[OT] LCD Projector << Tax Refund

We just ordered a BenQ PB6200 LCD Projector.

They have a $200 rebate through 6/30, which brought the price down to $1180 - that's a pretty good deal for a 1700 Lumen XGA (1024x768 native resolution) projector. Most bargain projectors are SVGA (800x600) native resolution, which makes them not as good for computer display and HDTV.


We're planning to make our own 100" diagonal screen with a picture frame border (painted with Goo Systems, based partly on Sylvain Duford's recommendation. I've heard great things about Goo Systems, and their gallery is pretty impressive. They use this stuff in Las Vegas casinos and NASA facilities, so it'll prolly be fine for us.

I'm fired up about this for several reasons:
1. Good deal. I'm all about the deals.
2. Home theatre setup for a little over $1000.
3. Gets the big bulky TV and TV stand out of the family room, freeing up floor space.[1]
4. Paves the way for a computer based entertainment system, probably using an MSI MEGA 180 Mini-PC. The MSI MEGA Mini-PC is a nice bargain digital entertainment system option - it's a barebones AMD system for around $300. You have to buy and install the CPU, memory, hard drive, and OS, but even so you end up with a nice looking, good quality entertainment PC for $600ish.[2]

[1] Living room floor space to be reclaimed by dolls, stuffed animals, and the odd Cheerio.
[2] Entertaiment PC is strictly for educational purposes, and will under no circumstances be used for playing Half-Life 2. Well, maybe just a little.