My room dimensions are 20'x30'x11' plus 5' for projection room at the back. The screen false wall is about 3' from the front wall. I'm looking for suggestions and recommendations for a projector that will throw 28'+.

I was planning on going with a curved 170" 2.35 AT SMX screen but I am willing to reconsider this. I was hoping to stay around 20K for just the projector, anamorphic lens would be above this. Thanks for any advice.

not a chance. your exectations are unrealistic.

triple that and you can come up with something decent

Assuming you want a 1080 projector: Yes, for 35K (if you're comfortable buying demo projectors), but definitely not 20K.

If you prefere new: a Sim2 Lumis might work and runs 38K MSRP. A long throw lens is probably extra $.

Thanks for the replies and unfortunately that's what I suspected...I was only *hoping* that maybe I missed something out there that did everything and wasn't quite so expensive :)

Realizing that my expectations on price need to be considerably higher, I guess I should rephrase my question. My goal is to find a projector that is bright enough while not being a light canoon and sacrificing contrast or color while giving the most bang for the buck, not just a blank check dream machine.

Given my screen/distance specs I guess I'm most concerned with having a bright enough picture. I have been reading about what distance and the zoom settings do by affecting the projectors rated brightness and how a calibrated projector produces considerably less lumens than the original rating.

So I guess I need some direction in regards to what brightness I should be looking for and then projectors that maybe fit the bill. And sorry, yes I am looking for 1080 and preferably new.

if my math is right, your 170" 2.35 (with anamorphic) is a native 128 x 72 with a diagonal of about 147. so that is a pretty big screen.

to get in the 25-30 ft lamberts range, you need about 1800 lumens. (considering a gain of 1.) CALIBRATED, AFTER maybe 500 hours on the lamp. so from the numbers being posted, the lumis would be close, but likely leave you wanting. (of course my math could be off)

you may want to look at a smaller screen. or re-evaluate how much you can spend on proj. have you also factored in audio budget? 170" wide needs lots of sound to match it. it would be a shame to finish a grandiose image and be left wanting in the audio realm and have a badly mismatched system.

If my memory servers me correctly... isn't the SMX AT Curved Screen eating up most of your budget of 20K? It's been awhile but I believed the screen was like 15K retail for a screen of that size.

You may be better off going back to VuTec or Screen Innovations as they both have newer AT screens.

We're currently awaiting samples of the new 4K AT screen material.

Another idea... not sure if it would work; is to flip the room around... and use a Stewart rear projection screen with a smaller throw distance. I have not looked into pricing so it may be too much, but it's an idea.

'20K for just the projector'.

Look into those 720P Boxlight machines Alan Gouger is clearing listprice was 17K, so these should go for considerably less than your budget (halve?), Listed at 8K ANSI Lumens so that should do nicely.

'20K for just the projector'.

Look into those 720P Boxlight machines Alan Gouger is clearing listprice was 17K, so these should go for considerably less than your budget (halve?), Listed at 8K ANSI Lumens so that should do nicely.

Ahh my mistake. I missed that.

if my math is right, your 170" 2.35 (with anamorphic) is a native 128 x 72 with a diagonal of about 147. so that is a pretty big screen.

to get in the 25-30 ft lamberts range, you need about 1800 lumens. (considering a gain of 1.) CALIBRATED, AFTER maybe 500 hours on the lamp. so from the numbers being posted, the lumis would be close, but likely leave you wanting. (of course my math could be off)

you may want to look at a smaller screen. or re-evaluate how much you can spend on proj. have you also factored in audio budget? 170" wide needs lots of sound to match it. it would be a shame to finish a grandiose image and be left wanting in the audio realm and have a badly mismatched system.

Originally when the theater layout & construction design was done by D.Erskine I was planning on doing a 160" wide screen and I was thinking of something like the Infocus 777 which was ending its life cycle. But since this was well over a year ago as home construction has been taking about that long and we're finally getting to point where the theater is being transformed from the empty soundproof shell I figured that technology doing what it normally does must have improved while prices decrease I figured I could go to 1080p and slightly enlargen the screen and stay within budget :) Maybe I should stay with the original size but go with the 1080p.

As far budget goes it really isn't set in stone, but I was planning around 80K for the major equipment (projector, scope, screen, speakers, amps & pre-amp), I just didn't want to spend half of it on a projector. As far as audio goes my current theater has Paradigm Reference Signature speakers and Anthem amps & pre-amps which I've been happy with and was thinking something along the same lines. But that's another topic for another day :)

I want a quality experience but I want to be a little bit practical (if that's possible with this hobby), but if something around 20K will get me 95% of awesome, I don't need to spend another 20K to get me the last 5%.

I have an HT 5000 that I use at 27' throw on a 168" 2.35:1 screen. My room is 20' x27'x 9'3" so close to what you need. If I move to another projector I could get into your price range. You will get 20fL on that screen.

Art

Digital Projection Dvision30-1080p

Single chip DLP

Plenty of brightness

$28k Retail

if you think 30-35 for proj, you can likely be 95%. although i would think of downsizing the screen a bit. the 160 would be good.

As for that 777, AVS had a blow out sale on the Kodak version for 7 or 8 K USD over two years ago, so I doubt you'll still be able to find any new in box units.

That Dvision is that a Projection Design rebadge?

Cineramax, remind us, which one didn't have rainbows?

What about something like the C3X1080p? Would it work for what I'm looking for, ie: bright enough? I've seen a used one on ebay and another one in the devices for sale section in my range.

As for that 777, AVS had a blow out sale on the Kodak version for 7 or 8 K USD over two years ago, so I doubt you'll still be able to find any new in box units.

That Dvision is that a Projection Design rebadge?

Cineramax, remind us, which one didn't have rainbows?

Cineramax mentioned the PD Avielo Optix (dual lamp) not to have rainbows. It is a good option and he can get it brand new within his budget. However, I think the OP should be looking at used 3DLP projectors and hopefully get a good one as that is a better option IMO. He should wait it out for a while longer and the PJ should be the last piece of HT equipment bought for this install. Who knows ... maybe a good deal pops up for him.

Digital Projection Dvision30-1080p

Single chip DLP

Plenty of brightness

$28k Retail


Rainbows on this projector:eek:

Try Videogon there is a Used Titian 1080P there.. 38k but it has everythingyou need :cool: ....http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?projdlpa&1239129259

I am also shopping for a projector to light up an SMX 132 or 144" wide 2.35 screen.
It seems (to me at least) that there is a 'brightness' glut in the $10-15K projector price range (1080P projectors).
If I want a smaller screen, seems like I could easily find a great solution for under $10K, however, to get the brightness (with image quality) for this screen size, I need to jump up to like $25K+ for the projector.
Am I missing something?

W

Try Videogon there is a Used Titian 1080P there.. 38k but it has everythingyou need :cool: ....http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?projdlpa&1239129259

I thought he said 20K.

Art

Quote:
Originally Posted by ccool96
Digital Projection Dvision30-1080p

Single chip DLP

Plenty of brightness

$28k Retail


Rainbows on this projector

I have the earlier dVision 1080p ( 250 watt bulbs instead of 300 watt, and no Brilliant Color ) and I never see rainbows except in extremely rare scenes ( and then only briefly ) and neither do my dozens of guests ( I've asked and they don't know what I'm talking about ). It's a bright mother with new bulbs!! And throws one hell of a sharp picture. I might have mine up for sale soon, if my Lumis ever shows up !!!

What do you guys think of the new Panasonic WUXGA single chippers at 6-6.5K ANSI lumens max., should leave room for taking output down a bit through calibration, and partial chip usage.

I thought he said 20K.

Art


Sorry my bad:cool:

h[QUOTE=Craig Peer;15797359]I have the earlier dVision 1080p ( 250 watt bulbs instead of 300 watt, and no Brilliant Color ) and I never see rainbows except in extremely rare scenes ( and then only briefly ) and neither do my dozens of guests ( I've asked and they don't know what I'm talking about ). It's a bright mother with new bulbs!! And throws one hell of a sharp picture. I might have mine up for sale soon, if my Lumis ever shows up !!!

I've seen it at the last two CEDIAs' myself and alot of other people also made the same commit about the rainbows...if you like it who cares enjoy it:cool:

Did any-one here see the 6700 Panasonic at ISE? Rainbows?

http://www.proavbiz-europe.com/
http://panasonic.net/avc/projector/products/d6000/