Hi Worfzara,

There is an excellent review on affordable front projectors from Sound & Vision at http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=1408

You should get used to the 16 x 9 ratio; this is the shape of things to come (HD). Once you will have a large screen (100 or 120 inches across) these bars will not annoy you anymore. You will definitely love the theatre effect which they create.

For screen material, there are good offerings from http://www.carada.com/ and I recently read a very good review on an inexpensive one at http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/grandview_signature.htm

You will live a very exciting project experience; good luck !

JC
Axiom Resident Expert