Good projector for Long distance throw

[gcpcsound]

We are estimating the screen is about 135ft from the projector, what would be a good projector for that distance? Or what do we need to look for in a projector from that distance? We currently have a Sanyo PLC-XT16which works but it's a little dull

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by gcpcsound

We are estimating the screen is about 135ft from the projector, what would be a good projector for that distance? Or what do we need to look for in a projector from that distance? We currently have a Sanyo PLC-XT16which works but it's a little dull

What size is the projected image? What are the ambient light conditions? Do you want to stay with the 4:3 format and 1024x768 native resolution of the PLC-XT16? Are you looking for any specific video inputs on the projector?

With the optional long zoom lens Sanyo indicates that the maximum throw distance for the PLC-XT16 is 69'-2.4" and that would result in a 20'x15' image with an image brightness of about 9.5ftL with a new lamp. If you currently have over twice that throw distance then you probably have some additional or custom optics.

[gcpcsound]

Well the lighting is controllable but for a service it would be at about 50% we try to keep the spots that shine near the screen off when the projector is in use. As far as the format and resolution they are fine, and as long as it has an input and output DVI/VGA (we use VGA because those are the cables we have at the moment.) Any other more up to date connections would be nice for future upgrading of the other components in the booth but nothing we have to have. The projector has a Navitar 641MCZ500 lens in it not enough for the distance we have. But after actually measuring the distance from the screen to the projector we determined the distance is only 72' (the person estimating was a little off.) The screen size (which is something that can not change because it is a built in unit that drops down from the ceiling) is about 12' W X 9' T.

[Brad Weber]

Check out http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm, you can enter in the throw distance, image size and any other criteria and get a list of compatible projectors. Do be aware that your situation requires a long throw lens that is typically not included in the prices shown, which are generally for just the projector with either no leans or a standard lens. Those lenses are typically fairly costly so the total cost could be much greater than show for the projector.

Between the image size, lighting and long throw lens I would recommend a minimum 6500 lumens and some people may recommend even greater than that. Something like the 8,000 lumen Panasonic PT-DX800 with the ET-DLE450 lens would seem to meet your criteria and be about $5,930 for the projector and $1,850 for the lens, so around $7,800 total. 8,000 lumens is probably about as great an output as you will find without the sizable increase in cost associated with a 'large venue' projector. If that is outside your budget then there are less expensive options, but with a related decrease in brightness.

[Fiuh]

Hi,

Instead of shooting the projector from far to get bigger image (in ordinary method), there's another alt which is we can buy zoom len. That way we can keep the image in best & sharp condition while the light doesn't need to travel too far.

BTW, sorry if this is a bad idea.

Cons: we need more budget to buy additional lens (one time purchasing > bad to fixed cost)
Pros: shorter distance requires less lumen projector > the price of lower lumen lamp is cheaper when maintenance time comes (good to variable cost)

Good bless your ministry

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by Fiuh

Pros: shorter distance requires less lumen projector > the price of lower lumen lamp is cheaper when maintenance time comes (good to variable cost)

Unfortunately, it does not work that way. It is the image size, not the throw distance or distance the projector is from the screen, that determines the image brightness. The distance would matter for the image brightness if you had a fixed lens since the image size over which the projector brightness is distributed would be directly related to the associated throw distance. Longer distance=larger image=lower image brightness, smaller distance=smaller image=greater image brightness. However, different and/or zoom lenses let you maintain the same image size regardless of the projector location, there is no direct relationship between throw distance and image size and thus no direct relationship between throw distance and image brightness.