Front projector advice requested

[Big Daddy]

The best projectors under $5,000 are Sony, Epson, and Panasonic. All three perform very well.

As far as looks are concerned:
Sony: A+
Panasonic: D
Epson: B

Before you make your final decision, check the following sites. They review most popular projectors.
http://www.projectorreviews.com/reviews.php
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projector-reviews.cfm

The Sony VPL-VW60 is an excellent projector. It costs over $4,000.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665192796

The newest Sony VPL-VW40 projector has the same beautiful appearance as VPL-VW60, but it only costs $3,000.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665307855

Sony VPL-VW40 and VPL-VW60 Reviews:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony_vw40_review.htm
http://www.projectorcentral.com/sony..._projector.htm
http://www.projectorreviews.com/sony/vpl-vw40/index.php , Hot Product Award
http://www.projectorreviews.com/sony/vpl-vw60/index.php, Hot Product Award

Epson has a brand new projector (Home Cinema 1080UB and Pro Cinema 1080UB). The Pro Cinema is black and comes with a spare lamp and a ceiling mount and is more expensive.

The 1080UB projector includes the new D7 C2Fine LCD panels. The LCD panels in Panasonic PT-AE2000U ($2,600) are also made by Epson.

The following sites review the Epson Home Cinema 1080UB. The reviewers also compare it with Panasonic and Sony:
http://www.projectorreviews.com/epso...80ub/index.php , Hot Product Award
http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso..._ub_review.htm , Editor's Choice Award

You can purchase Epson Home Cinema 1080UB for ($2,999):
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/c...s&oid=63073679

Epson Home Cinema 1080 (Last Year's model for $2,200):
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/c...s&oid=63068239

JVC also makes an excellent projector, but it is more expensive.
Last year’s model: JVC DLA-RS1 or JVC DLA HD1 ($5,500).
New model: JVC DLA-RS2 or JVC DLA-HD100 Pro ($6,500+).

Sanyo has a new 1080p model, PLV-Z2000. It is priced in the low $2,000.
http://www.sanyo-projector.com/index.htm