Projectors for HD Digital Cinema

erniediaz

erniediaz

Well-known member
Hello, I want to start a little theater in order to show HD Digital cinema material in a local fest.

What could be the options about projectors?

most of the material is DVCpto HD 1080, other 720 and some HDV.

Thanks for your opinions.

Can Barry Green tell me something about?

Thanks

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Take a look into DLP Cinema. Seems to be a forerunner in digital cinema projection.

Don't know much about them though.

dlp.com
 
i have an optoma hd72 that gives me a really sharp HD output of about 14-16 feet diagonal. at about 22 feet from projector to screen.

i paid about $1400 for it.

also works great as a preview monitor for your NLE
 
I've the 2000, it's a stunning projector for an lcd. Like all projectors you will need as close to absolute darkness as possible and a good calibration to mae full use of it.

Come back to me if you need any set-up help.
 
I like the BenQ line of projectors. For 1400 bucks you can get a 4000 lumen projector. Brightness is one of the key ingredients in a good projector for a larger sized venue. The contrast ratio is highly overrated too.


cheers
 
At costco here in the states you can buy the BenQ and return it no questions asked for 90 days. It's a really nice project. Couple of years ago it would have easily cost 4k
 
I bought a used $18500 projector from Boeing Surplus for $450 and it came with a custom $550 case. It throws a 400 inch picture at 50feet. don't be afraid of used if its the right price.
 
I hate to confuse and contradict, but brightness is less of a factor to a good quality picture in the right environment.

First and foremost is getting your room dark - then select a properly calibrated projector with a good contrast. Contrast is not overrated - contrast increases perceived depth and "3Dness" to the image. The difference between the black level and white level is what creates a rich image (also intra-scene contrast is vital.) Contrast is ranked above resolution in the human-perception system of what makes up a high quality image.

Brighter projectors tend to produce a poorer black-lever (hence the domain of office projectors all being high lumens but poor contrast.)

...Then get your projector at least calibrated to a basic standard (Calibration disc), and if you can afford it an ISF calibration.

The gold standard for years in home projection was CRT, and they had very low light levels - but incredibly rich blacks (due to shut-off of light).
 
Contrast ratio is actually very important when watching video/film content, when in Data mode, yeah, doesn't make much difference, but in VIDEO it makes or breaks your picture.

In short the contrast ratio is the difference in how dark, to how light a color can be displayed, so it has a tremendous impact on what your scene looks like,

eg. the mountain scenes in Lord of the Rings, it's a very dark piece, with a Data projector as the 4000 lumens BenQ would be, you won't really make out plenty details in the shadow areas (the mountains have very little detail), where on a Cinema / home theater projector with a higher contrast ratio eg. 7000:1, but only 1000 or 1200 lumens, you will have hugely more detail in the mountains.

- Derrick
 
In theory, contrast ratio matters a lot.

But in practice, once you get over a particular ratio (say 500:1) your level of ambient lighting affects the quality of the picture more than any difference in contrast ratio.

Also, projector manufacturers have a habit of exaggerating the quoted contrast ratio figure, so you can't even know the actual contrast ratio unless you measure it yourself.

These two factors make the contrast ratio a useless metric in practice.
 
seunosewa said:
In theory, contrast ratio matters a lot.

But in practice, once you get over a particular ratio (say 500:1) your level of ambient lighting affects the quality of the picture more than any difference in contrast ratio.

Also, projector manufacturers have a habit of exaggerating the quoted contrast ratio figure, so you can't even know the actual contrast ratio unless you measure it yourself.

These two factors make the contrast ratio a useless metric in practice.
Click to expand...

Projector manufacturers exaggerated contrast specs are defintely one thing, but the actual contrast ratio is another - which doesn't make it a useless metric.

As for ambient lighting affecting the CR, too true which is why a black-out room is essential, however, assuming you have light control of your room - 2000:1 ON/OFF is about the satisfaction tipping point.

If you were to purchase the likes of a PTAE2000 - you will get 2000:1 on/off at D65 if you can control your room light.
 
Be sure to see a DLP projector before you decide to buy. Personally, the bizarre rainbow artifacting drives me crazy!
 
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