Any recommendations for a mid-range digital (data/video) projector?

Question

For personal use. I have a friend who has one and it's great--you can turn your living-room into a cinema.

Answer 1

What does your friend have? Consumer projectors range in price from $500 to $45000. Midrange is going to be quite expensive.

Edit:

I would add Optima to agb's excellent list of moderately priced projectors.

http://www.visualapex.com/LCDprojectors/...

Answer 2

Have a look at the recommended models at the link (listed by resolution)

Probably you are going to find the 720p models the best fit for your price range. The Epson Powerlite 720 is a good choice (~$1300 US, see 2nd link). And the Sanyo and Panasonic models have got good ratings (See 3rd link for a comparitive review ... although on the high end of your range they are very flexible projectors), but if available locally you may wish to consider stretching for the Mitsubishi 4900 (a 1080p model currently selling for about $2000 US).

The sites at the links have all sorts of good info.

Hope this helps.