captaindobie]

As an update, i am looking to make my purchase next week.
Would anyone else like to offer their input before i do?
I think i'm 60-40 in favour of the Panasonic at this moment in time (based on reviews only), although i still love the look of the Hitachi

Thanks in advance...

[Donnacha]

As an Hitachi owner, I have only good things to say about it. No screendoor for me either. Its quiet, great picture, loadsa flexibility with settings and cheap replacement bulbs.

Can't compare to the Panny, which I'm sure is also brill. I did have a Panny AE100 that died on me, but It was old (ish!)

[wizard of oz1]

I have demoed TX200 months ago along with Infocus IN72. When the iris was closed black level was improved but it made the picture quite dark or dim. On the other hand I have seen Panasonic PTAX100 running with s-video cable connected. It was very bright and 3D in comparison to TX200. I do not know what improvment has been made on TX300. But according to Homecinemachoice Magazine " Sometimes the sacrifice in brightness required to achieve the deepest black level levels makes very dark scenes look a touch flat compared to its rivals......
Infocus IN76 can delivery marginally more cinematic pictures than TX300...."

[Me]

I looked at and demo'd three projectors, PJTX300, PTAX100 and Sanyo Z5.
I decided on and picked up the Sanyo Z5 on Wednesday and it is simply stunning and in my opinion the best of the three, certainly from my point of view.
Negative comments made about the Sanyo Z5, not the brightest image and visible screen door are simply not issues. There is no visible screen door effect when you are viewing from a suitable distance, even to close to the screen and the picture still looks fine. As for it needing a completely dark room,most projectors look better in light contrlled rooms and the Z5 is no different, but still more than capable and certainly bright enough. The reason I did not go for the AX100 was the Z5 picture was sharper and better detail in the darker areas of the picture. The more I looked at the two back to back the more the AX100 looked out of focus, blured, compared to the razor sharp image the Z5 was showing. The PJTX300 was a very close second to the Z5 however I found that lower quality inputs did not look as good as they did on the Z5, I am still using equipment with s-video. With an upscaled image through a phillips dvd player the Z5 and PJTX300 were almost identical, the Hitachi being a slightly brighter image.
I went for the Sanyo in the end as well due to the fact that I have used Sanyo projects at work for many years without them ever failing and had faithful service out of a PLV-30 for over six years at home.
There really is no alternative to getting a demo before you buy.

[wizard of oz1]

Hi Me

First of all, where have you demoed all three projectors because I would like to have a demo as well. How can you rate them in terms of shadow detail and 'cinematic' or 'film like' picture?

[Me]

wizard of oz1, Hi, I was in a very fortunate position of having to purchase a couple of projectors for work and as part of that search I got the chance to demo a number of projectors. We get our theatre equipment supplied through stage and theatre suppliers and they were also able to setup the projects I selected that we wanted to demo. Best bet is to ring around the retailers near you and see what they have in stock and are able to demo.
As for picture quailty all three projectors were very similar and at the end of the day only a subjective opinion will select the one you want. You could spend hours trying to debate the finer points of each and still not be able to decide.

[Fangorn]

Hi Me, you anywhere near Salisbury? Love to pop round and view your projector, I am seriously considering the Z5 or Panny.........

[captaindobie]

Well, i have decided to take the plunge and go for the Panasonic.
An almost 85% share of the vote is pretty convincing, and i must admit to being very impressed with all the reviews i have seen. I also think the additional brightness will be an advantage with the room/setup that i have.

Anyway, my thanks to everyone who voted and also for the comments.
It is much appreciated.

[campbellmacd]

Thanks also as i am going for one also based on your vote results...Almost bought the Hitachi today, but after looking here and the added visibility in a lighter room changes things

Campbell