Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Toshiba MT-800 Projector..any recommended vendors?

I am having a hard time finding reliable vendors for my MT-800 purchase...any suggestions? I am looking to purchase the projector under $5,000

http://www.beachaudio.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=20111&GCID=C12585x003&GTKW=tdpmt800

I bought one from the above link. The projector arrived within two days.

Gary, not that I actually ENJOY doing this kind of thing, but for that amount of money, have you looked at the BenQ 8700. I'm not into projectors (yet??), but I keep seeing reviews on the BenQ that are stellar. I beleive the prices are about the same.

Also, take a look at ResellersRatings.com. You can search on a product and up pops a listing of prices and resellers with an extensive set of user reviews. I've seen similar info, but not presented in quite this way. Might help you track down the elusive purchase oportunity. OK, I'm done putting doubt in your mind.

Yes, I have been looking at the BenQ 8700+...I was even able to find someone in my area who bought one. I viewed it and thought it was a great projector, but for the extra $1,000 I think it would be worth it to get the increased brightness.

The extra 100 lumens does not equate to much because those are manufacturer specs not real specs. Both the 8700 and the MT800 will work best in dark/semi dark rooms. Chances are you will not be using it in a sun filled room. The 8700 does have a higher contrast ratio...to me that very important. But is it really 140 ansi lumens less bright than the MT-800 once calibrated. The MT-800 has the bigger DLP chip with 7 color segments but has a brightness uniformity issue which drops to 40% on some corners. It does have a great Faroudja Chip for De-interlacing/scaling. Your best bet is to jump into avsforum and ask the experts...which of course you already have done.
The price difference on the MT-800 does not justify its features. I would go with the 8700 save your cash and get a new one in 3-4 years(if even that long)...which based on your level of gear will mostlikely be doing. Did you look into the higher end Optoma H77? The Optoma does really well with colors/contrast for some reason.
Stay away from Draper..I personally think they have no extra outstanding features. The screen is equally important as you know. Go with a Dalite or Silverstar as some have mentioned. If you want bright in ambient light go with any Dalite with the Hi Power fabric.
I am totally amazed with the contrast ratio and color on my Optoma H30 via HTPC. The 8700 and MT-800 is even a tad better supposedly since I have not demoed any of the two.



happy huntin.