Projectors and Lumens

[Andy P]

Hi

I dont normally off projection as a service but more and more are asking for it and Im pretty wicked with powerpoint.

So not wanting to spend a mint on a projector but would any of you recommend a minimum in lumens and what do you have presently. Do you use a screen or just a white all?

cheers for info.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Got a 2500 lumen's one, wouldn't want anything lower than that really. Cost me about £180 reconditioned.

[ppentertainments]

Also worth the extra for short throw and a rear projection screen if using it with a disco.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have 2 x Projectors. One is an Epsom and is 3000 lumens and the other is an Infocus and is 2700 lumens.
If I don't know the venue that they are being used at then I always take a white screen with me. They were a good investment and have paid for themselves easily. I generally use a laptop to project from but recently started using my iPad. The VGA cable for the iPad was a bit pricey but it is an official one. I did get one from Ebay that was a splitter kind of cable that did both the power and VGA but when I upgraded the iPad it stopped working. The last time I looked apple don't do the same kind of cable so it's a case of making sure the iPad is fully charged when I am using it. On Airplane mode it will last 4.5hrs which is enough for a function.

[Andy P]

Never thought of using the ipad - mine is lighting so will have to look and see if they do a dual charge/video cable

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Around 2 months ago I went in to my local Apple store. A friend of mine who works for HTC had a mate that works there and said he could get me discount.
I took the Epsom projector with me and the cable that I had purchased from Ebay. Like I said it stopped working when I upgraded the settings on the iPad. It was an un-official cable.
We went over everything and tested the official VGA cable that Apple do and it was absolutely fine. It was quite funny as we projected my 80's visuals on to a massive wall and I had Pacman covering it. Everyone in the store was watching. At that time the guy said to me that Apple didn't make a dual charger / VGA cable but it could be different now? I'd be very interested in getting one if they do make one. It's fine if you are using the iPad as a back up music system or using it for background music via the headphone socket because that's separate and you can charge at the same time but for anything else that needs to come out of that connection, the iPad needs to be charge in advance.

[DazzyD]

Does anyone use the smaller, modern "Pico" projectors? I've seen a few of these now and was just wondering what other's opinions of them are.

[ukpartydj]

Does anyone use the smaller, modern "Pico" projectors? I've seen a few of these now and was just wondering what other's opinions of them are.

I've not seen one in action but they seem like the sort of thing you'd bring to a meeting along with a folding screen more than a solution for us.
I've got an optoma gt750 short throw 3500 lumens although I'm gonna be putting in my 2nd bedroom come cinema permanently soon as the call for the projector has not been great.

[Nakatomi]

I've seen some pico projectors reviewed & they don't look anything like suitable for serious use presenting photos at weddings etc - at mere hundreds of lumens in a package a few square inches in size you're not gonna get much better.

[Excalibur]

Got a 2500 lumen's one, wouldn't want anything lower than that really. Cost me about £180 reconditioned.

Seems I can top that, Neil. An HP MP3322 Digital Projector from Ebay, local seller with 100% feedback. How much? Well apparently, a lot less than a new lamp costs!!!! Initial searches suggest around £100 per lamp, which I found out after I paid £31 for the projector.

Anyone know where I can get lamps at a less upsetting price?

[ppentertainments]

Seems I can top that, Neil. An HP MP3322 Digital Projector from Ebay, local seller with 100% feedback. How much? Well apparently, a lot less than a new lamp costs!!!! Initial searches suggest around £100 per lamp, which I found out after I paid £31 for the projector.

Anyone know where I can get lamps at a less upsetting price?
Hate to say it - but your normally better off buying a new projector than a lamp.

[ukpartydj]

Hate to say it - but your normally better off buying a new projector than a lamp.

Agree, my one has a estimated lamp life of 5000 hours in eco mode... It's done just over 1500 last I checked but the price has dropped so it's no longer £500 but £300 for a pretty much brand new one on ebay by the time the lamp needs replacing the projector will only be worth £100

[Excalibur]

Hate to say it - but your normally better off buying a new projector than a lamp.

After I had committed to buying it, I checked lamp prices. :cry: It did cross my mind that perhaps this might be the case. Still, as long as this does the one gig it's required for without blowing up, I'm ahead on the deal.