hi everyone new member here and , and just wanted to say that i hope that my first projector is as successful and some of the others i have read about. before i get started i just wanted to know what were some of the top LCD's in the 17" category. and can the projector just merely be ran from the video output of my television to the projector. or is there no video input jacks on these projectors. I guess what i am trying to say is could i run a cable from my TV to my projector to watch football out side.

The easy answer: yes and no.

The hard answer: You will have to decide on what screen you are going to use. For your purposes, you will want to get a screen that accepts either composite video (video cables have RCA ends and have Yellow for video, then the red/white for audio) or component video (the newer one with the blue, green and red for video), or with an integrated TV tuner.

You can also buy a converter that will make the above mentioned types into VGA. If you go this route, dont cheap out, as the junky ones will give you a junky picture.

A note about an LCD with an integrated TV tuner: make sure it has a remote control with it, otherwise you will have to get up and run to your projector box to change the channel.

-sean