I noticed that PJ's seem to have fans that make "at least some" noise while running, to keep the bulb cool. I have almost no knowledge of PJ's, other than what I have read on this forum over the past few days (I plan on purchasing the HD80 tomorrow based on the feedback on this board). Keeping that in mind, has anyone tried (or is it even possible!!) to water cool a PJ to keep it quiet with better cooling? Thanks everyone! I look forward to participating a bit more when I get the HD80 in my apt!!

I noticed that PJ's seem to have fans that make "at least some" noise while running, to keep the bulb cool. I have almost no knowledge of PJ's, other than what I have read on this forum over the past few days (I plan on purchasing the HD80 tomorrow based on the feedback on this board). Keeping that in mind, has anyone tried (or is it even possible!!) to water cool a PJ to keep it quiet with better cooling? Thanks everyone! I look forward to participating a bit more when I get the HD80 in my apt!!


I've never heard of a water cooled home theater projector but I have a couple points for you. First, the HD80, like all PJs, does have a fan and in a quiet room or during quiet scenes you can hear it. I've had a couple projectors now in the home over the last few years and feel the HD80 is fairly quiet. We don't find the fan noise to be a problem, especially if you are running the lamp in econo-mode. It does get louder if you use full brightness. Second, you can buy or build a hushbox to enclose the PJ which will, could, or might have less noise than the PJ alone. We had a very nice and costly hushbox which fully enclosed our first PJ - with air intake and exhaust, and it was quiet. But when we installed the HD80 we were going to need a newly designed box because it was a different PJ and decided that thee HD80s fan noise was no worse than our hushbox so we saved ourselves $800 by blowing off the hushbox. We sit directly under the HD80 and have never regretted our decision to pass on the hushbox.

Thank you btokars. I'm really getting more and more comfortable with my decision to get a PJ - today looks to be the day! This is really new and uncharted territory for me. I was "originally" going to get a 52"+ LCD flat screen, but was really impressed with the newer PJ models I saw at various stores - I really hadn't seen a PJ in over 20 years!!! The new models are simply amazing, even in brighter rooms (although I realize that closing curtains etc for viewing will make the experience better). A few of the "bonus" features that PJ's seem to have for me include:

1. Better portability. I travel/move with work quite a lot, carting a PJ and its screen around are MUUUUCH easier than carting a flat screen, even if the PJ is mounted etc (as flat screens are generally mounted as well - I consider this task "a wash" between the two systems). PJ's are much smaller and generally lighter as well.
2. High quality picture. I don't think I need to say more here!
3. Tremendous size. Yeah - as above, this one is self-explanatory.
4. Ease of maintenance. Replacing a bulb is easier than replacing a whole screen! Other parts seem to be easier to get to and replace as well if they "go bad".
5. "mod-a-bility". Sorry for inventing a word here.. but it seems that with a PJ, I can slowly modify its surroundings to improve it to make the overall experience much better. For instance, on the HD80 sticky thread, there are posts about user made screen covers, to drown out "leaky" light etc etc etc. Even the "quiet box" that you described in your reply is a nice, easy mod that I can do, should I determine that the fan noise is un-acceptable. I'm betting I can mod the actual fan to, with a different model, provided I either use the same (or better) CFM.

Its a bold new world here for me!! I think to begin, I'm going to get the PJ with a "simple" screen (cheap/easy to set up). I'll probably "mount" the PJ on a table to begin with - just to feel out its ins/outs. Once I get comfortable with the unit, I'll plan on a more "permanent" install (ceiling or shelf on the wall mount).

Thank you everyone who has provided comments on this forum - I'm trying like MAD to digest them. As I find out interesting things, I will also try to be as communicative about them as well :).

[QUOTE=... I'll probably "mount" the PJ on a table to begin with - just to feel out its ins/outs. Once I get comfortable with the unit, I'll plan on a more "permanent" install (ceiling or shelf on the wall mount)...).[/QUOTE]



Have fun with it. A PJ is great. Here's a link to a little video I put together about our HD80 installation. Thank goodness my wife has power tools and knows how to use them!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qGhf0JMSXZo

Enjoy.

Very cool Vid! The thing that looks the hardest is the measurement. Do any ceiling mounts offer brackets that have "tolerance" in them? (ability to slide 6 to 12 inches forward/backward side to side?). If so, thats probably the bracket for me to get... I'll probably mess the measurements up about that much!!! :D