[swgiust]

I am looking for a projector to mount in a garage. It will be on a pivot.

In bad weather it will point to a screen inside, about 20' away. In good weather we want to swing it around and point it at the side of the house.

About 35' away.


I'm new in this area. So I am assuming I need something with a high

contrast ratio? Does contrast compute to brightness? Obviously we don't

want it to look like crap, but crystal clear 1080p is also not the goal.


I would really like to find something used if possible. Budget $ 1500??


Thanks.

 

[reedl]

You need brightness, not contrast ratio. Contrast Ratio refers to the difference between fully on, and fully off that the projector can display. What you need is a brighter picture, so you need more lumens.


I would think that a contrast ratio of at least 500 to 1 would be acceptable since you cannot get the area dark enough to even see dark black .

 

[Sheridan1952]

You also need to be aware that there is no projector that is made to live outside in an uncontrolled environment. The temperature and humidity swings will do it in over time.


And you will be using this when it is dark. Budget projectors have no hope of competing with daylight.

 

[swgiust]

The projector will be in the garage. We are going to cut in a small opening/door so we can project outside.


Would shooting through a pane of glass affect to brightness?

 

[Sheridan1952]

I figured it would be in the garage, the same caution still holds. A garage is typically an uncontrolled environment, subject to temperature and humidity changes that are not good for a projector.


Having said that, it may well be that you'll be okay. But I prefer to err on the side of caution, especially when it's someone else's expensive gear.


You can shoot through a pane of glass with negligible effect on the image, however, you will want to tilt the glass so you're not getting a reflection back.

 

[SKoprowski]

If you are using a projector outdoors just make sure you get a projector with sealed optics. I believe most DLP projectors have sealed optics. The bugs, dirt and dust would be a big issue if the optics were not sealed. As far as your distance- you're not gloing to find too many cheap projectors that can produce a good image from 35 feet away- it would have to be extremely bright.

 

[Sheridan1952]

Sealed is a relative term. Sealed will keep out the bugs, but dust can and does still get in. I've cleaned many DLP projectors with "sealed" optics.

 

[*UFO*]

On "sealed" DLP projectors, there is an opening, which starts at the light tunnel where dust and what not can get in, so its not truly sealed. However, compared to LCD, its sealed.

 

[Sheridan1952]

There is also the cover over the chamber that will allow dust to pass through.

 

[swgiust]

Thanks guys, this has been helpful.


I think I will build an enclosure with a exhaust fan and filter to hold

everything.