OK, been searching and searching and the more I look the less clear my decisions has become..

I have a room which is 16 ft 9 inches, front wall to back, and just over 14 ft wide. Windows on one side though they face north and do not get much light and the room will be used mostly (85%+) at night.

Will be used to watch DirecTV HDTV and DVD's mostly.

Budget is around $3,000 for the projector plus cost of the screen.

Would prefer 1080p and as bright a picture as possible. Kinda used to the 42" LCD flat panels we have in other rooms and the old Mitsu 55" rear projection HDTV the projector will replace. Will be adding soon a HD DVD player as well.

The projector will be mounted on the back wall, i.e. approx 16ft 9in from the screen. Am thinking around 106 inches diagonal screen. Or is this too big for this size room, image brightness, etc.?

Can anyone give me a couple choices to consider for projectors and what gain screen?

Have been considering the following:

-SONY VPL-VW50
-EPSON EMP-TW1000
and
-Mitsubishi HC5000U

Any help is appreciated!

I have the Pearl(Sony) on a 133" screen w/ a 18'6" throw and the picture is amazing-I could not be happier. Ron :cool:

The only 1080p projector in your price range is the Epson Cinema 1080 and the Panasonic ae1000.

Check out the 1080p comparison test at www.projectorreviews.com

My room is almost the same as yours (17.2 ft L, 13.5 W), and we sit with our eyes ~ 13 ft from the screen. I have a 126" diag Dalite HiPower screen and enjoy this size (and brightness) very much. As many people have suggested, get the pj first and project it on the wall (or sheet, etc.) for a few weeks to decide on the screen size you want. (My preference changed several times during this period for me--sometimes larger, sometimes smaller--before I settled on my choice.) Have fun!!

I have the Pearl(Sony) on a 133" screen w/ a 18'6" throw and the picture is amazing-I could not be happier. Ron :cool:


dude if is not to much to ask what kind of screen r u using cus i wat to get that projector?

I dont think you can get the either the Pearl or the Mitsu with a screen for 3K. The Pansonic will will fit in your buget

(dude if is not to much to ask what kind of screen r u using cus i wat to get that projector?)

I am using a 133" Dalite HiPower screen

Found the Sony VPL-VW50, 1080P, 92" screen, two 12 foot HDMI cables and wall mount with 3 year warranty and bulb replacement plan for just a hair over $4300 shipped.. Should be here by next Tuesday! WOO HOO!

Now all I have to do is study a bit on how to mount the screen, projector and tweak it up! Only other decision to make now is whether to splurge and get a BluRay HD DVD player or not... Any hints on this item and places with best prices?

Thanks again!