Re: video projector for small-ish exhibition space?

From: Mitsu Hadeishi (email suppressed)
Date: Mon Jul 10 2006 - 19:32:11 PDT


If you're comparing DLP to the old LCD projectors, yeah, it's a huge
improvement. But I compared the Panasonic LCD projectors side by side with a
couple of different DLPs and found the picture quite comparable --- and in
some ways, the LCD picture looks more fluid (perhaps because all LCD
projectors are three-chip projectors, so the picture is totally continuous,
no switching between colors in a color wheel). But if you're projecting for
an audience I think a good LCD beats a one-chip DLP, because some people are
bound to be bothered by the rainbow effect. Three-chip DLPs, of course, are
great.

The latest LCD projectors are rated at 2000:1 contrast and up --- which really
looks fabulous. Old-style LCD projectors were often 400:1 or less and they
look terrible by comparison...

Mitsu

On Monday 10 July 2006 22:03, Ken Bawcom wrote:
> I love DLP, much prefer it to LCD. I have a RP HD DLP monitor, with a
> high speed color wheel, don't move my head much while watching, and
> rarely see the rainbow effect. There is a new version, just showing up
> on the market, that uses LED bulbs, and no color wheel. Even with a
> single chip machine, there is no rainbow effect. Bulb life is greatly
> extended. I don't know if this system is available yet in a projector
> of the size you want, but it would be worth checking for.
>
> Once I thought that most video formats should never be shown on a
> theater-sized screen, because the best projection systems I had seen
> all looked lousy to me, in all respects. Then I saw what a three-chip
> DLP machine could do on a theater-sized screen, with just a DVD, and
> was sold on DLP. Of course, three chip projectors are beyond the
> capacity and price range you are looking at. I admit I haven't seen the
> "latest cinema-oriented LCD projectors." I've also heard good things
> about LCoS, but haven't seen it yet, either.
>
> Ken B.
>
> Quoting Mitsu Hadeishi <email suppressed>:
> > I'll throw in some additional thoughts. I've done a lot of screenings in
> > spaces about the size of what you're discussing, around 1000-2000 square
> > feet, with a projection surface of up to 120 inches diagonal. A few
> > thoughts:
> >
> > DLP vs LCD:
> >
> > Like you I much prefer LCD, I hate the rainbow effect. Screen door
> > effect and
> > poor contrast are pretty much a thing of the past with the latest
> > cinema-oriented LCD projectors. My personal preference is for Panasonic
> > brand projectors, they have a very nice look, very fluid, but they do
> > sometimes have some quality control problems with discoloration at the
> > top and bottom of their LCDs.
> >
> > 16x9 vs 4x3:
> >
> > I often project 4x3 format material on a 16x9 projector and it looks
> > fine. Frankly, almost all high-contrast projectors are 16x9, so you'll
> > likely get the best results from the point of view of picture quality
> > from a 16x9 projector. The 4x3 projectors tend to be more designed for
> > office presentations and tend to be bright but have poor contrast and
> > color fidelity.
> >
> > Throw range:
> >
> > My Panasonic is a "short throw" projector which may not be ideal for your
> > needs. You can see throw range and screen size for most projectors on
> > this site: http://www.projectorcentral.com/ which is also an excellent
> > resource for projector reviews.
> >
> > Ambient light:
> >
> > As long as you have no ambient light the fact that the room does not have
> > black walls shouldn't be a big problem.
> >
> > Mitsu
> >
> > On Monday 10 July 2006 18:22, pablo wrote:
> >> Hey,
> >>
> >> I posted on this about a year ago, when I was speculatively shopping for
> >> a video projector. Things have gone as planned and now I am definitely
> >> planning on buying a projector for exhibition in the next few months, so
> >> am reposting a few questions to get some more feedback and ideas.
> >>
> >> It will be used in a smallish exhibition setting (20 x 50 room) which
> >> has no ambient light, but does not have black walls, so there is some
> >> bouncing light from the screen itself. The screen is a da-lite da-mat.
> >> We will be using dvcam or beta sp as source material, with occasional
> >> need for laptop input. Primarily though, it will be from DVcam deck.
> >> Most material will be in 4:3. It will all be material
> >> originating/intended to be exhibited on video, not projections of films
> >> from dvds.
> >>
> >> When I last posted, I had a lot of really good advice from Mitsu
> >> (thanks!) but am looking for some updated advice and experiences with
> >> specific models in a similar setting. I am looking for something in the
> >> mid-range I guess? Not a cheap-o travel unit, and not a $15k beast.
> >> Maybe in the $3-5k range?
> >>
> >>
> >> 1. dlp vs. lcd.
> >> I hate the rainbow effect. I know some people can't see it but i can and
> >> it drives me crazy. I have never seen a high end lcd, so am mostly
> >> familiar with screen door effects and weak color/contrast. Does the
> >> faster/seven segment color wheel make a big difference? I know that 3
> >> chip dlps do, but those are way out of price range. On another note,
> >> anyone know anything about LCOS projectors?
> >>
> >> 2. 4:3 or 16:9
> >> As I can expect most people 4:3 material, so it makes sense to stick
> >> with that, though I am finding that the best newer projectors with the
> >> best specs and reviews are all 16:9. Some people say go 16:9 as it is
> >> future proofing, some say stick 4:3 as it does better for both formats.
> >> What are the drawbacks to using a 16:9 projector for 4:3 material?
> >>
> >> 3. Throw range
> >> Ceiling mount is hard in this space, so ideally i would find something
> >> strong enough and with a lens that would project a 90-96" high image
> >> from about 35-40 feet back. Size of projector itself is not so important
> >> as we will not be moving this around much. tall order i know, but
> >> throwing that out there.
> >>
> >> Any specific ideas or models that might
> >>
> >> thanks
> >> Pablo
> >> Cinema Project
> >> Portland, Ore.
> >>
> >>
> >> __________________________________________________________________
> >> For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.
> >
> > __________________________________________________________________
> > For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.
>
> "Those who would give up essential liberty
> to purchase a little temporary safety
> deserve neither liberty, nor safety."
> Benjamin Franklin 1775
>
> "I know that the hypnotized never lie... Do ya?"
> Pete Townshend 1971
>
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.

__________________________________________________________________
For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.