OLD InFocus Projector Suggestions

[David Whatley]

I have an old InFocus Projector that only does 640X480 and really dont want to throw it in the trash. Any suggestions on what to do with it? And if you suggest @bay, CL etc, what would be a fair price?
david

[bondarnes]

I might connect it to an old spare computer and have it project a looped slideshow for clients to watch while they are waiting for their appointment

[tc95]

640X480 should be good as a wall projector for movies....you could donate it...??

[janikphoto]

I'd try messing around with it to do some sort of background for shooting a video.

[Daniel W.]

Agreed, background machine! Gel it to a decent color temperature and project it (out of focus) on to some frosted material for neat effects!

[David Whatley]

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

Agreed, background machine! Gel it to a decent color temperature and project it (out of focus) on to some frosted material for neat effects!

OK guys, give me a little more insight to what you are thinking when you say "background machine"?
Are we talking about something along the lines of the old rear projection type of thing?

[zeroendless]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

OK guys, give me a little more insight to what you are thinking when you say "background machine"?
Are we talking about something along the lines of the old rear projection type of thing?

Forget about it, chances are you won't be able to accomplish that.

It's an Infocus front projector, so it has to be a DLP (no optical lens shift) and since it's an aged technology, digital keystone is limited. How are you going to project image on the screen without shooting it straight to customer face?

[mathia]

I would think it would have an option to reverse the image, so a rear projections scenario would be applicable. Depends on the model and it's available options, of course.

[zeroendless]

Originally Posted by mathia

I would think it would have an option to reverse the image, so a rear projections scenario would be applicable. Depends on the model and it's available options, of course.

Here's come the throwing distance problem, you will need a good clearance in the back to get the desire screen size. If it's a biz unit, then it's a short-throw projector, you probably can get away within 5-feet. If it's a home-theater unit, then it's a long-throw (typical Infocus and DLP standard), you are looking at at least 15-feet to get somewhere around 100-inch image.

Also, now that we are taking about rear projection, you can't simply use a blackout cloth or matte white broad/screen like front projector. The cost of rear projection screen is probably a little too much trying to get that decade-old projector to work for something...

[SpeedRacerSlots]

I keep an old 800x600 projector at the house, and hook it up to the gaming system or to the kids DVD player when they have friends over for an all nighter.... they think it rocks!
come on, when you were a kid, playing Mario on something the size of your whole bedroom wall wouldnt have been the coolest thing in the world....?

[David Whatley]

Greg, when I was a kid, there were no electronic games. The closest thing was an etch a scetch. LOL.
I just hate to throw the durn thing away if I might could put it to good use.

[texxter]

Have you considered projecting a pattern on the background? This would be obviously a different color light than flash, but that can be addressed. It could be used as a projection cookie. I use a cardboard cutout in front of a strobe to break the background, and I figure that a projector could do the same.

Also, it would be cool to actually project something on a model, think zebra stripes? May work ok for B&W, or even color.

I think there is a place for an old projector in a home studio if you add some creativity and limits to what it can do.