Any experienced Projector users?

I'm hardly an expert, but I have my projector ceiling mounted, and it's a budget model. I previously tried a cheapo epson LCD before I found I had to spend more and got a Optoma HD70. I really like the Optoma - it's totally silent, the picture is excellent with no screen door effect.

As for mounting/placement - my ceiling is just under 8 ft, the projector lense is about 8" below the ceiling, as is the top of my screen. Projector Central has all of the info in addition to a calculator to help you set up your throw distance.

I second Bdgregory's recommendation of Optoma HD-70.
Also - having a drop/ceiling makes the installation easier.
You can mount it to the floor beams and have almost "0" clearance between projector and the ceiling. Runing cables - could not be easier.
HD-70's options are very limited but its picture quality is way above its price category.
Make sure to pick the right screen - since its light output is not that great.
HD-70 was my second proj. - now it is HD-80.
For about $700-$800 street price it is hard to beat.

I have a Panasonic PTL-500U and love it. I would highly recommend doing some research at AVS Forums. Just searching the threads will probably answer most of your questions. Feel free to email me if you like or post your question.

Go to AVS Forums and spend some time doing research.

IMO DLP projectors have gotten so good and are so inexpensive that they are the best way to go today. LCD still suffers from poor black level which makes everything look washed and less 3D, and slow refresh which makes motion look traily and blurred.

The latest DLPs have 1980x1080p resolution, excellent contrast and black level and none of the refresh issues. The only knock on DLPs has been that some people are sensitive to a rainbow effect caused by the color wheel. The newest mono chip DLPs have improved 6 and 7 segment wheels that run at very high rpm and cause less of a rainbow problem. Most people aren't rainbow sensitive anyway.

I have recently done some projector shoot-outs where the Infocus IN82 has started to surpass (for the first time) my Sony G70 CRT. The Sony was $20K new, the 720p IN78 is $3500 and the 1080p IN82 is $5500.

I'm a dealer for Infocus. There are lots of other good DLPs out there.

Davemitchell is right! If you can splurge for the DLP over an LCD, do it. My brother's DLP crushed my LCD (he had the same LCD). I have an NEC 440 that is not bad either.
Keep in mind that most have cooling fans that you can hear. If you can mount this far enough behind you and zoom in to the screen, that's best.
When looking at used, keep bulb replacement in mind-they can run $300 to $500 easily.
See www.videogon.com