Whenever PC Authority reviews a data projector, we try it out with DVDs and games, and we test entertainment projectors with PCs just to see how they handle applications other than those they’re specifically designed for.

Many people fantasise about owning a plasma screen because of the massive image sizes and are getting excited because the prices are rapidly dropping, but in the projector world the prices have already dropped so far that for under a few grand you can now buy something that projects an image larger than four plasma screens. Compare that to the price of a plasma screen and see which way the scales tip.

It's a shame this isn't cheaper: a fine projector if you're prepared to pay a premium for Full HD

Welcome back, Marantz, you’ve been missed. The VP-11S1 is a deadly rival for the established high-end projector specialists

A superb DLP projector; a landmark performer in every sense

Philips’ bCool projector was very much that - cool. Only the Proxima DP1000X was smaller, but the bCool definitely tackled miniaturisation with more panache.

Getting on, but remains a fairly competitive buy

This is a fine projector: easy to set-up, quiet enough in operation, and capable of superb performance for its price. It’s a must-see.

Who would have thought that this projector would be this cheap.

A very likeable projector, but not the last word in all-round ability

While not the most stunning of projectors when displaying either video or data, the Mitsubishi SL2U is certainly a more than capable projector for both the boardroom and the lounge room.

The TPL-S10 comes from Toshiba’s ultra-portable stable of projectors, and while not quite as small as say, the Proxima DP1000X, it still managed to fit a fair amount of goodness into a easily manageable size.

Still a gorgeous-looking and highly capable HD projector. This fine unit receives six stars, especially at its competitive price.

Scintillating performance but at a high price. It’s this thrilling blend of affordability, flexibility and (above all) capability that makes the IN82 so special. Nothing else we’ve tested at this price gets close.

An outstanding performer – so long as you can afford it!

A stern challenger to pricier kit: this is an amazing projector for the cash

A quick glance down at the scores below would immediately indicate to you that we’ve made some sort of error in selecting something that scored below average performance as a Recommended winner, however we’re extremely confident in this.

Appealing in many ways – and could be ideal as an ‘occasional-use’ coffee-table tool

InFocus had to raise the bar, and it has – superbly. A desirable piece of projection tech that fully justifies the outlay.

The IN78 looks every bit as enticing from the outside, but its performance has slowly been surpassed