UltimateAVmag.com: Buyer's Guide: Video Projectors: Ultimate Choice

	UAV's Current Top Picks. These components offer the Ultimate in pure performance in each product category.


	JVC DLA-HD1 $6,299 1920x1080 three-chip D-ILA Gennum VXP video processing New D-ILA chips and light engine for increased black level performance Two HDMI (1.2) inputs, one component input Accepts 24p signals and outputs at 96Hz Unique convergence adjustment Vertical and horizontal lens shift The Skinny: This incredible new D-ILA projector from JVC is sharper than rest of the 1080p three-chippers in its price category, and offers state-of-the-art blacks and contrast without using a dynamic iris! While the very best single-chip 1080p DLPs are a hair sharper, and have a little more "pop," this projector isn't off by much at a price that's a fraction of what the DLPs will set you back. The colors are inaccurate, but the video processing is superb and the overall experience is a major double-wow. This projector would make the Ultimate list on its performance alone, but deserves major kudos for delviering all that performance at such a competitive price. What's more- our collective money is where our mouth is- both TJN and FM bought this projector to use as a reference. Nuff said.
	Marantz VP-11S1 $19,999 ($23,999 w/long throw lens option) Single-chip DarkChip3 DLP 1920x1080 Gennum VXP video processing by Dual HDMI and component inputs Vertical lens shift, iris and lamp adjustments Precision optics by Konica-Minolta The Skinny: Marantz's VP-11S1 is the first 1080p DLP projector we've seen, and we're confident as more models hit the streets this year it will stand tall among the very best. The 11S1 is the same kind of full-featured, and highly polished effort we've come to expect from Marantz's projectors. And of course, the performance is in another league. The blacks and contrast are among the very best we've seen or measured from digital, and the resolution is just mind boggling, to die for kind of stuff. Although its outstanding Gennum-based video processing derives consistently excellent performance across all formats and sources, it's with the best HD that this 1080p projector enters the pure Wow zone. And since Blu-ray and HD DVD are here full 1080p resolution is more important than ever. The Marantz delivers on that promise, and then some with this outstanding, reference quality projector.
	Sharp XV-Z20000 $11,999 1920x1080 single-chip DLP Dual HDMI inputs Flexible setup and extensive calibration Vertical lens shift Doesn't accept 1080p/24 signals The Skinny: Sharp has been at this for years, and its expertise pays off with the Z20000, Sharp's inaugural run in the 1080p front projection game. And it do what Sharp's DLPs typically do: offers performance that gives the big boys a serious run for their money for less money. There are 1080p DLPs that are a hair sharper, but you have to pay significantly to garner that last increment of performance, and the only noticeable feature missing is the ability accept 1080/24 (and display at a direct multiple of 24). The Sharp offers an incredible amount of flexibility in setup and calibration, and all around solid perfomrance to be sure. Sharp's DLPs continue to command attention and deserve to be placed in this lofty company.