Hello. I want to know what the "Operating Altitude" that appears in most projectors' specs means... Some InFocus models's specs say:

Operating Altitude: 0 - 7500' (2300m)

Does it mean that this projector can't be used in Quito, Ecuador? (Quito is located at 9,800'/3,000m over sea level)

What would happen if I use it in Quito? Will the lamp break? Will the fan suffer for not having air dense enough to cool the lamp?

As an additional note, Quito's climate is pretty much like Spring in the US: 59F at 8 a.m., 75F at midday and around 47F at 10p.m.

It has to do with the air density. The higher you go the more air you have to pass through the system to cool the lamp. My Panasonic has two settings. One is for high altitude. As to your specific question about using it in Quito, I think only the manufacturer would be able to answer that.

The Panasonic PT-AX200U manual, discussing the cooling fan setting, has the following "warning":

• At 1,400 m (4,593 ft) above sea level, the setting must
be HIGH.

There is no mention of a maximum allowable altitude.

What iolmaster said.

I'm not sure what to say.,.. I think 1/2 mile above the max listed may be to much.

Thank you a lot for all your kind replies, I decided to call InFocus and they say that it can't be used over 2,300m... I asked if they had any HT Projectors that could be used at 3,000m, but unfortunately they have none.

I was asking because I'm auctioning my old InFocus PJ (in order to buy an HD one) and wanted to know if a buyer from Quito might experience any problems. I live in Guayaquil (15 feet over sea level), so it works perfectly here.

Thank you all for posting.

Thank you a lot for all your kind replies, I decided to call InFocus and they say that it can't be used over 2,300m... I asked if they had any HT Projectors that could be used at 3,000m, but unfortunately they have none.

I was asking because I'm auctioning my old InFocus PJ (in order to buy an HD one) and wanted to know if a buyer from Quito might experience any problems. I live in Guayaquil (15 feet over sea level), so it works perfectly here.

Thank you all for posting.
Welcome to AVS from a fellow "Ecua" let us know what PJ you decide on - are you in guayaquil now?

Thank you for the welcome, Polygonkilla. I think I'll buy an HC1500 unless I find a better projector in that same price range. I'm already in talks with the courier company that will bring it to Ecuador. I'm glad to tell you that, starting February 2008, the customs Ad Valorem of projectors that can be used with PCs is 0%. You only have to pay the VAT (IVA) when importing one. Anyway, I'm waiting until I sell my old projector.

Yes, I'm in Guayaquil right now. Home Theater projectors are almost unknown in Ecuador; people are buying presentation projectors for their homes, so I had to write a long explanation of the advantages of a dedicated HT unit in the description of my auction.

I will be helping a Catholic Priest working in Guayaquil - in Precooperativa Sergio Toral - to set up a community center and I will be setting up a meeting room with projector, screen, speakers, micrpophones etc - and will need to decide which components to bring and which components to buy - I'd be very greatful to start a thread or other communication channel you "Ecua's" about what the right alternatives are (bring or buy) and issues about VAT, help there etc.

Gracias...

...barney carney