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We get asked via email to spend more time talking about front projection setups. While the idea is something we're big fans of, and often drool over, neither of us have a front projector, and to be perfectly honest, neither does the vast majority of our audience. But that doesn't diminish the fact that a 110" screen comes a lot closer to being a true "theater in your home" than even a massive 65" TV does. But 65" is great, don't get us wrong. We drool over those, too.

1080p Projector Options

The fact is a true front projection home theater system is probably more attainable now than it's ever been. Digital projectors are much lower maintenance than their analog precursors. Of course you still want to get and keep them calibrated, but LCD and DLP based technologies don't tend to drift out of calibration like CRT did. Top that off with the amazing specs on these new projectors and you're looking at one truely awesome setup.

We've compiled a list of a few true 1080p home theater projectors for you to think about. Maybe you weren't in the market for a front projection setup, but the suprising affordability of some of these units may change your mind. When putting together a front projection system, the projector itself is only half the equation, you also need a screen. And as with any other for of TV you need accessories like cables, mounts, etc. For today, we're just going to look at the projectors.

Epson Powerlite Home Cinema 1080 3LCD Home Theater Projector
Street price: $2250
  • 5 star user rating at Amazon.com
  • Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080
  • Image Brightness: 1200 ANSI lumens
  • Razor sharp detail True 1080p resolution
  • Brighter, more accurate colors Epson 3LCD (3-chip) technology
  • Incredible blacks, depth and detail C2Fine technology produces the deepest blacks without sacrificing detail
  • Industry leading connectivity HDMI 1.3, with Deep Color Support
  • Superior optics Exclusive OptiCinema lens for superior picture connectivity, corner to corner

Panasonic PT AE3000U 1080p 3LCD projector
Street price: $2499
  • 5 star user rating at Amazon.com
  • Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080
  • Image Brightness: 1600 ANSI lumens
  • Full-HD Optimized Lens Unit - Each lens is carefully aligned to assure a uniform focusing balance from the center to the edges of the screen.
  • Pure Color Filter Pro - This advanced filter system improves color purity, producing the deep, rich tones that distinguish movie images.
  • Pure Contrast Plate Technology
  • Full-HD LCD Panels - Double-speed drive capability improves the projection clarity of moving images.

Mitsubishi HC5500 1080p LCD Home Theater Projector
Street price: $1599 (after $300 rebate)
  • 4 1/2 star user rating at Amazon.com
  • Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080
  • Image Brightness: 1200 ANSI lumens
  • Auto Zoom and focus
  • 14,000:1 contrast ratio
  • The HC5500 LCD projector brings more life to your screen with faster transitions between light and dark scenes and sharper overall details in dark areas.
  • Digital video output gives you seamless performance with the Blu-ray 24P next generation optical disk.
  • A 1.2x powered zoom and focus lens lets you enjoy the big screen even in smaller spaces.

Sanyo PLV-1080HD High Definition 1080p LCD Home Theater Projector
Street price: $1495
  • 4 star user rating at Amazon.com
  • Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080
  • Image Brightness: 1200 ANSI lumens
  • Full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution with TopazReal technology
  • 3D color management system that addresses changes in color phase and color level to obtain a perfect color reproduction.
  • 14-bit digital signal processor and a real-focus HD lens system.
  • 10,000:1 contrast ratio for rich colors and deep blacks
  • Four HD inputs including two HDMI version 1.3b and 2 component
  • Easy DIY installation due to advanced lens shifting.
  • Virtually silent fan design with low fan noise of 21 dB

Optoma HD803 1080p DLP High Definition Home Theater Projector
Street price: $2360
  • Not yet rated at Amazon.com
  • Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080
  • Image Brightness: 1200 ANSI lumens
  • Studio-grade resolution and best all-around high-quality display experience for home theater enthusiasts.
  • Higher brightness and truer, more vibrant colors to the projected picture and features unique color processing technologies.
  • 8,000:1 contrast ratio delivers great color saturation and subtle color details for the best image quality.

Sony VPL-HW10 SXRD 1080P Home Theater Projector
Street price: $3131
  • 5 star user rating at Amazon.com
  • Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080
  • Image Brightness: 1000 ANSI lumens
  • 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
  • All-digital video signal processing via the BRAVIA Engine 2
  • Two HDMI inputs with x.v.Color technology
  • It's also equipped with an ultra-quiet fan and boasts improved lamp life
  • The high-wattage Ultra-High-Pressure lamp reproduces color accurately, beautifully, and naturally bottomless white, spectacular reds etc.
  • Short focal-length lens with 1.6 times zoom so you can fill an entire 80-inch screen at a focal length as short as 8 feet (2.45m).