I'm looking for a projector that is going to light up a 240" screen at night. A friend of mine is using one of those $280 projectors to light up a 190" screen. Its pretty decent but I am sure a better projector can do better. I am not new to projectors because I have a home theater with one but the shear size of 200+ inches is incredible. The problem with the inexpensive projector was the picture wasnt sharp and the colors were off. It claimed it had 7000 lumens, I need some that can produce a good picture on the screen I mentioned. 4k is a must, there doesn't appear to be any native 4k under $3000 but 4k pixel shift is good enough. 3d is good but not necessary. What would foot my bill?
I would suggest a Viewsonic PX747-4K (but no 3D). This projector is actually quite enjoyable when displaying 4K HDR content, even in bright mode. See my review here:
While the Viewsonic PX747-4K is no doubt a nice projector and I generally prefer the look of a DLP unit, DLP projectors typically put out ~70% of their published lumen output when displaying an actual color picture. So expect ~25-30% less than its published 3500 lumens.
DLP projectors lumen spec's are given with white light. The Epson's lumen output is given with both white light and color.
Also, keep in mind that you're going to be working with some ambient light from the moon and stars as well as any neighborhood light pollution. A screen the size your using needs all the help it can get.
As an example, here's an Epson G7500 used outdoors on a 272" - 21'x9' - 2.39:1 aspect screen.
Your friend's projector puts out about 300-500 lumens. Compared to that a PX-747-4K is going to look absolutely fantastic as my photos show. This review compares a cheap projector similar to your friends with a lower priced DLP projector with a similar light output to a PX-747-4k, but the BenQ TH585 is 1080P and non-HDR.
Certainly there are brighter projectors (but not HDR or true 4K) but at somewhat higher cost.
However, it's your money. If I was going for a refurbed Epson, similar to the one suggested earlier in the thread, I'd spend another hundred or so for one of the laser refurbs. Be aware that there's no returns on Epson refurbs, only exchanges. So if you buy it and just don't like it, you cannot return it, unless it's actually defective and then only for an exchange.
Excellent read, that is the very same type of projector my friend has. Looks like anything I get beside those inexpensive projectors will produce a much better picture let alone using a true high lumen 4k pixel shift projector. I don't expect high contrast like I get in my dedicated blacked out room, I just vivid, bright, accurate, for the most part colors and decent contrast. It's more for the sheer size of 240" which is 4x the size of my 120" in my theater room. I'm not going to invest in $1000's of dollar for an inflatable/portable screen. The screen will be one of them $700 dollar inflatable screens you see on Amazon. The screen will have to be portable.
I ended up getting a Christie DHD700, I might be sending that back and get the DHD800 only because I cant find the Color Reproduction color wheel. It came down to cost which is why I chose the Christie. The DHD700 puts out a pretty good picture with the Brightness color wheel, I can only imagine how the other color wheel will look. With the other color wheel I will lose some lumens which is why I'm considering the DHD800.
Either one of them should should light up your 240" screen.
They are 10+ year old designs and contrast ratio is 6500:1 and 7500:1 respectively. But they are solid projectors.
Yes, you will take a hit on lumens with the RGBCYM color wheels but you will get better color and a small improvement in contrast. To be honest, I'm not sure that I would bother with it.
Both the DHD700 and the DHD800 are going to pull some current, around 8 amps. So factor that in with your electric supply for the back yard.
You should be able to buy the RGBCYM color wheel's direct from Christie. It's not something that a dealer would normally stock. And keep in mind it's color wheel's, plural, as they both require two color wheels. One for each lamp.
Sounds like you're on your way to some backyard fun! Enjoy, and have a good summer!
Yea, initially I was looking for a 4k projector. After shooting this on my 120" screen I can see the difference from a few feet from the screen compared to my JVC but at seating distance not so much. Christie does not have the colors wheels nor can I find them for the DHD700 but I can find it for the DHD800. This thing is built solid. At the end of the day I'm assuming the Epson G7400U will produce a better picture than the DHD700. I finally have something to compare.
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