7. A Real Improvement?

Yes, on two levels. First of all the visual: The already excellent picture of the HC 2000 has been noticeably improved, with a higher contrast ratio and slightly better brightness. The blacks were very deep, the colors rich and warm and the sharpness appeared slightly better. When we screened the same movie excerpts, the difference was perceptible, and optimization of the adjustments left us with no doubt about that conclusion. We didn't notice any rainbow effect on either of the two projectors, and we're particularly sensitive to the phenomenon. That's an excellent development, because it means that if you're one of those people for whom it's a problem, you can finally envision buying a DLP projector without worrying about getting a headache.

You might think that because of its hefty price tag, the H79's price might be on the high side. However, it is in fact about $1,500 less expensive than Mitsubishi's system. Since both units come with three-year guarantees, we'd tend to recommend the H79, which is a little better. And with the price difference, you'll be able to afford a DVD player like the Denon 3910 or 2910 that will guarantee you optimum picture quality.