I would like to get a overhead Zenith Projector in our basement but my wife is afraid that the room will have to be dark to watch. Is there a comprimise? She wants to have a play area on one end and a I want a projector at the other end. Is this possible? Lights on opposite side of couch on normal and dimmed around the projector side.Help me!!!!

All I can say is I hope you plan on using it for movies
only,otherwise you will be replacing $500.00 projector
bulbs every 1000 to 2000 hours on any non CRT Projector
and that bites!

Fry, please let me explain Brett's response. Brett, hope you don't mind.

First of all, I believe he meant that:

1) When watching a projector with lights on in the room, the intensity (brightness) has to be set higher in order to see all the picture detail.

2) If you use the projector for day-to-day TV watching, especially with #1 above, you will burn out bulbs faster than you might believe.

For even normal brightness, projector bulbs burn much hotter than most people realize. They have to in order to create white light. Ever notice how 'red' normal incandescent bulbs really are, and how much whiter halogen bulbs are? The halogen gas enables higher filament temperatures without overheating and destruction of the filament.

Compromise? Divide the room with either a wall, or a room divider. It will block some sound, but will block some light, too. Better idea? Separate rooms. Expensive idea? Build on a new room (for the theater!!!)

Larry

Fry-
First it will depend on the lumens (brightness) rating of your projector. CRT's normally have much lower lumens ratings than digital (LCD, DLP, D-ILA) projectors. Depending on your budget, room configuration and setup, you should have no problem getting a digital projector that has enough output to work in the surrounding your describing.

If there aren't any lights directly on the screen area, or near the projector you should be OK in most cases. Assuming the room isn't bathed in bright sunlight.

Also, to further detail what Larry said, changing the brightness setting on a digital projector does nothing to effect bulb life. The bulb still "burns" at the same intensity. The brighness setting isn't like a dimmer switch on a lamp, meaning it's not actually dimming the bulb. Actually, brighness sets black level, and contrast sets white level, but that's a whole other discussion!

With that said, be aware that many of digital projectors that are designed for home theaters DO have a setting that reduces bulb brightness and extends bulb life. These setttings are called things like Theater mode, or Cinema Black, etc. When projectors so equipped are run in this mode, the projected image has less overall brighness because the bulb is putting out less lumens. Most manufacturers claim about twice the bulb life in the theater mode.

If you have any more questions, take a look at the projector forums at www.avsforum.com. You'll learn more than you ever wanted to know! :)

Also, you can check out my projector equipped theater at www.thecitycinema.com

This message was edited by Steve13 on 10/28/01 06:52.57.

While I may have not gone into explicit detail as to
The options and the types of projectors available, it
Is still my opinion that DLP/LCD/D-ILA Projectors have
That inherent flaw of expensive bulbs that do not last
Nearly long enough.

For watching "TV" you still need a traditional TV or
Use a CRT Projector (which can be had with 1000+ ANSI
Lumens if you look around) If you are using a non CRT
Projector strictly for DVD Movie watching then you will
Get more life out of the bulb since it won’t be in use nearly
As much.

I intend to install a CRT Projector eventually. I have a guy
Right now who wants to sell me a Vision 3CRT FP and a
100” screen. I am working with him on the price and I want
To see the owner’s manual first so I can look up all the specs.

RPTV’s can provide upwards of 70 or more inches of useable
Screen size and will last a decade or more without having to
Change or repair anything. And even if I do get a Front Projection
Setup I will never replace my RPTV with it.

This is all just my $0.02 (Due to the recent economy down turn I
Have lowered the APR on my 2 Cents)

Brett, definitely not a criticism. I believe we complement each other with our contributions, not contradict.

Larry