Projector questions....

[RobyMD]

I'm really looking to purchase a projector soon. Looking at the sales paper projectors range from 600 - 1200 or so. But I've seen some of the canons up in the few thousands range. What is the difference? What should I be looking for. Is lumens and contrasts more important than max resolution or vice versa.

This is going to be used for projected proofing and I want to go for the best bang for the buck (not many bucks though).

If anyone has a brand they've used and had good or bad results please chime in also.

Thanks
RMD

[KingViper]

Optoma HD70. It supports native 720P and will down convert any higher resolution. Use it in my room all the time. This is a home theater projector though, and you must have the room dark, otherwise nothing shows up that well.

The higher the lumens, the brighter the image. This is not only for how dark your room is, but also how big of an image you want to project. The bigger the image, the more lumens you'll want.

As far as contrast ratio goes, higher is better, but to what extent? My HD70 has a 3000:1 and I love it.

Good luck.

[adirty1]

the big thing is lumens just as stated before and how it handles your signal... I personally like using the plasma tv. also check your video card. if you want to hd your going to need a card that can do hd

[RobyMD]

How does 720p translate into computer resolutions ie 800x600, 1024x768. Also to get an idea what is enough lumens vs not enough. I've seen some projectors @ 900 - 1200 lumens and others at 2000+.

Thanks

[KingViper]

1280x720 is HD. Almost any computer can do that. 1080i\p is 1920x1080.

[zeroendless]

PJ for image presentation or HT movie?

[cmalana]

Just like monitors, you'll get what you pay for on projectors. It's tough to find one that accurately displays the colors and contrast. That's where the price differences come in. If you're just proofing and don't intend to faithfully reproduce the image (or have it look close to what it will look like in print), then you can go cheaper.

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by cmalana

Just like monitors, you'll get what you pay for on projectors. It's tough to find one that accurately displays the colors and contrast. That's where the price differences come in. If you're just proofing and don't intend to faithfully reproduce the image (or have it look close to what it will look like in print), then you can go cheaper.

Carlo beat me to it. I am switching to projection soon and the one thing I have learned from those that do this, DO NOT cut corners on the projector. Get a good one...though it will cost you a little bit of money. You have to remember what you are doing...this is the presentation that will either make or break the sale. If the colors and representation of the image from the projector isn't right and it doesn't WOW your clients, your wasting your money.

CJ

[KingViper]

I think the above posters are right, but you need to adjust every projector you get. My optoma was not accurate, but I have a DVD that walks you through setting the proper colors on your projector. After calibrating it, it looks great, of course I don't use it for presentations or picture viewing, I just use it to watch movies and play video games.

[Dobick]

One thing that is often overlooked on a projection system is the screen. I highly, highly recommend getting a quality screen. They even make screens that can add gain to the image, so that it will look sharper and more contrasty. The price can also range from quite high to very affordable. If this is going to be a semi-permenant installation, then there are a number of options available that can make this look extremely professional, from a ceiling mount for the projector, with a hidden cable run, wireless keyboard and mouse, and the computer in a closet projecting onto a in ceiling mounted electronic drop down projector screen.

If this is not going to be a permanent installation, then you will want to ensure that the projector you select has dual axis keystone correction. It will make life much more simple when it comes to getting the image square on the wall.

[JRW]

I have an Infocus LP120 which is great if you plan to travel with the projector. It is about the size of a carton of cigarettes!

As far as color reproduction goes, you will have to constantly adjust your color setting since the quality of source light will diminish as the bulb gets older. I believe their is a version of a Color Spyder type product which can read the projected light to automatically adjust.

When you are ready, check out projectorcentral.com. They are who I purchased my HT projector from, and I was pleased.

Good luck!

[RobyMD]

Thanks for all the replies. As assumed this is for projecting imaging and proofing for clients. A few suggestions leaned towards going with quality (more expensive option). That makes sense but what are some things to look for as far as quality goes? And what are somethings to avoid?

[KingViper]

Originally Posted by RobyMD

Thanks for all the replies. As assumed this is for projecting imaging and proofing for clients. A few suggestions leaned towards going with quality (more expensive option). That makes sense but what are some things to look for as far as quality goes? And what are somethings to avoid?

Good question. What you're looking for is not an expensive projector, but one that accurately displays your colors. You'll have to read reviews. The thing is, you will HAVE to get whatever projector you end up with calibrated. You really can't go into a store to see how well it displays colors, because those aren't calibrated. You almost need a friend with one. So really, there isn't much anyone on the forum can really do...haha..sorry.

[zeroendless]

That makes sense but what are some things to look for as far as quality goes? And what are somethings to avoid?

A few things you want to look,

LCD vs DLP, generally DLP has better color reproduction but cheaper model using lower count of color segments (wheel), some users experienced eye strain & nausea toward the rainbow effect. LCD have the latest bell and whistle and most affordable compare to DLP with the same feature but panels degrade in time with color shifted, the earlier generation exhibit terrible vertical streak (subtle lines on gradient background, especially blue sky), After 3 generations of using LCD... i 'think" i still see them.. :) but they are getting much better to none. Then there's Lcos panels but more expensive and out of your price range,

Lens shift, using mechanical lens shift to adjust projected image location instead of digital keystone to avoid image distortion. Available on most LCD based HT projector, i have not seen one on DLP.

Throwing distance, What's the zoom range? How far can i throw xx size of screen from yy range of distance. Almost all projector has different spec on this department.

This site has brilliant calculator you can use http://www.projectorcentral.com/Dell...ulator-pro.htm

Resolution, for image presentation, i'll go with 4:3. Try at least 1024x768 native resolution projector.

Brightness : The lumens spec are based on highest possible the projector can produce with the lost of color accuracy. This is true even with very expensive projectors. It's possible to decent color of out it with proper calibration. You just need a right tool for the job. Typical Lumens drop with high power / dynamite mode is about 15-20% of manufacturer claimed. Another 10-15% after good adjustment. As many as 50-60% drop for movie/ maximum contrast with D65 color mode. You even seen a sport mode on regular TV? it's much brighter and cooler. Movie or Theater mode is darker and warmer but better in skin tone.

Contrast : Higher the better, what else?

Screen : There's high gain (glossy), neutral (white) and high contrast (grey screen). Most user will prefer high gain screen to increase the factor of projected light. Now, high gain screen can be retro-reflective or angular ..etc. Your best budget is probably Dalite high power which is a retro-reflective type. it reflects light back towards it source at highest gains, the light fall off if you audience is off the side. The high gain may also result in hot spot on overly white image. I'll suggest a good old 1.0 gain white screen.

Ps, friend of mine just received a sony dynaclear screen couple days ago, it was shown in Cedia couple year back but never made it to the USA till this week. They called it a revolution screen back then, it maintains good level of color accuracy and brightness even with lights on it surrounding. The news slowly died off with no availability for the last 2 years. I can't wait to see....

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...=Compatibility

Calibration. Now you can calibrate Projector with open source software + regular calibration light reader like Optix pro DTP94. You should able to get good color reproduction but don't expect it as accurate as what other does on your monitor. http://www.homecinema-fr.com/colorimetre/index_en.php

Like Ryan said, you'll be disappointed try to find a demo at local chain stores. They can't even get their TV display right :)

For you price range. I'll start with Dell 2400, calibrated and see how much you can live the lumens fall off. It's a great value projector for business class. it if doesn't work out, they have 30 days free return policy ??

[ChristopherCoy]

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