Projectors?

[HondaCop]

If I was to use projectors for my outside views, which projectors should I concentrate on getting? Resolutions? etc etc... I know it's a broad question but I just need to know what route to take more or less. Thanks!

[MartinK]

Hi,

That's indeed a very broad question but I'll thrown in my 2 cents worth based on earlier experiences I had when faced with the same issue.
The choice of projectors is determined by a number of things (not in order of importance):
1) budget available
The better the quality of the projector obviously the more expensive they
will be. From other posts you will find on this forum 2000 ANSI lumen is
the minimum you shoud go for. Also you need at least a 1024 x 768 (XGA
resolution; the cheaper projectors will only produce 800 x 600 pictures.
2) space available
How big is the room you are going to use: for smaller rooms you may need
to revert to so called short throw projectors. This kind needs a short
distance from your projection screen (enabled through special lenses) but
they come at a higher price.
Also, the height of your room is important. Do you need to mount above
your pit or behind? The further away (short throw or not) the bigger the
picture gets.
If you have enough space you may even want to consider rearprojection
but this option also influences the choice of projector.
3) space characteristics
Do you have enough possibilities to darken the room? If not you may even
need to look at projectors which produce more then 2000 ANSI Lumen
But, more lumen will more then likely mean more heat produced so you may
need an airco as well.
4) Projection material
If you are using some old bedsheets you need a more expensive projector
to get an acceptable picture quality vs where you use proper projection
material.

Have a browse through the Video Interfacing and hardware forum. There you will also find references to some projector calculators on the internet which definately will help you make you choice.

Cheers,

Martin

[aviaparts]

Ultra shortthrow projectors are very easy to setup, I am very happy with the results of the Sanyo PLC-XL50, very good resolution and brightness.
Can be used in limited space rooms.

[dnoize]

Carefull with ultrashort throw projectors.

i once played with 3 projectors of the kind that you set up against the wall and then projected up against the wall above.

These projectors used special mirrors and lenses to throw the image up and have a throw of 30 cm or so.

Sounded perfect. Unfortunately because of the way they are made the mirrors/lenses of the units are never the same. This meant that was impossible to perfectly allign a 3 projector setup. This was confirmed by the dealer.....after we bought them.....

we had 3 useless expensive ultra short throw projectors :-(
Also these projectors are not the best solution for back projection.

There are other short throw projectors though that work differently and work good.

something to give a thought when you want to use short throw projectors.


Stef


.

[aviaparts]

Good to know that, I wasn't aware about the mirror issue, I guess I was lucky to get a good alignment on two of our setups.

[Matt Olieman]

As Martin says:
The better the quality of the projector obviously the more expensive they
will be. From other posts you will find on this forum 2000 ANSI lumen is
the minimum you shoud go for. Also you need at least a 1024 x 768 (XGA
resolution; the cheaper projectors will only produce 800 x 600 pictures.

A step further... best to look at the product in operation before buying. I know most deals are online, but you really don't know what your getting until you got it :)

Pixelation is a major factor. Just because the projectors specifications are 1024 X 768 it doesn't mean you'll get a good pic if the pix's are large. If I was looking to buy a new projector, I would definitely look for the 1280 X 960 min. resolution.

BTW, lot's of threads here regarding the same topic, do a search and you'll be amazed at the information available :)

Matt Olieman