[jondlogan]

Hello All,

Haven't posted in a long time.

I've come because I'm not totally in touch with the current projector scene.
I'm looking for a simple replacement for what I believe is about a 10 year old InFocus unit for my company.
The thing is huge and just...old.
We use it for Auction display several times a year. It's packed away in between.

The throw is only about 20 feet. Maybe less.
Image size needs to be (give or take) 80" wide screen.
Room is dimly lit with spots on the auction items. During day auctions daylight will bleed in.

With those factors I'm looking for:

• Enough lumens to produce bright enough picture in those lighting conditions.
• Good color contrast as we are displaying art pieces
• HDMI input
• Smaller footprint and weight than the current InFocus monster
• Durable enough to be packed/unpacked several times a year.
• Simple maintenance a plus but not crucial.

I've posted in the < $3000 section because I don't think I'd need to spend a ton on this but feel free to give options.
Any and all thoughts are greatly appreciated.

John

 

[AV_Integrated]

There is no 'give or take' on image size and throw distance.

I'm guessing you wheel the projector out on a cart or something. You set it on a table at the back of the room.

Is this distance flexible? Can it be closer? Must it be 20' away?

20' is a LONG way to throw a 80" wide image. It is a 80" wide image? That's relatively small by most standards. As well, typical throw distance for about a 100" diagonal is going to be 13-15 feet lens to screen for many projectors. Some will do 20', but most will not, so that will limit your choices, and may increase the price.

Projector Central has a nifty 'search by feature' function which you should get to know.

This search limits the field to LCD projectors which won't give people RBE issues, and will have better color brightness. Using a 20' throw to a 80" wide screen. The results are very limited, and there are no widescreen or HD projectors in this mix due to the throw distance.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/pro...pjh=&td=20&is=80&i=w&tr=&oop=1&sort=brt&sz=15

Moving the throw distance up 2 feet to 18 feet lens to screen and going to a 120" diagonal screen you get a ton more results. I've limited this search to widescreen projectors only with more than 4500 lumens.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/pro...jh=&td=18&is=120&i=d&tr=&oop=1&sort=brt&sz=15

There are a number of models under $2,000 including this one which includes a 3-year warranty:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/EIKI-LC-WBS500.htm

 

[jondlogan]

Hey AVI (Can I call you AVI) thanks for the reply.

One thing I didn't mention is that my boss was tossing around the idea of getting an 80 or 90" TV display as a replacement of the current proj.
I'm against that idea for several reasons:

• Foremost is the cost. Especially over 80" the prices go up dramatically.
• The amount of work to mount/dismount the thing each auction time will be much more
• We loose a lot of flexibility of use if they needed it for something else.

So you prompted me to go and measure the distance myself to get the specific number.
The throw is just over 17' mounted 11' high on a column.
I modified the search for that distance.
The problem is the Aspect Ratio. The feed to the projector is from a wide source and the current InFocus is displaying a wide. I can't go 'back' to a 4:3.
I'll fiddle with the search tool some more to see. Any addition suggestions would be great. This is exactly the help I'm looking for from someone in the biz.

Thanks,
John

 

[AV_Integrated]

Are you stuck with that 80" width, or can you go wider?

The throw distance is measured LENS to screen. So, if the column is at 17', but you mount in front of it, then it is more like 16' lens to screen, maybe a bit less.

Call it 16' to a 90" width screen, and here is your list:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/pro...pjh=&td=16&is=90&i=w&tr=&oop=1&sort=brt&sz=15

These are ALL widescreen projectors on this list. No 4:3 models. So, you get more brightness and more resolution when working widescreen the entire time.

Still has some seriously inexpensive, but bright, models on the list. There are no models I would specifically avoid. Sony has their 1920x1200 model on that list as well which is a standout model because of the higher resolution and lower price point compared to the rest.

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony-VPL-CH375.htm

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Son...culator-pro.htm?td_=16&id_=106.132284375&l_=0

 

[jondlogan]

"Are you stuck with that 80" width, or can you go wider?"
It can be wider. Like I said, they were considering even a 90" flat screen.

"The throw distance is measured LENS to screen. So, if the column is at 17', but you mount in front of it, then it is more like 16' lens to screen, maybe a bit less."
I actually took that into account. To the column was actually like 17.5'.

Yes this list is great! Just what I was looking to do.
I guess the Final piece is where to buy. Considering Projector Central links to projectorpeople.com as a "Where to Buy"
Would this be you're recommendation as well? Standard questions as far as vendors go...Reliability, support, shipping cost etc.
I"m sure my boss would want to check with our current local (Metro NY) tech vendor as well.

You've been a great help.

John

 

[AV_Integrated]

Projector Central lists a bunch of their sponsors. I've worked with Visual Apex and Projector People with great results. B&H Photo is more local to you guys and tends to be very good on pricing. Most etailers are the same though. If you buy it from them, then all service is from the manufacturer. They are strictly the middleman for sales only. No support. Many/most ship for free or low cost. But, all the shops linked through Projector Central are excellent from what I've used.

 

[jondlogan]

Excellent. This is fabulous.
I'll look through this list with my director. It's a great starting point. Thanks so much.
If I have any other questions I'll hit you up.

John

 

[jondlogan]

OK...well this may throw a wrench in things.
Here's a link to the current InFocus Progector.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus-IN5535.htm

Looks like it's only 5 years old and the specs on it are in line with what we wound up with.
I threw it on the compare list I was using:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/par...&add=8194&add=8263&add=8277&add=8436&add=8603

Considering the InFocus falls into the "Above $3000" category what are your thoughts on replacing with an "Under" model?
If they're claiming that the picture quality is 'not as good as it was' or 'it needs to be better' could it just need a bulb replacement?
Will we wind up with the same degradation in quality in another 5 years or so?

Also, to give the upper Mgmt some options I will likely be throwing them some TV options as well. But that's a whole other thing.

 

[dreamer]

OK...well this may throw a wrench in things.
Here's a link to the current InFocus Progector.
http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus-IN5535.htm

Looks like it's only 5 years old and the specs on it are in line with what we wound up with.
I threw it on the compare list I was using:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/par...&add=8194&add=8263&add=8277&add=8436&add=8603

Considering the InFocus falls into the "Above $3000" category what are your thoughts on replacing with an "Under" model?
If they're claiming that the picture quality is 'not as good as it was' or 'it needs to be better' could it just need a bulb replacement?
Will we wind up with the same degradation in quality in another 5 years or so?

Also, to give the upper Mgmt some options I will likely be throwing them some TV options as well. But that's a whole other thing.

Find the "Lamp Hours" counter in the menus and see how many it has. If it has really only been used a few days a year, it would be very odd for it to be anywhere near its 2,000hr lamp life.

INFOCUS specs that as a 6,000 lumen projector, but it is a single chip DLP. It has two lamps in it, and "Eco" mode only uses one of them. So check to see that it isn't in "ECO" mode but in "Full" or "Dual" lamp mode. Somebody may have put it into ECO mode at some point and that is why your boss says it used to be much better. Or one lamp has simply failed completely.

Overall, that is a very nice projector from its specs, and it should perform great on such a small screen unless the room is very brightly lit. I would verify both lamps are working and then play with calibration using any one of several blurays like Munsens or Disney WOW. If you are displaying from a PC, then go through the graphics card's settings or simply try other PCs. Bad graphics settings in a PC can make any projector look absolutely horrible.

 

[jondlogan]

Hi dreamer,

Thanks for the reply.
I'm pretty much quoting your whole post to those that need to see it.
I'll be sure to check the unit out thoroughly and report back.