Ira,
-- I have a 530, just getting it set up, not ceiling mounted yet, so I'll update this info in a week or two when cables arrive & get the CRT off the ceiling.
-- 84" 4x3 screen 1.3 Stewart screen, seating distance about 11 feet. PJ on table next to me (ca. 3 feet from my ear). HTPC as signal source.
-- I'm running in economy mode, I don't notice the sound at all - even when web surfing with no sound. Very minor brightness difference (I've notched it down from 50 to 40 anyway).
-- There is a faster or additional fan in normal mode, more noticable but not objectionable. Once on the ceiling, it may be fine. In any case, it is not really noisier than my LD player.
-- In either mode, once the 5.1 surround kicks in, I don't notice the 530 fans.
-- pixels are not an issue, color fidelity/adjustment on the 530 is great (have not seen LP340/350, but played with an LP425z - much improved over that).