I can get the room very dark, so ambient light shouldn't be a problem.
Keep in mind that the large the screen the more reflected light from the room will also be a problem.
I've been looking at the Epson Home Cinema 8350 ($1200) and jealously looking at the model up, the Epson 6500UB (~$2000), mostly because poor black performance really would bother me.
I think one of the Epsons will be your best bet. If you can stretch your budget Projector People are selling the 8700 with a rebate and they have a demo on sale for even less.
http://www.projectorpeople.com/projector...+Cinema+8700+UB
