[citation][nom]skora[/nom]Whats the next price bracket up for a projector with higher res?I like the idea of dual projectors better than the alt-image standard, but they didn't ask me.Here's a wild thought, soon, everyone will have their own glasses that not only do the shutter for 3D, but will also be able to be personal monitors. Connect to any computer/phone/TV with your glasses. Displays might even become unnecessary. That will be the next wireless mainstream device. The iShades. Phone, mobile pc and display, earbud is right there. Have pants that have built in keyboard. We'll all just be sitting there with our shades on and never see the person next to us as we get lost in the cloud. And it all starts with 3D glasses.[/citation]
An optoma hd20 with 1080p costs 999 usd. Similarly, a vivitek H1080fd has 1080p resolution at 999 usd. The vivitek has a smoother picture, better quality, and better measured (not manufacturer provided, which are always very inaccuate) brightness than the optoma. These are both dlp, but they cant display 120 hz which is why you need 2. Similarly, lcd projectors must be dualmounted as the technoogy does not exist to have them output 120 hz. I would recommend waiting a year until they release 3d dedicated projectors, with integrated video processors.
A better option right now would be the mitsubish hc3800, great dlp projector, ~1300 usd with mir for a free replacement lamp currently. Much better than the optoma and vivitek. However, depending on teh gain of your screen and the zoom ratio you use, you might not be able to output a quality picture. Since my projector projects at 19'8" it didn't work unless i used a much higher gain screen, which would result in a narrow screen angle. Thus, I ended up taking the 2000 usd panasonic pt ae 4000u lcd projector, hands down the best value currently besides the 2500 usd epson 8500 ub which is also very good. Although i cannot do 3d without 2 because of lcd's current limitations, it outputs an amazing picture and requries less maintenance with less distortion due to the inorganic lcd panels.
That was an aside, but if your looking to go projector right now forget about 3d and take the panasonic pt ae 4000u with a quality stewart greyhawk or black diamond screen. If you're intent on 3d you'll have to wait for picture quality to reach equivalency with current projectors, which will take a few years, so either save up the money for the future or buy a non-3d dedicated projector currently.