Projector

InFocus offers a 1080p projector, the X10, which is the current price leader in 1080p projectors. Reviews generally say that although its black levels aren't as good as the more expensive ones, it's nevertheless an excellent projector for the money and actually beats many more expensive competitors on color accuracy (esp skin tone) and shadow detail.

If you google for reviews on this unit, you will find some pretty comprehensive evaluations, including high-res demo screen captures. Example.

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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