Yet another recommendations thread

I've done some read-up on this, and I think I'm just about ready to start planning out a purchase for a projector. Is now the best time? What's the best place to buy? Do deals come frequent?

Anyhow:

I'm using a 42" calibrated Toshiba Regza LCD at the moment, and I absolutely love it even though I'll have no need for it and have to sell it after this :*(. But it's come time to really increase the theatrical fidelity, and I'm ready.

Here are my requirements:

I may be moving a time or two during it's lifetime. I'll need something that's adjustable and dynamic, so I've settled on an LCD projector.

Do LCD projectors produce the "bright darks" like almost all LCD screens do (the matted part of the image) or are they typically better?

I want to throw out 120" (if I do happen to have 12-14 feet or so of distance). If I so happen to move into a room that's only 10 feet, then it will be obviously less. 120" is my goal, though. If it has to be 80" due to future room constraints, than so be it (for the time being).

I want 1080p.

This will be placed in a converted bedroom and not a living room. That means, I can control the lighting much better, and it will be away from the common noises of living rooms that seem to always be next to kitchens. If there's going to be a window in the bedroom, it's going to receive black drapes.

Until I get fully settled into a house (my work is temporary at the moment, but will probably change into a salary soon), then I'm going to avoid painting the wall a matt dark color. The painting will probably be white at first (this is an on-going ordeal), and I'll see what I can do with this after-the-fact giving my conditions. Same goes for soundproofing material.

I'm thinking about building my own screen, but if there's something that would work great for the cost and much less effort, I'd like to get recommendations on this as well.

I'm not a person that thinks you have to pay out of your ass to get good performance and a quality image. All you need is an informed decision on a great product.

Budget is $1200. $1400 with screen. Maybe more if need be.

I already have a receiver with nice Polk speakers and a custom 18 x 18 x 18 Sub that would scream in a converted bedroom.

This won't be used for TV (I never watch that anymore). It's going to be used mainly for movies, and the occasional gaming.

I'm only a projector away...

Is there a deal still going on like that at visualapex?

They have the 8350 for $1199, which seems to be a rock solid price. Mount and screen would be nice, but if I had to buy separately, and good economical-minded, but quality performers?

I think I've settled on this projector -- It looks great.

Any good recommendations to team up with it via the package deal? I think it would be wise to go for a 16 x 9 screen of some sort, and it doesn't have to be automatic (pull down would work).

Screens are one thing that I know very little about....would a $200-250 budget for a screen get something nice?

I've done more research, and I think I'm ready to go.

I'm likely going to get the Apex Package deal on the Epson 8350:

HDMI v1.4 - 35ft
Dust Cover
Universal Projector Mount
IR Repeater
Universal Remote
Digital Video Essentials-NTSC
Available in 92, 100, 106, 120 and 135in professional fixed frame screens

with the 100" screen. I had previously said "120"," but then I actually measured it out on the wall, and 100" is pretty big. I'd imagine I would be sitting about 10" feet away from my movies with a screen this size, does that sound about right? (I'm one of those people who will not sit behind the middle row in most common theaters). It shows that the 8350 will strike up a 100" screen in about 10 feet."

I'd imagine the "optimal" throwback would be 11ft for a 100" screen? I'm thinking going with a screen this size will be safer, just in case I move, and it's still big.

There's also an option to go with 107," for a few dollars more. That would probably increase the throw another 6' or so (my mental guessing)...so maybe It's better to do that.

Any higher the size is possibly more of a gamble though because I may be shifting around a couple times.

The apex screens should have black material now. Can anyone confirm?

How expensive, and how often do you guys run through bulbs (i'd like to get a real-world answer on this...IN GENERAL). Is this user replaceable?

EDIT:

Looks like I'm off on my calculations. Can someone correct:

according to: http://www.visualapex.com/projector-...creen-size.asp

for the 8350, I'm going to need 14'4" of throw range for a 107" screen, and the doesn't include the additional 20" needed of additional space for the projector on the ceiling near the back wall. This would mean I'd need a 16' deep room to fill this up in an optimal position. If this is true, then I probably should hold off on buying this until I know that I'll have a room that's 16' deep, because MANY aren't. I guess since I'll be looking into a 1400ish SQFT house soon, it that means probably not a problem because there seems to be always room to put one of these.

Accurate?

Do these package deals from Visual Apex run all the time?

Gotcha, which would mean with some additional room for clearance, I'll need room that at-least 13'5" foot long, which is definitely more "safe" to bet on, for sure.

Here's where I'm confused: the further the projector moves forward, the less tolerant of it is to ambient light (and therefor, will require to be run brighter, therefor reducing bulb life?)

Hmms. Seems like the 107" is looking like what I may aim at.

I could also use a larger screen than I need if I had to, right?

Still waiting on some further answers. We are trotting along well...

Gotcha. I may pull the trigger on a 106" 8350 setup next week, and just keep the screen boxed until I get into a firm location.

I saw the 8350 at Best Buy, and that sucker was large (what's what she said).

Basically, I'm down to these last questions:

The apex screens should have black material now. Can anyone confirm?

How expensive, and how often do you guys run through bulbs (i'd like to get a real-world answer on this...IN GENERAL). Is this user replaceable?

Anything wrong about using a screen that is bigger than what you are projecting on to?

Then I'll be set!

Thanks for the responses so far.

If you go here: http://www.visualapex.com/Projector-...=HT&Category=2

and watch the video to about 3:41, it will say "Visual Apex Screens are Now Upgraded to Black Backing to Prevent Further Light Loss." Is this talking about something different?

I probably would like a pull down, actually. It would be very easy to move and mount as well. However, I don't think this is included in the package deal. Then I ask the question, how important is the package deal? The projector is $1179 right now, which is pretty damned cheap, and maybe I should just pick that up now, and worry about a screen later...

I suppose I really don't care much about the universal remote...my Onkyo remote should be programable with the projector, right? I should state that I really don't care AT ALL for those universal remotes one damn bit, but to each their own. I like my remotes simple I'll only be controlling the projector and my receiver, so it's probably better to just use my Onkyo remote.

The IR Repeater isn't a necessity, and probably won't do anything for me.

The HDMI cable I can just order from Monoprice when I know exactly how long it should be.

The projector mount is a nice thing, though. I'm sure Monoprice has a comparable mount for a similar price? Plus, mounting is something that I need to do when I'm ready to mount, which won't be for another few months. Point being I don't need a mount now, but can I get the same quality mount at Monoprice for the same pricepoint?

How much are we looking at for a nice 106" pulldown screen that would be great for this unit? $300-400ish?

Maybe it's better to just get the projector and wait on the rest. I'm temporarily living with a colleague as my contract for work further settles. My real house with all of my **** is 6 hours away. I'm currently in a room that is 11 feet long, and has a huge wall without a window near it...so I could actually put the projector to some use for testing and such, regardless of a screen and what-not.

Advice on just getting the projector, and worry about all the other **** later. Would it still fall within a $1500 budget after all said and done?