lcd vs projectior

[estone]

We are a smaller church with an existing 5.5' x 5.5' screen and portable classroom type projector cart setup to get our feet wet. Was told that was too small that 6' x 8' is what is needed for a small church, but it seems to look pretty good so far.
We are looking at upgrading and having the one primary screen. $5k budget.
Our back row is 60-70ft from the screen.
We have lights near the screen that won't ever be shut off.
Mainly doing songs only right now. But may add sermon notes and announcements later.

70" lcd: pros: more clarity? and easier to mount given our lighting and mounting issues. We could install so probably cheaper option. cons: Can't get as many song lyric lines on the screen because it is only 40" high. The suggestion was that "easyworship" would adjust for a widescreen and make it fit the screen? Does easyworship do that?

OR

Projector and screen: reason we are looking at the lcd is some say the projectors are fuzzy and aren't as clear. Also, we are limited to few mounting options 1.) mounting on a balcony 60ft away, 2.) suspending it 15ft from a 40ft. ceiling trying to shine through light from already hanging lights, or 3.) not sure if possible, but mounting it on a side beam which would have to project at an angle to the screen. Not sure if they can do that? Would be looking at a 3000-3500 lumen projector, and for the balcony option a long-throw lens. Plus installation costs which we couldn't do.

What would your suggestion be?
Thanks!

[Esoteric]

One of the general rules is to go no smaller than 1/12th of the distance of the furthest viewer as your screen height.

For you this would put you at 5'-6' of height which is much larger than a 70" plasma display.

I have specd and installed Plasmas for the type of thing you are talking about, but when I have used them, they have either been in small rooms (think less than 30' deep), or I have used multiples (for instance 3 at the stage, and then 4 more 30' back).

[estone]

Thanks!

Are there projectors that will project at an angle if mounted off of a side beam or wall? Or are you limited to overhead or off a balcony (w/ long-throw lens)?

What projectors given the specs we have would you suggest. Is 3000-3500 lumens in the ballpark? I figured we could get one for $2000 or less?

Any suggestions on a good screen?

Thanks for your help

[Esoteric]

Unfortunately you can't mount a projector that far off center. Also, you aren't going to be able to get a projector and long throw lens for that money.

Is there no way for you to reach the ceiling?

Mike

[estone]

What would one cost? Could we get one in the $3000 range?

The problem with the ceiling is that it would have to be hung down about 15' from a 30' ceiling. And to add to it there is already a light hanging down 10' in that area and it is just above our screen. So to have two things hanging that far down from the ceiling together might be an eye sore?

[waynehoskins]

If you do the install well, they'll never notice it. Not after the first month, at least.

On a side note, that seems awfully low to trim everything. Is there a reason the screen and projector can't trim higher?

I don't know for certain what long-throw lenses, and projectors they can mount to, cost, but my gut feeling is that would bring the cost up to five figures as a starting point. I'd say that 10K can buy you a lot of stop-paying-attention-to-the-projector.

[Esoteric]

Yeah, I hang projectors 15' and 20' down from ceilings all the time. People will notice it for a week and then it will just blend into the scenery. We even do installs in historic churches that are over 100 years old, and no one notices after the first few weeks.

A generic price for a 4000 lumen projector plus long throw lens is about $8k on the low end. The lens alone can cost $3500+.

Mike

[estone]

Sounds like we may have to get used to having it mounted off the ceiling.

[estone]

Back to the lcd/led option.....if we went commercial the only 70" I could find online is the Samsung commercial lcd display and it is $11,500! Why can't you just buy a residential one from BestBuy?

What are the main drawbacks to lcd's aside from being about 14" smaller in height than we need? (Which for me is reason enough for me to stop looking at them. But the other person researching this thinks it will be ok.)

[prochlea]

Why can't you just buy a residential one from BestBuy?

Typically when using a residential model in a commercial situation(churches are commercial) you void the warranty. Often times in the case of large LCD's, the difference in price between the residential and the commercial is not worth the warranty. You could buy 3 Sharp residential 70" LCD's (~$3000) for the cost of the Samsung commerical.

One major difference between commercial and residential besides the warranty is how long they are rated to run. Some (not all) commercial LCDs are rated for 24/7 use, while residential units are not.

[waynehoskins]

Originally Posted by estone

Sounds like we may have to get used to having it mounted off the ceiling.

It will tend to stand out less if it and the rigging are the same color as the ceiling. Black for both is ideal, but if yours is like most church ceilings (white), you may find that white will blend in better.

[Esoteric]

Exactly. Residential units are not rated to function for extended periods. In addition commercial units come with stronger internal structure for mounting. Finally if you use a residential display in a commercial environment your insurance may not cover damage to property/people that can result from accidents.

In addition you are losing 50"+ of diagonal space. Not 14". And that is a lot of space to lose.

Mike