I am setting up this 180 inch Stewart Cinemas AB Electriscreen using the Ultramatte 130 material - this one to be exact: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250303116499

It has a 1.33:1 aspect ratio - so close to 4:3, I have about a 20-25 foot available throw range, 35-60 foot viewing range. I only need component inputs, HDMI is a plus, but it probably wont get plugged in. I am thinking of mounting the projector on a 4~5 foot pedestal on the floor.

So I am looking at some high lumen (3k-5k) projectors in the $2k-3k area, i figure since its not 16:9, they should be much more available at lower cost.

For instance one unit I am looking at is:
ASK Proxima C350 - DLP, 3500 lumen, 2000:1 contrast, 2000 hour lamp life ~$2k msrp.

Anyone comment on that unit, or any better in a similar price area?

You are going to see massive amounts of screen door effect with an xga projector at that size.

I suggest a Optoma EP910 which is $1000 more but has much higher resolution

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Optoma-EP910.htm

if you want to stick to XGA the I suggest this Sanyo which has 1000 more lumens

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sanyo-PLC-XU115.htm

no - im not stuck with xga, i was thinking about that, that Optoma definitely looks better.

Look at the Benq SP820 also, it's an xga with 4,000 lumens - you will need that for a 180" screen.

Some real world experience: I am using a SVGA NEC MT810 with half its lamp life (now less than the max of 550 ansi) lighting up a 165" 16:9 screen (or 180" in 4:3 mode) with no problem whatsoever for my backyard theater. If you sit close enough, like less than 10ft away, yes you will see screendoor. But since you've stated a 30-35ft viewing distance, which is about 5-10ft from where we sit to watch movies with ease and no obvious concerns about SDE, I think you will do just fine with XGA from that range. Your only concern is how much brightness will you need due to the ambient light in your viewing area.

Victor