If a 400:1 screen is recommended, is it really worth extra money for a screen with a 450:1 ratio?

Why don't you get the CMV CT-529A or CMV CT-520D? Both are 500:1 contrast and frequently go on sale for $169.

529A is what I am getting. It's $160 after shipping from memorylabs.com

http://store.yahoo.com/tonyh/cmvct15lcdfl.html

I was looking for those, but was having a hell of a time trying to find them in canada. I ended up getting a benq fp557, but I was just curious if I could have saved $40 getting the cheaper one with the 400:1 instead of 450, without taking a hit to quality.

You must live near them. I wanted to order one from them but they were going to charge over $20 for shipping making them considerably more than NewEgg.

I would try not to get too caught up in the small differences between the ratings, and remember that the manufacturers specs are not always true to what they claim. Many have stated better contrast and color with the benq models, or at least as good of contrast as compared to the cmv's, while they have a higher rating.

I didn't see that. Looks like I gotta go w/ newegg as well.

At Memorylabs you have to select "free shipping" in the dropdown upon checkout. It defaults to some fed-ex $$$

I wouldn't think 450:1 is worth breaking your neck over. Sure its better but not by much.

That's what I said until I started using my Benq 567v2. It's a nice picture, but I would now place contrast ratio as the NUMBER ONE consideration for an LCD for a projector. Even ahead of response time and I'm a big gamer.

In my opinion get as high as contrast ratio as possible and nothing under 450:1.

I would say the top 4 categories of an LCD are:

#1 resolution
#2 color
#3 response
#4 contrast ratio
(given you know what size you need)

They're all important. Your Mileage May Vary.

The benq is better because of more than just contrast ratio. I again allude to joe's bakery pj. He stated that his benq 567s v2 was much better than his CMV. The benq is a 450:1 contrast ratio, while the CMV states 500:1.