That is just brilliant. That is, easily, the most intuitive calculator I have seen to this point. Obviously adding about 500 more projectors would be great, but it's simply astoundingly easy the way it is.

Recommendations:

Add projectors which don't have lens shift, but do have offset. So, the Optoma HD142x for example, which is really popular. Short throw models like the BenQ HT2150ST, etc.

Add a units selection option: mm, inches, feet. I know mm is such a world standard, but in the USA, it means so little to people here. Yes, that's our own dumb fault, but still, if the units could be inches and feet, it would be helpful to people that work with those measurements.

Man - That thing is really cool!

 

Glat to hear your feedback - AV Integrated!

For your recommendations:
1. The calculator does support projectors that have no lens shift (when the lens shift has a "none" mark and the slider won't work). I will add Optoma HD142x and BenQ HT2150ST per your suggestion.
2. Unit selection option: will work on that as first priority.

Thanks a lot!

Jack

 

Update 2017/9/2:
1. bug fix: lock/unlock picture size, the unit for min/max projection distance does not change.
2. Add Sony 2017 new models: VPL-VW260ES/VPL-VW760ES.

 

Update 2017/9/7:
Add Epson 2017 new models: Home Cinema 2100/Home Cinema 2150.

 

Update 2017/9/21: V1.3 released:
Added a "Print" button with optimized printable info: pic & key data in one page.
Print out calculation result for the record!

 

Update 2017/9/23: V1.4 released:
1) Bug fix for incorrect calculation when zoom slider is not at telephoto end or wide angle end.
2) Switch zoom slider direction (1.0x means wide angle instead of telephoto).
3) Enlarge print button.
4) Minor bug fix.

 

Thanks for this, I like it better than projector central. Maybe add 2:35 screen size?

 

Glad you like it!

I'm thinking about 2.35 too. Should be implemented as next update. Thanks for the feedback!

 

Continuing to make requests, because I frankly think this is the best calculator I've seen in a while...

Had a discussion in this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/68-di...ectors-under-3-000-usd-msrp/2923152-epson-3100-ceiling-height.html#post54897960

Wanted you to consider adding both lens shift options and perhaps a draggable box for lens shift position like Epson offers. This, I imagine, is a huge pain in the neck, and entirely up to you for consideration. Since you can't achieve both maximum horizontal and vertical shift at the same time, it would provide an excellent addition to a great calculator that includes lens shift.

Keep up the great work!

 

Thanks for your recommendation!

I've read the discussion.
I will have to think carefully about how to present horizontal lens shift control in an intuitive way.
Because, frankly I don't think Epson's way of showing lens shift is good enough to understand the whole story, even for me.

Thanks again for the feedback - let's work towards a "perfect" calculator (like the sound of it ).

Jack

 

Jack - I will keep responding to this thread as long as you are an active participant and making it better. I think you have a fantastic product with this calculator, and I will certainly help to promote it. I really hope companies, like Epson, start using it on their websites as it really gives people the information that they need to find out if a projector will work in their space.

 

This is a fantastic projector calc that is much better at determining your mounting options/lens throw options than anything else I've seen. The one recommendation I would make is to calculate expected ft/lamberts of the image and to provide a third "Picture Size" option for "16:9 + Anamorpic lens". I would rename the 2.35:1 option to "Zoom Method 2.35:1). There should be an option in the "16:9 + Anamorpic lens" mode for either horizontal stretch (most common) or vertical compression (better for newer high output projectors) lenses.

You would also need a value for screen gain for input to the ft/lambert equation. I would think that the output ft/lamberts would need to be color coded for those not in the know about what an acceptable range is and a note about leaving headroom for lamp dimming. Most projectors have a high/low lamp mode but I would pick one (high lamp?) and let the user override the lumen output as it varies by calibration, mode, iris setting, and lamp life. That way someone looking at their first projector would have enough info to make a good decision and an expert could finely tune a setup.

The really great thing about your calculator is you see the screen size change based on which option you choose, or you see what your mounting options are to get to a certain screen size. Adding what ft/lamberts you get for a given screen area is the final piece to the puzzle. At that point your calculator would cover 99% of what you need to do to pick a projector.

 

Thanks a lot mindedc for your recommendations!

Already changed "2.35:1" option to "Zoomed 2.35:1".
"anamorphic lens 2.35:1" should be not hard to add in. It's in my enhancement list now.
Are these two names make sense to you?

The ft/lambert calculation is also in the enhancement list, as a big new feature .

 

Jack, great work! One thing: I played with it just now and compared it to other calculators and got a bit confused, since the numbers didn't match. Then I realized that while others use a 2.39:1 format for "Scope", your calculator is using 2.35:1 which I'm not sure is a good idea.

Example: if I put in a screen size of exactly 128" in http://www.screen-size.info/ (which does not deal with specific projectors, only screen size calculations), screen width is 299.9 cm and height is 125.5 cm, but if I put 128" in yours, you get a screen width of 299.2 cm but a screen heigth of 127.3 cm.

I know the difference isn't huge but it gave me some headaches ...

 

Hi Kutzon,
Thanks for you to use the calc and comment, really appreciate!

In fact I hesitated on this 2.35 or 2.39 or 2.40 thing for quite a while.
We have different formats for cinemascope: 2.39, 2.40, 2.35. What cinemascope screen ratio is reasonable?
I also checked dozens of my BD titles: most cinemascope titles are 2.39/2.40, but there are a few 2.35 existing too.

For 2.39, 2.40, 2.35 formats, I thought that if screen is 2.35 ratio, then 2.39 and 2.40 formats can all fit in - imagine you have a lens memory capable projector, you zoom in to fit 2.39/2.40/2.35 films into the screen, they should have the same width but different height - with 2.35 just edge to edge, 2.39 and 2.40 both have black bars up and down.

On the other hand, if screen is 2.39 radio, then 2.39 format can fit in edge to edge. 2.40 also fine, with black bars up and down. But, 2.35 will have problem - because it is "taller" than 2.40, some upper and lower parts of 2.35 picture will fall out of the 2.40 frame.

To confirm my theory (that we want to fill a 2.35:1 screen) I went to several screen manufactures' website. Unfortunatley I located only 2 of them which published the dimension of their 2.35 screens.
One is Chinese brand called JK screens. The other is America brand Elite Screens. For both the viewing area is calculated as 2.35:1.
e.g. https://elitescreens.com/front/front/productdetail/product/125#section7

That's why 2.35:1 is used in calculation.

Could you help to measure the actual cinemascope screen ratio, if you have one? Just want to make sure the calc to follow the best practice.

 

2017/10/15 update: V1.7 released:
Optimized print layout for lens shift feature: all information is presented within one A4 paper.

 

Brilliant!

This is simply brilliant! Haven't found a calculator that is even close to this. Really looking forward to the addition of anamorphic lens options (which should really be 2.37 - 1.33x16/9). Well done, thank you and keep up the good work!

 

This is simply brilliant! Haven't found a calculator that is even close to this. Really looking forward to the addition of anamorphic lens options (which should really be 2.37 - 1.33x16/9). Well done, thank you and keep up the good work!

Thanks seanoo!
I am glad you like it!
Anamorphic lens option is in my enhancement list, and I'm thinking of letting people choose from 2.35/2.37/2.39/2.40 etc., to match their own screen ratio.

 

2017/12/24 update: V1.9 released:
1) Room size, projector position and mounting method will be kept as user specified value, when changing brand/model.
2) When no brand/model selected, the "default" projector will have 300% v-shift range and 200% h-shift range, which can be useful to experiment with required lens shift range.
3) Imperial infomation (e.g. 6'12") added to picture diagonal/width/height, picture to floor and projection offset.

 

Hi,

Thank you for creating this calculator, but the website is not opening.

 

Update 2018/1/1: V2.0 released:
1) For Zoomed 2.35:1 option, limit the zoom/lens shift range to allow for re-zoom to 16:9 pic with the same height.
2) Disabled Zoomed 2.35:1 option for projectors have no enough zoom and lens shift range.
3) Highlighted above zoom and lens shift limitation for Zoomed 2.35:1 option with a new information window.
4) For picture front view, use darker blue to highlight the 2.35:1 picture inside the 16:9 picture, and vice versa.
5) Added a new line into Picture Size section, to show diagonal of the 2.35:1 picture inside 16:9 picture, and vice versa.

 

Update 2018/1/1: V2.0 released:
1) For Zoomed 2.35:1 option, limit the zoom/lens shift range to allow for re-zoom to 16:9 pic with the same height.
2) Disabled Zoomed 2.35:1 option for projectors have no enough zoom and lens shift range.
3) Highlighted above zoom and lens shift limitation for Zoomed 2.35:1 option with a new information window.
4) For picture front view, use darker blue to highlight the 2.35:1 picture inside the 16:9 picture, and vice versa.
5) Added a new line into Picture Size section, to show diagonal of the 2.35:1 picture inside 16:9 picture, and vice versa.

Great updates and the best all around lens shift calculator I've seen. I hope you consider adding all the projectors you possibly can to this database calculator as it should be a go-to tool for everyone looking for fine adjustments.

I have a new request...
Can you add a human sitting down in a chair to the side-on view of the room?

That way, with the projector path, they can see if someone seated is in the way of the light path.

This would add, yet another, unique feature to what I consider one of the best calculators currently in existence.

If you ever decide you are done with it, please let me know and I may move it over to my site just to keep it up and running for as many years to come as possible. It is a well deserved piece of software.

 

Wow, this is absolutely amazing! It even accounts for the limited horizontal lens shift at high vertical and vice versa. Thank you so much!

 

Ever think of getting into the business class models that have similar issues? Placement from the screen, lens shift access, ceiling drop, clearing people?

For example, the Panasonic PT-RZ770U has lens shift and has interchangeable lenses, but I have no idea how much lens shift it has or needs to get it low enough to hit the screen properly, but high enough to clear the people.

Just a thought. I know this site is more about home theater use, and that there are multiple lenses to consider as well as dozens (hundreds?) of business class projectors from NEC, Panasonic, Epson, Christie Digital, and more that would need numbers put in. As well as an enhancement to allow for different lenses to be put into the mix.

I will always have ideas to throw at you as things come along.

 

Hey guys, after months of late night efforts,
JACK LIU Projection Calculator V3.0 released today:
1) Application re-written with React Framework for exceptional portability.
2) Display "Viewing Distance" in side view.
3) Multiple UI enhancements/adjustments for better user experience, include:
* "Diagonal" input and "Projection Distance" input has been enhanced with runtime Side View/Front View update for up/down arrow pressing
* "Reset All" button has been added so user could go back to default state to experiment with the "default" projector.
* "Luminance Calculation" has been moved down under "Instruction" and "Information" so less confusing for first time user.

 

P.S. Would anyone who see this please kindly feedback whether you are able to see the screenshot of the calculator in the initial post and in this post? Thanks in advance!
- I can not see the screenshot no mattter what changes I made.

***Screenshot that supposed to be show below***

***Screenshot that supposed to be show above***

 

I can see the screen shot in the initial post, but not this one.

Great calculator! This should be stickied for forum members.

Would you be able to add the new Benq HT3550?

 

Hi guys, today another update for JACK LIU Projection Calculator!
Mobile mode is supported! User expeirence much better when using on your mobile phone.

2019/3/28 update: v3.2 released:
1) Optimized for mobile phone (portrait mode). The calc will switch to Mobile Phone Mode automatically.
2) Bug fix: projector position hasn't been saved correctly when moving projector by setting "Diagonal" field or "Proj. Distance" field.

2019/3/24 update: v3.1 released :
1) Bug fix: lens shift doesn't reset to neutral position after model changed.
2) Bug fix: lens shift slider cannot set to extreme position.
3) Resoved IE and Safari compability issues reported by users.

 

Hi guys, today another update for JACK LIU Projection Calculator!

Great tool! Thanks for your efforts!

 

Hi Jack,

So, I'm in the middle of remodeling my room, and trying to determine where I'll be installing a new projector. I think being able to lock individual elements of the "Installation Data" would be helpful. Trying to determine/alter "Prj. Dist.", without altering "Pic2Floor" while dragging the projector around in the image is difficult. Manual data entry would also be nice for those elements.

Also, my screen doesn't hang on the front wall, it comes down in front of my equipment rack and speakers only when in use. So being able to add that dimension would be a nice to have, but it's not really important, I just altered my room measurement to not include the portion behind the screen.

Thanks again for all your efforts!

 

Hi barryecohen, just saw your comments, will look at the lock mechanism of "Pic2Floor" soon - this requirement is much more complex to implement, since it requires installation height of the projector to be changed at the same time when you alter the projection distance. I will see what I can do with it.
Any way thanks for your feedback!

BRs,
Jack

 

JACK LIU Projection Calculator (2019/3/28: Version 3.2 released)

 

JACK LIU Projection Calculator (2019/3/28: Version 3.2 released)

JACK LIU Projection Calculator

2019/3/28 update: v3.2 released:
1) Optimized for mobile phone (portrait mode). The calc will switch to Mobile Phone Mode automatically.
2) Bug fix: projector position hasn't been saved correctly when moving projector by setting "Diagonal" field or "Proj. Distance" field.

View attachment 2545350 View attachment 2545352 View attachment 2545354

2019/3/24 update: v3.1 released :
1) Bug fix: lens shift doesn't reset to neutral position after model changed.
2) Bug fix: lens shift slider cannot set to extreme position.
3) Resoved IE and Safari compability issues reported by users.

2019/3/17 update: V3.0 released:
1) Application re-written with React Framework for exceptional portability.
2) Display "Viewing Distance" in side view.
3) Multiple UI enhancements/adjustments for better user experience, include:

• "Diagonal" input and "Projection Distance" input has been enhanced with runtime Side View/Front View update for up/down arrow pressing.
• "Reset All" button has been added so user could go back to default state to experiment with the "default" projector.
• "Luminance Calculation" has been moved down under "Instruction" and "Information" so less confusing for first time user.

View attachment 2540300

Enjoy new features from JACK LIU Projection Calculator!
========================================================================================

JACK LIU Projection Calculator is developped by myself (dupin67).
Since Dec 1, 2016, it has been visited by Chinese users for more than 26000 times. [update 2019/3/17: 160,000+ chinese visits, 30,000+ english visits.]
Now it's available in English!

This calculator provides the unique feature - both Zoom and Lens Shift calculation for home theather projectors in the market.

Calculator uses the data from user manual and official information and supports popular brands/models.

If the model you are interested is not in the database, or you want to report a bug, please write a post here - I will try best to reply.
Suggestions are appreciated!
I'm not a native speaker so please forgive me if anything not accurate.
You can also contact me by email jack.liu@reviewtranslations.com.

Enjoy this intuitive and powerful JACK LIU Projection Calculator !

Best Regards,
Jack

1) Bug fix: lens shift doesn't reset to neutral position after model changed.
2) Bug fix: lens shift slider cannot set to extreme position.
3) Resoved IE and Safari compability issues reported by users.calculator pro

 

1) Bug fix: lens shift doesn't reset to neutral position after model changed.
2) Bug fix: lens shift slider cannot set to extreme position.
3) Resoved IE and Safari compability issues reported by users.calculator pro

 

JACK LIU Projection Calculator (2019/3/28: Version 3.2 released)

JACK LIU Projection Calculator

2019/3/28 update: v3.2 released:
1) Optimized for mobile phone (portrait mode). The calc will switch to Mobile Phone Mode automatically.
2) Bug fix: projector position hasn't been saved correctly when moving projector by setting "Diagonal" field or "Proj. Distance" field.

View attachment 2545350 View attachment 2545352 View attachment 2545354

2019/3/24 update: v3.1 released :
1) Bug fix: lens shift doesn't reset to neutral position after model changed.
2) Bug fix: lens shift slider cannot set to extreme position.
3) Resoved IE and Safari compability issues reported by users.

2019/3/17 update: V3.0 released:
1) Application re-written with React Framework for exceptional portability.
2) Display "Viewing Distance" in side view.
3) Multiple UI enhancements/adjustments for better user experience, include:

• "Diagonal" input and "Projection Distance" input has been enhanced with runtime Side View/Front View update for up/down arrow pressing.
• "Reset All" button has been added so user could go back to default state to experiment with the "default" projector.
• "Luminance Calculation" has been moved down under "Instruction" and "Information" so less confusing for first time user.

View attachment 2540300

Enjoy new features from JACK LIU Projection Calculator!
========================================================================================

JACK LIU Projection Calculator is developped by myself (dupin67).
Since Dec 1, 2016, it has been visited by Chinese users for more than 26000 times. [update 2019/3/17: 160,000+ chinese visits, 30,000+ english visits.]
Now it's available in English!

This calculator provides the unique feature - both Zoom and Lens Shift calculation for home theather projectors in the market.

Calculator uses the data from user manual and official information and supports popular brands/models.

If the model you are interested is not in the database, or you want to report a bug, please write a post here - I will try best to reply.
Suggestions are appreciated!
I'm not a native speaker so please forgive me if anything not accurate.
You can also contact me by email jack.liu@reviewtranslations.com.

Enjoy this intuitive and powerful JACK LIU Projection Calculator !

Best Regards,
Jack

Calculator uses the data from user manual and official information and supports popular brands/models.

 

The really great thing about your calculator is you see the screen size change based on which option you choose, or you see what your mounting options are to get to a certain screen size.