Hi everyone,
I'm looking to get a projector as I've just brought a new home and I've got a spare room I wanna turn into my cinema/games room. I've got a budget of around £1,000 ($2,000); I'd be using it for games (xbox360/ps3), dvd's or occasionally for playing things off my pc.
My rooms a bit small though, from wall to wall it's about 8"4 (2m53). I was reading about the Sony VPL-AW15 and that seems ok, or is there a better choice I can get with my budget?
Thanks for any advice! :)

I guess the main problem is that most of us are not familiar with prices in the UK. The Sony is a decent projector.

Here is one review
http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony_vpl-aw15.htm

How large an image do you want? Other projectors to look at are the Optoma HD70/72, the Mitsubishi HD1000/HC1500/HC1100, panaonic ax100, and sanyo z5.

Read the reviews from www.projectorreviews.com and www.projectorcentral.com

Forget all Sony basher's reviews.
TJN is the one I believe and he did a full review with test bench result rather than blah blah blah. Here is the link. It is a fantastic pj for the money. And I don't own this one but a previous model.
http://hometheatermag.com/frontprojectors/607sonyaw15/

If your room is truly 8 feet 4 inches from wall to wall, the best you will be able to do is about a 76 inch screen with a projector. You may wish to consider a 50 or 60 inch flat screen instead. Maybe even a 65 or 70 inch rear projection unit.

yeah, definitely check out what size image you'll be able to throw with any projector you are considering. remember that the throw distance will be even shorter than 8'4" when you take the depth of the projector/clearance for cables, and even the thickness of the screen into play. so run the numbers for a throw distance of 7' and make sure you will end up with a large enough picture to satisfy you. most of the time i recommend FP over any other display, but if you will be forced to throw a 70" or smaller image, a large RPTV (DLP/SXRD) might make more sense.

If your room is truly 8 feet 4 inches from wall to wall, the best you will be able to do is about a 76 inch screen with a projector. You may wish to consider a 50 or 60 inch flat screen instead. Maybe even a 65 or 70 inch rear projection unit.

Its a lot easier to move a projector around than a 50 or 60 inch LCD so just incase he wants to entertain some people he can easily move his projector out to the living room or even take it him with during a dork fest(Lan party)..;)

Thanks for the advice guys; as jay² said, the main reason I want to get a projector is that it's much easier to lug around, that way if I move house again or can finally convince my partner that a projector is a good idea I can move it into a bigger room :)

I can't seem to find the Optoma HD72 in the UK, but I've found a place that sells the HD73 within my budget and that looks pretty good.

Also, is it better to project onto a screen or is projecting straight on to the wall fine too?

There are a number of formulas that can be painted right on the wall. See the DIY Screen forum for details.

And, when possible, get you into a bigger room! You really need 11 or 12 feet of projection distance.