The Projectors that you can put on your floor right in front of the screen.

[AlaskaDon]

There is an inherent problem with projecting from the floor or a low table. If you put the projector in front of your seats (i.e. between the seating and the screen) then it's going to be so close to the screen that the resulting image will usually be smaller than you want. Obviously you can't place it behind the seating as this would block the image altogether. Some people get away with placing the projector on a table between the seats, but that creates problems with noise and heat. I can't really imagine that any new technology is going to fully overcome these physical limitations. Possibly new lenses, or more zoom that would allow placement of the projector closer to the screen?

My feeling is that nothing beats a ceiling mount for the best possible HT experience. It's also easiest to use as you don't usually have any obstructions between the projector and the screen, and you don't have to worry about tripping over anything

Edit: I took a look at the spec sheet on the NEC. Interesting that it can project a 100" image supposedly at a throw distance of about 30". It doesn't appear that this projector is designed for home theater. The contrast ratio is not very good. It's also heavy on PC type inputs, yet it lacks HDMI. I think that it's more designed for business applications like PowerPoint, and I would imagine that you would be disappointed with it in an HT application.

[Texitura]

Check this out:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/sany...l50_review.htm

[Brandon B]

Originally Posted by AlaskaDon

I think that it's more designed for business applications like PowerPoint, and I would imagine that you would be disappointed with it in an HT application.

It definitely is a business projector. I have not seen an ultra short throw HT unit yet. The Sanyo above is similar in specs and connections to the NEC.

You could try getting a lens attachment from someone like Navitar, but then you are bumping the cost up pretty significantly.

BB