Projector with Best Blacks and 2D image quality for these dimensions...

Epson 5020 for that price point but the JVC has better blacks. Slightly better blacks...

At about $2500 or less the 5020 is probably the best all-around choice providing you can land a solid unit (luck of the draw unless you can find a dealer that will let you demo the actual unit you'll be purchasing).

Jason

I would never use a wall for projection if you are wanting the best picture. Even a cheap drop down screen will be better than a wall which will likely be uneven and have glitches you will see when projecting. Also the lack of black borders would spoil the authentic cinema effect for me.

The 5020 is similar to my 5010 which I use with a motorized grey screen from Ebay and this gives me exceptional blacks and a great picture.

like the AE8000 doesn't have any

I got a brand new in box Grandview 120" fixed screen wall mount off Kijiji for $400. They run $800 in stores from what I could find. Check your local Craigslist or whatever it is you use down there.

Panasonic is a nice unit. I went with the Epson because the blacks are better and the Epson warranty is killer. 3 years and they ship you a replacement before you send yours back. Plus I don't like Panasonic for no good reason.

Honestly they are both amazing and you'll be happy with either. Reviews say the Epson has better in some regards but unless you review for a living you won't notice, you'll just start thinking you need better speakers. Just pick one.

I just sold my Epson 5020 and move'd DLP... I this case, could DLP projector be option ? some models are nice what comes to black levels.. (not jvc nice thou) but atleast there's no convergence etc problems..

B&H has the Mitsubishi HC7800 3D projector for $1300. I don't know much about this projector but I might work for you.

While it doesn't have the best blacks it is a lot of projector for the money...plus it would leave a lot more money for a high quality screen. It is hard to get a perfectly smooth surface with any paint system and to whatever extent there is texture on your screen surface there will be a corresponding loss of image detail. Any screen you buy should have a perfectly smooth surface with no texture. Most cheap screens have a textured screen surface which is inferior. The projector and screen are a system and the PQ is only as good as the weakest link. In many cases using most of your budget on the projector and shorting the screen will result in an inferior picture as compared with a cheaper projector mated to a good quality screen.

A lot of people have been happy with the inexpensive Elite screens, and that might be a choice. While a Epson may have an issue, it's hard to knock their service if you do run into a problem. I've heard Panasonic service is pretty bad, but I have only had to deal with Sony, (decent service) and Epson, (just for a firmware upgrade).

It's hard to compare pj's reliability as we can't really know how many were sold of a certain unit, and how many may have had issues? The nature of these types of forums are that problems are spoken of more than of people with happy purchases. I ended up upgrading my Sony to an Epson based partially on their service, and the features/extras/warranty I was getting, but a Sony and Panasonic were in the running, but at the time people were reporting issues with the Panny. My Epson 6010 isn't perfect, about 1/2 pixel off in alignment, and a little blurry on the edges. Viewing at 13' away from a 126" screen, and 3D, I'm very happy with the money I spent. Making an informed decision by reading in these forums is great, but try to keep in mind that you may have an issue with any pj you decide on.

I would recommend the Vutec Eleganté fixed frame wall screen, with matte white surface if you are looking for a good cheap screen. I would stay away from gray screens.