I just came back from the CES show, and was most impressed by a great many of the projectors I saw, and mostly the HD2 offerings!. The Black/contrast level of these units(don't care what any of the diehard videophile CRT proponents say) was FAR MORE THAN ADEQUATE!(at least surpassing the black level you get from a film image at the movie theaters for surej!!...SO GOOD ENOUGH IN MY BOOK!!!) I really don't see how you could lose with either something like the Marantz, the Dwin, Runco's, or the Sim300!! All these projectors are abour $10-12k retail. I must admit that I was most imperssed by the virtual transparant window the Sim produced with HD!!! If I was buying an HD2 chip projector right now, it would be between the 4 I just mentioned at that price range. But, again, from what I saw of the 6 segment color wheel, HD2 chipped Sim300, I don't see how you could improve on that!!! INfact, the reds were as good as I've seen on a DLP projector from that unit, as well as superb black level/contrast!!! It is, from what I saw, the best looking immage at the show!!! I doubt any who saw the Seleco/sim Set up would disagree with this statement! Keep in mind, that was the first time I ever saw that DLP projector specifiically. But I was "floored" none the less...very impressive!(probably more accurate than the alerady superb Marantz, Runco 1000x, Dwin, or others. I didn't see any CRT's, but then there really wasn't any around to see. But then, those immages are usually darker in all but black rooms! For me, the DLP's out there are more than adequate.
Check out the Unit's I mentioned. But then again, you'll never know till you see one or try one, ey?! But, I would bet money on that you'd be pleased (probably for a long long time) with that Sim300 hd2 projector I saw!....WWHHHHHEW!..NICE!