Why shouldn't you buy a 60-inch plasma TV? Because there's a much better, affordable solution. How would you like to be able to look at an 8 FOOT screen with quality comparable to 16mm film projection? What if I said you could get it for under 00? Well, you can with a projection TV.
Projection TV
If you're going low-budget, one well-reviewed option is the Mitsubishi HC3000U High Definition 720p DLP Home Theater Projector. PC World, the computer magazine, honored the HC3000U with a 2006 PC World Innovations Award after comparing it to hundreds of other products. Compared to other projectors, the midtones are much brighter, which results in richer blacks and a more vivid image overall. It's even a cinch to install. As of this writing, it's run you about 950 bucks.
Mounting Hardware
If you're planning on mounting the projector in the ceiling, you could go with the Atdec TH-WH-PJ-FM Telehook Universal Projector Flush Mount. The mount allows the projector to be rotated a full 360 degrees, and has a quick release for easy installation. That'll run you about 50 bucks.
Projection Screen
You'll want a screen to go along with your home theater projector. You could project it on a bare white wall, but you won't get the best possible performance out of your projector. The budget option is to get a manual screen, as opposed to an electronically operated one. One highly-rated manual screen is the Draper Screen Luma 106" Diameter. That's about 130 bucks.
Audio
If you're hooking your equipment up to your stereo, you'll already have excellent sound. That's the budget solution anyway.
Summary
Did I keep my promise to get you a killer home theater system for 1200 bucks? Let's see -- 0 for the projection TV, for the mounting hardware, and 0 for the screen. Happy viewing!
