Projectors

[Jackpilot]

I am reaching the projectors buying stage..
Just noticed that prices have been slashed, some units retail for $500.

As I would prefer to buy 3 identical, the investment is serious and even if the subject has been debated before I 'm looking for opinions.

Stats revolve around Lumens/ contrast ratio/ DLP/ native res./throw ratio
To those who have done it, been there ..here are the questions, assuming a total budget of $2000-$2500.

WHAT HAS TO BE ABSOLUTLY AVOIDED ??

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM SATISFACTORY SPECS ??

[ivar hestnes]

The most important of all is the range of throw for sure. I did a expensive bummer when I bought mine. Cockpit shell cast shadow on screen because projectors need to be to much distance away from the screen, so I have to cheat with mirrors when starting with wrap around visuals. Or I have to buy three new prosjektors.

I have LCD projectors, which work fine in dusk, day and dawn. But night time everything is diffused because light is used to paint black on the screen.

If you can handle the "special effect" from DLP projectors, I would suggest you go for that. Specially if you like night flying. I like night flying myself, and I am not satisfied with the LCD beamers.

[Jackpilot]

Hi Ivar
What do you mean by "special effect"?

Jack

[mlscotti]

Hi guys, last christmas i purchased an INFOCUS HD DLP projector. Right now I only have one. I'm still trying to figure out distances because my sim gets in the way too. I tried at first to mount on top of my sim, but quickly relized that the projector has to be much further away from the screen than the sim. Currently my projector is approximately 12 feet way. I too would like to get two additonal beamers but as usuall cost is a big issue. SO i too would like to see what everyone is using. :p

[fweinrebe]

Have you ever tried the Projector Calculator on http://www.dalite.com/products/projection_calculator.php?

One first chooses the projector make and model and after a while a calculator appears where you can play with the distance and screen size.

1252

[AndyT]

Excellent resource fweinrebe (http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/member.php?u=3776)
Thanx!
(http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/member.php?u=3776)

[BHawthorne]

The immediate things that come to mind are short throw, high lumens and cost effective bulbs. All 3 of those are about imposable to find in one projector so I'd pick the most important 2 out of 3 for you. Personally, if you don't need the simpit to be in a well lit area, I'd look into short throw projectors with a LED based light source. Those light sources are rated for 20,000 hours vs the typical 2000 hour light sources. The projection won't be as bright, but your consumables costs will be lower overall.

I'd also suggest 1280x1024 ratio projectors over 1280x720 ratio. I've currently got 3 InFocus SP5000 and the widescreen ratio forces a lot longer throw distance than I expected.

[Matt Olieman]

Hhhhmmm LED based light source. Ever see any replacement bulbs that us e LEDS?

Matt Olieman

[BHawthorne]

Hhhhmmm LED based light source. Ever see any replacement bulbs that us e LEDS?

Matt Olieman

Nope, not looked into what the LED replacement bulbs cost, but 20,000 hours = almost 7 years of bulb life using it 8 hours a day every day. One would think the bulb would last the practical life of the projector.

[Matt Olieman]

My wife is a Administrator at Hospital, director of surgical services. She was telling me this weekend the Halogen overhead lights are being replaced with LED lighting system. Maybe there's hope :) :) :)

Matt Olieman

[ivar hestnes]

Hi Ivar
What do you mean by "special effect"?

Jack

I try to explain as best as I can.

A DLP projector throw the image to the wall via a rotating colour-wheel, which sends via a special mirror inside the projector. This happens in a certain frequancy. Some people (but not all), can actually see the image flickering because of this. Then it is very easy to get car-sick. Because your eyes will focus on the flickering at the same time as focusing on the projected image.

So If you go for DLP, be sure that you test it carefully first. Maybe someone else here can explain this phenomenon better than my norwenglish language;)

[BHawthorne]

I think he means the hz of the DLP engine is at a frequency that will give some more sensative people eye stress. CRTs can also make people sick and have eye stress from simular issues. With LCDs you tend not to have that problem, but the tradeoff is the LCD pixel screen effect where people can get destracted by the edge of each pixel looking like it's been seen through a mesh screen.

[AndyT]

Just like in older movie theaters, the refresh rate is at a speed where it actually affects the viewer. They changed them because epileptics would have seizeures because of it.

[skywatch]

#Just a few points to think about.

1. LED projectors are very low light output (at the moment) typically around 50 lumens compared to 2000+ for a DLP.

2. If you have the space, definitely consider rear projection. This means plenty of room in front of the cockpit where projectors can shine onto screens between the viewer and projector.

3. If using mirrors, use front silvered only and do NOT touch them with bare fingers, use cotton gloves. Never clean them either (a quick burst with a can of compressed air will do the trick).

4. Make a cad drawing of the light paths to make sure the project will work as planned. It will save time and money in the long run.

5. Do consider the electrical and lamp costs in this too.

6. Don't forget that 3D flat screens are going to be big in the TV/Monitor market in the next year....You won't want 3 LCD screens when you have seen 3 x 3D screens!

7. And a little further away, holograms. Maybe in 5 years time (depends on the sales of 3D flat screens!). There is talk of holograms you can 'touch' - now I have not seen those myself, but it makes you wonder......

Skywatch