Beginner Questions -- Help

[harpago2]

Over the last year I have been considering the purchase of my first LCD projector and was hoping to receive some advice/help on brands & specifications.

I'm interested in purchasing a second-hand projector via craigslist or ebay to save myself the cost of purchasing one new -- I simply can't afford anything over about $350. Throughout looking at peoples' ads, I've noticed emphasis on the amount of lumens and some discussion of the resolution of a player.

I plan to:

*project from my laptop

*project onto a large, white wall in my apartment

*possibly project from my television or dvd player

Any advice on what to look for, what to avoid, or general knowledge to keep in mind would be greatly appreciated.

Are there standard specifications to keep in mind when purchasing a projector similarly to the importance of megapixels when buying a digital camera? Can all projectors work with dvd players, televisions, and laptops/desktops by default? Are there things I should be wary of or look out for? Is it necessary to buy a screen to project on?

Thanks for any help.

[harpago2]

any help?