Look into Sharp Vision projectors, they are super simple to set-up and east to tweek(adjustments on the picture) also you should be able to find one in your price range. Like most things HT related they lose there value faster then anyone can imagine, most of the sharp vision projectors(in your price range used they all should) have progressive scan, invest in a good PC for your DVD player, will increase the detail of your picture and get the best Component video cables you can afford, with a front projector it will make the biggest improvement in picture quality. Also with a 14' throw you will be right on for 100" plus or minus a little bit, fwiw my sharp throws a 100" 4:3 picture in 13 feet. Everyone has there own theory of what's the best, I have had no problems with mine and am very pleased with it, in particular for the money(msrp was only 8600 compared with 50k plus from companies like Vidikron, Runco etc...) sure a DLP will work sure a CRT will work as will a LCD they all do a good job just a matter of what you can afford. They keep getting cheaper, smaller and better, plus I really enjoy that my speakers can image properly with no clunky TV in the way and it takes up NO floor space, a perfect comprimise for me....in case you can't tell I enjoy the projector a lot.
Tim
