Need Some Expert Advise!!!!

Well hello and thanks in advance for the help! I am presently getting ready to buy a projector. At first I was considering a CRT but after looking at them closely boy are they big, and dam do they ever need a lot of care!! So, now I am totally confused, but after trying to figure out how to get the CRT in my room I have come to the conclusion that an LCD or DLP is probably my better choice. I am going to demo some LCD and DLP units this week but I need to know what minimums I should go for in a unit. I want to be able to get HDTV, watch satellite TV, and watch DVD, all with a really good picture. I have room for an approx. 120" diagonal screen (4:3). I can get rid of most of the light in the room but would like to be able to keep some low level light on. Oh yah, I want to spent as little as possible,hehehehe!


Questions:


What should I get as a minimum, VGA SVGA XGA?


What resolution should be the minimum? 640 x 480? 800 x 600? 1024 x 768? 1280 x 1024? or better? Does it make a difference???


Lamp life is important for me because of cost, NEC has and econo mode on some of their units, IS IT GOOD?


Are there units with longer lamp life and cheaper replacement bulbs?


Am I sacrificing performance with a longer lamp life?


Do I need a Scaler? I am thinking of an HTPC but just don't know how to hook one up yet with all the stuff I want, HDTV, DVD, Satellite TV?


Last but not least could someone please tell me the best unit for the least amount of money? This research is killing me.


I am probably going to demo 2 LCD and 2 DLP units, possible units are the Lightware Scout, Infocus LP 425z, NEC VT440 any other suggestions??????


Thanks again everyone, your input is greatly appreciated!!!!!


Snorf


[This message has been edited by Snorf (edited 07-10-2001).]


[This message has been edited by Snorf (edited 07-10-2001).]