this should open the floodgates: BEST home theater

Runco...enough said.

VideoGon should have their own discussion board

I must laugh at this one!
Even though, with all due respect, you are an architect(presumably by trade) as you are stating, asking for some input from people on an audio forum website will not get you the information you need to give your client anything remotely approaching WORLD CLASS HOME THEATER!...sorry to be the one to break it to you dude. (AND CERTAINLY NO OFFENSE OR IMPLICATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, OR QUALITY PERTAINING TO ANYONE POSTING HERE OR SIMILAR!)
I say that not as being snooty, arrogant, or confrontational, not at all! I say that as someone who's been an exotic custom home theater designer, die-hard audiophile, consumate audio/video tweek and hobbiest, high end AV salesman, acoustical engineer, and just plain been around this stuff since AV began!!!
Basically, you can't put it all together in any kind of timely manner to possibly get your man the goods here..if you do sincerely value his money, time, experience, and results that is!
What it respectfully sounds like you're asking, is akin to asking a few people who've seen a transmission out of a car for information on how to build one yourself! I think you're expectations might be a bit lofty! And that's not insulting anyone here. And maybe my analogy is a bit off, but I think you get the picture.
My advice is to consult proffesionals who actually know what it takes to design/engineer/build/install/calibrate/oversee a competent project such as your suggesting, and contract the work out!...or at the very least strongly consider consulting extensively! Just makes plain sense to me.
You simply will not be able to accertain and obsorb all that is necessary here. It takes years, dedication, knowlede, experience, and commitment to excellence to get what you're asking.
May I strongly suggest your clients interests here over a monetary opportunity to "make the most of it going at it alone!"...not the best situation I think. I'm sure you're client would agree.

Thought I needed to add to my dissertation...
Even though you only requested some input on some video gear and such, the whole thing just sounded a bit off when you came off the way you did. Seriously. I hope you consult some professional assitance and advice on this one. Getting the gear right isn't even 1/3 of the battle!(in case you think otherwise, simply read Stereophile guide to Home Theater's 3 year running article entittled "Home theater ARchitect, from 98-2001! In which, World Renound Custom theater designer Russ Herschelmann discusses the massive changes he needed to make to a clients $300K ht system, that was done by supposed professionals!
Getting the right gear isn't going to even remotely get world class in and of itself...
Nevertheless, in response to your inquiry about Video processors/front end, etc, there really needs to be more info regarding the entire scenario/room layout/design/customers needs and desires, budget, etc! ...how many seats, how close they are sitting to where the screen is, source material(just incase), sound system installation application(i.e, speaker set up in front for one), just to name some!
Fill in some more details and I wouldn't mind giving some options to you.

I would agree and had the thought come before reading Exertfluffer's post. If cost is no object use a respected HT design only person to assist you. You have a great opportunity to work with a professional in the HT field and learn directly from them while a client foots the bill. Color me green with envy!