Projector for Hall?

[TechSupp]

I know there have been other threads on the subject before but what projector could/should we get for our hall as they intend to run a film club soon. It is to be a mobile unit not fixed and unfortunately not a high budget as we are a primary approx £500-600. What kind of lumens should we be looking at (no pun intended!) for reasonable image quality if they can't shut all the curtains etc.

[powdarrmonkey]

I know there have been other threads on the subject before but what projector could/should we get for our hall as they intend to run a film club soon.

I would have somebody come out to specify it for you. Every hall is different - throw distance, projection method, ambient light, etc.

It is to be a mobile unit not fixed and unfortunately not a high budget as we are a primary approx £500-600. What kind of lumens should we be looking at (no pun intended!) for reasonable image quality if they can't shut all the curtains etc.

If they can't shut all the curtains you'll probably struggle. I used to have a 4,000 lumen and it was fantastic, but even it struggled with bright sunlight.

[dhicks]

What kind of lumens should we be looking at (no pun intended!) for reasonable image quality if they can't shut all the curtains etc.

Might you do better with a large TV? £600-ish is about the price of a fairly standard classroom projector. Assuming a slim, light unit on wheels and with a DVD player built in, a TV would probably be quicker to set up, too - just plug in the mains and away you go. Saying that, we use our standard classroom projectors (Epson, can't remember the model, will try and remember to look tomorrow) in our main hall for morning assembly, which isn't that bright but you can't close off all the windows so there's some ambient light and the projector screen can be seen okay throughout the hall. Don't forget the screen - a decent quality projection screen is going to add to image quality.

--
David Hicks

[TechSupp]

The hall has curtains so its not that bad just not blackout conditions. Forgot to mention that been asked if any possible projectors that were suitable would come with a three year warranty and bulb warranty. I know its alot but thats the question I've been asked!

Currently have this setup at another two schools and it works Ok'ish but with and epson S3 projector and an Optima 2000lumens projector. So for this school thought I would aim a little higher spec for the projector so looking for suggestions.

[powdarrmonkey]

I'm a big fan of Hitachi's short-throw projectors, which mean you can have the screen only about six inches away from the projector. It's invaluable for not having the projector and other kit smack in the middle of the hall in the way, and if you're doing rear-projection you don't need masses of room behind.

[Andrew_C]

How big is the hall? If you need to get a large screen too, that would probably eat all of your £600.

I use a 5000l Christie for 8' - 12' wide images in a room with no blinds. OK unless the sun is in just the wrong place. We rear-project to get the equipment out of the middle of the room, but you do need space behind the screen.

[TechSupp]

Been having a Google and found this one, I know its not a major make (Hitachi, Sony etc) for projectors but looks quite good, any opinions...good or bad as usual
ViewSonic PJ560D projector

[Joedetic]

We're currently in the middle of an install in our hall. I'd recommend you get an external supplier to spec your projector (as has been said above) as it really does pay off.

We had several different surveys by different companies and each one gave us new ideas and different problems arose and got resolved etc.

[TechSupp]

We did look at specialist companies last year at BETT but this is to be a mobile unit (dvd player, amp, speakers, projector etc) and the big problem is money as usual.

[CPLTD]

Speak to Multimedia On Wheels - they will customise their all in one trolley to suit your exact needs and budget.

Hmmm nice bit of in the morning yummy!

[Mandy]

We all love a bit of