Projector

At about $1200, currently that InFocus X10 is about half the price of the next 16:9 1080p HDMI-connectable projector.

I was using an older InFocus projector with a 480p DVD player for a while. The image was very good - and HUGE. When the bulb died (and we determined it was not cost effective to replace the bulb on this unit), the projector vs flat screen debate arose. I was personally for the projector, but the flat screen won out for a number of reasons - mainly we could install a flat screen much easier in the the desired location than a projection set up (prior projector had been in the bedroom).

The biggest difference I notice is black levels. With a high quality LCD or Plasma display and a Blu-Ray source the shadow detail is much better than the projectors I've seen. Now I haven't seen the $4-5k projectors, so I can't say all projectors are inferior in this area.

That said, I wound up with a 47" LCD display. It was all my budget would allow. The display is wonderful - top notch quality, amazing image, etc. But I've already decided I'll go bigger once the funds allow. Projector or 60" flat panel will be decided based on what's available at that time.

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

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.....thank you Unsound, that link was very informative...now I can move my chair a foot closer to the screen.
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Just revisited this thread. Mitch, I stand by my 7/20 post. I suspect your judgement of a high quality picture differs from mine, but perhaps the OP would be satisfied with your picture, which I suspect I would judge washed out and lacking in detail. In my view a projected image should give nothing away to the image of a plasma or LCD display, except greater sensitivity to ambient illumination. Visit the screen shots at AVS.

db