A couple of random comments from recent posts in this thread:
Tim,
Nice catch on that Panasonic AX100! While I've been focusing mostly on the <$5000 Sony VPL-VW50 (The "Pearl") and the <$1000 Optoma HD-50 that doesn't mean that there aren't a lot of other great options for those wanting to get into the "Home Theater" experience. With the $5000 and $1000 price barriers broken by Sony and Optoma the industry has to respond in kind by introducing competition or re-structuring their FP prices to remain in the picture. That's why I still think that the street price of the upcoming JVC 1080p D-ILA unit, when it ships next year, will have to be below $5000. And I'm sure that we will have even more nice performing under $1000 720 projectors in various configurations (if we don't already.) Of course, that "middle-ground" between $1000-$5000 will offer a lot of options for those wanting to add a little more performance in some area (brightness, extra features, etc.) to the budget projectors. The new Panasonic looks to street for under $2000 and there will be others. What this all means is that the HT consumer is the real winner here. High quality images, but no longer high prices compared to just a year or two ago. Except for some people wanting some features like switchable anamorphic lens, or huge pictures (commercial theater sizing) I really don't see why any projector purchase has to be a "five figure" experience any more. And that even can include an external video processor!! The landscape of Home Theater has changed, in my opinion.
Nikki,
I concur with what Parker said about alternatives to Stewart screens. Carada makes a fine product at a lower price point. I went with the Studiotek 130 at the time (late 1999) because it was a nice compromise with just about all FPs. And my experience with both an LCD Sony and a DLP Runco (different technologies) has shown the 130 to work well with both. And I'm confident that an LCoS projector will look just fine with the 130 too. The only problem with getting a screen specifically designed for a particular projector is that some of the characteristics of the screen that optimize the picture for one projection technology might actually be less than ideal for another one (like your
next projector.) It's not a deal killer by any means, but just something else to consider.
And one of the main reasons I went with the Stewart screen is that my unit is a drop down screen (controlled electronically) and this provides something a bit different than screens that you permanently mount to a wall. After looking at a lot of screens before buying I found that I liked the way that Stewart Electric screens keep the screen tensioned
perfectly flat at all times without any bowing, buckling, etc. And the Stewart system continues to provide me with a perfectly flat surface after over six years of constant use (up and down everyday - sometimes several times a day since I don't like to leave the screen exposed when not in use due to the "grandkids" factor.) Naturally, if your needs don't require a retractable drop down screen then you can go with cheaper options like Parker mentioned.
And in an unrelated matter, I think that what Parker is saying about a dedicated subwoofer (like the SVS or similar products) when compared to built-in subs in full range speaker systems is that the separate sub will sound better in most cases. By all means, start with the speakers that you are planning on getting, but don't dismiss the possibility of eventually adding a separate subwoofer at some point in the future. The nice thing about a lot of the "internet-only" companies (like SVS and Outlaw, to mention two) is that they allow for home auditioning of their products so that you can hear, in the best possible scenario, exactly what a sub can do in your HT. All it costs you is the price of shipping if things don't work out. You might even have some Brick & Mortar shops in your area that offer a "try-and-buy" option for subs as well, but try to make sure that the subs are high quality (there are some great subs and some real dogs out there.) And after you have your sub(s) then you can start thinking about a Outboard Video Processor!
Seriously, with a "component" approach to Home Theater you have lots of options and you don't have to get every enhancement at once - as long as you keep the channels open to allow for add-ons (like subs and video processors and a lot of other great gear.) And, of course, you may find that your initial set-up is just fine for your tastes and none of the above will apply.
The movie is about to begin. Enjoy the show!