Recommendations?

Look for used SXRDs - as only thing to go wrong is the bulb and those are only US$200.

There are also some front projections for under 3K

New models available under $3k

DLP has improved a lot in the last two years.

calibrated both my friend's 56" 1080p Samsung DLP and my 52" 1080p Mitsu using DVE-HD, and my Mitsu looks a lot better to my eyes

You can adjust each of the six individual colors instead of just having the generic color slider. The higher-end models give you perfect tint as well. Same as PC, but with six tint adjustments instead of just more red or more green.