Need recommendations on a projector, long throw.

[mrbios]

After a projector to project from 18m away to a 2.5m x 2.5m image. Can anyone recommend anything? We had a demo of one, but we're after a few options.

[pcstru]

I can't recommend a model (an 18m throw to a 2.5m image is quite an odd requirement), however, when buying the projector for my man cave, These chaps were very good and when I had a problem with it, their service was just superb. They should be able to provide a few options.

[zag]

I'd go with the latest generation of the Casio Long Throws.

 

They all work perfectly here and last forever!

[Oaktech]

How long is long?

 

I doubt an LED projector will have the legs.

 

I would be looking at 5k lumens or more and something from Christie, Eiki or Vivitek with a specialist long throw lens.

[jamesreedersmith]

Could you not go short throw either ceiling mounted depending on height or on a boom arm.

[mrbios]

Could you not go short throw either ceiling mounted depending on height or on a boom arm.

 

Nope, restricted because of lighting bars and top piece of stage curtain. We have to try and adhere to school politics here as well as logistical limitations because the teacher who puts on the school shows has been there a very very long time, and she's one of those that senior management will pander to because otherwise she makes a right nuisance of herself. I'm sure you all know the sort....

 

The projector we previously looked at and tested was a Hitachi CPX8160 with a special lens on it. 6,000 lumens (tell you what you did NOT want to accidentally look into that!) think the lens was pretty expensive to be able to make it show that small of an image over such a distance, need some alternatives though.

 

EDIT: The Casios won't even touch the sides in terms of coming close here, we've tried an XJ-1700, the colour quality is really poor, high quality photographs look a mile off what you'd expect (HDMI, and settings thoroughly investigated including questions to the supplier, before anyone says we had it setup wrong. We're told LED projectors simply aren't that great in terms of colour depth.) and even at 4k lumens it'll only cope up to about 10-12m away, any further and you're drowning out the image even more.

Edited May 6, 2014 by mrbios

[Chris_]

I'd get in touch with a decent AV company to suggest an appropriate projector/lens combo if you do go for mounting it 18m away. The mounting will have to be pretty substantial also, a little knock and the image will end up well out of line!

 

Could you not mount a projector nearer the screen on one of the lighting bars?

[bossman]

@mrbios:

 

We have an Hitachi here which is long throw to 3m x 3m screen and it has been working flawlessly for the best part of 8 years, it too has a special long throw lens which actually cost neck end of 3k at the time, I am sure the model you have stated is the latest version of the same unit and I would not hesitate to purchase another.

 

I also tried with a short throw Casio and like you I had the added politics so in the end went for the Hitachi and as above states we have been more than happy with it.

[mrbios]

Cheers bossman, that's reassuring. We're looking at quite a lot of money for a single projector, so naturally looking for every other solution we can find be it short throw, a pulley system/platform for lowering the projector if we had one in the same location as now, an ultra short throw, side throw (those ones that can project from a 45o angle to the screen) but sadly nothing fits into our silly hall without causing problems with something (or for someone) else.

 

Nice to know that if we do invest, it won't be a bad one. How much are the replacement bulbs for them? I'm guessing they're not going to be cheap either! EDIT: oh £300, that's not too bad i suppose.

[zag]

How long is long?

 

I doubt an LED projector will have the legs.

 

I would be looking at 5k lumens or more and something from Christie, Eiki or Vivitek with a specialist long throw lens.

 

We have a Casio LED in our assembly hall and its perfect for brightness. Infact its better than the old specialist projector we had in there.

[Graham-Millgate]

Nearly all the major manufacturers will have a model that will suit. In the end it will come down to price and preference, NEC have a few pretty good options in that range but no matter what you are looking at upwards of £3k.

 

If you would like recommendations then room dimensions combined with a site map and some photos to establish room brightness would go a long way to making sure you are getting the correct unit as from the information given people will recommend what they have but they don't know how dark or bright your room is in order to establish the lumens of the projector and only a supplier can pull out the catalogue which compares the models side by side to make sure the throw ratio gives you the best resolution at the screen size and distance you need. Ideally you need an AV engineer out to survey the site and compile the information needed to calculate the correct specs.

 

Feel free to inbox me if you want to discuss your choices.