Need help with a new display

[LostnProjection]

I'm sorry to bother everyone with a question that has probably been talked to death. I will be purchasing a new display within a couple months and I want a projector, but I am worried that the picture quality doesn't even compare to plasma, and unfortunately there are no T.V. dealers around me that display projectors, so my dilema is that I really have no idea how much picture quality I would be sacrificing for the more Movie Theater like expeirience of a projector.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Clint DeBoer]

The picture quality will be potentialy better. The key will be getting the right (high contrast) screen or, alternatively, insuring that you have a light-controlled room without a ton of reflrective, bright surfaces.

In either case you can likely get a great picture at about 4x the size for half the price.

[LostnProjection]

Thank you very much for your input.
This is very good news for me, because the larger screen size is very attractive to me.

[BMXTRIX]

It is a typical concern to have, but if you go to the movies and are happy there, it is relatively easy to recreate BETTER video at home with digital projection.

Point 1: Get a projector designed for HOME THEATER use, not a business projector. (see www.projectorcentral.com)

Point 2: Plasmas can work with lights on, but projectors (front) demand the lights off for the best quality. See your white wall? That is the color of BLACK with a front projector! So, you need a dark room. Some compromise can be made there - at the cost of quality.

Point 3: Front projectors don't require a huge heavy case, mirrors, or crazy optics to make things work. But, they do require a audio setup. Since, many people are doing audio already, the cost savings can be significant, or at least compatible to a plasma or nice rear projection unit.

Point 4: Anything other than front projection at 80+ inches is just 'big tv'. The only way to achieve home theater is with front projection. ;)