projector help

I've heard good things about HP projectors. I think the only thing you won't be able to get from them is resolutions higher than 1024x768, which may or may not be a problem for you.
This one seems like the best balance of value and features.

 

I cant help much with regard to helping you select a projector, but I can tell you a few things from my personal experience:

At work we use NEC projectors projecting at 1024x768. We use Powerpoint and videos a lot and that resolution is fine. Most new projectors are portable, ours all have padded bags to carry them round in. The main problem you may have is when the room you are in is brightly lit. This makes your picture much much lighter. I'm not sure if a better contrast ratio or Lumines score helps here, but I think it does.

The other thing you have to factor in is the cost of replacement bulbs, I'm not sure how much they are as someone else does the ordering for me! Also you'll need to service it regularly, but luckily all this involves is taking out the filter and running a vacuum cleaner attachment over it. You'll need to do this around ever 50 hours or so according to manufacturers instructions.

What I'd recommend is trying to find somewhere to hire a projector, or get one on loan from a company. That way you can try out a few and see which is the most suitable. If a company knows you are going to spend up to $2000 I'm sure they'll be happy to accommodate you!

Hope I haven't told you too much that you already know, and good luck!