Any experienced Projector users?

Most budget projectors are in the 1000-1100 ansi lumens range which means they really need to be in a dark room. Turning on a lamp or accent lighting will kill the picture. If you want to have accent lighting, then you need to be looking at projectors in the 2000 ansi lumens range. Panasonic makes the PT-AX200u or PT-AX100u which both do 2000 lumens and run around $1700 street price.

I think that a better alternitive would be a Samsung slimfit rear projection set. Only about 10" deep, up to 71" and 1080P verses 720P on the projectors. In addition, you don't have to worry about lighting.

I have a PT-AX100u and a 100"+ screen in a completely dark room. The picture is really nice on HD. But, when you factor in two bulbs a year at almost $400 a pop, it's becoming a real drag. I'm about this close to putting it on ebay and picking up a 60" Plasma.

I would like to just get a rear Pro unit but there is a Fireplace on that wall I dont wish to conceal, plus the major point is audio and the soundstage which a rear projector no matter how slim will be a sonic compromise I want to avoid. With a simple screen either manual or power I can quickly close it up and let the music play to its best potential, thanks for all the thoughts and keep bringing them on!

I would also recommend the Sanyo as a budget option. I owned the PLV-Z4, for the money it was great.

You have a lot of leaway in regards to the throw distance.

I would recommend the projector to be positioned behind the viewing seat as you won't notice the beginning of the light emitting from the projector - distracting.

You will also probably not need ambient light as the projector gives off alot of light... unless you want to add it to floor - think movie theatre step lights facing away from your seated view point and far from the screen.

Because of a recent move, I have downsized to a LCD and am very disappointed in the picture.

Cheers,
Richard

The beam is a real distraction if in front of you?

I never would have thought about that.....everytime I think I am getting somewhere I get hit with more confusion :)
With the Sanyo should I be able to expect to be able to throw it from behind me if I am at around 13 ft from screen or will I be more limited to projecting from front?

If the beam is behind you, your periferal vision will just notice a haze above you... with the beam infront of you, you will see the beginning of the cone of light... it would bother me.

If you are seated 13 feet from the screen, you have a lot of room behind you to mount the projector. I think the spec on the Sanyo Z5 was over 9 meters max distance... although I wouldn't go that distance.

The Sanyo had a lot of controls to tune the picture, lens shift, zoom, etc.

If I go back to a projector and was looking low budget the Sanyo with HDMI and 1080p is great... with more dollars the Infocus is looking real nice at $5000.

On another note, a HDDVD or BlueRay gives a ton of resolution to the image and you can save various picture settings for older DVDs or new High Def DVD's on the Sanyo.

Cheers,
Richard