Projector VS some other type of HDTV

I agree Moon, I cant see not having a PJ from here on out but some situations just are not right for them, I dont use mine daily maybe once a week or so but its like a treat for us to go downstairs for a movie, almost like a date sometimes. I know it sounds goofy but its true.

>Apart from the fact a projector gives a much bigger picture, is there any reason to purchase one over LCD or plasma HDTV?

That's precisely the point. It's not possible to get a theatrical sense of immersion from a one-piece consumer television that costs less than a nice German car at seating distances beyond what you have in a small living room.

By 9 feet you want an 80" diagonal screen, 11' 100", 13' 120", etc. and this is on the small side for scope films even with decent DVD transfers.

>The 'knock' on projectors is that they don't provide the crisp type of picture one can get with a LCD or Plasma HDTV, any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

At the same subtended field of vision the picture is no less sharp. 720p matches what you get on many 35mm release prints you see in a theater and 1080p beats it. That's fine.

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I suggest you go to a showroom that has the biggest screen that your room will comfortably take with a projector in the price range that you are willing to work with. Once you do that, you can never go back to a television.

Go big young man.

I have a very nice 73 inch 1080p television. Once I fire up the projector and big screen, it is no contest, not even close. If you have the room, get a projector and screen. The whole idea of home theater is to try and replicate a comercial theater...in other words, to try and get big sound and big picture.
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Sedona, it may be too ambitious, but another option is a CRT projector. They are VERY cheap now, and will likely provide a better image than any other option. I use a Marquee 8500 and (you can now get a nice one for $2k on videogon) and it far exceeds any of the displays that any of my friends get with their 'modern' projectors - one of my friends just bought a new $4k DILA projector (after much research) and the picture isn't anywhere near the same league that I get out of my CRT projector. The main downside of the CRT though is that you either have to pay to have someone professionally set it up and calibrate it (about $1k in expense) or you can learn to do it yourself (like me) - which is a bit of time and effort, but fun, if you like the technology and treat it as a hobby. I would love to get a digital projector for the convenienct, but so far they are very far from what my mid-end CRT does.

CRT isnt only harder to set up, its much larger, heavier and hader to mount on ceiling in many rooms due to clearence issues, also you may need to get a external video Scaler to get best results, the bulbs last longer but cost much much more to replace, all units are old so anyone telling you they wont have an issue with something at any time that could proove to be very expensive is not telling you the truth. I really wanted to go CRT, I even asked about it here a few weeks ago but after alot of research, calls and more research I cant get comfortable with the investment over my "modern" (I say that because above poster appears to think that means its bad) Projection unit. It only doesnt do the deep deep blacks I wish I had and thats really the only reason I wanted to look into CRT...PERIOD.
Get what you think works for you but just know every plus or minus of any format or player before you maybe make a bad choice.