Hall Projector Recommendations

[Jobos]

There's been a few posts about what projector or screen to use in a large hall but I didn't want to hijack another thread and this one could be quite interesting.

 

So to start with this is a primary that's 150 years old with gothic style features. The current projector is an old Casio XJ-V10X and is so dim you can hardly see the image. The screen width is 2.4m 4:3.

 

The main problem I'm having is deciding if I should replace the projector on the pole or fit an UST above the screen. If it go with the pole I can get a bright projector but the projector is 3.5m from the floor and hangs on a 2m pole so I'll need tower scaffolding for fitting and maintenance would be a nightmare too. As you can see in the photos nothing gets cleaned up there as it's so high!

 

[Andrew_C]

The issue with USTs is that unless the screen is PERFECTLY flat, you will get bits out of focus, and rippling across the image.

 

Persuade them to get a tower in on the cleaning budget, and fit the projector while it is there?

[Boredguy]

A couple of us have recently installed some ViewSonic LS850WU's for large areas.

It's 5000 lumen and laser so virtually maintenance free.

 

I've got mine projecting onto a normal 4:3 screen, but will also do widescreen if you want.

Has some corner keystone options so if it's not 100% straight on you can still make it look square. I've added a MS Wireless Adaptor onto the unit as well so that if someone doesn't want to use the existing VGA cable they can present remotely to it.

 

My projector is about 6 meters away from the screen and is throwing about a 4m wide image

[Jobos]

The issue with USTs is that unless the screen is PERFECTLY flat, you will get bits out of focus, and rippling across the image.

 

Persuade them to get a tower in on the cleaning budget, and fit the projector while it is there?

 

Yes that's a point I had forgotten about. We have a UST in the other hall and as the board is slightly bowed we get a poor image.

 

A couple of us have recently installed some ViewSonic LS850WU's for large areas.

It's 5000 lumen and laser so virtually maintenance free.

 

I've got mine projecting onto a normal 4:3 screen, but will also do widescreen if you want.

Has some corner keystone options so if it's not 100% straight on you can still make it look square. I've added a MS Wireless Adaptor onto the unit as well so that if someone doesn't want to use the existing VGA cable they can present remotely to it.

 

My projector is about 6 meters away from the screen and is throwing about a 4m wide image

 

I have been looking at the NEC P605UL mainly because they make a big thing about it being maintenance free for the 20000 hours life of the projector and is a similar price to the ViewSonic LS850WU but either projector would fit.

[Oaktech]

I've replaced 2 hall projector/screen setups with NEC 85" and 98" displays. The 98" has a sheet of plexiglass on a custom frame a few cm in front of it to protect it from ball as it's in an area used for sports.

[gszech]

My suggestion is to order 98" Interactive TV and height adjustable stand. This will offer you WxH: 1,957 x 1,160 mm. You can get them for around £6k + stand

If budget is tight go for 86" which costs £1.7k + stand

[DavR]

Last year we replaced our hall projector with an Epson EB-2250U @ 5000 lumens. We stuck with a ceiling mount on a pole. It's still a traditional lamp model, not laser or LCD, but we just didn't have the budget.

 

It's worth noting that a lot of projectors are coming at 16:9 instead of 4:3 now. We got around this by dumping our projection screen and using the whitewashed wall behind it. Some models you can adjust to run at 4:3 in the options, some you can't.

[PotNoodleTech]

Got an Epson EB-G7800 8000 lumen in the hall and it's fantastic hasn't put a foot wrong in 5 years. Only 4:3 and of course would want widescreen nowadays.

 

Got a newer Epson L520U 5000 lumen "laser display" in the Gym and am not as impressed - that is not as bright as the hall one.

 

My advice is don't skimp - theres nothing sadder than seing another orgnaisation tagging you on twittter about a nice event in the hall and your display being totally dark and unviewable - for everyone else in the world to see that you skimped and fitted the £500 projector.

Edited January 18, 2023 by PotNoodleTech

[SamanthaD]

We've used the older model of these to great effect - https://www.epson.co.uk/en_GB/products/projectors/installation/eb-l630u/p/31706 - I'd suggest if you're not looking at WUXGA and laser as a minimum for halls then you're not thinking long term investment. One of the first installs I did here was an Epson EB-L1300U, fitted it almost 6 years ago and it hasn't needed any maintenance at all. Take that into account when you're thinking about lamps, your time to replace the lamp, erect scaffolding, store scaffolding etc.

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi, at BenQ we have a wide range of projectors for large venue / hall spaces; from UST (poster above is correct you need to have flat projection surface or you will get distortions), standard bright projectors, lens options and laser light source. If you would like to know more or discuss the options drop me a DM.

 

We also go up to 98" in interactive screens, if you were considering a screen as an option I would recommend an interactive screen over a large TV even if you don't plan to interact; purely due to the toughened glass on the interactive screens.