Welcome to BigScreenBiz.com

It is possible to use a standard office projector to project movies in a cinema (you know, the kind used to project Microsoft powerpoint presentations at people's work)? Can you get the same aspect ratio from one? Is there a quality issue with using a standard office projector vs. a movie projector from across the theatre? I would think the standard office projector could be hung from the ceiling much closer to the screen than a typical movie projector and thus not require as many lumens? Thoughts?

[This message has been edited by eop8 (edited March 21, 2007).]

I use a DLP projector for a powerpoint presentation to run ads before the show. I have it hung much closer then my 35MM film projector but it does not have half the brightness that my 35MM projector does. I have shown DVDs, video games, and TV on it and it is passable but nobody would consider it very good at all. I really wouldn't consider it for anything other then small party or personal use. I'm sure it could be made better but still not good eough in my opinion.

WHAT IS A GOOD DIGITAL PROJECTOR TO RUN DVD ON?

look for high lumens and high contrast ratio. As high as you can afford.

I hate to look dumb put for about $3,000-4,000 can i get anything good?

Digital dvd presention i know nothing....lol

Yes you can get a good projector in that price range. I bought from http://www.avpartner.com/

I sent them my specs and throw and they came up with the models that would work for me.

3-4 K will give you something most people (95%-99%) would not even know was not 35mm (John Pytlak is rolling right now). Where you install makes the difference. You cannot neccessarily install at the back of the theatre. One 1500 lumens we just installed is about 25' back and it is bright and looks good. We plan to move it back a bit more to get a bit more size. There is no such thing as a Standard Office Projector: there are thousands of models with some of them being very good and powerful and others being weak table top shine it 10' to the wall models. You get what you pay for.

---

Michael Hurley
Impresario

there are the christie digital projectors 3000w that are on ebay for like 6,ooo. they clAIM THEY WERE ABOUT $30,000 ..IS this true?

How about 6500 lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio, XGA (1024x768) with lens for $5950 brand new with 3 year warranty? If that's too rich, then 4000 lumens XGA for $1950.

Small projector pricing has really plummeted for what you can get these days.

Will we still need these with digital projection? Our pre show stuff can't be programmed into the fine high tech digital projector?

Yup, you can do it all through the D-Cinema projector, UNLESS you go with an integrator that insists on you only using *their* advertising program. The integrators charge a fee to allow someone else to use their machine for advertising. Another good reason to wait until prices drop enough to buy your own D-Cinema.