Thoughts on Data Projectors

[Kevnool]

I am going to purchase a projector for home theatre and looking around the $1200 mark.
I see plenty of them on various sites from various makers.
Can anyone who uses them shed some light on the subject.
2200 lumens ? <---- Is that bright enough for a 4 mtr throw.
Any comments appreciated.
Cheers Kev.

[spearo]

Hi Mate,
You've probably found this site already but here it is anyways:
projectisles.com.au
that's where i got my old Infocus SP7205 from
at the time they were very helpful, absolute best deal in Oz been recommending them to everyone
they have good lists of different products with prices etc
for what its worth, my old machine is going great guns
so you may not need all the absolute latest super high tech specs

and , no, i don't have an affiliation with anybody...i wish, life would be easier....
frank

[Satchmo]

Kev

Usually those kind of Lumen figures are not 'theatre mode' they are data mode, where they go for bright picture but low contrast. Most modern theatre projecters advertise 2000 lumens or more but actually do about 1000 lumens in thetre mode which gives you the blackest blacks.

I've been running an old Infocus X1 SVGA DLP in 16: 9 mode for 6 years now. It probably does about 600 lumens in theatre mode, which is no problem as long as you darken the room. I use the 1080i input for high definition TV and my DVDs automatically get upscaled to that becasue I use an old PC as my media centre. I have it mounted in the ceiling and a $200 motorised screen from EBay. One of the best bits of technology I ever bought at still going strong with 3000 hours on the lamp.

I would recommend future proofing by getting nothing less than a 1280 X 720 resolution HD projector if your main interest is home theatre. You can get them now as cheap as $1500.

ie. http://www.justprojectors.com.au/hc1100.htm

Hope this is of help.

Mark

[iceman]

On a slightly related note, what recommendations does anyone have for a data projector for a low-contrast, non-darkened environment?

I want to see if there's any options for a projector or screen for IISAC where we don't have the benefit or a closed-in room.

(I'd be looking to rent).

[erick]

Maybe a rear projection option, Mike?

[Kevnool]

Thx all for the input i just drove back down to Mildura 300 klm,s away to pick up my Epson EB-W6 it looked good in Harvey Normans so i walked away with it for 1399.00 complete with HDMI inputs.

There was a cheaper model there for 1099.00 but it did not have HDMI.
And while in there backed it up with a Kenwood audio system.

[Bassnut]

I found DLP provides superior performance over LCD. LCD requires a gap between pixels for connections so you see a grid pattern on the screen (dark gap lines). DLP pixels are next to each other and dont suffer this problem.

[JohnH]

Mate you were very fast to buy and I missed your post so I hope you enjoy your new kit...but for others info you can go here:

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?

And find info on PJs and associated video gadgets eg screens blu-ray players etc. You might also find a good deal on a s/h unit.

As to the lumens/distance question it is not quite the right way to think about the best unit for HT use. First consideration is the screen size and aspect ratio you want and then the room lighting. For uncontrolled lighting and a large screen you will need a bright PJ if the room is dark then contrast is more desireable than brightness. You will alos need to consider weight, noise, portability and mounting options. There is loads of help on the forum just ask...of course there is a tendency for folks to recommend what they just bought (Optoma HD65 in my case :) which is good for my purposes).

But basically yes is the answer to your question 2000 Lumens will give you a good result at 4m with a screen of approx 100" 16:9 in a non dedicated room. The unit you choose will do the job.

I second Sachmo's comments - PJs are one of the best bits of tech gear available atm - cheaper and far better than a big screen for sports and movies - blu rays and HDTV are stunning.:D don't get less than a 720p.

Cheap screens pop up on ebay and Grays on line all the time - and yes it is worth getting a screen instead of using a while wall.

[Satchmo]

Awesome..a 720p projector for $1399 !. Well done . Check out the omline shops on Ebay selling motorised screens..well worth the money. Six years ago I payed $1850 for my 800 X 600 DLP projector , which at the time was a great price given the same `theatre' model was distributed in the Audio Visual shops for $2600 and the rebadged `data' model I bought was the same PJ, available online, just without a supplied RGB video cable for $1850..:lol:

[Kevnool]

Thanks Mark this machine is perfect.

With the 4 mtr throw it produces screen size of 3mtrs x 2mtrs.

Too big i reckon for a screen so tomorrow i,ll go to our specialist paint shop and ask them about tinted white or off white, The problem with a painted white surface is like it is showing ultra violet light lighting up purple.

Cheers Kev.

[Satchmo]

Just a suggestion , one great thing about a motorised screen, is that you don't waste the wall you use to view on. My PJ screen drops down in front of a big window with a view during the day, or you might want to use the wall some nice pictures. or shelves. The screens come with a fairly genourous black leader at the top so you can mount them high above and still have confortable screen height. Its also really nice to have that black border..it makes the screen look like a giant LCD TV with crisp edges to the picture.

Online Depot was the mob I bought mine from 6 years ago and still going strong. This 3.5 meter at 16:9 would probably do you ?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/138-3-5m-MOTORISED-MOVIE-TV-PROJECTOR-SCREEN-16-9-MW_W0QQitemZ310147618124QQcmdZViewI temQQptZAU_Home_Theatre_Projector_S creens?hash=item48363d154c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1% 7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C 294%3A50

Mark

[White Rabbit]

Iceman, I have a data pro you can borrow for the next astro camp if need be, pm and we can talk. I might be able to provide some sound equipment to. Just about the only thing that i cat get is a screen, so let me know what you need.

Sandy

[Kevnool]

The new Epson i purchased had a test run with the sons PS3 through the HDMA lead with a bluray dvd which was called journey to the centre of the earth in 3D.
All i can say that it was the first time i was wearing these coloured glasses and the results was nothing less than spectacular.

All i could here in the room was ohhs and arrs.

Video and Audio was 10/10.

It was projected onto my wall that was painted with Taubmans ceiling white with 1/2 point of black added to take it off white.

I,m over the moon....Cheers Kev.