I'm finishing a rather small, square HT room & looking to upgrade from my DV10.

Looking at the Mits HD1000 & Optoma H70. Now considering the Panny AE900 that can be had for a little more - but gives me lens shift which will considerably help my "mounting"options. I'm attaching layout of room (I've posted this layout in other threads getting help w/ the acoustic obstacles) I'll be throwing approx 10'.
I figure if I go w/ Panny, I can put on shelf of cabinet that will be holding my gear.
I can then "play" with picture sizes from 50" to 100" . Seating will be 8.5' - so 68" diagonal will be right for 1.5 seating distance - right? But if I can go bigger w/out SDE, the Panny's zoom gives me the most flexibility. The shelf pj would be on can be anywhere from 4' - 6'. What do you guys think???

Total light control in this room - arrangement will actually be "reversed" from pic.
Seating will be along entrance wall, w/ eqpt behind, throwing to wall marked 11'6".

I've just viewed the I love lens shift thread. Both helped & confused me :confused:
I know the panny would give me more mounting flexibility, I'm looking more for a PQ comparison. No way I can compare models where I am, or even DLP vs LCD.
I have no rainbow issues w/ my DV10 - but a few guest have "noticed" it. Another reason I'm considering the Panny...

Anybody got any input?????

Looks like I should throw the Z4 into the mix also

I think usually the "rule" is at least 1.5 the screen width, and in my experience that is a good place to put your seats. Sitting at 8.5 feet away, you might want a screen about 68" wide, not diagonal.

I have the Panny 900 and love it. However, most everyone agrees that those 2 DLP units have a better picture. If you can ceiling mount one of them to hit that screen, you'll have something really good.

You can't go wrong with any of those three, though.

Thx Trick - I always thought that 1.5 rule was for diagonal - if it's width, that will mean I should be ok with a larger screen than I thought possible, telling me I will get about an 80" diagonal...even better...