first off right now i have a 50 inch pany plasma. I really want something bigger. I want to know at what price point would a screen and projector be that would have the same picture quality? My tv is a 1080 and want to know if i would lose much doing a 720 projector. i have about 12 ft to work with. What size screen would i be looking at. I would really like to keep this as cheap as possible. I just spent money on monitor audio rs6, pioneer elite reciever, monitor audio center, energy cb 20s, and energy sub. So my funds are kinda down now. This is a old pic but it gives a idea of the room. On the bottom left corner you can see the railing which is a staircase right next to it. then the wall right on the left of that. I saw some packages online for around 1500. sorry for the crappy pic
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n39/RoughedgesMR/IMG00029.jpg

whoaa, where do we start. First, do some research. You'll need to find short throw PJ, either go 720p which are at under 1k, 1080P $1500 to $3k (with close viewing distance you may want 1080P). In my opinion DLP throws a nicer picture but most have fixed offsets which mandates picture is x inches below ceiling/ LCD has much more flexibility in mounting, you can put picture where you want it, close to ceiling if needed. So your two biggest issue are under 12 throw and low ceiling (look about 8' in picture). If you want to go big on screen, say over 120", you may have to go LCD, as DLP may put screen below ceiling and too close to the floor.

Screens range from pull downs (keep plasma for daytime viewing and watch PJ at night), to DIY fixed screens (painted screens, framed screens, etc. - visit screen forum) to high end screens that cost thousand of dollars. If you are just the slightest bit handy you can save a lot of $ by building you own screen. Hope this helps a little, go do your research

First, click on the buting guide in my signature. Then go to www.projectorreviews.com and www.projectorcentral.com to read reviews and comparison tests of those projectors. Projectorreviews.com has a great 1080p comparison test.

Here is another post I made on projector basics.
http://thetechhunter.blogspot.com/2007/03/what-to-look-for-when-buying-projector.html

well with the couch so close I'm guessing around 90" inches or so, that's a close couch. But with that smaller screen you will get some nice lumens.

Re your question whether 720p would satisfy you, given that you are currently watching a 1080p TV: nope. Any 1080p projector sold today will compare well with your current TV, but none will have as good contrast when viewing with ambient light, of course. The Epson UB model in a light controlled room probably has better contrast than your TV, but even the cheapest 1080p projectors have good contrast, color, etc. Hardly no 720p projector image will look as good as your current TV, unless maybe you get a high end one, (but that would be pushing your budget hard), and any 720p image will have visibly less resolution at your seating distance. So, the best advise would be to save for a 1080p projector and a decent screen of the size you want.

Re your question whether 720p would satisfy you, given that you are currently watching a 1080p TV: nope. Any 1080p projector sold today will compare well with your current TV, but none will have as good contrast when viewing with ambient light, of course. The Epson UB model in a light controlled room probably has better contrast than your TV, but even the cheapest 1080p projectors have good contrast, color, etc. Hardly no 720p projector image will look as good as your current TV, unless maybe you get a high end one, (but that would be pushing your budget hard), and any 720p image will have visibly less resolution at your seating distance. So, the best advise would be to save for a 1080p projector and a decent screen of the size you want.

Are you positive something like the 720p Sharp DT-510 would not outperform the 1080p Infocus X10? And are you sure the 1080p Infocus X10 would match the contrast of his plasma? I find it hard to believe but if that is so I would be very happy... The plasmas I am looking at are described as having superb blacks whereas the X10 is described as not having very good blacks. I am talking in no light situations.

Are you positive something like the 720p Sharp DT-510 would not outperform the 1080p Infocus X10? And are you sure the 1080p Infocus X10 would match the contrast of his plasma? I find it hard to believe but if that is so I would be very happy... The plasmas I am looking at are described as having superb blacks whereas the X10 is described as not having very good blacks. I am talking in no light situations.

I agree with you that the less expensive 1080p projectors would have less contrast than many plasmas or LCD TVs, but I am saying that all the 1080p projectors "have good contrast." I mean good enough that they would satisfy a viewer even in direct comparison to the TV. I do venture to say the Epson UB model (6500) probably even outperforms the TV in contrast.
I recommended 1080p projectors because the increased resolution would be visible at that viewing distance. I know there is controversy about high end 720p vs. low end 1080p, but I think the high end 720p advantage is greater at greater viewing distances.

In my opinion, unless you are sitting really close there is very little difference between 1080p and 720p. At a normal viewing distance, the difference is quite subtle. I have a Sharp DT-500 at 9'2" and I can say the quality with a good HD source looks very close to digital cinema quality (even better at times with certain dark scenes) from a decent seating distance and dvds look amazing as well. IMO, anything better without breaking the bank is incremently better at high dollar amounts per subtle improvement. Kind of like when you go from a 52" to a 60" tv and pay like $75-$100 per extra inch...you'll be paying hundreds more for very small quality improvement.

For the price and the size I'm sure you'd love the Sharp DT-510. You simply cannot go wrong for about $700 or less (the DT-500 alone used to be nearly $4000 like a couple years ago). I calibrated mine and still can't believe the quality for the price I paid. If you don't mind paying the extra money for 1080p get a good 1080p and not one of the lower end ones that aren't on the same level as the Sharp overall.

Right now, in my opinion, the 1080p premium is ridiculous....the improvement over what I have does not justify the massive price hike. I'd pay maybe a $300 more for the same overall quality plus the resolution increase. That's it. There are several 1080p projectors inferior to what I have overall, except in resolution, yet they cost quite a bit more. Go figure. lol.

Are you positive something like the 720p Sharp DT-510 would not outperform the 1080p Infocus X10? And are you sure the 1080p Infocus X10 would match the contrast of his plasma? I find it hard to believe but if that is so I would be very happy... The plasmas I am looking at are described as having superb blacks whereas the X10 is described as not having very good blacks. I am talking in no light situations.

try looking at a benq w5000 instead. much better black levels. they are amazing projectors for the money (or there is a refurb w9000 on ebay right now for 1799.99!!!)

I'm also doing research on PJ systems. My DW and I went to BB to look at what they have installed. In comparison to the new LED Samsung LCD TV's and the newer plasma and regular LED TV's we were totally underwhelmed by the projectors.

My wife is now convinced the quality of any projection theater is going to be substantially below that of a traditional TV. BB had a high end Sanyo and $3000 screen set up running Superman in blue-ray hi-def. I thought it would blow me away, but it was just OK. I'd like to look at a better example to see if this was an exception. We live in Orange County, SoCal.

I'm also doing research on PJ systems. My DW and I went to BB to look at what they have installed. In comparison to the new LED Samsung LCD TV's and the newer plasma and regular LED TV's we were totally underwhelmed by the projectors.

My wife is now convinced the quality of any projection theater is going to be substantially below that of a traditional TV. BB had a high end Sanyo and $3000 screen set up running Superman in blue-ray hi-def. I thought it would blow me away, but it was just OK. I'd like to look at a better example to see if this was an exception. We live in Orange County, SoCal.

Best Buy is not in the business to sell you a PJ, they need to move the tvs. Consequently, the tvs will look better every time, all day long. You are going to have to find someone who lives near you and go see their setup if you want to see what a home theater PJ can really do. I have had someone come see my setup. He and his wife had one look during the day and were easily convinced. I'm sure they are enjoying their PJ right now.

Don't settle for a little 50" screen when you can do so much better.

Ask some of the AVSers in your neck of the woods for a demo - many here will happily show their setup.

The general consensus is that you really need that 90" + screen that so many here talk about, in order to get properly immersed in a movie/sporting event/rock band gaming party/[fill-in your media experience here]. Heck, for over 6 years I had no problems with a SVGA rez IF X1, and I stuck with that PJ to the bitter and sudden end!

I'm also doing research on PJ systems. My DW and I went to BB to look at what they have installed. In comparison to the new LED Samsung LCD TV's and the newer plasma and regular LED TV's we were totally underwhelmed by the projectors.

My wife is now convinced the quality of any projection theater is going to be substantially below that of a traditional TV. BB had a high end Sanyo and $3000 screen set up running Superman in blue-ray hi-def. I thought it would blow me away, but it was just OK. I'd like to look at a better example to see if this was an exception. We live in Orange County, SoCal.

I live in Ventura, still a ways away, but I'm stunned at how nice mine looks every time I turn it on, your welcome to come see it if you don't mind the drive.

I live in Ventura, still a ways away, but I'm stunned at how nice mine looks every time I turn it on, your welcome to come see it if you don't mind the drive.

Thanks, we might take you up on that. Your system looks great.