Help on Computer Gaming and HDTV

[Temple]

Looking for advice/help on how or if I can do the following;

1. Connect my computer to a projector and play internet games with at least 1024 by 768 pixels (60Hz) from a distance of 3 feet on and approx. 30-inch screen
AND
2. Using the same projector, slide my screen back to a distance of 8-feet and watch quality HDTV on an approx. 60-inch screen using my satellite dish.

Is this possible???

[Chris D]

Yes, and yes. But why? If you have a 60" screen (or go bigger!) is there a reason you'd like to use 30"? You can play games big screen too. Not sure, but you may want to make sure your projector can focus at 3'/30" too.

[Temple]

Why?

I guess the answer to why only 30" at 3-feet is because I'm used to being up close to my monitor (lol). Since I've never played on a big-screen at distance I don't know how I'd like it. As to why only 60", I live in an RV and that's bout max size for my room.
Looking for recommendations on what projector to buy. What I've seen at A/V stores do well as computer monitors but lack quality on the HDTV side. Also not able to pay 10k+ for a unit. Looking for something in the 2-5K range.
Sorry if these are dumb questions but I lack knowledge of the projector market. Who makes a device that allows the screen to slide back and forth and how difficult is it to re-adjust the projection size once this is done?

[Mr. Mxyztplk]

I would suggest a monitor and a projector. Moving the screen back and forth (focussing and etc) will get old quickly. Also front projector bulb life must be taken into account for frequent use, 2000 - 5000 hours is not a long time when used for HDTV, movies, AND gaming. That means frequent bulb changes at $300+ a bulb. Since your budget is 2k-5k, you could easily get a 720p projector with a 17 or 19 inch LCD monitor.

[Temple]

The reason I'm looking at projector's is primarily because of a space limitation. As I mentioned above, I live in an RV but want big-screen HDTV and computer gaming on a single display unit.
If I acquire a "thin" RPTV (LCD or DLP), I could use that as a both a gaming and TV display if I remove my current computer desk/chair with 21-inch monitor setup. But that will still take up a significant amount of space, plus I'm not totally satisfied with the current computer resolution of the HDTV's.
With a projector, I can mount on either the ceiling or wall (shelf) and only need to deal with the screen taking up space.

[Chris D]

My humble recommendation would be to buy a $2-$3k projector that you enjoy, and use it without having to ration yourself on hours, recognizing that you may need to save $$$ in reserve for bulbs as you wear them out. I would buy one (big) screen at the size you choose, and then use it for all applications. I guarantee you'll enjoy gaming big-screen, and you'll save yourself on both the cost and hassle of having to do something like two screens, moving your projector/screen, or buying a monitor also.

Popular PJ's right now are the Panasonic PT-AE700, Sanyo PLV-Z3, and Sony HS-51, all within that range, and all 720p projectors. I just bought the AE700 (see this section for discussions) and enjoy it so far. GREAT deals going on for that model.