Thanks for the responses. My front runner right now (just based on reviews and heresay) is the Panasonic PT-AE700. It sounds like the pixel structure is extremely fine and the color reproduction is excellent.
I did see a Sony HS20 about 6 months ago projecting a DVD and I was amazed at how filmlike it looked. Unfortunately, it was in a room with a bunch of ambient light so I couldn't comment on the contrast or low level detail. I will say that the look of direct view LCDs are just what I'm searching for except in a large screen format. If LCD projectors can offer that experience, I'm in.
I did see a Sony HS20 about 6 months ago projecting a DVD and I was amazed at how filmlike it looked. Unfortunately, it was in a room with a bunch of ambient light so I couldn't comment on the contrast or low level detail. I will say that the look of direct view LCDs are just what I'm searching for except in a large screen format. If LCD projectors can offer that experience, I'm in.