HDTV Ratings: The best lower-cost high-def front projectors

Although I've been writing about front-projection video systems for almost a decade, and envying those who had them, only recently have high-def models come down enough in price for me to consider buying one. Also, moving from a one-bedroom apartment in New York City to a larger home in the suburbs allowed me to carve out a separate space dedicated to watching movies and listening to music.

Now that I've been living with my system—a 1080p DLP projector, 106-inch 16:9 screen, and 7.2-channel surround-sound system—for more than a month, I can say it was worth the wait. There's no home-entertainment experience that can compare to a movie presented in all its high-def glory on a very large screen, backed by a powerful surround-sound soundtrack. Even my primary 50-inch plasma TV (a far larger set than I ever imagined I'd have) can't deliver the same kind of visceral impact you can get from a front-projection system.

I can honestly say that I now generally prefer watching high-def movies at home to seeing them on the seemingly ever-shrinking screens in the multiplexes at the mall. (Plus a bottle of water doesn't cost me $4, and I don't have to endure 30 seconds of Abba's "Dancing Queen" while someone rummages through a bag for a cell phone.)

If you've been contemplating building your own truly big-screen home theater, the good news is that our just-posted Ratings of front-projection TVs (available to subscribers) echo my own experience. Front projectors continue to get more affordable, and better, every year.

(Need help deciding? Read our free "Is a projector right for you?" report for important buying guide information. If you'd rather stick with a conventional flat-panel HDTV, we've recently updated our Ratings of LCD TVs and Ratings of plasma TVs, too. Those Ratings are also available to online subscribers only. But read my other post, Ratings: The best LCD and plasma TVs, for a general overview. And see all our blog posts about plasma TVs and LCD TVs, for the latest news.)

Perhaps most noteworthy is that prices for 1080p models, which can present all the detail in the highest-quality HD programs and Blu-ray discs, have fallen significantly during the past 18 months. All the 1080p models we tested cost $5,000 or less, and several were priced between $2,500 and $3,000. In fact, our highest-rated model, an Epson, is priced at $3,000, making it a CR Best Buy. And 720p projectors, which can still be a good choice, especially when paired with smaller screens, are priced even lower. For example, a 720p Mitsubishi model, another Best Buy selection, costs just $800. (More details about the CR-rated "Best Buy" Epson, the CR-rated Best Buy Mitsubishi, and other CR Recommended models of front projection TVs are available to subscribers.)

Picture quality is also on the rise. Four of the 13 tested models received excellent HD picture-quality scores, and eight others were judged very good.

Of course, front projectors aren't for everyone, or for every situation. For example, they're really not the best choice for everyday TV viewing, because they look best in a very dark setting. In my house, the projector is typically used for watching movies, big sporting events, and concerts.

Also, set-up and installation can be more complicated than with standard TVs, because few projectors have either a built-in tuner or speakers. Mounting a projector on a wall or ceiling can also add to the complexity. All-in-one systems can make things a bit easier. Our front-projector Ratings include the first all-in-one HD projector (details available to subscribers) we've seen, a 720p model from Epson that has a built-in upscaling DVD player and speakers.

If you have the room, the budget, and the desire to watch movies with a level of cinematic excitement that used to exist only in theaters, a front-projection system is the way to go. And if a ringing cell phone disrupts the action, it's likely you'll only have yourself to blame.

—James K. Willcox