Help with projection of DVD

lba1214 wrote on 1/13/2005, 10:56 AM
Anyone have experience with projecting your finished DVD in a movie house. I am planning a screening in a 250 seat theatre and not sure of the best projector to rent. I would prefer to use the projection room (then I can use their audio system) which is probably 50 feet from the screen. Any suggestions on best lux and/or contrast ratio?

Thanks

Comments

Coursedesign wrote on 1/13/2005, 11:20 AM
More is better, but the biggest issue may be the long-throw lens you'll need, as it can cost more than the projector.

Check with a local professional AV supplier and suggest this may be a promotional opportunity for them...

lba1214 wrote on 1/13/2005, 11:22 AM
I could project from the seating area which would greatly reduce the throw distance. What would you suggest under those circumstances?
Coursedesign wrote on 1/13/2005, 11:28 AM
You need to make sure you get a resolution of at the very least 1024x768. Less than that and you'll get the really distracting Screen Door Effect.

Contrast ratios are mostly bull. Say 500:1 on a pure video projector may give you more useful contrast than 2000:1 on a combined data and video projector. Why? Because they always pick the highest numbers and data projection beats video projection anytime.

I would really recommend you talk to a local pro AV dealer, they will have knowledgeable staff and can give you a good deal on the rental, perhaps even free if you can show them that there's a good promotional opportunity in it.
B_JM wrote on 1/13/2005, 12:12 PM
contrast ratio are not "bull", they are very importaint ..... we are about 5000:1 to 7000:1 now for very high end .... d-cinema projectors are about 2000:1 to 3000:1 and improving ...

50' feet away on a maybe 35' -45' foot screen may be able to use a faiirly stock 1.2 lens or a 1.2 to 1.8 zoom (depends on make) ..

barco , nec , projection design , digital projection and christie all have suitable DLP projectors .. with the brightness (5000-9000lm (may be stacked) you will require ..



Coursedesign wrote on 1/13/2005, 2:48 PM
B_JM,

You are working with top equipment that is video only.

I said that contrast ratio can be used to compare video-only projectors, but you cannot use the manufacturer's numbers to compare a combined data/video projector with a video only projector.

The case with a 2000:1 contrast ratio being reduced to 600:1 when set up correctly for video was from a recent engineer's review of consumer projectors.

In addition to this, for consumer projectors, there are several ways for the manufacturers to cheat on the numbers. Perhaps the problem really lies in the lack of a solid standard for measurement. Some measure contrast from the panel being completely off to output with full blast, even if this has nothing to do with what the unit can render from actual video when properly calibrated.
B_JM wrote on 1/13/2005, 2:57 PM
"for the manufacturers to cheat on the numbers. Perhaps the problem really lies in the lack of a solid standard for measurement"


yes -- this is a major issue ....





disclaimer - i am paid as an consultant for a projector manufacturer
randy-stewart wrote on 1/13/2005, 8:56 PM
Man, would it be cool to have that top level equipment. I project using a 2000 ansi lumens Mitsubishi portable onto a 7 1/2' by 10' Cineform reverse projection screen and have really good results. Just did a show to 200 at a hotel on Waikiki Beach in their outside covered luau area at night. Used a DVD player with S-Video input to the projector and audio out to a killer sound system. All the lights were way down (it was plenty dark) and the projection was from the rear about 35' back. The quality, while not theater level, was very good. The audience really liked it. Anyway, thought I would throw in the poor mans version of projecting.
Aloha,
Randy